Vehicle Headlamp Leveling Using ADAS Sensors for 3D Inclination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional headlamp auto leveling systems for vehicles face inaccuracies and increased material costs due to the reliance on axle sensors to detect vehicle inclination, which is not intuitive and requires additional height sensors.
Innovation Solution
A headlamp auto leveling system utilizing advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) sensors, such as LiDAR, radar, and cameras, to detect three-dimensional vehicle body inclination, allowing precise control of headlamp leveling and image correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional axle sensors are used to detect vehicle inclination, then the headlamp leveling system can operate, but measurement precision deteriorates due to indirect inclination detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical axle sensors with a vision-based system using cameras and LiDAR to detect vehicle inclination. The sensor unit captures images of the ground or horizon, and the control unit calculates inclination angles through image processing and coordinate transformations, eliminating the need for direct mechanical inclination sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary reference object (ground surface or horizon) that the sensor unit detects to indirectly determine vehicle inclination. By capturing images of this reference and analyzing its orientation in the image coordinates, the system derives the vehicle's inclination state without direct measurement.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated height sensors are added to detect axle inclination, then measurement precision improves, but material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the sensor unit serve multiple functions: it detects vehicle inclination for headlamp leveling, captures surrounding environment data for ADAS functions, and provides positioning information. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated height sensors or inclination sensors, reducing overall sensor quantity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the headlamp leveling function with existing ADAS sensor systems. The same camera and LiDAR units used for advanced driver assistance are also utilized for inclination detection, combining multiple functions into a single integrated system rather than using separate dedicated sensors.
3Reliability
If conventional axle sensor systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but reliability deteriorates due to error-prone indirect inclination estimation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control loop where the control unit continuously monitors the vehicle inclination through image analysis, compares it with reference data, and adjusts the headlamp angle accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism improves reliability by continuously correcting for inclination changes rather than relying on potentially erroneous indirect estimates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional or two-dimensional sensor measurements to three-dimensional spatial analysis by capturing ground or horizon images and performing coordinate transformations. This dimensional enhancement provides more comprehensive data for accurate inclination calculation, improving reliability through richer measurement information.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides more accurate and cost-effective headlamp leveling by detecting three-dimensional vehicle inclination, improving visibility and safety by adjusting headlamp angles and correcting image distortions, while reducing the need for dedicated height sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor unit including at least one of a light detection and ranging (LiDAR), a radar, and a camera providing information on a surrounding environment of the mobile
Data Source
AI summary
A headlamp auto leveling system for a mobile (i.e., vehicle) includes a headlamp, the system including: a leveling module controlling an inclination of the headlamp; a sensor unit including at least one of a light detection and ranging (LiDAR), a radar, and a camera providing information on a surrounding environment of the mobile; and a control unit calculating a three-dimensional (3D) inclination of the mobile with respect to a ground based on detection data received from the sensor unit, and controlling the leveling module based on the 3D inclination of the mobile, wherein the control unit calculates plane data for a predetermined surrounding region of the mobile from the detection data received from the sensor unit, and calculates the 3D inclination of the mobile by comparing predetermined reference plane data with the calculated plane data.