18433406. VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICE simplified abstract (TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA)

From WikiPatents
Jump to navigation Jump to search

VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICE

Organization Name

TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA

Inventor(s)

Fumihiko Mouri of Owariasahi-shi (JP)

Kento Nakazato of Tokyo-to (JP)

VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICE - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18433406 titled 'VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICE

Simplified Explanation: The vehicle lighting device described in the patent application includes an illumination unit that projects an image on the road surface around the vehicle, a turn signal unit that activates the turn signal lamp, and a controller that manages the illumination unit. When the vehicle changes lanes, the controller flashes the turn signal lamp on the lane change side and displays a lane change image to notify surrounding vehicles of the maneuver. The controller adjusts the lane change image based on the presence and position of a following vehicle on the adjacent lane.

Key Features and Innovation:

  • Illumination unit projects images on the road surface around the vehicle.
  • Turn signal unit activates the turn signal lamp for lane changes.
  • Controller adjusts the lane change image based on the presence and position of following vehicles.
  • Enhances safety by notifying surrounding vehicles of lane changes visually.
  • Provides customizable lane change images for different driving scenarios.

Potential Applications: This technology can be applied in various vehicles, including cars, trucks, and buses, to improve communication with surrounding vehicles during lane changes. It can also be integrated into autonomous vehicles to enhance their interaction with human-driven vehicles on the road.

Problems Solved:

  • Lack of visual communication between vehicles during lane changes.
  • Limited awareness of surrounding vehicles during maneuvers.
  • Difficulty in signaling lane changes effectively, especially in heavy traffic.

Benefits:

  • Improved safety on the road by visually notifying surrounding vehicles of lane changes.
  • Enhanced communication between vehicles during maneuvers.
  • Customizable lane change images for different driving situations.
  • Potential reduction in accidents and collisions during lane changes.

Commercial Applications: The technology can be utilized by automotive manufacturers to enhance the safety features of their vehicles. It can also be integrated into advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to improve communication between vehicles on the road, potentially appealing to safety-conscious consumers.

Prior Art: Readers interested in prior art related to this technology can explore patents and research papers on vehicle lighting systems, lane change notifications, and communication between vehicles on the road.

Frequently Updated Research: Researchers may find updated studies on the effectiveness of visual communication in vehicle safety systems, advancements in autonomous vehicle technology, and innovations in driver assistance systems relevant to this technology.

Questions about Vehicle Lighting Device: 1. How does the controller adjust the lane change image based on the presence and position of following vehicles? 2. What are the potential implications of integrating this technology into autonomous vehicles?


Original Abstract Submitted

A vehicle lighting device disclosed in this specification comprises an illumination unit that draws an image on a road surface around a vehicle by illuminating the road surface with light; a turn signal unit that causes a turn signal lamp to flash; and a controller configured to control the illumination unit, wherein when the vehicle changes a lane from a first lane to a second lane adjacent to the first lane, the controller causes the turn signal lamp to flash on a lane change side, and causes the illumination unit to draw a lane change image for notifying surroundings of a behavior of the vehicle, and the controller changes a configuration of the lane change image according to at least one of a presence and a position of a subsequent vehicle traveling rearward of the vehicle and along the second lane.