Vehicle Lamp Optical Axis Control via Inclination Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic leveling control systems using acceleration sensors face challenges in accurately distinguishing between changes in vehicle inclination angle and road surface inclination, leading to improper adjustment of headlight optical axes.
Innovation Solution
A control device that receives the vehicle's inclination angle with respect to a horizontal plane, generating control signals to adjust the optical axis when stopped and maintain it when traveling, ensuring accurate positioning of the headlight beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an acceleration sensor is used as an inclination detector to reduce manufacturing cost and weight, then the system becomes more cost-effective and lighter, but the accuracy of distinguishing between vehicle inclination and road surface inclination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting the inclination angle at a specific timing when the vehicle is stopped and the wheels are not rotating. This timing selection allows the acceleration sensor to accurately measure only the road surface inclination without contamination from vehicle dynamics, thereby establishing an accurate baseline for subsequent automatic leveling control during vehicle operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring wheel rotation status and vehicle motion state to determine when to update the road surface inclination angle. The control device adjusts the headlight optical axis based on the detected inclination angle while the vehicle is stopped, and maintains this adjustment during vehicle operation, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing road conditions
2Extent of automation
If the optical axis is adjusted based on any change in inclination angle detected by the acceleration sensor, then the system responds to all inclination changes, but the accuracy of automatic leveling control deteriorates due to inability to distinguish between road surface inclination and vehicle inclination changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of the road surface inclination angle at a specific timing when the vehicle is stopped and wheels are not rotating. This preliminary action establishes a reference value that represents purely the road surface inclination, which is then used as the basis for automatic leveling control during vehicle operation, ensuring that only road surface changes are compensated
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously monitors wheel rotation status and vehicle motion state to determine when to update the road surface inclination angle. By using feedback from wheel speed sensors and motion detectors, the system distinguishes between road surface inclination changes and vehicle inclination changes, adjusting the optical axis only when appropriate conditions are met
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
Enhances the accuracy of automatic leveling control by differentiating between vehicle and road surface inclination changes, reducing errors and improving lighting distribution during vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
an inclination angle of the vehicle with respect to a horizontal plane from an inclination detector
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a control device for controlling a vehicle lamp provided in a vehicle. The device includes: a receiver configured to receive an inclination angle of the vehicle with respect to a horizontal plane from an inclination detector; a controller configured to: i) generate a first control signal instructing the vehicle lamp to adjust an optical axis of the vehicle lamp in response to a change of the inclination angle, when the vehicle has already stopped; and ii) generate a second control signal instructing the vehicle lamp to maintain the optical axis of the vehicle lamp, when the vehicle is traveling on a road surface; and a transmitter configured to transmit the first control signal or the second control signal to an optical axis adjuster provided in the vehicle lamp.