DE202011003597U1 - Illumination system with polarized light for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

Glare-free lighting system for vehicles of all kinds, which has one or more headlights which emit linearly polarized light at a corresponding polarization angle (W) or circularly polarized light with a corresponding direction of rotation (ZD) and whose polarization is evaluated by appropriate optical filter technology in the vehicle and thus the driver is prevented from being dazzled by the headlights of oncoming traffic from vehicles with the same system.

Description

1 Introduction

When driving at night, there is a particularly high risk of accidents caused by glare from oncoming vehicles. This is particularly noticeable when driving on narrow country lanes, as dazzling by oncoming traffic can cause "black holes" between the middle area and the right boundary of the highway for a split second. This means that the driver drives virtually "blind" for this period. If, in addition, a subsequent vehicle with its headlamps illuminates its own vehicle from behind, the driver's view is additionally impeded even more. Suddenly emerging obstacles in these blended areas ("black holes") can hardly be detected in time. This phenomenon is one of the most common causes of accidents especially on highways or construction sites on the highway. Avoidance of this phenomenon is possible with the illumination system described here. It is irrelevant whether a vehicle with the appropriate equipment comes with dipped or high beam or with poorly adjusted headlamps. A dazzling effect on the driver is prevented. The own illuminated area, as well as partially the oncoming traffic can be seen by the driver in an advantageous manner glare-free. In this way, the formation of "black holes", as previously mentioned, as well as glare of the driver by the oncoming traffic when driving uphill or by larger vehicles, where the headlights have a greater distance from the road, prevented. Position and direction indicator lights, as well as brake lights, "daytime running lights" etc. of the co-flowing traffic as well as oncoming traffic are, however, visible undamped. This lighting system significantly increases the safety of the vehicles and their occupants and can contribute to a drastic reduction in the number of accident victims. This system can also be used for motorcycles.

2. General description

The arrangement shown below describes a lighting system for vehicles, which fulfills the tasks of the previously known lighting systems, but prevents dazzling effect on the driver by vehicles of oncoming traffic with the same equipment. A dazzling of the drivers of vehicles of oncoming traffic with the same system equipment by their own headlights is also prevented. Furthermore, glare of the vehicle driver is prevented by the successor or passing traffic by appropriate system components. A retrofit of all previously known vehicle types is possible.

The various previously known developments of lighting systems of the relevant industry can be additionally equipped with the functions described here, without affecting their own function and possible specificity.

3. System Components (See Fig. 1)

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Windscreen, characterized in that it includes the function of a polarizing filter

2

Headlamp characterized in that it emits polarized light

3

Interior mirror characterized in that it attenuates the polarized light of the succession traffic

4

Exterior mirror characterized in that it attenuates the polarized light of the follow-up traffic or Überhohlverkehrs

5

Rear window characterized in that it attenuates the polarized light of the follower traffic or Überhohlverkehrs

4. Function description

4.1 Polarized light

In the illumination system, in principle, either polarized light with linear or circular polarization can be used. The best results are achieved in the current state of the art with linearly polarized light. The function of the angle (W) of the linear polarization plane described below is achieved in the case of circularly polarized light by the direction of rotation (ZD) of the circular polarization.

The particular properties of the illumination system described herein are realized through the use of optical polarization filter techniques. In this case, retrofittable polarizing filters (eg on foil, glass, etc.), but also in the manufacture of the headlamps and mirrors already integrated polarizing filters, as well as switchable electro-optical polarization filter functions can be used. Furthermore, it is conceivable that polarized light can be generated directly in the headlight directly by the corresponding light source.

For the sake of simplicity, the following functional description refers to the use of linearly polarized light.

4.2 Application of linear polarization

The headlights ( 2 ) of the own vehicle generate polarized light in the officially prescribed illumination profile. The angle (W) of the plane of polarization of the light is in this case adjusted so that it is in the blocking range of the filter function of the own windshield when turning the vehicle by 180 degrees (oncoming traffic) approximately (for example, rotated by about 90 degrees).

The angle (W) of the plane of polarization of the filter of the own windscreen is aligned exactly parallel to the plane of polarization of the own headlights ("own light"). Thus, the driver can easily see the illuminated by his headlights area. For use in motorcycles replaced the goggles or the window in the helmet the function of the previously described windshield with the properties described here.

The headlights of vehicles with the same system equipment of oncoming traffic, since it has an angle (W) of the plane of polarization, which lies in the stop band of the own windshield, attenuated by this and a glare is avoided. The light of oncoming traffic is however broken on the bumps of the road surface, d. H. that advantageously a part of the light after the refraction is also in the passage area of the own windshield and thus the illuminated area can be viewed by the vehicle driver. This means that the driver can advantageously glare-free additionally see a part of the area illuminated by oncoming traffic.

The same is true even when driving in hilly terrain, when vehicles of oncoming traffic over the ridge of bumps or hills come, or when larger vehicles with a greater distance between the road and the headlamp come - also here, a glare is prevented.

Follow-up traffic or overtaking traffic

Vehicles with the same equipment in subsequent or overtaking traffic have the same angle (W) of the optical polarity plane as their own vehicle ("own light"). In order to prevent dazzling by their headlights through the inside and outside mirrors, the exterior mirrors and the interior mirror are equipped with an optical polarization filter function which has a polarization angle which dampens the light of the vehicles of the following traffic or passing traffic.

Claims (6)

Glare-free lighting system for vehicles of all kinds, which has one or more headlights, which emit linearly polarized light at a corresponding polarization angle (W) or circularly polarized light with a corresponding direction of rotation (ZD) and whose polarization is evaluated by appropriate optical filter technology in the vehicle and thus prevents dazzling of the driver by the headlights of the oncoming traffic of vehicles with the same system. Lighting system according to claim 1, characterized in that headlights ( 2 ) emit optically polarized light in an advantageous position directly or through additional filters. Lighting system according to claim 1, characterized in that by a windscreen ( 1 ) with the function of an optical polarization filter or motorcycle riders through a goggles or the window of the helmet with appropriate filter function, which evaluate the optically polarized headlights, and thus prevent glare the driver by the light of vehicles with the same equipment of oncoming traffic. Illumination system according to claim 1, characterized in that the interior mirror ( 3 ) have an optical polarizing filter effect, with which a glare of the driver is prevented by vehicles of the following or passing traffic with the same equipment. Illumination system according to claim 1, characterized in that outside mirrors ( 4 ) have an optical polarizing filter effect, with which a glare of the driver is prevented by vehicles of the following or passing traffic with the same equipment. Lighting system according to claim 1, characterized in that a rear window ( 5 ) has an optical polarizing filter effect, with which a glare of the driver is prevented by vehicles of the following or passing traffic with the same equipment.

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