Motorcycle Headlight Bank Angle Detection and Illumination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorcycle headlight devices fail to provide a punctual and adequate illuminated field of view during cornering due to delayed light distribution adjustments, which are based on incomplete bank angle calculations and reduced light reach caused by tilting, especially during agile maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A headlight device that incorporates a bank angle detecting unit considering both angular velocities about the vertical and longitudinal axes of the motorcycle, along with a light-distribution adjusting mechanism, to initiate and control light distribution changes synchronously with the start of cornering, ensuring a larger illuminated area and maintaining light reach by adjusting the headlamp module's orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the headlight device uses only angular velocity about the vertical axis for bank angle calculation, then the calculation is simple, but the bank angle detection is delayed and inaccurate during agile maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection methods (angular velocity sensor about vertical axis, angular velocity sensor about longitudinal axis, and/or inclination sensor) to detect bank angle. This merging of detection mechanisms provides both accurate and timely bank angle information without excessive complexity, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If the headlamp module is fixed to the motorcycle frame, then the structure is simple, but the illumination region tilts downward during cornering reducing field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the headlamp module dynamic by enabling it to rotate about the optical axis in response to detected bank angle. This dynamic adjustment allows the illumination region to remain properly oriented during cornering, maintaining field of view illumination while adding necessary complexity to the headlight structure.
3Reliability
If the headlight device responds to bank angle with time delay, then the system is stable, but the light distribution adjustment is not punctual reducing illumination effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inclination sensors that can detect bank angle in advance or simultaneously with actual tilting, rather than relying solely on angular velocity integration which inherently has time delay. This preliminary detection capability allows the headlamp module to adjust light distribution punctually while maintaining system stability through proper control algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a headlight device, in which a change of the region of illumination afforded by the headlamp can be initiated substantially punctual to the start of cornering of the motorcycle, the headlight device includes a headlamp for illuminating forwardly of the motorcycle, a light-distribution adjusting mechanism for changing a region of illumination, a bank angle detecting unit for detecting a bank angle δ of the motorcycle in reference to an angular velocity ωy about a vertical axis of the motorcycle, an angular velocity ωr about a longitudinal axis of the motorcycle and a motorcycle velocity v, and a light-distribution controller for controlling the light-distribution adjusting mechanism based on the detected bank angle δ to change the region of illumination into an area further away from and at least inwardly of a direction of turn of the motorcycle during a cornering.