Computerized Graphics Light Distribution Evaluation System for Automobile Headlighting Using Vehicle Simulation 900564
We have developed a light distribution evaluation system capable of analyzing automobile headlamp light distribution patterns, on-screen, by implementing computerized vehicle simulation graphic analysis.
This system enables one to comprehensively evaluate the driver's vision, including peripheral vision, by analyzing quantified data on contrast, discomfort glare, and disability glare effecting target visibility (ie. of pedestrian and delineation lines), adding in background brightness (ie. of sky, road, and guard fence) and oncoming vehicle glare, and arranging the screen to be at the driving viewing angle to be analyzed. Also, the video screen brightness is adjusted to look more like actual outdoor conditions by using real data, gathered outdoors, as a basis of calculation.
The road lines are given in compound curvature in the vertical and in the horizontal dimensions.
As a result, it is now possible to evaluate the relationship of the visibility of pedestrians, background brightness, oncoming vehicles, and road curvature, to the headlamp light distribution pattern, and also to confirm visibility of pedestrians at any specified location and light conditions, in real time, on-screen. This is certain to be an extremely valuable tool for light distribution analysis, as well as for verification of the safety of an automotive product at the design and improvement stages.
Citation: Nakata, Y., Ushida, T., and Takeda, T., "Computerized Graphics Light Distribution Evaluation System for Automobile Headlighting Using Vehicle Simulation," SAE Technical Paper 900564, 1990, https://doi.org/10.4271/900564. Download Citation
