Vehicle Lamp Heater Timing for LiDAR Interference Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The electromagnetic radiation from a heater installed in a vehicle lamp interferes with the operation of an object detection sensor, such as LiDAR, causing noise and reducing detection accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A controller is used to detect the rising edge of the light emission period of the object detection sensor and synchronize the supply of drive voltage to the heater with this edge, ensuring the heater's operation does not interfere with the sensor's operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the heater power is turned on, then the heating function is activated, but electromagnetic radiation interferes with the object detection sensor causing noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating functionVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heater operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The control unit activates the heater for specific time intervals (heating periods) and deactivates it during other intervals, creating a periodic operation pattern that limits electromagnetic radiation exposure to discrete time windows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit predicts future light emission periods of the sensor based on historical detection data and predetermined periods. Before these predicted light emission periods occur, the controller proactively adjusts the heater operation to avoid activating during these critical sensor measurement windows, preventing electromagnetic interference in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the heater operates continuously, then heating efficiency is maintained, but sensor detection accuracy deteriorates due to electromagnetic noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidsensor detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit uses feedback from the object detection sensor's light emission detection to dynamically adjust heater operation. By monitoring when the sensor emits light and using this information to control heater activation timing, the system adapts its heating schedule to maintain detection accuracy while preserving heating effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 synchronization effectively minimizes electromagnetic interference, allowing accurate detection by the object detection sensor even in low light conditions.

Implementation Method 1

when the heater power is turned on, the energy at the rising edge of the current is electromagnetically radiated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12538385B2Heater controller, heater control method, vehicle lamp

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 STANLEY ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

To avoid an adverse effect on the sensor by the heater. A controller for a heater installed in a vehicle lamp, where the controller detects a rising edge of a light emission period of a sensor light emitted from an object detection sensor built in the vehicle lamp, and starts supply of a drive voltage to the heater in accordance with the rising edge.