Vehicle Vision System Self-Calibrating Imager Headlight Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle vision systems fail to automatically adjust or alert drivers about changes in headlight alignment and illumination, leading to potential safety issues such as inadequate visibility or dazzling of oncoming vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle vision system that utilizes cameras or LIDAR sensors to detect changes in the light field and automatically adjust the headlamps or generate alerts for misalignment, ensuring optimal illumination and alignment through image processing and mechanical or electrical compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If existing vehicle vision systems are used without automatic adjustment capability, then the system structure remains simple, but headlight alignment accuracy deteriorates leading to safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The vision system performs self-calibration by automatically detecting the light field boundaries and calculating alignment corrections without external intervention. The system uses its own imaging sensors to capture images of the light field, processes these images to determine misalignment, and generates correction signals autonomously, eliminating the need for complex external calibration equipment or manual adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the light field boundaries using imaging sensors and compares the detected boundaries against reference values to determine alignment status. This feedback loop enables real-time detection of misalignment and triggers automatic correction signals to adjust the headlight position, maintaining accurate alignment through continuous monitoring and adjustment
2Reliability
If manual headlight alignment adjustment is used, then the system complexity remains low, but visibility quality deteriorates due to inadequate alignment detection and correction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of headlights with an automated vision-based system. Imaging sensors capture images of the light field, image processing algorithms analyze the light field boundaries to determine alignment, and electronic actuators automatically adjust the headlight position based on calculated corrections, eliminating the need for manual mechanical adjustment while improving alignment reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The vision system acts as an intermediary between the headlight and the environment. Instead of directly adjusting the headlight based on simple sensors, the system uses imaging sensors to capture the light field, processes this visual information to determine alignment status, and then generates correction signals, providing intelligent mediation that improves visibility quality through accurate alignment detection and correction
3Measurement precision
If automatic light field detection is implemented, then alignment precision improves, but energy consumption increases due to continuous imaging and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs light field boundary detection and alignment correction at periodic intervals rather than continuously. The control unit is configured to detect changes in the light field boundaries and trigger image capture and processing only when changes are detected or at scheduled intervals, reducing energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision through periodic monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of light field boundary changes before initiating full image capture and processing sequences. The control unit monitors for changes and only triggers the energy-intensive imaging and processing operations when actual changes are detected, performing preliminary filtering to avoid unnecessary energy consumption during stable alignment conditions
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
The system ensures correct headlight alignment and illumination, enhancing driver safety by preventing dazzling and maintaining optimal visibility, while allowing for automatic detection and correction of misalignments.
Implementation Method 1
a camera disposed at the vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular vision system includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the vehicle, a light source disposed at the vehicle and operable to emit light, and a control. Light emitted by the light source, when operated, illuminates a field of illumination exterior of the vehicle, with the field of view of the camera encompassing at least a portion of the field of illumination. The control, responsive to data processing by a processor of the control of image data captured by the camera, determines a change in the field of illumination provided by the light source. Responsive to the determined change in the field of illumination, the control at least one selected from the group of (i) adjusts the light source to accommodate the determined change, (ii) adjusts the camera to accommodate the determined change and (iii) generates an alert.