Vehicle Illumination Alignment Using Camera Feedback and Ride Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional headlamp aiming processes are cumbersome and unsuitable for most users due to their complexity and require intricate understanding of optics and safety protocols, and vehicles with variable ride heights often have suboptimal headlamp aim for different configurations.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that guides users to orient the vehicle relative to a target, uses cameras to display live video feeds with visual indicators, and adjusts illumination sources based on user inputs or ride height changes, enabling efficient positioning of headlamps and fog lamps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional headlamp aiming processes are used, then illumination alignment can be achieved, but the process becomes cumbersome and requires intricate understanding of optics and safety protocols
Solution Approach 1:
A camera system acts as an intermediary between the headlamp and the alignment target, capturing images and providing visual feedback to the user. The camera displays the headlamp beam pattern and provides guidance indicators, eliminating the need for users to directly interpret optical patterns and reducing the complexity of the alignment process while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time visual feedback through camera images displayed on a screen, showing the user how the headlamp beam is positioned relative to the target. The system also provides guidance feedback by indicating when proper alignment has been achieved, allowing users to make adjustments based on visual information without requiring expert knowledge of optics.
2Measurement precision
If traditional headlamp aiming processes are used, then illumination alignment can be achieved, but the complexity of the process increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring users to directly observe and interpret complex optical patterns from headlamps, the system creates a visual copy of the beam pattern through camera imaging. This copied visual representation is displayed on a screen with overlaid guidance indicators, simplifying the interface while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical alignment methods (physical adjustment mechanisms, direct optical observation) with an electronic imaging and display system. The camera-based visual feedback system substitutes for complex mechanical alignment tools and procedures, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining or improving alignment accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If headlamp alignment is fixed for a specific ride height, then alignment accuracy is maintained, but vehicles with variable ride heights experience suboptimal headlamp aim
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the alignment process to the current ride height of the vehicle. By capturing images with the camera and displaying real-time visual feedback, the system allows users to perform alignment adjustments at any ride height configuration. The visual feedback automatically accounts for the current vehicle position, enabling accurate alignment whether the vehicle is in a lowered or raised state, thus making the system adaptable to variable ride heights while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, a method of configuring an illumination source associated with a vehicle includes causing, by a vehicle control system, the illumination source to direct light towards a target. The method also includes determining, at the vehicle control system, at least one image captured with the directed light. The method also includes causing, by the vehicle control system, the at least one image to be displayed. The method also includes determining, at the vehicle control system, an input relative to the at least one image. The method also includes triggering, by the vehicle control system, a positioning of the illumination source based on the input.