Vehicle Headlight Beam Adjustment via Roadway Gradient Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for automatically adjusting headlight alignment in vehicles face challenges in precisely determining the road gradient and position without high power consumption or complex image processing, particularly when using multiple light beams with large angles, which affects sensitivity and precision.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a single light beam reflected on the roadway to determine the road gradient, adjusting the headlight alignment without a camera, and emits additional light beams at large angles to ensure precise adjustment of the headlight alignment, including one beam forward and one backward, to enhance sensitivity and reduce power requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple light beams with large angles are used to determine road gradient and vehicle position, then measurement precision is improved, but sensitivity and detection precision deteriorate due to reduced reflected light intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement function into two distinct light beam configurations: a first light beam directed forward at a smaller angle for detecting road gradient with sufficient reflected light intensity, and a second light beam directed backward at a larger angle for determining vehicle position with higher measurement precision. This segmentation allows each beam to be optimized for its specific measurement task without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the measurement system from a single-dimensional forward-looking approach to a two-dimensional configuration by incorporating both forward-directed and backward-directed light beams. This dimensional expansion enables simultaneous measurement of road gradient and vehicle position with complementary advantages, overcoming the limitations of single-beam systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a camera system is used to detect road profile and adjust headlight alignment, then adaptability to road conditions is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the camera-based optical detection system with a light beam reflection system. Instead of capturing and processing images to determine road profile, the system uses the angular deviation of reflected light beams to calculate road gradient and vehicle position, significantly reducing computational complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement information (road gradient and vehicle position) from the complex image data that would be captured by a camera. By using light beam reflection angles directly to determine these parameters, the system eliminates the need for complex image processing while retaining the necessary adaptability to road conditions.
3Measurement precision
If two light beams are directed forward onto the road at different distances, then road gradient determination is improved, but the second beam receives significantly smaller reflection angles reducing detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by directing one light beam backward instead of forward. This inversion allows the second measurement function (vehicle position determination) to be achieved with a larger emission angle while maintaining sufficient reflected light intensity, thereby resolving the sensitivity problem associated with forward-directed beams at large angles.
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 approach allows for precise and efficient adjustment of headlight alignment based on road gradients and vehicle position, reducing power consumption and eliminating the need for complex image processing, while maintaining high precision and sensitivity in detecting reflected light beams.
Implementation Method 1
A light beam is emitted forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at a predetermined angle with respect to a vertical axis of the vehicle by means of a light unit so that the light beam is reflected on the roadway. The reflected light beam is then received.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (3) and a method for automatically adjusting the direction (4) of light (5) emitted by a headlight (2) in a motor vehicle (1) located on a roadway (20). A light beam (13) is emitted forward in the longitudinal direction (19) of the vehicle onto the roadway (20) at a predetermined angle (δ) with respect to a reference axis (21) by means of a light unit (14) such that the light beam (13) is reflected from the roadway (20). The reflected light beam (13) is received, and the gradient (γ) of an upcoming roadway section (25) of the roadway (20) with respect to a current roadway section (24) on which the motor vehicle (1) is located is determined as a function of the received light beam (13). The direction (4) of the light (5) emitted by the headlight (2) is adjusted as a function of the gradient (γ).