Headlamp Load Pitch Angle Detection Without Mechanical Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headlamp beam height adjustment systems face challenges in accurately determining the load pitch angle due to the complexity and maintenance requirements of mechanical sensors, and the difficulty in achieving the required accuracy using alternative sensors, which can lead to inaccurate adjustments under varying driving conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a combination of a camera and other sensors to determine the load pitch angle by averaging pitch angles over a defined time interval, considering changes in vehicle loading through parameters like gravitational angle and operating states, allowing for quick and reliable adjustments without mechanical sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical sensors are used to determine pitch angle, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sensors with a camera-based optical system to measure pitch angle. The camera captures images of the road surface or horizon, and image processing algorithms calculate the pitch angle from these visual data, eliminating the need for mechanical sensors and their associated complexity and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational process that uses image data from the camera to derive pitch angle information. Instead of directly measuring pitch angle with mechanical sensors, the system uses visual features (road surface orientation, horizon position) as intermediaries to calculate the pitch angle, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
2Device complexity
If alternative sensors are used to determine pitch angle, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic image processing that continuously captures and analyzes road surface or horizon features to determine pitch angle. The system adapts to changing driving conditions by dynamically adjusting image processing parameters and selecting appropriate reference features, thereby maintaining high measurement precision with a simpler camera-based system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from direct mechanical angle sensing to visual feature analysis. By detecting parameters such as road surface orientation, horizon position, or feature point displacement in camera images, the system achieves accurate pitch angle measurement without mechanical sensors, transforming the measurement approach rather than relying on alternative physical sensors.
3Loss of time
If pitch angle is determined without considering load changes, then response time is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates under varying loading conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary detection of load change conditions by monitoring parameters such as seat belt usage, door opening/closing, trunk access, or passenger presence. When a load change is detected, the system pre-prepares to recalculate pitch angle using updated image data, ensuring both rapid response and accurate measurement under varying loading conditions without significant time delay.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to determine a load pitch angle for headlamp adjustment are disclosed. A disclosed example method for determining a load pitch angle of a vehicle includes determining a first averaged pitch angle corresponding to a first set of pitch angles determined for a first time interval, determining whether a change in a load of the vehicle has occurred during the first time interval based on at least one parameter indicating a change in the load of the vehicle, determining, in response to the change of the load of the vehicle occurring during the first time interval, a second averaged pitch angle corresponding to a second set of pitch angles determined for a second time interval, wherein a start of the second time interval corresponds to a time at which the change in the load of the vehicle occurred, calculating the load pitch angle based on the second averaged pitch angle, and adjusting a position of a headlamp of the vehicle based on the load pitch angle.