Vehicle Headlamp Control Using Existing Sensor Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headlight control systems require costly sensors to detect pivoting movements and adjust the light emission direction, which can be inefficient and expensive to implement across various vehicle models.
Innovation Solution
A control unit that stores empirically obtained data characterizing vehicle movements based on speed and acceleration, allowing for the calculation of the swivel angle for the light emission direction without the need for separate sensors, using a combination of static and dynamic data to adjust the headlight range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate sensors are used to detect pivoting movements for headlight adjustment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into existing sensors: the height sensor originally designed for ride height detection is merged with pivoting movement detection, and the load sensor originally for load distribution detection is merged with pivoting state detection. This eliminates the need for separate pivoting sensors while maintaining measurement precision through data fusion and calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
Existing sensors are made multi-functional: the height sensor serves both ride height measurement and pivoting movement detection, while the load sensor serves both load distribution measurement and pivoting state detection. This universal approach reduces the total sensor count while maintaining the ability to accurately determine headlight adjustment angles.
2Reliability
If more sensors are added to detect vehicle pivoting state, then reliability of headlight adjustment is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing sensors that are already part of the vehicle's standard equipment to serve the additional function of headlight adjustment control. The height sensor and load sensor, which are already installed for other vehicle functions, now also provide data for pivoting detection, eliminating the need for additional dedicated sensors and reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-calculates and stores correction angles in memory for various vehicle speeds and acceleration values. During operation, the control unit simply retrieves the appropriate correction angle based on current sensor readings rather than performing complex real-time calculations, improving reliability while keeping the system simple and cost-effective.
3Adaptability or versatility
If empirical data is stored in memory for different driving situations, then adaptability of headlight control is improved, but memory requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system adapts to different driving situations by changing parameters stored in memory: correction angles are pre-calculated and stored for various vehicle speeds and acceleration values. The control unit selects the appropriate correction angle based on current driving conditions, providing adaptability without requiring complex real-time analysis or large amounts of stored data.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Control device comprises a memory unit (7) for storing data depending on driving conditions which characterize tilting movements of the vehicle depending on the vehicle speed and a first temporary stray of the vehicle speed. A starting signal is calculated depending on the stored data. An independent claim is also included for a method for controlling a vehicle headlamp. Preferred Features: The data is empirically obtained in advance for a vehicle model. The data characterizes the tilting movements of the vehicle about an axle running parallel to the tilting axis (4) of a light emission direction (L).