Vehicle Head Lamp Illumination Control via Pattern Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head lamp control systems fail to consistently maintain an appropriate illumination area when the optical axis of the head lamp is shifted from its prescribed adjustment value, leading to inadequate lighting during vehicle travel.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that includes a reference pattern holding unit, a control condition determining unit, an illumination pattern recognition unit, and an illumination range control unit, which processes images from a camera to compare and adjust the head lamp's illumination range to match a stored reference pattern, ensuring optimal lighting by adjusting the optical axis using actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional head lamp control techniques are used, then the head lamp can be controlled to turn or adjust illumination direction, but the appropriate illumination area cannot always be secured when the optical axis is shifted from the prescribed adjustment value
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing an illumination pattern image before making adjustments, storing it as a reference pattern, and then using this reference to guide subsequent optical axis adjustments. This ensures that the head lamp maintains appropriate illumination area even when the optical axis shifts during vehicle travel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously captures illumination pattern images, compares them against the stored reference pattern, and automatically adjusts the optical axis based on the comparison results. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures consistent illumination area by detecting deviations and correcting them in real-time during vehicle operation.
2Reliability
If the head lamp optical axis is adjusted to follow vehicle movement, then appropriate illumination can be maintained, but the system complexity increases due to additional sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the head lamp's own illumination pattern as the reference for adjustment, eliminating the need for external sensors or complex detection systems. The illumination pattern captured by a camera serves as both the object of control and the reference standard, allowing the system to self-regulate the optical axis position without additional complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy of the illumination pattern and uses this image data for comparison and control decisions. By working with captured images rather than physical sensors, the system achieves reliable illumination control while avoiding the complexity of multiple physical sensing and actuation mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an apparatus for controlling a head lamp for a vehicle. A control condition determining unit determines whether a condition for controlling a head lamp is established or not based upon whether a vehicle ahead is present or not, and a distance between the vehicle ahead and the vehicle. When the control condition is determined to be established, an illumination range control unit compares a reference pattern stored and held in a reference pattern holding unit and an illumination pattern of the head lamp recognized by an illumination pattern recognition unit, and controls the illumination range of the head lamp via an actuator in order that both patterns agree with each other.