Headlamp Tilt Calibration Using Gravity Sensor Reference Vectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for adjusting the emission direction of light in vehicle headlamps struggle to easily and accurately set the orientation in the vertical direction, particularly when there are deviations in the installation of sensors.
Innovation Solution
A control device for an actuator that receives signals from a triaxial acceleration sensor attached to the lamp unit, allowing it to adjust the emission direction of light in the vertical direction by tilting the lamp unit, and a calibration method that accounts for sensor deviations by measuring inclination angles using reference vectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sensor is attached to the lamp unit to detect inclination angle, then the emission direction can be adjusted in the vertical direction, but measurement precision deteriorates due to sensor installation deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration by detecting inclination angles at multiple predetermined positions (e.g., horizontal position and tilted positions) before actual operation. The relationship between sensor output and actual inclination angle is pre-established and stored as reference data, allowing the system to compensate for installation deviations during normal use without requiring precise initial sensor alignment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor is tilted together with the lamp unit to detect emission direction, then the system can adapt to lamp unit orientation changes, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor with the lamp unit by attaching the sensor directly to the lamp unit body, ensuring they move together as a single integrated assembly. This eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and complex mechanical linkages, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to detect emission direction changes.
3Measurement precision
If calibration is performed at multiple predetermined positions to compensate for sensor deviations, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process is performed once during installation or setup as a preliminary action, and the resulting reference data is stored in memory. After calibration, the system can quickly determine actual inclination angles by comparing current sensor readings against the pre-stored reference data, eliminating the need for repeated calibration operations and minimizing time loss.
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 easy and accurate adjustment of the emission direction of light in the vertical direction, minimizing errors due to sensor installation deviations, and ensuring precise alignment with the vehicle's orientation.
Implementation Method 1
a triaxial acceleration sensor that is tilted together with the lamp unit and outputs a signal related to a vector indicating a gravity direction
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A vehicle headlamp (1) includes: a lamp unit (15); an actuator (20) capable of tilting the lamp unit (15) such that an emission direction of light of the lamp unit (15) is inclined in a vertical direction; a sensor (71) that is tilted together with the lamp unit (15) and outputs a signal related to an inclination angle of the lamp unit (15); and a control device (72) that receives the signal from the sensor (71) and controls the actuator (20).