Vehicle Front Lighting Apparatus Disconnection Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of lighting devices on vehicles increases, detecting disconnections in wiring becomes increasingly difficult, which can lead to inadequate illumination patterns and safety issues, particularly when trying to avoid dazzling oncoming vehicles or pedestrians.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle front lighting apparatus that includes a lighting device array connected in series, bypass circuits, switch elements, a lighting controller, a current value detector, a voltage value controller, and a disconnection determiner, which controls the voltage and switch elements to maintain a target current value and detect disconnections by matching the number of switch elements in an open state with the applied voltage value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the number of lighting devices is increased to improve illumination coverage, then the illumination area is improved, but the difficulty of detecting wiring disconnections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit monitors the actual current flowing through the lighting device array and compares it with the expected current value. When a disconnection is detected (current deviates from expected), the system provides feedback to adjust the lighting mode or alert the driver, enabling continuous monitoring and automatic response to wiring issues in large-scale lighting systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism by measuring current flow as an intermediate parameter to indirectly detect wiring disconnections. Instead of directly monitoring each wiring connection, the system uses current measurement as an intermediary indicator to infer the status of multiple lighting devices, simplifying the detection process in complex lighting arrays
2Measurement precision
If multiple lighting devices are used to illuminate front regions separately, then the lighting control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple lighting devices into a series-connected array that shares a common control pathway. By combining multiple LEDs into single controllable units and using a unified control unit to manage the entire array, the system achieves precise regional lighting control while reducing the complexity of having separate control circuits for each device
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs multiple functions: it controls the lighting mode of individual lighting devices, detects wiring disconnections by monitoring current, and adjusts illumination patterns. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate control circuits for each lighting device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise control
3Reliability
If the lighting mode is adjusted to avoid dazzling oncoming vehicles, then the safety is improved, but the illumination intensity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic lighting control where the control unit can adjust the lighting mode in real-time based on detected conditions. The system dynamically switches between different illumination patterns (e.g., full brightness, reduced brightness, selective lighting) to balance safety requirements with adequate illumination intensity, preventing dazzling while maintaining visibility
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 solution allows for efficient detection of wiring disconnections, ensuring consistent illumination patterns and safety by maintaining the target current value and adjusting the lighting mode to prevent dazzling, even with an increasing number of lighting devices.
Implementation Method 1
an LED array 10 including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 11 to 12
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle front lighting apparatus includes a lighting device array in which a plurality of lighting devices are connected in series, a plurality of bypass circuits, a plurality of switch elements, a lighting controller, a current value detector, a voltage value controller, and a disconnection determiner. The voltage value controller applies a voltage to the lighting device array, and controls a voltage value to be applied to cause a value of current flowing through the lighting device array to reach a predetermined target current value. The disconnection determiner determines that there is a disconnection in any of the bypass circuits when the number of the switch elements brought into the opened state does not match the controlled voltage value.