RU2578828C2 - Prevention of drivers blinding and device to this end - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: motor car construction.

SUBSTANCE: claimed device consists of the receiver and transmitter. The latter are used to receive, transmit and process the extra signals of at least one type. Besides, it comprises the control unit for control over the operation of the vehicle, receiver, transmitter and lights. Said extra signals represent those in invisible ware band that do not blind the driver from whatever distance between the vehicles. Extra signal transmission and reception are performed in series in time as reiterating T₀-wide cycles during the entire operation life for prevention of blinding so that in every said T₀ cycle the transmission time T₁ and reception time T₂ of extra signals do not overlap in time to rule out the reception of straight or reflected extra signals radiated from the vehicle whereat they are received.

EFFECT: higher traffic safety.

20 cl, 3 dwg

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to cybernetics. It is intended primarily to prevent blindness to motor vehicle drivers.

State of the art

A known method of protecting drivers of vehicles from dazzling their headlights using protective screens with controlled transparency (application Germany No. 3319612, CL F21M 3/24, 1991).

The method consists in synchronized light control of the headlights and transparency control of the windshield of the car or screen located between the visual organs of the driver and the windshield of the car.

When the oncoming vehicle generates a short powerful light pulse with the high-beam headlights needed to illuminate the road at night, then on the oncoming vehicle the light transmission capacity of the windshield or screen decreases sharply during the same time. And the driver is not blinded, and vice versa. This process proceeds with high frequency and the illusion is created among drivers that only their car's headlights are on and therefore they do not experience a dazzling effect.

The synchronization of light pulses in this method is carried out by means of light pulses of oppositely emitted headlights and additional radio signals.

Radio signals are emitted and received through the operation of radio transmitting and receiving devices installed on each vehicle. The processing of radio signals allows more accurately in the time domain to form pulses that control the operation of the screens, with controlled transparency and in antiphase to them form pulses that control the work of headlights.

The disadvantage of this method is the need for the simultaneous installation of similar anti-glare devices on all vehicles and the difficulty of its use on roads with uneven terrain, corners and heavy traffic.

The known method of Active High Beam Control (AHB) to protect drivers of vehicles from dazzling their headlights used in a number of Volvo cars (S60, V60, XC60), http://volvo-club.lv/novosti/na-volvo-mozhno-budet -ezdit-s-postoyanno-vkliuchennim-dalnim-svetom.

Glare is prevented by analyzing the road situation with the help of video cameras installed on the rear-view mirror of the car, processing the visual signal according to a special program in the on-board computer of the car. According to the results of the analysis of the traffic situation, the main beam is switched to the dipped - when registering a car, or they control the border of the light and shadow of the high beam headlights in to quickly form the borders of the shadow around oncoming or simultaneously moving cars from the high beam headlights.

The disadvantages of the method:

- car owners equipped and not equipped with similar headlights and devices may be exposed to a dazzling effect of headlights when they fall into the region of intense radiation of high-beam headlights in the lateral direction;

- the complexity and reliability of the headlamp with a controlled border of light and shadow.

A known method of preventing glare and anti-glare system AntiBlendLicht (ABL), http://www.digitalangel.ru/index/146260/.

It is an LED panel measuring 272 × 110 × 13 mm with a special diffuser of milky white color, which is attached to the sun visor using two straps and is connected to the side panel or into the cigarette lighter.

Using three sensors, ABL monitors the illumination of the driver’s field of vision, providing a relaxing background light for the eyes and adjusting the pupils to changing light conditions on the road.

The disadvantage of this method and device is the high inertia of the device, which does not protect the driver from the blinding effects of light when a blinding source suddenly appears, the visibility of the road on the road decreases at night due to the appearance of an extraneous light source in the vehicle interior.

There is a method of preventing blinding (RF patent No. 2364528 C2, ⁶ B60Q 1/14, 12/25/2006), which describes a robot that optimally controls all light devices of a car for the driver and eliminates blinding of drivers from the headlights of cars. The device automatically turns on in the dark when the level of outdoor light falls below a certain threshold. It also allows you to receive telemetric radio signals that are generated by transmitters installed outside the vehicles, for example, standing on roadsides and having a small transmitter radius. With their help, you can set the optimal mode of the headlights, for example, automatically turn on and off the headlights when driving cars into the tunnel or when leaving the city, as well as forcibly remotely turn off the high-beam headlights on dangerous road sections.

A known method (prototype) of preventing drivers of vehicles (RF patent No. 2097223 C1, CL 6 B60Q 1/14, 07/22/1993).

The method consists in interrupting the light flux from the headlights of vehicles, the propagation and synchronization of light pulses in time. By analyzing the level of light flux intensity from oncoming headlights using a photodetector, it is possible to form in response to a blinding driver light, a response light pulse of high intensity, but of short duration. And automatically, quickly enough to put both cars in the road lighting mode, which does not lead to a dazzling effect of drivers. For example, switch their headlights from high beam to low beam.

The disadvantages of the method:

- an anti-glare effect is not provided if a similar anti-glare device or headlights are dirty on a vehicle creating a glare effect;

- the automatic control system for the headlights operating modes, together with conventional inertial headlight bulbs that use incandescent filaments, generates a sufficiently long, strong light emission from the high beam headlights, which from a short distance can still dazzle drivers. For example, when a car with high-beam headlights turned on appears from an arch, because of the corner of a building, because of a hill or because of a sharp turn on a mountain road. In such situations, both drivers will see high-intensity synchronizing pulses of light, which, at close distances between cars, can become sources of an emergency.

The system has low noise immunity and may have false alarms from other sources of powerful light radiation, for example from light emitted by the welding arc, during salute, at dawn.

Disclosure of invention

The basis of the present invention is the creation of such a method and such a device for its implementation, which would reduce the likelihood of blindness of drivers with vehicle headlights from different distances, in various weather conditions and road situations.

The technical result that can be obtained as a result of the implementation of the invention is to simplify the entire system of devices, increase functional reliability and reduce the time required to translate the headlights into a safe, non-blinding driver mode.

An additional technical result that can be obtained as a result of the invention is the organization of an automatic warning mode for drivers of vehicles not equipped with similar devices about the possible blindness of drivers of other vehicles.

The problem is solved in that in the known method for preventing blindness of drivers of at least two vehicles, which consists in installing on each of them a device for preventing blindness, consisting of at least one receiver and at least one transmitter, by which they transmit, receive and process additional signals, of at least one type, as well as a control unit designed to control the operation of the receiver, transmitter and, at least, the headlight in time mi vehicle. According to the invention, as additional signals, signals in the invisible wavelength range are used that do not lead to blindness from any possible distance between vehicles, moreover, the transmission and reception of additional signals are carried out on each vehicle sequentially in time in the form of repeating cycles of duration T0 throughout the operating time of the device to prevent blinding so that in each such cycle T0 the transmission time T1 and the reception time T2 of additional signals do not overlap They are timed to exclude the possibility of receiving direct or reflected additional signals emitted from the same vehicle on which they are received.

Possible embodiments of the invention are such that:

- the transmitter power and receiver sensitivity are selected so that additional signals emitted from one vehicle can be received on another vehicle from a distance between vehicles of at least the maximum distance from which it is possible to dazzle the headlights of a vehicle of this type;

- radio signals are used as additional signals, as a transmitter, a controlled, at least single-channel, radio-transmitting device with a transmitting antenna is used, and as a receiver, a controlled, at least single-channel, radio-receiving device with a receiving antenna is used;

- infrared signals are used as additional signals, an infrared signal generator with a radiating device in the form of an infrared LED or infrared laser is used as a transmitter, and a device for receiving an infrared signal made in the form of a photocell or video camera with an infrared signal processing device is used as a receiver;

- in signal transmitters, signal encryption is used, and in receivers they are decrypted;

- after turning on the device to prevent blinding, on each of the vehicles, the control unit implements the following algorithm: a control signal is generated in the control unit during time T1, which starts the transmitter on one of the vehicles, during this time an additional signal is emitted into the space external to this vehicle, after the expiration of the time T1, additional signals are received and processed during the time T2, which e can be radiated from another, at least one, vehicle during the time T1, and so on, and so on, on each vehicle on which the device for preventing dazzle is installed and turned on, if during the time T2 of receiving the additional signal its level is not exceeds a predetermined threshold, the mode of operation of the headlights on this vehicle is not changed, for example, the main beam headlights remain on, if during time T2 the level of the additional signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, then in the control unit and form a control signal over time T3, which controls the operation of the headlights and puts them in a mode that does not lead other drivers of vehicles to dazzle, for example, switch the headlights from the main beam to the dipped beam and / or change the light intensity of the headlights and / or their radiation pattern in space relative to the vehicle, after the T3 time has elapsed, the above steps are repeated on each vehicle, and so on until the device is turned off to prevent blinding;

- time parameters T1, T2, T3 and / or transmitter power are constant;

- at least one of the time parameters T1, T2, T3 and / or transmitter power changes;

- choose the following ratio of time parameters: T1 is less than T2, T2 is less than T3;

- the duration of the cycle T0 transmission and reception of additional signals is constant.

- the duration of the cycle T0 transmission and reception of additional signals varies in time;

- the control unit is made in the form of a computer with software, to which a controlled receiver and a controlled transmitter of additional signals and at least the headlights of the vehicle are connected;

- additionally carry out the analysis of the lighting situation around the vehicle by means of a photocell configured to receive light signals, transmitting electrical signals of the lighting situation to the input of the control unit, configured to process and automatically turn on at least the headlights of the vehicle and / or device for prevent glare when the level of external illumination of the vehicle falls below a threshold;

- additionally analyze the light situation around the vehicle by means of at least one photocell and / or video camera connected to the corresponding input of the control unit, configured to receive light signals, the control unit is configured to process signals from the photocell or video camera and automatically turn on the operation of at least the headlights of the vehicle and / or the device to prevent glare when the level of external illumination of the vehicle becomes lower than the threshold, as well as configured to turn on the pulsed operating mode of the main beam headlights to warn the driver of the vehicle, creating a glare about the need to switch the headlights to their operating mode without creating a blinding effect;

- through the operation of the receiver of additional signals, the vehicle receives the second additional signals that are emitted using devices located outside the vehicles, designed to automatically generate the headlights operating mode in accordance with the specific road on which the vehicle is moving, and the time of day and / or to receive telemetric information about traffic signs, and / or markings on the road, and / or the state of the traffic light, and / or information about approaching jelly nodorozhnomu moving trains;

- the second additional signals received on the vehicle are radio signals, and the devices forming them are located near the road or in space.

The problem is solved in that in the known device for preventing blindness of vehicle drivers, consisting of at least one receiver and at least one transmitter, through which transmit, receive and process additional signals of at least one type, as well as a unit control designed to control over time the operation of the receiver, transmitter and, at least, the headlights of the vehicle. According to the invention, as additional signals, signals in the invisible wavelength range are used that do not lead a person to dazzle from any possible distance between vehicles, moreover, the transmission and reception of additional signals is carried out sequentially in time in the form of repeating cycles of duration T0 throughout the entire operating time of the device for to prevent blinding so that in each such T0 cycle the transmission time T1 and the receiving time T2 of additional signals do not overlap in time to exclude I am able to receive direct or reflected additional signals emitted from the same vehicle on which they are received.

Possible embodiments of the device are such that:

- the transmitter power and receiver sensitivity are selected so that additional signals emitted from one vehicle can be received on another vehicle from a distance between vehicles of at least the maximum distance from which it is possible to dazzle the headlights of a vehicle of this type.

Possible embodiments of the device, such that:

- additionally enter at least one photocell or video camera connected to the corresponding input of the control unit, the control unit is configured to process signals from the photocell or video camera and automatically turn on at least the headlights of the vehicle and / or device to prevent dazzle when the level of external illumination becomes lower than the threshold, as well as configured to turn on the pulsed mode of the high beam headlights to warn the driver the second means that creates dazzle about the need to switch the headlights into the mode of their work that does not create dazzle;

- through the operation of other channels of the receiver of additional signals, the vehicle receives the second additional signals that are emitted using devices located outside the vehicles, designed to automatically generate the headlights operating mode in accordance with the specific road on which the vehicle moves, the time of day, and / or for receiving telemetric information about traffic signs, markings on the road, the state of work of the traffic light, information about approaching railways road moving trains;

- through the operation of other channels of the transmitter and receiver of additional signals, transmit and receive additional telemetric information transmitted from other vehicles, for example, about the operating modes of their headlights, their speed, time and / or energy parameters of the transmitter and / or receiver of the anti-glare device according to the first claim to optimize the operation of the anti-glare device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 a), b) serves to explain a method for preventing glare according to the invention.

In FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a device according to the invention.

In FIG. Figure 3 shows graphs explaining the process of signal generation and processing over time.

The best embodiment of the invention

An analysis of the operation of devices to prevent glare to drivers of vehicles (analogues) shows that in a number of traffic situations these methods and devices for their implementation do not provide timely, reliable protection for drivers from glare from the headlights of other vehicles.

The difference between the proposed method for preventing vehicle drivers from being blinded from the closest prototype analogue described in RF patent No. 2097223 is the use of new additional, synchronizing signals and new conditions for organizing the processes of their radiation, reception and processing, as well as new conditions for choosing temporary and energy parameters for these signals.

To clarify these differences, we use FIG. 1 a), b).

In FIG. 1, the symbols R2 and R3 denote the distances from which it is possible that other drivers from the corresponding vehicle 2 or 3 can dazzle the high-beam headlamps 9 from the corresponding vehicle 2 or 3, taking into account the specific design of the headlamps 9 of the vehicle 2, 3 of this type, their pollution, the type of lamps used in the headlamps 9 and weather conditions.

The letters R _max indicate the maximum distance from which blinding by the most powerful headlights 9 from a vehicle 2, 3 of this type is possible.

It is clear that in this class of vehicles 2, 3, such as cars 2, 3, you can experimentally set this parameter for the most powerful, clean automobile (for example, xenon) headlights 9, in good visibility, on a suburban, deserted road, at night and moonless time in the absence of smog, fog, rain or snow. Accordingly, for all other cars 2, 3 with headlights 9 of other designs, distances from which it is possible to dazzle other drivers with headlights 9 will always be less than or equal to this value, that is, R2≤R _max and R3≤R _max .

In the same way, this parameter can be defined for other types of vehicles, for example, for trains 2, 3.

In FIG. 1 a) schematically shows a section of road 1, along which, for example, vehicles 2 and 3 (for example, cars 2 and 3), each of which is equipped with a dazzle prevention device 4 according to the invention, are driven, for example, with high-beam headlamps 9 driving in front of each other.

In FIG. 1 b) the same stretch of road 1 is shown at a point in time at which cars 2, 3 approach a dangerous distance R _max , at which it becomes possible to dazzle the high-beam headlights 9 of the drivers of vehicles 2, 3, and in which the device 4 to prevent blinding.

According to the invention, the device 4 for preventing blinding is performed so that it allows you to determine the dangerous distance R _max during the approach of vehicles 2, 3 at any speed, for any number of vehicles 2, 3, in any weather conditions and for any terrain, which passes the road 1. And also automatically translate the work of the headlights 9 in a safe, not blinding mode of their work. For example, by turning off the high-beam headlamps 9, emitting powerful light rays, dazzling drivers of other vehicles 2, 3 from distances R2 and R3. And by turning on the dipped-beam headlamps 9 emitting specially focused, non-blinding drivers light rays at a shorter distance r2 and r3, as shown in FIG. 1 b).

After switching the headlights 9 into safe operation, cars 2, 3 come closer to the automatically switched headlights 9, without creating a dazzling effect to each other.

After the cars 2, 3 disperse, the device 4 to prevent dazzle automatically performs the reverse switching of the light mode of the headlights 9 from the low beam to the main beam and so on.

Let us consider in more detail the operation of devices 4 for preventing blinding and the signals generated by them.

In FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a device 4 for preventing glare according to the invention.

Like the prototype, the device 4 to prevent blinding (Fig. 2) consists of at least one receiver 5 and at least one transmitter 6, through which transmit, receive and process additional signals 7, of at least one type, and a control unit 8 for controlling in time the operation of the receiver 5, the transmitter 6, and at least the headlights 9 of the vehicle 2, 3.

As will be shown below, the control unit 8 may also have a number of other additional functions, which are expediently displayed in the dependent claims and are considered in more detail below. Just note that the control unit 8 can be made in the form of a separate electronic functional unit or it can be implemented virtually - in the form of a program for the on-board computer of the vehicle 2, 3.

In various embodiments of the invention, one or more single-channel or multi-channel receivers 5 and one or more single-channel or multi-channel transmitters 6 can be used. Using them, one or more types of additional signals 7 can be transmitted.

The combination of the above essential features and the corresponding actions should be included in the restrictive part of the first paragraph of the claims, which describes a method of preventing blinding. All these features are contained in the prototype and the claimed technical solutions and are enlarged, common essential features of the inventions.

For the convenience of a comparative analysis of the prototype and the claimed technical solutions, we briefly recall which particular action devices and signals are the essential features in the prototype, then to go on to describe the essential features that distinguish the claimed technical solutions from the prototype.

In the prototype, at least one photodetector was used as a receiver 5, which allows receiving and processing signals in the light wavelength range generated by headlights 9 of vehicles 2, 3. For example, high beam headlights 9 from an oncoming vehicle 2, 3 (or from a vehicle means 2, 3, moving behind and creating a dazzling effect for the driver through the rear view mirror).

As the transmitter 6 in the prototype, pulse-shaped electric signal shapers were used, which entered the headlights 9 of the high beam of the vehicle 2, 3 (in the embodiment, and the headlight 9 of the rear light). With their help, powerful, additional pulsed signals of the light range of wavelengths of duration τ1 were radiated into the outer space.

The essential point determining the operation of the device 4 to prevent blinding, described in the prototype, is that the reception and processing of pulsed light signals on the vehicle 2, 3 were carried out continuously throughout the entire time of the device. Including during radiation from this vehicle 2, 3 additional pulsed light signals τ1. In the prototype, there was no need to separate in time the processes of transmission and reception of light pulsed signals τ1, since they were well decoupled in space and the probability of receiving their own emitted and reflected pulsed light signals on a vehicle 2, 3 was minimal.

These additional pulse signals 7 were not modulated (encoded) to increase the noise immunity. Therefore, the system had a high level of false positive). They made it possible to synchronize the operation of devices 4 to prevent blinding from a relatively large distance between vehicles 2, 3 when the level of these pulse signals (power flux density of light pulses of duration τ1) exceeded a certain sensitivity threshold of the photocell of receiver 5.

The real range of the distance from which cars 2, 3 could enter the synchronization mode was determined by the current light-emitting ability of the headlights 9 of the main beam and the set threshold of sensitivity of the photocell. It was mainly determined by the degree of contamination of the headlights 9, their design features, as well as the type of lamps installed in the headlights 9. This synchronization distance was not constant for different cars 2, 3 and could vary for the same car in very large limits from hundreds to tens of meters.

As a result of the exchange of such pulsed light signals, during the approach of vehicles 2, 3 and their processing, signals were generated that control the light of the headlights 9 and the headlights 9 were automatically transferred to a safe, non-blinding mode of operation. For example, the high beam headlights 9 were turned off and the low beam headlights 9 were turned on or their radiation pattern was changed (for more details on the prototype, see the description of the patents of the Russian Federation No. 2097223, 2364528).

As a result of the implementation of these actions for the emission and reception of light signals, in the process of approaching vehicles 2, 3, for example, in a straight line with the high beam headlights 9 on, their drivers were forced to observe, as a rule, for some time the dazzling effect of the headlights 9 .

For example, a driver of a car with clean headlights could observe pulsed signals from the high beam headlamps 9 from the vehicle 2, 3, on which the headlamps 9 were dirty or had a lower light flux due to the design differences of the headlamps 9.

And the driver of a car with dirty headlights experienced a constant blinding effect from the high beam headlamps 9 from the oncoming car, since the power density of the light flux from its dirty headlights was not enough to exceed the photocell sensitivity threshold on another car and remotely, forcibly disconnect this source blinding light.

Such a process could continue for a rather long time (of the order of several seconds or even tens of seconds) until the cars approached and the level of luminous flux from the contaminated headlights 9 did not exceed the necessary threshold for remote shutdown of the main beam headlights 9 on a car with cleaner or more powerful headlights 9.

Reducing the likelihood of blinding drivers with powerful pulsed signals from the high beam headlights 9 in the prototype was achieved by reducing their duration τ1. The pulse duration τ1 was chosen as short as possible and was mainly determined by the inertial properties of the high-beam headlamps 9 with lamps containing an incandescent filament (τ1 was on the order of 0.2-0.5 sec).

With a relatively long range between cars 2, 3 (for example, about a hundred meters and clean headlights 9), these pulses did not lead to blindness of the drivers. But at small distances between vehicles 2, 3, for example, on a hilly, mountainous, winding road or in the yards of urban housing estates, these powerful pulses of light could still lead to blind drivers or frighten them. Since their duration τ1 (of the order of 0.2-0.5 sec) is comparable or even longer than the time τ max (0.15-0.2 sec) of the psychophysiological response of a person to powerful light radiation at close range.

To combat the above disadvantages of the prototype according to the invention, it is proposed:

- as additional signals 7, use not light signals, but additional signals 7 in the wavelength range not visible to a person’s eyes that do not lead to a person being blinded from any possible distance between vehicles 2, 3. Moreover, the transmission and reception of additional signals 7 are carried out on each vehicle 2, 3 according to a different algorithm than that of analogues and prototype, namely:

- transmission and reception of additional signals is carried out on each vehicle sequentially in time in the form of repeating cycles of duration T0 throughout the entire operation of the device 4 to prevent blinding so that in each such cycle T0 the transmission time T1 and the reception time T2 of additional signals 7 are not overlap in time to exclude the possibility of receiving direct or re-reflected additional signals 7 emitted from the same vehicle 2, 3 on which they are received.

We immediately explain the possible options for the implementation of these signs, which it is advisable to disclose in more detail in the dependent claims.

As additional signals 7, you can use radio signals 10, as a transmitter 6, you can use at least a single-channel, controlled radio transmitter 11 with a transmitting antenna 12, and as a receiver 5, you can use at least a single-channel, radio receiver 13 s receiving antenna 14 (Fig. 2).

One of the channels of the receiver 5 and transmitter 6 is necessarily used to transmit and receive the above additional signals 7. Other channels can be used to receive and / or transmit additional telemetry information in more complex embodiments of the invention or as redundant signals 7 at another (spare frequency) . For example, the transmission and reception of additional radio signals 7 can be carried out at the frequencies of security car alarms or other mobile communication and telemetry devices at frequencies of 433, 868 or 915 MHz.

In the simplest embodiment of the invention, the transmitter 6 provides low-directional radiation around the vehicle 2, 3, for example with a circular radiation pattern of the transmitting antenna 12, as shown in FIG. 1, 2. The receiver 5, in the simplest embodiment, can also be configured to receive additional signals from all sides of the vehicle 2, 3, so that the radiation and reception of additional radio signals 7 can be carried out at approximately the same distance R from the vehicle 2, 3, both in the direction of movement and back.

In an embodiment, it is advisable to receive additional signals 7 to carry out mainly from one direction - forward in the direction of travel of the vehicle 2, 3, and transmission in front and back.

It is obvious that if the distance R of transmitting and receiving additional signals 7 is greater than or equal to the maximum distance R _{max of} possible blinding. In all weather conditions, under any condition of the headlights, 9 vehicles 2, 3, as well as any terrain on which the road 1 passes, the entrance to the synchronization mode on any number of vehicles 2, 3 equipped with anti-glare devices will occur earlier than a situation will arise in which it is possible to dazzle drivers from any vehicle 2, 3 of this type.

This effect is due to the fact that radio signals 7, in contrast to light signals, have more pronounced diffraction properties than light signals that propagate only in the line of sight. Radio signals 7 can partially envelop obstacles, for example, hills, or be reflected from buildings, structures, mountains. This significant difference from the prototype allows you to deal with its shortcomings and dramatically reduce the likelihood of blinding.

For example, on a mountain road, two cars 2, 3 with the high beam headlights 9 on come to a sharp turn. If these cars were equipped with devices 4 to prevent blinding, which are described in the prototype, they would be able to blind each other at close range. And when using additional signals in the form of radio signals 7, the entrance to the synchronization mode will occur in advance. Until the moment when the cars completely exit due to a turn with the headlights 9 turned on and will be at a close distance opposite each other.

By analogy with the prototype, an embodiment of device 4 is also possible, in which directional antennas and, for example, two transmitters are used 6. At least one transmitter 6 with receiver 5 is placed, for example, in a miniature plastic Velcro case on the windshield of a car 2, 3 so that the reception (and, in the embodiment, transmission) of additional radio signals 7 is carried out in the form of some diagram oriented mainly in the direction of the vehicle 2, 3. Another transmitter 6 with a directional antenna 12 may be It is located on the rear window of the car 2, 3 and it emits additional radio signals 7 mainly towards the cars located at the rear, which can also create a dazzling effect with the high beam headlights 9 through the rear view mirror. The radio signal received from this transmitter 6 (or the signal from a weakly directed transmitter mounted on the windshield) will allow you to promptly put the headlight 9 on the next moving car 2, 3 into a safe mode of operation.

Both transmitters 6 operate to transmit an additional radio signal 7 synchronously and are launched into operation by the same control signals generated in the control device 8.

The receiver 5 is used in this case alone, since there is no need to receive an additional radio signal 7 from the side of the vehicle 2, 3, moving next and switching the light mode of the headlights 9 of the vehicle moving from the front, for example, from high to low beam. The main beam in front of a moving vehicle 2, 3 cannot create a dazzling effect for the wake of a moving car.

It is clear that if a moving car follows overtaking, then the cars will change roles and, for example, the high beam headlights 9 will turn on on the overtaking car, and on the other car the high beam headlights 9 will turn off and the low beam headlights 9 will turn on. With a large number of closely moving cars 2, 3, all of them will have the safe mode of headlights 9 turned on, so that none of the drivers, being, for example, in an inadequate state, can turn on the high-beam headlights 9, blind other drivers and create an emergency situation on a poorly lit road 1.

As additional signals 7, you can also use infrared signals 15, as a transmitter 6 use an infrared signal generator 16 with a radiating device 17 made in the form of an infrared LED or infrared laser (in Fig. 2 these nodes are shown with numbers in brackets). And as a receiver 5, a device 18 for receiving an infrared signal made in the form of an infrared photocell (for example, an infrared photodiode, phototransistor) or as an infrared camera with an infrared signal processing device 19.

In this wavelength range, you can use the nodes used in the remote control radio equipment, organizing sequentially in time the processes of transmission and reception of infrared signals 15 during the T0 cycle.

To increase the range of transmission and reception of infrared signals 15, the emitting and receiving infrared signals 15 elements 17, 18 can be installed inside the headlamp 9 and use the reflector of the headlamp as an effective antenna transceiver system oriented in the direction of vehicle 2, 3.

To increase the noise immunity in the transmitters 6, the encryption of signals 7 can be used, and in the receivers 5 they are decrypted.

It is possible to use various types of modulation of additional signals 7, the use of digitally encoded additional signals 7. For these purposes, miniature transceivers manufactured by the industry, for example, DRF4432D20, DRF4431F27, are suitable.

Possible parameters of the additional signals 7 may be, for example, the following:

T1 (2, 3) <T2 (2, 3) <T3 (2, 3),

T1 (1) ≅T1 (2) (of the order of 0.001-0.1 sec);

T2 (1) ≅T2 (2) (of the order of 0.01-1.0 seconds);

T3 (1) ≅T3 (2) (of the order of 1.0-15 sec);

In FIG. 3 shows the diagrams of the additional signals 7 formed in time for a more visual explanation of one of the possible algorithms of operation of the control unit 8.

After turning on the device 4 to prevent blinding, in the control unit 8, on a vehicle, for example, 2, the following actions can be performed:

- form a cyclically repeating, control signal over time T1 (2), starting up the transmitter 6 (electrical signal U _{8,6 (2)} shown in the upper graph of Fig. 3);

- during the time T1 (2), the additional signal 7 is emitted into the space external to the vehicle 2 (radio signal U _{6 (2)} );

- after time T1 (2) has passed, additional signals 7 are received and processed during time T2 (2), which can be radiated from another, at least one vehicle 3 during time T1 (3) of transmission of additional signal 7 from the vehicle means 3. To implement this time-selective reception, a gate signal 5 is generated in the control unit 8 (signal U _{8.5 (2) of} Fig. 3). And so on and so on on each vehicle 2, 3 on which the device 7 is installed and turned on to prevent blinding;

- if during the time T2 (2, 3) the additional signal 7 is received on one of the vehicles 2, 3 its level does not exceed a predetermined threshold, then the light mode of the headlights 9 on this vehicle 2, 3 does not change, for example, remain the high beam headlights 9 are turned on, since there are no other vehicles 2, 3 in the vicinity and, accordingly, there is no danger of possible blindness;

- if during the time T2 (2) or T2 (3) on any of the vehicles 2, 3 the level of the additional signal 7 exceeds a predetermined threshold, then in the control unit 8 a control signal is generated during the time T3 (2, 3), controlling the operation of headlights 9 and putting them into a mode that does not lead other drivers of vehicles (2, 3) to dazzle. For example, the headlights 9 are switched from the main beam to the dipped beam and / or the light intensity of the headlights 9 and / or their radiation pattern in space relative to this vehicle 2, 3 are changed. FIG. 3, the letter t1 denotes the time when the level of the additional signal 7 was exceeded from the vehicle 2, which was emitted from it during the time t1-t3 and was received during the time t1-t2 on the vehicle 3. So that from the time t1 to the time 16, the block 8 began to generate a pulse of duration T3 (3) on the vehicle 3. During this pulse, the vehicle 3 automatically generates a non-blinding mode of operation of the headlights 9. For example, the high beam headlights 9 are turned off and the low beam headlights 9 are turned on.

A similar process takes place on another vehicle 2. During time t4-t5, additional signals 7 emitted from vehicle 3 were received and processed on vehicle 2. And a signal of duration T3 was generated in control unit 8 from time t4 to time t7 (2) by which the vehicle switched headlights 9 from high beams to low beams of headlights (see diagrams of electrical signals coming from control units 8 to headlights 9 - U _{8.9 (2)} and U _{8.9 (3)} Figure 3).

The need for the formation of a control signal of duration T3 (2, 3) is caused by the desire to exclude multiple quick switching from one mode of operation of the headlights 9 to another mode of operation at the maximum range of the device 4, when the reception of the additional signal 7 then occurs, then disappears again, for example from due to the difficult terrain and the multipath of the arrival of additional signals 7. The switching of the headlights 9, for example, from the main beam to the dipped beam and vice versa, visually will not be pleasant, it can annoy drivers, and is very reminiscent of a well-known phenomenon in the theory of digital signals is referred to as "contact bounce." Due to the pulse T3 (2, 3), the process of multiple switching of the headlights 9 is minimized;

- after the time T3 (2, 3), the above steps are repeated on each vehicle 2, 3, and so on until the device 4 is turned off to prevent blinding.

As seen in FIG. 3, in the most general case, the time during which the reception and transmission of, for example, radio signals 7 on different vehicles 2, 3 does not coincide. This is due to the fact that the indicated time parameters of the cycles of transmission and reception of radio signals are not synchronized in any way and are generally determined by the technological spread of the parameters of the elements (resistors and capacitors), with the help of which the corresponding pulses are generated, for example, in coupled multivibrators that control the transmission time and receiving additional signals 7. As well as the random nature of the on-time of devices 4 to prevent blinding on various vehicles 2, 3 and the current icon the voltage of the vehicle electrical system. Therefore, with a probability close to unity, the entrance to the synchronization mode between two vehicles 2, 3 can take place during one reception cycle - the transmission of additional signals 7, when signal 7 exceeds the threshold. If the duration of the cycle T0 is made less than the time of the psychophysical reaction of a person’s vision to the blinding radiation τ max (about 0.15-0.2 sec), then the proposed method, with a probability close to unity, will eliminate the possibility of blinding in any traffic situation. Such a mechanism for synchronizing between devices 4 dramatically simplifies their design, reduces their cost and allows you to use the method in any road and weather conditions.

To reduce the likelihood of complete coincidence in time of the moments of transmission and reception of additional signals 7, at which it will not be possible to enter the synchronization mode of devices 4 for a long time (during several cycles T0 of reception and transmission), special measures can be taken:

- forced change of the duration of the cycle T0, for example, through the operation of a controlled pulse shaper T1, T2 with a periodically or randomly changing pulse repetition rate (for example, with a pulse repetition rate controlled by signals from a noise generator or random number generator);

- forced change of one of the time parameters T1, T2, at a constant value of the duration of the cycle T0, for example, through the operation of the pulse shaper with varying duty cycle.

It is also advisable to choose the following ratio of time parameters T1 << T2 <T3.

Additional significant features that distinguish the claimed technical solution from the prototype, which should be reflected in the dependent claims are the following conditions:

- the power of the transmitter 6 and the sensitivity of the receiver 5 are selected so that the additional signals 7 emitted from one vehicle 2, 3 can be received on another vehicle 2, 3 from a distance between vehicles of at least the maximum distance R _max from which blinding by headlights 9 of the vehicle 2, 3 of this type is possible.

This condition has already been justified above. With its help, it is possible in a proactive mode to timely translate the light of headlights 9 into a safe, non-blinding mode of operation in almost all of the most difficult road and weather conditions.

It is important to note that there is no point in increasing the power of the transmitter 6 and, accordingly, the range of receiving additional signals 7 in excess of the maximum distance from which blinding of drivers of vehicles 2, 3 of this type is possible. Since this is logically unreasonable and will lead to an unjustified switching of the light mode of the headlights 9 into the mode of their operation with a reduced light emission of headlights 9 in a large number of road users. For example, for vehicles 2, 3, such as automobiles, the distance R _max can be measured and a single standard introduced, for example R _max = 300 m, and for trains, for example R _max = 600 m.

In embodiments of the invention, to automate the process of turning on the device 4 to prevent blinding, it is advisable that:

- additionally, the analysis of the lighting situation around the vehicle 2, 3 was carried out by means of a photocell 20 (Fig. 2), electrical signals of the lighting situation were transmitted to the input of the control unit 8, which is capable of processing and automatically turning on at least the headlights 9 of the vehicle 2, 3 and / or devices 4 for preventing blinding according to the first claim, when the level of external illumination becomes lower than the threshold.

For example, at dusk, on vehicles equipped with such devices 4, side lights can be automatically switched on (not shown in Fig. 2), dipped-beam headlights 9 and the above-described device 4 to prevent blinding. And, for example, turning on the headlights 9 of the high beam and turning off the headlights 9 of the dipped beam is done automatically after the next cycle T0 of operation of the device 4 - after analysis of the received additional signals 7.

At the initial stage of the invention, when not all vehicles 2, 3 are equipped with similar devices 4 and some vehicles 2, 3 cannot automatically enter synchronization mode, for example, via a radio channel, it is advisable to supplement the device described above with 4 nodes (photocells 20 and pulse shapers - not shown in Fig. 2), which are described in the prototype, and which, in the case of blinding effects, can automatically generate additional pulse signals in the light wavelength range, for example er, headlights 9 high beam.

In an embodiment, in order to reduce the likelihood of possible blinding, the level of the pulse voltage supplied to the headlights 9 can be reduced, for example, from 12.6-14.4 V to 8-10 V. So that the pulsating headlights 9 of the main beam with reduced emissivity do not lead to dazzle, they were clearly visible from a distance and warned the driver of a vehicle 2, 3, not equipped with a device 4 to prevent dazzle, about the need to switch the light mode of the headlights 9 from the main to the dipped beam. As drivers usually do in manual mode when they are blinded.

Given the tendency to automate the actions of the driver on vehicles 2, 3 and the creation of a variety of telemetry systems that increase the usability of vehicles 2, 3, in a number of embodiments of the invention it is advisable:

- through the operation of the receiver 5 of additional signals 7 to receive on the vehicle 2, 3 the second additional signals 21 (Fig. 1), which are emitted using devices 22 located outside the vehicles 2, 3 and are designed to automatically generate the operating mode of the headlights 9 in in accordance with the specific road 1, on which the vehicle 2, 3 moves, the time of day, and / or for receiving telemetric information about traffic signs, and / or markings on the road, and / or the state of operation of the traffic light, and / or information about trains approaching the level crossing or signals specifying the power of the transmitter 6;

- the second additional signals 21 received on the vehicle 2, 3 can be radio signals, and the devices 22 forming them can be located near road 1 or in space.

In this embodiment of the invention, the functions of the control device 8 can be performed by a separate electronic unit or the on-board computer of the vehicle 2, 3, to which the receivers 5, transmitters 6, light sensors and headlights 9 of the vehicle 2, 3 are connected by means of the corresponding input devices and data output.

When implementing the control device 8 in the form of a separate electronic unit, it is advisable to combine it with a burglar alarm, since most modern security systems have transceivers that can transmit and receive coded radio signals to the distance R _max necessary for the device 4 to operate. Radio alarms and additional signals 7 can be transmitted and received on using the same transceiver 5, 6 due to the separation in time of their work and coding. For example, when the vehicle is armed, device 4 is turned off, and when the car is removed from the alarm and the vehicle engine 2, 3 is started, device 4 is turned on.

Industrial applicability

The invention is applicable in the automotive industry and in railway transport.

Claims (20)

1. The way to prevent blindness of drivers of at least two vehicles, which consists in installing on each of them a device for preventing blindness, consisting of at least one receiver and at least one transmitter, through which the transmission is carried out, reception and processing of additional signals, at least one type, as well as a control unit designed to control the operation of the receiver, transmitter and at least the headlights of the vehicle in time, characterized in that as additional signals, signals in the invisible wavelength range are used that do not lead a person to dazzle from any possible distance between vehicles, and the transmission and reception of additional signals are carried out on each vehicle sequentially in time in the form of repeating cycles of duration T0 throughout the entire operating time devices for preventing blinding so that in each such cycle T0 the transmission time T1 and the reception time T2 of additional signals do not overlap in time for exclude the possibility of receiving additional direct or reflected signals emitted from the same vehicle on which they are taken. 2. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that the transmitter power and the sensitivity of the receiver are selected so that additional signals emitted from one vehicle can be received on another vehicle from a distance between vehicles of at least the maximum distance from which it is possible to dazzle the headlights of a vehicle of this type. 3. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that the radio signals are used as additional signals, a controlled, at least single-channel, radio-transmitting device with a transmitting antenna is used as a transmitter, and a controlled at least single-channel is used as a receiver radio receiver with a receiving antenna. 4. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that infrared signals are used as additional signals, an infrared signal generator with a radiating device made in the form of an infrared LED or infrared laser is used as a transmitter, and a device for receiving an infrared signal is used as a receiver, made in the form of a photocell or video camera with a device for processing infrared signals. 5. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that the signal transmitters use signal encryption, and in the receivers they are decrypted. 6. The method according to any claims. 1-5, characterized in that after turning on the device to prevent blinding on each of the vehicles, the control unit implements the following algorithm: a control signal is generated in the control unit for a time T1, which starts the transmitter on one of the vehicles, during this time, an additional signal is emitted into the space external to this vehicle, after the expiration of time T1, additional signals are received and processed in t the time T2, which can be radiated from another, at least one, vehicle during the time T1, and so on, and so on, on each vehicle on which the device for preventing blindness is installed and turned on, if during the time T2 additional if the signal level does not exceed a predetermined threshold, the headlight operating mode on this vehicle does not change, for example, the main beam headlights remain on if, during time T2, the level of the additional signal exceeds a predetermined threshold og, then a control signal is generated in the control unit for a time T3 that controls the operation of the headlights and puts them into a mode that does not lead other drivers of vehicles to dazzle, for example, switch the headlights from the main beam to the dipped beam and / or change the light intensity of the headlights and / or a diagram of their radiation in space relative to the vehicle, after the time T3, these actions are repeated on each vehicle, and so on until the device is turned off to prevent blinding. 7. The method according to p. 6, characterized in that the time parameters T1, T2, T3 and / or transmitter power are constant. 8. The method according to p. 6, characterized in that at least one of the time parameters T1, T2, T3 and / or transmitter power is changed. 9. The method according to p. 6, characterized in that the following ratio of time parameters is selected: T1 is less than T2, T2 is less than T3, 10. The method according to p. 6, characterized in that the duration of the cycle T0 transmission and reception of additional signals is constant. 11. The method according to p. 6, characterized in that the duration of the cycle T0 transmission and reception of additional signals varies in time. 12. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that the control unit is made in the form of a computer with software, which is connected to a managed receiver and a controlled transmitter of additional signals and at least the headlights of the vehicle. 13. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that they additionally analyze the light situation around the vehicle by means of a photocell configured to receive light signals, transmit electrical signals of the light situation to the input of the control unit, configured to process and automatically turn it on, at least the headlights of the vehicle and / or the anti-glare device. 14. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that they further analyze the light situation around the vehicle by means of at least one photocell and / or video camera connected to the corresponding input of the control unit, configured to receive light signals, the control unit is performed with the ability to process signals from a photocell or video camera and automatically turn on at least the headlights of the vehicle and / or device to prevent blinding when the level of the outside the vehicle’s illumination becomes lower than the threshold, as well as configured to turn on the pulsed driving mode of the main-beam headlights to warn the driver of the vehicle, creating dazzle about the need to switch the headlights into their operating mode, which does not create a dazzling effect. 15. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that through the operation of the receiver of additional signals, the vehicle receives second additional signals that are emitted by devices located outside the vehicles, designed to automatically generate the headlights in accordance with a particular road, on which the vehicle is moving, and the time of day and / or for receiving telemetric information about traffic signs, and / or markings on the road, and / or the state of operation of the traffic light, and / or information about the approaching railway train crossing. 16. The method according to p. 15, characterized in that the second additional signals received by the vehicle are radio signals, and the devices forming them are located near the road or in space. 17. A device for preventing glare to vehicle drivers, consisting of at least one receiver and at least one transmitter, by means of which they transmit, receive and process additional signals of at least one type, as well as a control unit designed to control time operation of the receiver, transmitter and, at least, the headlights of the vehicle, characterized in that as additional signals use signals in the invisible wavelength range that do not lead to blindness ju from any possible distance between the vehicles, and the transmission and reception of additional signals are carried out sequentially in time in the form of repeating cycles of duration T0 throughout the entire operating time of the device to prevent blinding so that in each such cycle T0 the transmission time T1 and the reception time T2 of additional signals do not overlap in time to exclude the possibility of receiving direct or reflected additional signals emitted from the same vehicle on which they receive Xia. 18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that at least one additional photocell or video camera connected to the corresponding input of the control unit is additionally introduced, the control unit is configured to process signals from the photocell or video camera and automatically turn on at least vehicle headlights and / or devices for preventing glare when the level of external illumination becomes lower than the threshold, as well as configured to turn on the pulsed mode of operation of the main beam headlights to alert the driver of the vehicle, creating a dazzling, the need to switch the headlights in their mode of operation does not create glare. 19. The device according to p. 17, characterized in that, through the operation of other channels of the additional signal receiver, the vehicle receives second additional signals that are emitted by devices located outside the vehicles, designed to automatically generate the headlights operating mode in accordance with a specific the road on which the vehicle is moving, the time of day, and / or for receiving telemetric information about traffic signs, markings on the road, the state of traffic lights ra, information about approaching railroad train crossing. 20. The device according to p. 17, characterized in that through the operation of other channels of the transmitter and receiver of additional signals transmit and receive additional telemetric information transmitted from other vehicles, for example, about the operating modes of their headlights, their speed, temporary and / or energy parameters of the operation of the transmitter and / or receiver of the glare prevention device.

Images