Vehicle headlamp aiming adjustment system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp aiming adjustment system including a headlamp controller configured to adjust an emission direction of light emitted from a headlamp, a sensing unit configured to measure a sensing area on the ground and measure a change in the sensing area, and a controller configured to receive information about the sensing area measured by the sensing unit, compare the measured sensing area with a reference area stored in advance, and transmit a control signal to the headlamp controller so that the emission direction of the light is adjusted according to the change in the sensing area when the sensing area is different from the reference area. The above-described vehicle headlamp aiming adjustment system can check an emission area of light of a headlamp and secure a driver's field of view by correcting the emission area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle headlight aiming and adjustment system, which is configured to adjust the emission direction of light emitted from the headlights according to the vehicle's attitude, so that the light is emitted to an accurate position. Background Technology

[0002] Generally speaking, vehicle lights include taillights, brake lights that turn on when braking, turn signals, etc.

[0003] In particular, headlights emit light in the direction of the vehicle's movement, thus illuminating the path ahead. That is, headlights emit light in the forward direction during nighttime driving, providing visual information to the driver. Therefore, ensuring forward visibility at night allows for the identification of other vehicles and obstacles on the road, thereby ensuring safe driving.

[0004] The problem with traditional headlights is that they don't provide adequate illumination to ensure the driver's visibility if the vehicle is tilted due to passengers in the rear seats or cargo in the trunk, or if the vehicle is going uphill / downhill.

[0005] The above description of the background technology is only for the purpose of helping to understand the background of the present invention, and those skilled in the art should not regard it as corresponding to the known prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle headlight aiming adjustment system that adjusts the emission direction of light emitted from the headlights according to the vehicle's attitude so as to always ensure the driver's field of vision.

[0007] A vehicle headlight aiming adjustment system according to one aspect of the present invention may include: a headlight controller configured to adjust the emission direction of light emitted from a headlight; a sensing unit configured to measure a sensing area on the ground and measure changes in the sensing area; and a controller configured to: receive information about the sensing area measured by the sensing unit, compare the measured sensing area with a pre-stored reference area, and transmit a control signal to the headlight controller when the sensing area differs from the reference area, such that the emission direction of the light is adjusted according to the changes in the sensing area.

[0008] The sensing area of ​​the sensing unit and the reference area of ​​the controller can have the same pattern shape, and when the pattern shape of the reference area is different from the pattern shape of the sensing area, the controller can transmit a control signal to the headlight controller.

[0009] When the pattern shape of the sensing area moves forward or extends forward relative to the pattern shape of the reference area, the controller can transmit a control signal to the headlight controller to correct the light emission direction downward.

[0010] When the pattern shape of the sensing area moves backward or shortens backward relative to the pattern shape of the reference area, the controller can transmit a control signal to the headlight controller to correct the light emission direction upward.

[0011] When the pattern shape of the sensing area sensed by the sensing unit moves to the left or increases the angle to the left relative to the pattern shape of the reference area, the controller can send a control signal to the headlight controller to correct the light emission direction to the right.

[0012] When the pattern shape of the sensing area moves to the left or increases the angle to the left relative to the pattern shape of the reference area, the controller can transmit a control signal to the headlight controller, so that the emission direction of the light from the left headlight is corrected downward and the emission direction of the light from the right headlight is corrected upward.

[0013] When the pattern shape of the sensing area moves to the right or increases the angle to the right relative to the pattern shape of the reference area, the controller can send a control signal to the headlight controller, so that the emission direction of the light from the left headlight is corrected upward and the emission direction of the light from the right headlight is corrected downward.

[0014] When the pattern shape of the sensing area sensed by the sensing unit moves to the right or increases in angle to the right relative to the pattern shape of the reference area, the controller can send a control signal to the headlight controller to correct the light emission direction to the left.

[0015] The sensing unit can be configured to form a sensing area under the vehicle.

[0016] The sensing unit can be configured to form a sensing area in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel.

[0017] The controller can also receive information about the vehicle's speed and deduce the arrival time of the vehicle at different locations in the sensing area and the reference area based on the speed, so that the headlight controller adjusts the light emission direction at the derived arrival time.

[0018] The sensing unit may include a first sensing unit and a second sensing unit. The first sensing unit forms a first sensing area in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel, and the second sensing unit forms a second sensing area below the vehicle. A first reference area corresponding to the first sensing area and a second reference area corresponding to the second sensing area may be pre-stored in the controller.

[0019] When the vehicle stops, the controller can first compare the second sensing area with the second reference area, and can send a control signal to the headlight controller so that when the second sensing area changes relative to the second reference area, the direction of light emission is adjusted.

[0020] When the vehicle is in motion, the controller can deduce the amount of light emission angle to be adjusted due to the change of the first sensing area relative to the first reference area, and can correct the deduced light emission direction when the second sensing area changes relative to the second reference area.

[0021] The controller can also receive vehicle speed information and can deduce the arrival time of the vehicle at a different location from the first sensing area and the first reference area based on the vehicle speed, so that the headlight controller adjusts the light emission direction before the deduced arrival time.

[0022] The vehicle headlight aiming adjustment system with the above configuration identifies the light emission area of ​​the headlights through the sensing unit as the vehicle's attitude changes, and corrects the light emission area accordingly, so as to always ensure the driver's field of vision and thus ensure driving stability. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a vehicle headlight aiming adjustment system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figures 2 to 5 It is shown in Figure 1 The diagram shows the change in the sensing area of ​​the vehicle headlight aiming and adjustment system according to the vehicle's attitude.

[0026] Figure 6 and Figure 7 It is shown in Figure 1 The diagram shows the installation location of the sensing unit in the vehicle headlight aiming and adjustment system.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a vehicle headlight aiming adjustment system according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0028] Figure 9 It is shown in Figure 8 The diagram shows the installation location of the sensing unit in the vehicle headlight aiming and adjustment system. Detailed Implementation

[0029] A vehicle headlight aiming adjustment system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a vehicle headlight aiming adjustment system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 2 to 5 It is shown in Figure 1 The diagram shows the changes in the sensing area of ​​the vehicle's headlight aiming adjustment system according to the vehicle's attitude. Figure 6 and Figure 7 It is shown in Figure 1 The diagram shows the installation location of the sensing unit in the vehicle headlight aiming and adjustment system. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a vehicle headlight aiming adjustment system according to another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 9 It is shown in Figure 8 The diagram shows the installation location of the sensing unit in the vehicle headlight aiming and adjustment system.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle headlight aiming adjustment system according to the present invention includes: a headlight controller 100, a sensing unit 200, and a controller 300. The headlight controller 100 adjusts the emission direction of light emitted from the headlight; the sensing unit 20 forms a sensing area A on the ground and measures the changes in the sensing area A; the controller 300 receives information about the sensing area A measured by the sensing unit, compares the measured sensing area A with a pre-stored reference area B, and when the sensing area A is different from the reference area B, transmits a control signal to the headlight controller 100 so that the emission direction of light is adjusted according to the changes in the sensing area A.

[0032] The headlights are configured to adjust the direction of light emission by driving an actuator. The actuator operates in response to a control signal from the headlight controller 100, thereby changing the direction of light emission.

[0033] The sensing unit 200 can be a depth sensor. Specifically, the sensing unit 200 includes a light source 200a and a diffraction lens 200b. The light source 200a emits infrared light, and the diffraction lens 200b transmits the infrared light emitted from the light source 200a to a patterned sensing area A. Therefore, the sensing unit 200 projects infrared light with a structured pattern onto the ground and detects changes in the pattern through an image sensor, thereby enabling the detection of the road surface condition. LiDAR, Time-of-Flight (TOF), and other similar sensors can be applied to depth sensors, and these sensors can three-dimensionally identify the road surface condition and obstacles, thereby enabling precise adjustment of the emission direction of the headlight light.

[0034] The controller 300 receives information about sensing area A from the sensing unit 200 and transmits a control signal to the headlight controller 100, causing the emission direction of the light from the headlights to be adjusted. When the vehicle, including the headlights, is in a normal state, a reference area B for sensing area A is stored in the controller 300. That is, the reference area B can be stored when the vehicle is delivered from the warehouse, and the vehicle's attitude can be analyzed based on the reference area B by examining the difference between sensing area A measured by the sensing unit 200 and the reference area B.

[0035] Therefore, the controller 300 compares the sensing area measured by the sensing unit 200 with a pre-stored reference area B, and when the sensing area A differs from the reference area B, it sends a control signal to the headlight controller 100, causing the light emission direction to be adjusted according to the change in sensing area A. That is, the controller 300 checks the vehicle's posture due to the difference between sensing area A and reference area B, and sends a control signal to correct the light emission area that has changed according to the vehicle's posture to a normal light emission area, thereby ensuring forward visibility.

[0036] In describing the invention in detail, the sensing area A of the sensing unit 200 and the reference area B of the controller 300 can have the same pattern shape. Therefore, when the vehicle's attitude is stable, the pattern of the reference area B is the same as the pattern of the sensing area A. When the vehicle's attitude is unstable, the pattern of the sensing area A changes and becomes inconsistent with the pattern of the reference area B. Therefore, when the pattern shape of the reference area B is different from the pattern shape of the sensing area A, the controller 300 sends a control signal to the headlight controller 100, causing the emission direction of the light from the headlights to be adjusted. Various shapes can be applied to the pattern shapes of the sensing area A and the reference area B, but multiple grid patterns can be provided so that there are no gaps between the patterns and the changes in the patterns are visually apparent.

[0037] In detail, when the pattern shape of sensing area A moves forward or extends forward relative to the pattern shape of reference area B, controller 300 sends a control signal to headlight controller 100 to correct the light emission direction downward.

[0038] That is, as in Figure 2As can be seen, when the pattern shape input through the sensing unit 200 moves forward or extends forward relative to the pattern shape of the reference area B stored in the controller 300, the controller 300 determines that the vehicle's attitude has changed, causing the front to rise. Therefore, the controller 300 sends a control signal to the headlight controller 100, causing the emission direction of the light emitted from the headlights to be corrected, thereby changing the emission direction of the light downward. As described above, the controller 300 checks the vehicle's attitude by deriving the change in vehicle tilt caused by the pattern change in the sensing area A measured by the sensing unit 200, derives the light emission direction to correct for the change in vehicle attitude, and sends a control signal to the headlight controller 100. Therefore, the headlight controller 100 responds to the control signal to control the actuator, thereby adjusting the emission direction of the light emitted from the headlights to bring the light to a normal position.

[0039] When the pattern shape of sensing area A moves backward or shortens backward relative to the pattern shape of reference area B, controller 300 sends a control signal to headlight controller 100, thereby correcting the light emission direction upward.

[0040] That is, as in Figure 3 As can be seen, when the pattern shape input through the sensing unit 200 moves backward or shortens backward relative to the pattern shape of the reference area B stored in the controller 300, the controller 300 determines that the vehicle's attitude has changed, causing the rear to rise. Therefore, the controller 300 sends a control signal to the headlight controller 100, causing the emission direction of the light emitted downward from the headlights to be corrected, thereby changing the emission direction of the light upward.

[0041] When the pattern shape of the sensing area A sensed by the sensing unit 200 moves to the left or increases the angle to the left relative to the pattern shape of the reference area B, the controller 300 sends a control signal to the headlight controller 100 to correct the light emission direction to the left.

[0042] That is, as in Figure 4 As can be seen, when the pattern shape input through the sensing unit 200 moves to the left or increases in angle to the left relative to the pattern shape of the reference area B stored in the controller 300, the controller 300 determines that the vehicle's attitude has changed, causing the left side to be raised. Therefore, the controller 300 sends a control signal to the headlight controller 100, causing the emission direction of the light emitted from the headlights to the left to be corrected, thereby correcting the emission direction of the light to the left.

[0043] When the left side of the vehicle is raised, the left-side pattern of sensing area A moves forward or changes forward, while the right-side pattern moves backward or changes backward. Therefore, when the pattern shape of sensing area A moves to the left or increases the angle to the left relative to the pattern shape of reference area B, controller 300 sends a control signal to headlight controller 100, causing the emission direction of light from the left headlight to be corrected downward, and the emission direction of light from the right headlight to be corrected upward. That is, when the left side of the vehicle is raised, the light emission area from the left headlight expands, while the light emission area from the right headlight shrinks. Therefore, the headlights are corrected to the right, the emission direction of light from the left headlight is corrected downward, and the emission direction of light from the right headlight is corrected upward. As described above, by adjusting the emission direction of light emitted from the headlights, the light emitted from the left and right headlights can travel to their normal positions.

[0044] When the pattern shape of the sensing area A sensed by the sensing unit 200 moves to the right or increases the angle to the right relative to the pattern shape of the reference area B, the controller 300 sends a control signal to the headlight controller 100 to correct the light emission direction to the right.

[0045] That is, as in Figure 5 As can be seen, when the pattern shape of the sensing area A input through the sensing unit 200 moves to the right or increases in angle relative to the pattern shape of the reference area B stored in the controller 300, the controller 300 determines that the vehicle's attitude has changed, causing the right side to rise. Therefore, the controller 300 sends a control signal to the headlight controller 100, causing the emission direction of the light emitted from the headlights to the right to be corrected, thereby adjusting the emission direction of the light to the right.

[0046] When the right side of the vehicle is raised, the right-side pattern of sensing area A moves forward or changes forward, while the left-side pattern moves backward or changes backward. Therefore, when the pattern shape of sensing area A moves to the right or increases in angle relative to the pattern shape of reference area B, controller 300 sends a control signal to headlight controller 100, causing the emission direction of light from the left headlight to be corrected upward, and the emission direction of light from the right headlight to be corrected downward. That is, when the right side of the vehicle is raised, the emission area of ​​light from the right headlight expands, while the emission area of ​​light from the left headlight decreases. Therefore, the headlights are corrected to the left, the emission direction of light from the left headlight is corrected upward, and the emission direction of light from the right headlight is corrected downward.

[0047] like Figure 6 As shown, the sensing unit 200 can be configured to form a sensing area A under the vehicle. When the sensing unit 200 is disposed under the vehicle and forms a sensing area A under the vehicle, and the vehicle's attitude changes, the sensing area A also changes, thereby immediately identifying the difference between the sensing area A and the reference area B.

[0048] As another implementation scheme, such as Figure 7 As shown, the sensing unit 200 can be configured to form a sensing area A in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel. That is, the sensing unit 200 can be installed to form a sensing area A in front of the vehicle and can determine the road surface condition in the direction of travel. Since the road surface condition in the direction of travel is checked in advance, the emission direction of the headlights can be adjusted more quickly according to the road surface condition.

[0049] Specifically, when the sensing unit 200 is configured to form a sensing area A in front of the vehicle's direction of travel, the controller 300 also receives information about the vehicle's speed and, based on the speed, calculates the arrival time of the vehicle at a point where the sensing area A differs from the reference area B. In other words, since the sensing unit 200 is configured to form a sensing area A in front of the vehicle's direction of travel, the controller 300 can pre-determine the position where the measured sensing area A differs from the reference area B. Furthermore, the controller 300 calculates the arrival time of the vehicle at this point based on the speed, thereby enabling adjustment of the light emission direction when the vehicle reaches that position.

[0050] As another implementation scheme, such as Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the sensing unit 200 may include a first sensing unit 210 and a second sensing unit 220. The first sensing unit 210 forms a first sensing area A1 in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel, and the second sensing unit 220 forms a second sensing area A2 below the vehicle. Since the sensing unit 200 includes the first sensing unit 210 and the second sensing unit 220, and the first sensing unit 210 and the second sensing unit 220 form sensing areas in front of and below the vehicle, the emission direction of the headlights can be adjusted more precisely by combining information from the sensing units. Therefore, a first reference area B1 corresponding to the first sensing area A1 and a second reference area B2 corresponding to the second sensing area A2 are pre-stored in the controller 300.

[0051] In detail, when the vehicle stops, the controller 300 first compares the second sensing area A2 with the second reference area B2 and sends a control signal to the headlight controller 100, causing the light emission direction to change when the second sensing area A2 changes relative to the second reference area B2. That is, since the second sensing unit 220 forms the second sensing area A2 below the vehicle, the second sensing area A2 changes when the vehicle's attitude changes. Specifically, since the second sensing unit 220 visually checks the current state of the road, when the vehicle stops, the controller 300 first compares the second sensing area A2 measured by the second sensing unit 220 with the second reference area B2. Therefore, when the vehicle stops and the second reference area B2 and the second sensing area A2 are inconsistent, the controller 300 sends a control signal to the headlight controller 100, causing the light emission direction to change according to the difference between the second reference area B2 and the second sensing area A2.

[0052] When the vehicle is moving, the controller 300 derives the amount by which the light emission direction changes due to the change in the first sensing area A1 relative to the first reference area B1, and corrects the derived light emission direction when the second sensing area A2 changes relative to the second reference area B2. As described above, by comparing the first sensing area A1 measured by the first sensing unit 210 with the first reference area B1, the road surface condition in the direction of travel is determined in advance, thereby determining the amount of light emission direction to be adjusted in advance. Furthermore, when a difference arises between the second sensing area A2 measured by the second sensing unit 220 and the second reference area B2 as the vehicle moves, the amount of light emission direction derived by comparing the first sensing area A1 with the first reference area B1 is corrected, thereby adjusting the light emission direction more accurately.

[0053] Furthermore, the controller 300 also receives information about the vehicle's speed and, based on the speed, calculates the arrival time of the vehicle at the point where the first sensing area A1 differs from the first reference area B1. This allows the headlight controller 100 to adjust the light emission direction before this arrival time. In other words, since the first sensing unit 210 is configured to form the first sensing area A1 in front of the vehicle's direction of travel, the controller 300 can pre-determine the point where the first sensing area A1 differs from the first reference area B1 as measured by the first sensing unit 210. Therefore, the controller 300 calculates the arrival time of the vehicle at the point where the first sensing area A1 differs from the first reference area B1 based on the speed and adjusts the light emission direction at a set time earlier than the arrival time. Thus, by adjusting the light emission direction immediately before the vehicle's attitude changes, the headlights are controlled in advance, thereby ensuring forward visibility. Subsequently, when a difference arises between the second sensing area A2 and the second reference area B2 as measured by the second sensing unit 220, the amount of the emission direction of the light to be adjusted, which is derived by comparing the first sensing area A1 with the first reference area B1, is corrected, thereby allowing for more precise adjustment of the emission direction of the light.

[0054] The vehicle headlight aiming adjustment system with the above configuration measures the light emission area of ​​the headlights based on changes in the vehicle's attitude using a sensing unit, and ensures the driver's field of vision by correcting the light emission area, thereby ensuring driving stability.

[0055] While the present invention has been provided above with reference to the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention can be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention, which is described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle headlight aiming and adjustment system, comprising: A headlight controller configured to adjust the direction of light emitted from the headlights; A sensing unit configured to measure a sensing area on the ground and to measure changes in the sensing area; as well as The controller is configured as follows: Receive information about the sensing area measured by the sensing unit. The measured sensing area is compared with a pre-stored reference area. When the sensing area differs from the reference area, a control signal is sent to the headlight controller so that the direction of light emission is adjusted according to the change in the sensing area. The sensing area of ​​the sensing unit and the reference area of ​​the controller have the same pattern shape. When the pattern shape of the reference area is different from the pattern shape of the sensing area, the controller sends a control signal to the headlight controller.

2. The vehicle headlight aiming and adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein, When the pattern shape of the sensing area moves forward or extends forward relative to the pattern shape of the reference area, the controller sends a control signal to the headlight controller, causing the light emission direction to change downward.

3. The vehicle headlight aiming and adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein, When the pattern shape of the sensing area moves backward or shortens backward relative to the pattern shape of the reference area, the controller sends a control signal to the headlight controller, causing the light emission direction to change upward.

4. The vehicle headlight aiming and adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein, When the pattern shape of the sensing area sensed by the sensing unit moves to the left or increases the angle to the left relative to the pattern shape of the reference area, the controller sends a control signal to the headlight controller, causing the light emission direction to change to the right.

5. The vehicle headlight aiming and adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein, When the pattern shape of the sensing area moves to the left or increases the angle to the left relative to the pattern shape of the reference area, the controller sends a control signal to the headlight controller, causing the emission direction of the light from the left headlight to change downward and the emission direction of the light from the right headlight to change upward.

6. The vehicle headlight aiming and adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein, When the pattern shape of the sensing area sensed by the sensing unit moves to the right or increases in angle to the right relative to the pattern shape of the reference area, the controller sends a control signal to the headlight controller, causing the light emission direction to change to the left.

7. The vehicle headlight aiming and adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein, When the pattern shape of the sensing area moves to the right or increases the angle to the right relative to the pattern shape of the reference area, the controller sends a control signal to the headlight controller, causing the emission direction of the light from the left headlight to change upward and the emission direction of the light from the right headlight to change downward.

8. The vehicle headlight aiming and adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein, The sensing unit is configured to measure the sensing area beneath the vehicle.

9. The vehicle headlight aiming and adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein, The sensing unit is configured to measure the sensing area in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel.

10. The vehicle headlight aiming adjustment system according to claim 9, wherein, The controller also receives information about the vehicle's speed and, based on the speed, derives the arrival time of the vehicle at a location where the sensing area and the reference area are different, so that the headlight controller adjusts the light emission direction at the derived arrival time.

11. The vehicle headlight aiming adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein, The sensing unit includes a first sensing unit and a second sensing unit. The first sensing unit measures a first sensing area in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel, and the second sensing unit measures a second sensing area below the vehicle. A first reference region corresponding to the first sensing region and a second reference region corresponding to the second sensing region are pre-stored in the controller.

12. The vehicle headlight aiming adjustment system according to claim 11, wherein, When the vehicle stops, the controller first compares the second sensing area with the second reference area and sends a control signal to the headlight controller so that the light emission direction is adjusted when the second sensing area changes relative to the second reference area.

13. The vehicle headlight aiming adjustment system according to claim 11, wherein, When the vehicle is in motion, the controller derives the amount of light emission angle to be adjusted due to the change of the first sensing area relative to the first reference area, and adjusts the amount of light emission angle when the second sensing area changes relative to the second reference area.

14. The vehicle headlight aiming adjustment system according to claim 13, wherein, The controller also receives information about the vehicle's speed and, based on the speed, derives the arrival time of the vehicle at a location different from the first sensing area and the first reference area, so that the headlight controller adjusts the light emission direction before the derived arrival time.

Images