Vehicle Headlamp Leveling via PWM Motor Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for adjusting the light-illumination angle of vehicle headlamps, particularly those involving mechanical switches, increase vehicle and headlamp leveling device costs without providing efficient automatic adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A headlamp leveling device and method utilizing a pulse width control system, including a control voltage generator, control IC, shaft position detector, and feedback voltage generator, to adjust the light-illumination angle by controlling a motor's rotation direction based on pulse width variations, thereby eliminating the need for a mechanical switch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical switch is installed in the vehicle to adjust the light-illumination angle, then the driver can manually control the headlamp leveling, but the costs of the vehicle and headlamp leveling device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical switch with an electronic pulse width modulation (PWM) control system. The control IC receives PWM signals from the vehicle system and converts them into corresponding control voltages to drive the motor, eliminating the need for a mechanical switch while maintaining manual control capability through electronic means
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control IC as an intermediary component that translates PWM signals into motor control commands. This intermediary device enables communication between the vehicle system and motor without requiring direct mechanical connection, reducing overall system complexity and cost
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical switch is installed to adjust light-illumination angle, then adjustment control is provided, but the vehicle and headlamp leveling device costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control IC serves multiple functions: it receives PWM signals, generates control voltages, drives the motor, and provides feedback control through the shaft position detector. This multi-functional component replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate components including a mechanical switch, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining adjustment control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from mechanical switch position to PWM signal duty cycle. By varying the pulse width of the PWM signal, the system can precisely control the motor position without requiring mechanical switches for each adjustment step, enabling continuous and precise control with fewer components
3Ease of operation
If automatic adjustment using vehicle height sensor is implemented, then driving convenience is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a shaft position detector that automatically monitors the motor shaft position and provides feedback to the control IC. This self-service mechanism enables automatic adjustment capability by continuously comparing the actual position with the target position and making corrections without requiring additional complex control systems or multiple sensors
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 reduces costs by automating the adjustment of the headlamp's light-illumination angle without the need for a mechanical switch, enhancing driving convenience and visibility while maintaining the advantages of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage smoothing device that smooths the voltage output from the voltage applying device
Implementation Method 2
a hysteresis device that outputs, as the control voltage, a voltage obtained by adding a hysteresis component to a voltage provided from the voltage smoothing device
Implementation Method 3
a shaft position detector that generates a voltage corresponding to a position of the shaft moving with rotation of the motor
Data Source
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AI summary
A headlamp leveling device and a headlamp leveling method. The headlamp leveling device may include a control voltage generator that generates a control voltage based on a width of a pulse, a control integrated circuit (IC) that controls a rotation direction of a motor by comparing a voltage level of a feedback voltage with a voltage level of the control voltage, a shaft position detector that generates a voltage corresponding to a position of the shaft moving with rotation of the motor, and a feedback voltage generator that generates the feedback voltage based on a voltage generated to correspond to the position of the shaft.