Vehicle Lamp Control Device Auto-Leveling Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle lamp control systems using inclination sensors for auto-leveling control face challenges in achieving high accuracy due to limitations in sensor precision and system weight/cost reduction.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lamp control device that incorporates a receiver for inclination sensor outputs, vehicle speed sensor outputs, and power supply switch signals, utilizing a control unit to adjust the optical axis based on derived road surface and vehicle posture angles, with reference values stored in a non-volatile manner to improve accuracy and handle abnormal conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a vehicle height sensor is used for auto-leveling control, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive vehicle height sensor with a combination of inexpensive inclination sensor (acceleration sensor) and gyro sensor. This substitution uses lower-cost components to achieve the required measurement precision for auto-leveling control, directly addressing the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity/cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of inclination sensing and angular velocity sensing into a single control system. By merging the outputs of the inclination sensor and gyro sensor through signal processing, the system achieves accurate pitch angle measurement without requiring a single complex high-precision sensor, thus reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a vehicle height sensor is used for auto-leveling control, then measurement precision is improved, but system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the heavy vehicle height sensor with lighter inclination sensors (acceleration sensors and gyro sensors). This replacement maintains adequate measurement precision while significantly reducing the weight of the auto-leveling system, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and system weight.
3Adaptability or versatility
If reference values are updated during vehicle travel, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to road surface variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic updating of reference values based on vehicle state. The control unit selectively updates the road surface angle reference value only when the vehicle is determined to be stopped (based on vehicle speed sensor input), while maintaining the previous reference value during travel. This dynamic adaptation strategy allows the system to adapt to changing road conditions when safe to do so, while avoiding precision degradation during motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prevents the harmful effect of updating reference values during vehicle travel by detecting the vehicle state in advance and conditionally blocking the update operation. The control unit uses vehicle speed information to predict when updating would be harmful and prevents it, thereby maintaining measurement precision while still allowing adaptability when the vehicle is stationary.
4Measurement precision
If the control device continues operation after power supply turn-off to delay reference value writing, then measurement precision is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the power supply state based on vehicle operation mode. During vehicle travel, the control device maintains operation and delays writing reference values to ensure accuracy. When the vehicle is stopped, the system transitions to a low-power state and immediately writes reference values. This dynamic power management resolves the contradiction between maintaining precision and reducing energy consumption during shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the reference value writing operation in advance when the vehicle is stopped, before attempting to enter low-power mode. By preliminarily completing the data storage task during the stopped state, the system eliminates the need to maintain full operation during shutdown, thereby reducing energy consumption while ensuring reference value accuracy is preserved.
Data Source
AI summary
In a vehicle lamp control device, a control unit is configured to a) hold a road surface angle reference value and a vehicle posture angle reference value in a volatile manner, b) generate an optical axis adjusting signal using a vehicle posture angle in response to variation in a total angle during the stop of the vehicle, c) avoid generating or outputting the optical axis adjusting signal or output an optical axis holding signal, and hold a road surface angle as a new reference value, in response to variation in the total angle during travelling of the vehicle. The control unit, in response to receiving the turn-off signal of the switch, d-1) writes at least the road surface angle reference value in the storage unit or continues to execute the step (c) while delaying the step (d-1).