Vehicle Headlamp Optical Axis Adjustment for Temperature Drift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical axis adjustment devices for vehicle headlamps, such as automatic leveling devices, are not designed to address shifts in the optical axis caused by temperature changes, which can result in deviations from the predetermined range due to thermal expansion, especially with the use of high-definition light sources like LEDs in adaptive driving beam headlamps.
Innovation Solution
An optical axis adjustment device that includes a CPU-based system with an engine temperature acquirer, displacement amount calculator, and optical axis adjuster, which acquires engine compartment temperatures, calculates the displacement of the optical axis, and adjusts it accordingly to maintain alignment within a predetermined range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If automatic leveling device is used to adjust optical axis according to vehicle body inclination, then the optical axis can be adjusted for angle compensation, but the device cannot compensate for temperature-induced optical axis shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The optical axis adjustment device is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it not only adjusts the optical axis according to vehicle body inclination (original function) but also compensates for temperature-induced optical axis shifts (new function). This is achieved by integrating both inclination-based adjustment and temperature-based correction capabilities into a single system, making the device universally applicable to different types of optical axis deviations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring temperature changes in the engine compartment and automatically adjusting the optical axis compensation based on the detected temperature. The temperature sensor provides real-time feedback to the control unit, which then modifies the optical axis position to counteract thermal expansion effects, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains reliable alignment.
2Illumination intensity
If high-definition light sources like LEDs are used in adaptive driving beam headlamps, then illumination quality is improved, but thermal expansion causes greater optical axis deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The system compensates for temperature-induced optical axis deviations by dynamically adjusting the headlamp position based on detected temperature changes. As the temperature parameter changes due to LED operation, the control unit calculates the appropriate compensation amount and adjusts the optical axis position accordingly, maintaining manufacturing precision despite the thermal effects of high-power LED operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual optical axis adjustment mechanisms with an automated electronic control system that uses temperature sensors and actuators. This substitution allows for precise, real-time compensation of thermal expansion effects without requiring mechanical repositioning, thereby maintaining high optical axis position accuracy even when using high-definition LED light sources that generate significant heat.
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
Enables high-precision real-time adjustment of the optical axis to compensate for temperature-induced shifts, ensuring the headlamp's optical axis remains within the required range, even under varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
temperature changes may cause a housing of the vehicle headlamp to thermally expand, and the vehicle headlamp itself may shift with respect to a vehicle body
Data Source
AI summary
An optical axis adjustment device for a headlamp unit to be mounted in a vehicle is configured to adjust an optical axis of the headlamp unit. The optical axis adjustment device includes an engine temperature acquirer, a displacement amount calculator, and an optical axis adjuster. The engine temperature acquirer is configured to acquire a temperature in an engine compartment of the vehicle. The displacement amount calculator is configured to calculate a displacement amount of the optical axis on a basis of the acquired temperature. The optical axis adjuster is configured to adjust the optical axis of the headlamp unit on a basis of the calculated displacement amount.