Headlight Range Adjustment via Rear Axle Air Spring Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for adjusting the headlight range of motor vehicles, particularly commercial vehicles, are complex and costly, requiring multiple sensors and complicated systems to determine the pitch angle for automatic headlight range adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a single pressure sensor from the rear axle air spring system to detect pressure values, allowing for adjustment of the headlight range without the need for additional sensors or hardware, by leveraging existing components and control units, and accounting for asymmetrical load distributions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional displacement sensors and linkages are used to determine pitch angle for headlight adjustment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical displacement sensor and linkage system with a pneumatic pressure sensing system. The air spring pressure sensor detects changes in air spring compression, which correlate to pitch angle changes. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages while maintaining measurement capability through pressure-based detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air spring pressure as an intermediary parameter between the physical pitch angle and the headlight adjustment control. Instead of directly measuring pitch angle with displacement sensors, the system uses air spring pressure as a mediator that reflects pitch changes, simplifying the measurement system while enabling accurate headlight range adjustment.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and evaluation electronics are deployed for pitch angle detection, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the air spring pressure sensor serve dual functions: it controls the air suspension system and simultaneously provides pitch angle information for headlight adjustment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pitch measurement sensors, reducing component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The air spring system inherently provides the measurement function needed for headlight adjustment through its existing pressure sensors. The system serves itself by using its own operational parameters (air spring pressure) to control another system (headlight range), eliminating the need for additional dedicated measurement components.
3Measurement precision
If new sensors and components are added to the vehicle, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repurposes existing air spring pressure sensors to also function as pitch angle sensors. This universal use of existing components avoids adding new sensors while enabling pitch-dependent headlight adjustment, thereby maintaining measurement precision without increasing device complexity.
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 simplifies and cost-effectively adjusts the headlight range, eliminating the need for expensive displacement sensors and complex evaluation electronics, while ensuring robust and efficient operation without requiring new components or hardware adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
detecting at least one pressure value of the rear axle air suspension system
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for adjusting the beam range of a headlight (30) of a motor vehicle (10), in particular a commercial vehicle, with a rear axle (18) that has a rear axle air suspension system (22) for leveling the rear axle (18). The method comprises detecting at least one pressure value of the rear axle air suspension system (22) and changing the beam range of the headlight (30) based on the at least one detected pressure value. An associated device is also disclosed.