Segmented Vehicle Surround Lighting for Assistive Illumination Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle lighting systems lack flexibility and versatility for assistive and communicative functions, particularly in illuminating the immediate surroundings of the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device with multiple light sources that create a fully illuminated area around the vehicle, divided into independently controllable segments in both circumferential and distance directions, allowing for dynamic and varied lighting patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate control circuits are used for different illumination functions, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination function versatilityVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single control circuit is designed to perform multiple illumination functions by dynamically adjusting operational parameters such as intensity, duration, and timing patterns. The control circuit can switch between different illumination modes including welcome lighting, departure lighting, and ambient lighting without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each function.

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

2Reliability

If illumination duration is extended to cover transition periods, then visibility and safety are improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility reliabilityVSAvoidillumination energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination device employs periodic or intermittent lighting patterns during transition periods instead of continuous illumination. The system can alternate between illuminated and dimmed states or use pulsing patterns that maintain sufficient visibility while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to sustained full-brightness operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination duration and intensity are dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection of transition events and environmental conditions. The system extends illumination only as long as necessary to cover the transition period, then automatically reduces or terminates lighting to minimize energy waste while maintaining safety requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If illumination intensity is increased for better visibility, then detection capability is improved, but energy consumption and glare increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject detection capabilityVSAvoidillumination energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly increasing illumination intensity across all areas, the system applies enhanced lighting only to specific zones where detection is critical, such as the immediate path or key detection areas. This localized intensification maintains detection capability while avoiding the energy consumption and glare issues associated with overall high-intensity illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4225611B1Vehicle and method for operating a vehicle illuminating device
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 AUDI AG
  • EP4225611B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4225611B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4225611B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) having an illumination device (2), which comprises a plurality of light sources (4) and a control device (8), for illuminating an illumination region (15) which can be simultaneously illuminated and which completely covers the surroundings of the motor vehicle (1) in the circumferential direction, wherein the illumination region (15) is divided by means of the control device (8) into illumination segments (16, 16a-f) which are controllable independently for illumination as part of at least one light function, in particular an assisting light function, of a vehicle system (9), the illumination region (15) of the illumination device (2) having at least two illumination segments (16, 16a-f), one following the other in a spacing direction from the motor vehicle (1).