Vehicular Headlamp Aiming via Pitch and Height Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing variations in vehicle ride height and pitch affect the accuracy of headlamp aiming, as existing methods rely on standard settings without considering individual vehicle variations.
Innovation Solution
A headlamp aiming system that measures reference heights along the vehicle body using external instruments, calculates a modified headlamp position based on vehicle pitch and height variation, and adjusts the headlamp aim using an optical beam-setter and aim adjustment device to account for these variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard headlamp aiming settings are used for all vehicles, then the aiming process is simple and quick, but the accuracy of headlamp alignment deteriorates due to manufacturing variations in ride height and pitch
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures actual vehicle parameters (ride height at front and rear, pitch angle) and uses these measured values to calculate a customized headlamp aiming offset. This replaces the standard fixed aiming setting with a dynamic parameter-based adjustment, resolving the contradiction by prioritizing measurement precision while managing complexity through automated calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-measurement of vehicle characteristics using onboard sensors (height measurement instrument measuring front and rear reference heights, pitch sensor detecting vehicle pitch). This self-service approach eliminates the need for external complex measurement equipment, improving aiming accuracy while keeping the system relatively simple.
2Measurement precision
If individual vehicle measurements and calculations are performed, then headlamp aiming accuracy improves, but the time required for the aiming process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates the headlamp aiming offset based on measured vehicle parameters (ride height variation, pitch angle) before the actual headlamp adjustment. This preliminary calculation of the offset value prepares the correction data in advance, enabling quick execution of the aiming adjustment without time-consuming trial-and-error procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual measurement and calculation methods with automated electronic sensing and computation. Height measurement instruments, pitch sensors, and a calculator automatically determine vehicle parameters and compute the aiming offset, significantly reducing the time required compared to traditional manual procedures while maintaining high precision.
3Measurement precision
If manual measurement and calculation methods are used, then equipment complexity is low, but measurement precision and consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses onboard sensors (height measurement instrument measuring front and rear reference heights relative to the vehicle body, pitch sensor detecting vehicle pitch angle) to automatically measure vehicle characteristics. This self-measurement capability eliminates reliance on external measurement equipment and manual procedures, improving precision and consistency while keeping the system integrated into the vehicle's existing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual measurement tools and human judgment with electronic sensing devices and digital calculation. The height measurement instrument and pitch sensor provide automated, consistent measurements, while the calculator performs precise computational operations to determine the aiming offset, eliminating variability associated with manual methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A headlamp aiming method for a vehicle includes measuring, by a height measurement instrument, at least two reference heights of at least two reference areas along a body of the vehicle. The height measurement instrument is positioned external of the vehicle, and one of the at least two reference heights is indicative of a height of a headlamp of the vehicle. The method further includes determining a vehicle pitch and a headlamp height variation of the vehicle based on the measured reference heights, calculating a modified headlamp position based on the vehicle pitch, the headlamp height variation, and a standard headlamp position, and aiming a headlamp of the vehicle based on the modified headlamp position.