Vehicle Front Lighting Disconnection Detection via Voltage Switch Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of lighting devices on vehicles increases, detecting disconnections in wiring becomes increasingly difficult due to the complexity of bypass circuits, which can lead to inadequate illumination patterns and potential safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle front lighting apparatus with a lighting device array connected in series, featuring bypass circuits, switch elements, a lighting controller, current value detector, voltage value controller, change amount detector, and disconnection determiner, which determines disconnections by matching the change in the number of switch elements with the change in applied voltage values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple lighting devices are used to illuminate the region in front of the vehicle, then the illumination coverage and lighting patterns are improved, but the complexity of detecting wiring disconnections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bypass circuits as intermediary components connected in parallel with each lighting device. These bypass circuits include detection terminals that serve as intermediaries for measuring voltage, enabling the detection system to interface with the lighting circuit without disrupting the illumination function. The bypass circuit acts as a mediator between the lighting device and the detection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex physical inspection methods with electrical measurement-based detection. Instead of mechanically tracing wiring through complex bypass circuits, the system uses voltage value measurements at detection terminals to infer disconnection states. This substitution of electrical measurement for mechanical inspection simplifies the detection process in multi-device lighting systems.
2Reliability
If bypass circuits are added to each lighting device, then the reliability of individual device operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lighting system into independent segments, where each lighting device has its own bypass circuit with detection terminals. This segmentation allows each device to be monitored independently, improving reliability without requiring complex system-wide monitoring. The bypass circuit for each device is a self-contained unit that can be analyzed separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass circuit serves multiple functions: it provides an alternative current path for reliability, incorporates detection terminals for monitoring, and enables disconnection detection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while improving reliability.
3Illumination intensity
If the number of lighting devices is increased, then the illumination performance is improved, but the difficulty of detecting disconnections in the wiring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates detection terminals in the bypass circuits during the initial system design and assembly. This preliminary action ensures that detection capability is built into the system before deployment, allowing for easy monitoring of each lighting device. The detection infrastructure is established in advance, making subsequent disconnection detection straightforward regardless of the number of devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors voltage values at the detection terminals and compares them against expected values to detect disconnections. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically identify wiring issues in any lighting device, making the detection process scalable to any number of devices without increasing complexity.
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 efficient detection of wiring disconnections, ensuring consistent and safe illumination patterns even with multiple lighting devices, thereby improving vehicle safety and reducing maintenance complexities.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage value controller configured to apply a voltage to the lighting device array, and to control a voltage value to be applied so that a value of current flowing through the lighting device array becomes a predetermined target current value
Implementation Method 2
a current value detector configured to detect a value of current flowing through the lighting device array
Implementation Method 3
a lighting device array in which a plurality of lighting devices are connected in series
Data Source
AI summary
In a vehicle front lighting apparatus, the number of switch elements brought into an opened state and an applied voltage value is detected every time a predetermined detection condition is satisfied, the amount of change from the number of switch elements detected last time and the amount of change from the voltage value detected last time are acquired, and it is determined that a disconnection has occurred if the amount of change in the number of switch elements does not match the amount of change in the voltage value.