Vehicle Lamp Module Tilt Adjustment Using Integrated Tilt Sensing
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headlight systems for automatic tilt correction are expensive and require substantial energy and computational power due to the use of cameras and complex data processing.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lamp system with a rotatable illumination module connected to a frame, equipped with a tilt sensor and an actuator controlled by a control unit, which processes tilt data to adjust the module's inclination without the need for external sensors or vehicle bus communication, using a stepper motor for correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cameras are used for automatic tilt correction, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tilt measurement function from complex external camera systems and implements it directly within the illumination module using a simple tilt sensor. This separates the measurement function from the expensive camera system, achieving accurate tilt detection while reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using expensive camera-based optical copying methods to determine tilt, the patent employs a direct physical sensing approach using a tilt sensor that measures inclination directly. This replaces the indirect optical measurement method with a simpler direct measurement method.
2Measurement precision
If cameras and complex data processing are used, then measurement capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy-intensive image processing computations from the system and replaces them with a simple tilt sensor that provides direct inclination data. This eliminates the need for substantial computational power and associated energy consumption while maintaining measurement capability.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment during assembly is required, then manufacturing precision can be maintained, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-adjusting system where the tilt sensor continuously monitors module inclination and the actuator automatically corrects any deviations. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual adjustment during assembly while maintaining precise alignment, significantly improving ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback control loop where tilt sensor data is continuously fed back to the control unit, which then actuates the motor to correct inclination deviations. This automatic feedback mechanism ensures precise alignment without requiring manual intervention during assembly or operation.
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
Provides cost-effective and energy-efficient automatic correction of module inclination, independent of actuator precision and external factors, ensuring precise alignment without manual adjustment during assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The tilt sensor can be any sensor or measuring device capable of determining an inclination/tilt/angle or direction of the module
Implementation Method 2
The lamp further comprises an actuator, such as a stepper motor, for rotating the module
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
Vehicle lamp and a method of adjusting its inclination. The lamp comprises an illumination module (1) and a frame (2), wherein the illumination module (1) is rotatably connected to the frame (2). The lamp further comprises an actuator (3) for rotating the module (1) and a control unit (4) for driving the actuator. The illumination module (1) further comprises a tilt sensor (5), wherein the control unit (4) is adapted to control the actuator (3) based on the data from the tilt sensor (5).