Vehicle Exterior Stereoscopic Warning Lights for Distance-Adaptive Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light warning systems for motor vehicles are limited in their ability to project complex and extensive light information between vehicles, particularly in constrained spaces and at varying inter-vehicular distances, which hampers safety in driving situations.
Innovation Solution
A light warning system that uses a light device with diffraction gratings and waveguides to generate stereoscopic images on the exterior of a motor vehicle, allowing for increased display capacity and visibility of light information, including distance-based warnings, by emitting light rays that form diffraction lobes and pixels, which can be controlled to create dynamic and animated sequences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional display systems are used to project light information onto the road scene, then the driver can receive routing information, but the system requires sufficient projection space around the vehicle which is not available in all driving situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from projecting light information onto the road surface (2D horizontal plane) to displaying luminous pictograms on the vertical exterior surfaces of the vehicle. This dimensional shift from horizontal projection to vertical display enables the system to function in situations where road projection space is insufficient or blocked by other vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a detection system as an intermediary between the conventional display system and the road scene. This detection system identifies when other vehicles are present and block the projection space, triggering the alternative vertical display mode to ensure information reaches the driver regardless of external conditions.
2Device complexity
If luminous pictograms are displayed on predefined optical surfaces such as rear lights, then the display system is compact, but the dimensions of these surfaces are small and constrain the projection of complex and extensive luminous information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vehicle exterior into multiple predefined optical surfaces (rear lights, side indicators, front lights) that can independently display luminous pictograms. This segmentation allows complex information to be distributed across multiple surfaces rather than requiring a single large display area, maintaining system compactness while increasing information capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the vehicle's existing exterior optical surfaces multi-functional by enabling them to display luminous pictograms in addition to their conventional lighting functions. This universality allows the system to use already-present surfaces without adding bulky dedicated display devices, thereby preserving compactness while expanding information display capability.
3Reliability
If stereoscopic displays are used to generate luminous warnings at a safe distance behind the vehicle, then the warning content is invariable and visible only at specific distances, but the system cannot provide dynamic information adaptation to varying inter-vehicle distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control of luminous pictogram display based on real-time detection of other vehicles' positions and distances. The system adapts the content, intensity, and activation of pictograms on different vehicle surfaces according to the dynamic situation, allowing information to vary with inter-vehicle distance rather than remaining invariable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback loop where the detection system continuously monitors the positions of other vehicles, and this information feeds back to the control system which adjusts the luminous pictogram display accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to provide distance-adapted information, such as displaying different warnings for close versus distant vehicles.
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
Enhances safety by providing clear and dynamic light information visible to other vehicles, improving the ability to convey proximity warnings and enhance situational awareness through increased display capabilities and integration on vehicle exteriors.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide arranged to transport at least a portion of the at least one light ray emitted by the corresponding light source between a first end located on the light source side and a second end
Implementation Method 2
at least one diffraction grating located at the second end of the waveguide, at least a portion of the diffraction gratings being illuminated by the at least a portion of the light rays transported by the waveguide in order to generate at least one diffraction lobe
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4B
AI summary
The invention relates to a warning light system (1) for a main motor vehicle (300), said warning light system (1) comprising (i) a detection system (200) arranged to detect at least one other vehicle motor vehicle (400) located nearby, (ii) a display surface (350) located on an exterior surface of the main motor vehicle (300), (iii) a light device (100) arranged to display at least one stereoscopic image on the corresponding display surface (350), and (iv) a control module (310) for configuring the light device (100) according to the other motor vehicle (400) detected by the detection system (200). The invention also relates to a method of warning light for a motor vehicle comprising a step of detecting another motor vehicle (400) located close to the main motor vehicle (300) and a step of configuring the light device (100) by the control module (310) to display at least one stereoscopic image on a display surface (350) of the warning light system (1) depending on the detected other motor vehicle (400).