Vehicle Side-Lighting Layout With Intersecting Beams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle lighting systems struggle to evenly illuminate the lateral regions of a vehicle, making it difficult to detect road markings and obstacles, especially at night, which hinders advanced driver assistance systems for autonomous vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A lighting system comprising a first rear light module and a second front light module, emitting intersecting beams that overlap to cover a rectangular lateral area adjacent to the vehicle, combined with an image capture device for obstacle and marking detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional headlamps are positioned only at the front of the vehicle, then the headlamp assembly is simple and compact, but the lateral regions adjacent to the vehicle cannot be adequately illuminated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral region illuminationVSAvoidheadlamp assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The headlamp system is divided into separate front headlamps and lateral headlamps that can be independently positioned and controlled. The lateral headlamps are specifically positioned at the lateral regions of the vehicle to illuminate areas adjacent to the vehicle, separating the illumination function into distinct spatial zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The headlamp arrangement transitions from a traditional single-plane front-facing configuration to a multi-dimensional arrangement that includes lateral positioning. The lateral headlamps extend the illumination coverage into the lateral spatial dimension, creating comprehensive three-dimensional lighting coverage around the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If multiple headlamps are positioned at different locations including lateral regions, then comprehensive illumination coverage is achieved, but the headlamp assembly becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall illumination coverageVSAvoidheadlamp assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The headlamp system is designed to perform multiple functions: front headlamps provide primary forward illumination while lateral headlamps provide lateral region illumination. Both types of headlamps can operate independently or in combination, allowing the system to adapt to different driving conditions and illumination requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the vehicle are illuminated by headlamps with specific positioning and directional characteristics optimized for their respective zones. Front headlamps are optimized for forward road illumination while lateral headlamps are optimized for illuminating areas adjacent to the vehicle, with each position providing locally optimized lighting quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Illumination intensity

If headlamps are positioned to illuminate lateral regions, then visibility in adjacent areas improves, but glare to other road users may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral region visibilityVSAvoidglare to other road users
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral headlamps are positioned and directed to provide localized illumination specifically for lateral regions adjacent to the vehicle, with their beam patterns optimized to illuminate areas that would otherwise be in shadow while minimizing light projection into the paths of other road users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting system incorporates control logic that monitors driving conditions and adjusts the operation of lateral headlamps accordingly, activating them when lateral illumination is needed while deactivating or dimming them when they may cause glare to other road users, creating a responsive adaptive lighting system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system provides even illumination of the vehicle's lateral region, enabling effective detection of road markings and obstacles under various conditions, supporting advanced driver assistance functions.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide component configured to redirect light from the headlamp in a lateral direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight redirection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3871138B1System and method for lighting a lateral region of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP3871138B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3871138B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3871138B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention concerns a system (1) for lighting a lateral region (5) of a vehicle (2), characterised in that it comprises a first rear light module (3) capable of emitting a first light beam (7) and a second front light module (4) capable of emitting a second light beam (9), and in that the first and second light modules (3, 4) are arranged such that their respective light beams (7, 9) are oriented towards each other. The invention also relates to a vehicle including such a system. The invention finally concerns a lighting method and a method for assisting the driving of a vehicle.