Virtual Front Lamp Control Simulation for Faster Vehicle Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

The development of a front lamp control apparatus for vehicles is hindered by the need for extensive verification and correction of program and setting data, leading to increased effort and man-hours, especially when improving the degree of completion in advanced and complicated control systems.

Innovation Solution

An evaluation simulation system that simulates a front lamp control apparatus by causing a virtual vehicle to travel in a virtual space under driver operation, allowing for the generation of control input and output information and the display of a field-of-view image, thereby reducing the need for physical testing and improving development efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If extensive verification and correction of program and setting data is performed to improve the degree of completion of control programs, then the reliability of the front lamp control apparatus is improved, but the development effort and man-hours increase enormously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedegree of completion of control programsVSAvoiddevelopment effort and man-hours
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing verification and correction of control programs and setting data before actual vehicle deployment. The simulation system allows developers to test and validate front lamp control behaviors in a virtual environment, identifying and correcting issues before they reach the production stage, thereby improving reliability while managing development time efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating a virtual replica of the front lamp control system and its operating environment. Instead of testing every scenario with physical vehicles, the system copies the control logic and environment into a simulation framework, allowing extensive verification without proportionally increasing physical testing resources or development time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control apparatuses are developed by different groups with separate verification processes, then the adaptability of the vehicle system is improved, but the complexity of coordination and verification increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooperation of multiple control apparatusesVSAvoidcoordination and verification complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a simulation system that can handle multiple types of control apparatuses simultaneously. The virtual environment supports various control functions (detection, front lamp control, etc.) within a single integrated platform, allowing different development groups to verify their respective control apparatuses using the same universal simulation framework, thereby reducing coordination complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The simulation system acts as an intermediary between multiple control apparatuses developed by different groups. It provides a common verification platform that mediates the interaction and coordination requirements, allowing separate development teams to work independently while their controls are integrated and tested together in the virtual environment, reducing the complexity of direct coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250094659A1Evaluation simulation system for control including front lamp control of vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.03.20 SUBARU CORP
  • US20250094659A1 patent drawing
  • US20250094659A1 patent drawing
  • US20250094659A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An evaluation simulation system includes a driver monitor, operation members, a model calculator, and a monitor image generator. The driver monitor displays a field-of-view image 110 from a virtual vehicle corresponding to a vehicle 1. The operation members 21 to 25 receive operations performed by a driver. The model calculator executes a model control of the virtual vehicle. The monitor image generator generates the field-of-view image 110 after a movement. The model calculator generates control input information and control output information related to a front lamp control apparatus, and causes the front lamp control apparatus to operate based on the control input information. The monitor image generator acquires the control output information calculated by the model calculator, and generates the field-of-view image under illumination by the front lamp control apparatus.