Vehicle Exterior Lighting With Motion-Based Zone Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exterior lighting systems for motor vehicles lack energy efficiency and adaptive functionality to adjust lighting based on user presence and activity levels, often illuminating unnecessary areas and consuming excess energy.
Innovation Solution
An exterior lighting system comprising a plurality of sensors and a controller that selectively activates and deactivates lights based on detected motion, adjusts intensity according to speed, and recognizes authorized users, reducing energy consumption by correlating sensing areas with lighting zones and using ambient lighting in unoccupied areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the polling rate of all sensors is maintained at maximum level, then the system can detect all user activities accurately, but the energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sensor polling rate variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the polling rate of individual sensors based on whether their associated lights are currently active. When lights are deactivated, the corresponding sensors switch to a reduced polling rate, thereby adapting the system's operational characteristics to current needs and reducing energy consumption while maintaining detection capability when required.
2Illumination intensity
If all lights remain illuminated continuously, then all areas are well-lit for user safety and comfort, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing differentiated lighting conditions in different spatial zones based on detected user presence. Instead of uniform illumination across all areas, the system selectively activates lights in specific zones where users are detected, while leaving other zones dark. This creates locally optimized lighting conditions that provide safety and comfort where needed while conserving energy in unoccupied areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on real-time sensor input. The controller continuously monitors sensor data and activates or deactivates individual lights or light groups according to detected user presence and activity. This dynamic control allows the system to transition between full illumination and selective illumination modes, optimizing the balance between light coverage and energy consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system activates lights in response to any detected motion, then all user activities are accommodated, but energy is wasted when unrecognized persons are detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a recognition system that processes sensor data to distinguish between recognized users and unrecognized persons. The controller receives feedback from sensors about detected entities, compares this information against stored user profiles or recognition criteria, and uses this feedback to make intelligent decisions about light activation. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt its response based on the identity of detected persons, activating lights for recognized users while avoiding energy waste when unrecognized persons are detected.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to an exterior lighting system for a motor vehicle. An example system includes a plurality of lights configured to illuminate an area adjacent the motor vehicle, a plurality of sensors, and a controller configured to selectively activate and deactivate the lights based on signals from the sensors. The example system includes various aspects configured to preserve energy, including reducing the polling rate of sensors corresponding to deactivated lights, increasing light intensity in proportion to the speed of detected motion, and only illuminating those lights that correspond to locations of a recognized user.