VISION-BASED HEADLAMP AIMING

• US 20130058111A1
• Filed: 09/01/2011
• Published: 03/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Kumar, Arun, Abdelnour, Sleiman, Ekladyous, Albert, Kiedaisch, Kevin William, Partch, Thomas William, Wilds, John Wesley, Glasgow, Candace Carolyn
• Granted Patent: US 8,582,091 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/460
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/27 for testing the alignment of axes means for centering or aligning a light guide within a ferrule G02B6/3834
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/24 for testing alignment of axes

Abstract

A method for accurately aiming vehicle headlamps, with apparatus for practicing the method. A vision system, including a digital camera, is positioned in front of a headlamp, in communication with a control device. The control device employs pattern recognition to identify the optical axis indicia within the headlamp, and based on the identified location of that indicia, the control system accurately aligns a beamsetter with the optical axis of the headlamp.

Claims

1. A vision-based method for aiming a vehicle headlamp, comprising:

scanning the headlamp with a vision system to identify the headlamp optical axis indicia;

determining at least the height of the headlamp optical axis based on the location of the optical axis indicia;

positioning a beamsetter in alignment with the headlamp optical axis, based at partially on the determined height; and

aiming the headlamp with the beamsetter.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the headlamp optical axis indicia location information to a control system.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the headlamp optical axis indicia location information to a beamsetter.

4. A vision-based method for aiming a vehicle headlamp, comprising:

positioning a vision system in front of the headlamp;

scanning the headlamp with a vision system to identify the headlamp optical axis indicia;

communicating the headlamp optical axis indicia location information to a control system;

determining at least the height of the headlamp optical axis based on the location of the optical axis indicia;

positioning a beamsetter in alignment with the headlamp optical axis, based at partially on the determined height; and

aiming the headlamp with the beamsetter.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the scanning step includes applying pattern recognition to identify the headlamp optical axis indicia.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein left and right side headlamps are sequentially and independently aimed.

7. A headlamp aiming system for a vehicle, comprising:

a control system for receiving, communicating, and processing data;

a vision system configured to identify an optical axis reference mark on the headlamp, the vision system including a camera;

a beamsetter, operatively connected to the control system, including;

a processor configured to exchange data with the control system; and

an optical system configured for providing information for aiming the headlamp;

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the headlamp beamsetter is photometric.

9. The system of claim 7, further comprising means for positioning the vision system and the beamsetter in front of the headlamp.