Vehicle Load Pitch Sensing for Standstill Headlamp Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the load pitch angle of a vehicle for automatic headlamp range adjustment are complex, maintenance-intensive, and struggle to accurately determine the load pitch angle when the vehicle is at a standstill, especially due to environmental and mechanical influences, and camera-based solutions are limited to moving vehicles.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing a combination of existing sensors such as gravitational and acceleration sensors, along with cameras, to estimate the load pitch angle when the vehicle is stationary, and adjust the headlamp range based on these measurements, while rejecting inaccurate estimates within a defined error limit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical height sensors are used to determine load pitch angle, then headlamp range adjustment can be achieved, but the system becomes maintenance-intensive and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadlamp range adjustment accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical height sensors with a camera-based optical system. The camera captures images of the road surface and headlamp beam pattern, and processing circuitry analyzes these images to determine pitch angle and adjust headlamp range, eliminating mechanical components and their associated maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a camera to capture optical images of the road surface and headlamp beam pattern, creating a visual copy of the physical scene. This optical copy is then analyzed by processing circuitry to determine pitch angle, replacing direct mechanical measurement with optical observation and image analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If mechanical height sensors are used to determine load pitch angle, then headlamp adjustment is possible, but maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadlamp adjustment capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If camera-based solutions are used, then determination of load pitch angle at standstill is possible, but accuracy is reduced due to environmental influences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestandstill measurement capabilityVSAvoidload pitch angle accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the road surface and headlamp beam pattern as intermediary reference elements. The camera captures images of these intermediaries, and processing circuitry analyzes their geometric relationships to indirectly determine pitch angle, providing a reference framework that improves measurement accuracy even at standstill.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback by capturing images of the actual headlamp beam pattern on the road surface and analyzing it to determine pitch angle. This feedback loop allows the system to continuously monitor and adjust headlamp range based on real-time optical measurements, improving accuracy through iterative refinement.

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 approach improves the reliability and accuracy of determining the load pitch angle at a standstill, allowing for precise headlamp range adjustment without the need for maintenance-intensive mechanical height sensors, and ensures accurate adjustments regardless of the vehicle's operating condition.

Implementation Method 1

Utilizing a combination of existing sensors such as gravitational and acceleration sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

Utilizing a combination of existing sensors such as gravitational and acceleration sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS20250332987A1Methods and apparatus for determining the current load pitch angle of a vehicle at a standstill for automatic headlamp range adjustment

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A method to determine a current load pitch angle of a vehicle for headlamp beam adjustment, the method determines a change in the current load pitch angle when the vehicle is at a standstill, captures at least one parameter indicating a change in a load of the vehicle, based on the captured at least one parameter indicating a change in the load of the vehicle, estimates a change in a load pitch angle of the vehicle, if the change in the current load pitch angle matches the estimated change in the load pitch angle of the vehicle, determines the current load pitch angle based on the change in the load pitch angle, and adjusts a headlamp of the vehicle based on the current load pitch angle.