Vehicle Light Module Heater Shutdown Communication Protocol
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headlamp systems face reduced visibility due to ice and snow coverage, leading to false alarms when heaters are turned off, as there is a need to differentiate between intentional shutdown and fault conditions without using a separate signal wire.
Innovation Solution
A light system comprising a heater, sensor, and controller that monitors temperature and performs a communication sequence to convey messages between the light module and vehicle controller, indicating a normal shutdown without a fault, using a shutdown pattern that varies power or current supply to indicate intentional shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a heater is added to the headlamp to remove ice and snow, then visibility is improved, but false alarms are triggered when the heater is turned off
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a communication sequence protocol before the heater shutdown that indicates intentional shutdown. This preliminary setup allows the vehicle controller to distinguish between intentional shutdown and fault conditions, preventing false alarms while maintaining the heater's visibility-improving function
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using the communication sequence to send status information from the light module controller back to the vehicle controller. This feedback mechanism provides the vehicle controller with information about the heater's operational state, enabling it to differentiate between normal shutdown and fault conditions, thus reducing false alarms
2Reliability
If a separate signal wire is used to indicate intentional shutdown, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies universality by making the existing communication bus serve multiple functions: it is used both for normal operational communication and for conveying shutdown status information. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate dedicated signal wire while maintaining reliable communication between the light module controller and vehicle controller
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the shutdown indication function with the existing communication bus functionality. By combining these functions into a single communication channel, the system achieves reliable shutdown status transmission without requiring additional signal wires, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining communication reliability
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
Enables clear communication between the light module and vehicle controller to distinguish between intentional shutdown and faults, ensuring accurate alarm management without a separate signal wire, thereby enhancing visibility and reducing false alarms in winter conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a heater configured to heat the light module so that when ice, snow, or both are located on the light module the heater melts the snow and ice
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprising: (a) heating a light module of a vehicle with a heater; (b) monitoring a temperature of the light module; (c) activating a communication sequence; and (d) performing the communication sequence so that a message is conveyed between a controller of the light module and a controller of the vehicle.