Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes: a low beam unit including a first light emitting unit and irradiating light only to region below a cutoff line; a high beam unit including a second light emitting unit and irradiating light to regions around and above the cutoff line; and a lighting controller that controls lighting of the low beam unit and the high beam unit. The lighting controller controls to switch between a low mode in which the low beam unit is turned ON and the high beam unit is turned OFF and a high mode in which the low beam unit and the high beam unit are turned ON, and a first light quantity irradiated by the low beam unit in the high mode is larger than a second light quantity irradiated by the low beam unit in the low mode.

Abstract: A method for controlling the vehicle lighting system viewing angles synchronizing with the turning angles and system thereof, comprising: obtaining a current vehicle turning angle signal, transforming it into current turning angle value; finding out the specific lighting system illumination angle synchronizing with a turning angle range according to the value; then controlling the lighting system switching to the found specific synchronizing illumination angle, achieving synchronization between viewing angles and turning angles. Through synchronizing with turning angles, the system automatically controls the lighting system spotlight degrees, thus controls the illumination angles, and brings a wide range visual effect to drivers. Without driver's extra operations, the system can automatically adjust the lighting system illumination angles according to different turning angles, thus adjust the driver's viewing angle sizes, further improves the driving safety.

Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle includes a lamp unit serving to irradiate a light forward, and an actuator having a single output shaft for tilting the lamp unit vertically and transversely. The lamp unit is disposed in a lamp housing formed by a lamp body and a transparent cover for covering a front surface of the lamp body. The lamp unit includes a body coupling portion to be coupled to the lamp body and an actuator coupling portion to be coupled to the actuator. The lamp body includes a lamp unit coupling portion coupled to the body coupling portion and serving to support the lamp unit tiltably in vertical and transverse directions. The actuator is supported on the lamp body and includes an output shaft for tilting the lamp unit vertically and transversely in engagement with the actuator coupling portion of the lamp unit.

Abstract: The vehicle light control system includes a light device emitting an illumination light around an object vehicle on which the vehicle light control system is mounted, an information obtaining device obtaining integrated information including at least vehicle information indicating a behavior of the object vehicle, a control unit including an illumination target candidate setting function of setting a plurality of illumination target candidates which a driver of the object vehicle should pay attention on the basis of the integrated information, the plurality of the illumination target candidates being given a risk degree respectively, and a determination function of selecting an illumination target from among the plurality of the illumination target candidates on the basis of the risk degree, and an actuator device controlling the light device such that the illumination light is emitted in a direction of the illumination target.

Abstract: A system for predictive front lighting of a vehicle. The system includes a first and second headlamps, a first and second swivel mechanisms and a controller. The first and second headlamps project a beam pattern for illumination of the vehicle path. The controller receives vehicle position data, for example from a GPS system, and accesses a map database to identify a map location of the vehicle. The controller further analyzes the map to determine a most likely path of the vehicle based on the map location and other vehicle heading parameters. The controller then calculates the desired swivel angle of the first and second headlamps based on the most likely path of the vehicle, and the first and second swivel mechanisms manipulate the first and second headlamps to accordingly change the swivel angle of the headlamps.

Abstract: An automotive headlamp apparatus includes a light source for producing a high beam and a headlamp apparatus controller for controlling illumination from a light source. The headlamp apparatus controller divides a light distribution pattern of a high beam formed by illumination from the light source into a plurality of regions and controls illumination from each of the individual regions as divided so as to supplement a light distribution pattern of a low beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a lamp set is provided. The apparatus includes: a motor; a shaft which is rotatable by the motor and includes screw threads formed thereon; a sliding unit which includes a hole having screw threads formed therein that are engaged with the screw threads of the shaft and an insertion ball, the sliding unit being movable along the shaft upon rotation of the shaft; and a holder unit which includes a groove, the insertion ball being inserted into the groove.

Abstract: An optical axis controller and method for headlamps for a vehicle where the swiveling lamps are not driven due to the minute steering operation of the driver. The steering angle of the steering wheel is detected by using, for example, a steering angle signal from a steering angle sensor. A desired light emission direction is computed based on the steering angle and a hysteresis value and the lamps are driven to an actual light emission direction matching the desired light emission direction.

Abstract: The apparatus for automatically adjusting a direction of a light axis of a vehicle headlight of the invention has a configuration in which the swivel control unit determines that the vehicle is making a left or right turn and halts the swivel control on the light axis of a vehicle headlight, if the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold speed and at least one of the conditions that the turn indication signal is in the on state, and that the steering angle is outside a predetermined angular range is satisfied. The swivel control unit resumes the swivel control when the turn indication signal is changed into the off state.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has at its front end, a pair of passing or dipped beam headlights and a separate pair of cruising or main beam headlights. The passing headlights and cruising headlights produce, respectively, a regulation, short range, dipped passing beam and a regulation, long range, main or cruising beam. A control unit, when the vehicle is negotiating a bend in passing beam mode, causes at least one of the cruising main beam lights to emit an additional bend beam for lighting into the bend. This bend beam increases the light intensity generally in the direction of the bend.

Abstract: Driving assistance device for a motor vehicle, including at least one emitter of radiation toward the front of the vehicle, a receiver of part of this radiation reflected by a target vehicle, and control and calculation means for influencing the acceleration and braking of the following vehicle in accordance with information coming from the unit comprising the emitter and the receiver and in accordance with data pertaining to the following vehicle. At least the emitter is mounted so as to be rotatable in terms of the azimuth and means for driving the emitter in rotation are provided in order to modify the azimuth of the beam of the emitter in accordance with the curvature of the road. This beam advantageously turns by the same angle as that of the beam of an adaptive lighting system.

Abstract: A transmission member is swingably connected respectively to a reflector and a nut member, about an axis substantially orthogonal to a tilting direction of the reflector and to an advancing and backward direction of the nut member. As a result, the transmission member, which forms a link of a link mechanism, converts the linear motion of the nut member into rotation motion and transmits the rotation motion to the reflector, and also adjusts a misalignment between the linear motion of the nut member and the rotation motion of the reflector. Accordingly, optical axis adjustment is carried out smoothly.

Abstract: A direction adjustable device includes a motor drive unit for driving a turnable unit to turn, and a sensor assembly which includes a force transmitting member, a cable having first and second ends connected to the force transmitting member and a steering linkage, respectively, a rotary control switch coupled to the force transmitting member such that pivoting movement of the latter is transmitted to a signal processing unit, and a reversing member adapted to be connected to the steering linkage.

Abstract: An adaptive front-lighting system includes lamp deflection angle controlling means having a steering angle sensor for detecting a steering direction of a vehicle and supplying a signal and controlling a deflection angle of a lamp based on sensor outputs from the steering angle sensor. The lamp deflection angle controlling means includes an arithmetic control means for calculating a time series moving average of the output from the steering angle sensor. Averaging the output from the steering angle sensor on the time axis in the arithmetic circuit means enables to obtain outputs having smaller step widths than step widths of the outputs from the steering angle sensor, and controlling the deflection angle of the lamp based on the output enables to control the deflection angle of the lamp with the minute step widths.

Abstract: An illumination axis adjusting apparatus includes a stepping motor integrally having in turn an automatic angle adjusting structure for automatically adjusting the angle of the illumination axis of an automotive headlamp by driving the motor and a manual angle adjusting structure for manually adjusting the angle of the illumination axis of the headlamp.

Abstract: A front lamp steering controlled light distribution system is disclosed having a light distribution means movable to vary a light distribution pattern to right and left maximum limit positions in cornering areas of a vehicle, and a control means responsive to a turned on state of a head lamp switch for actuating the light distribution means to cause the light distribution pattern to be varied according to a steering direction signal, indicative of an incremental steering angle of a steering wheel, in the absence of a vehicle speed signal, indicative of a vehicle speed less than a given value, and operative to drive the light distribution means to cause the light distribution pattern to be fixedly directed to the maximum limit position in response to an indicator direction signal, output from a blinker condition detection means (14), in the presence of the vehicle speed signal.

Abstract: A vehicle light apparatus which serves to change a lighting range of a lamp L for illuminating a forward part of the vehicle corresponding to a steering angle of the vehicle comprises lighting range control means for turning the lighting range into an opposite direction to a current steering direction when steering is returned into a straight running direction. When a steering angular velocity is greater than a predetermined value, a lighting range for illuminating an opposite side is increased following the return of the steering into the straight running direction. A next curve or the course of an intersection road can be illuminated prior to the steering operation in a running condition on an S-shaped road or an intersection road in which right and left turns continue. Thus, the vehicle light apparatus is very effective for maintaining the safe running of the vehicle on a curved road and an intersection road.

Abstract: A display lamp includes an electric light bulb disposed within a cylinder supported in a substantially vertical orientation. A light-transmitting container of water or other light-transmitting liquid is supported on the top of the cylinder. A dispenser of liquid is disposed above the container for dropping droplets of liquid onto the surface of the liquid in the container for disturbing it. The light shines through the vessel and the liquid and its disturbed surface and onto an associated display surface, such as an adjacent wall or ceiling, for producing thereon a visual wave pattern which moves in accordance with the disturbance of the liquid surface.

Abstract: An adaptive front-lighting system includes lamp deflection angle controlling means having a steering angle sensor for detecting a steering direction of a vehicle and supplying a signal and controlling a deflection angle of a lamp based on sensor outputs from the steering angle sensor. The lamp deflection angle controlling means includes an arithmetic control means for calculating a time series moving average of the output from the steering angle sensor. Averaging the output from the steering angle sensor on the time axis in the arithmetic circuit means enables to obtain outputs having smaller step widths than step widths of the outputs from the steering angle sensor, and controlling the deflection angle of the lamp based on the output enables to control the deflection angle of the lamp with the minute step widths.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting apparatus includes means for controlling a deflection angle of a lamp which controls the deflection angle based on an output from a steering angle sensor for detecting the steering direction. The maximum deflection angle is controlled based on a vehicle speed detected by a vehicle speed sensor. When the vehicle is almost in a state of coming to stop, the maximum deflection angle is set to 0°, and the direction of radiation of the lamp is fixed in the straight ahead direction of the vehicle. When the vehicle is in the state of cruising almost at a high speed, the maximum deflection angle is suppressed with increase in vehicle speed, and thus the deflection angle of the lamp is controlled within the angle range around the straight ahead direction, thereby preventing lateral fluctuation of the deflecting direction of the lamp.

Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight comprises a light source mounted in a reflector and a glass. The reflector is mounted to pivot about a generally vertical axis, and displacement means are provided to vary the angular position of the reflector. According to the invention, the reflector is capable of occupying at least one first angular position in which the beam emitted thereby passes through a first glass to generate a first type of beam, and a second angular position which is fixed and different form the first angular position(s), and in which the beam passes through a second glass; the headlight also has optical means for generating through said second glass a fixed beam which has photometric characteristics different from those of the beam passing through the first glass. Application in particular to two-function headlights for providing both a cornering light beam and a fog light beam.

Abstract: A radiating direction control unit 1 of a lighting device for a vehicle for controlling a radiating direction of the lighting device 6 in accordance with the pitch angle of the vehicle. The radiation direction control unit includes an axle level detector 2 which detects a change in the level of a front or a rear axle of the vehicle, and a vehicle inclination detector 3 for detecting an inclination of the vehicle in the transverse direction. A pitch angle of the vehicle is determined based on respective signals emitted by the axle level detector and the vehicle inclination detector. A radiation direction controller corrects a radiating direction of the lighting device only when a change in the inclination of the vehicle in the transverse direction is not detected by the inclined attitude detection means 3. Accordingly, the radiating direction of the lighting device 6 is not changed due to a change in the vehicle attitude which does not affect the pitch angle of the vehicle.

Abstract: A head lamp for vehicle use is provided, which includes a intermediate tilting member tiltably supported by a lamp body at three points. One point acts as a tilting fulcrum, while the other two points are supported by an aiming adjusting member of an aiming adjusting mechanism, for changing positions of the intermediate tilting member with respect to the lamp body. The head lamp also includes a reflector which is tiltably supported by the intermediate tilting member at three support points, wherein two points are formed into tilting fulcrums, and the other point is supported via a leveling actuator of a leveling adjusting mechanism, for changing a position of the reflector with respect to the intermediate tilting member by an automatic operation or a remote operation.

Abstract: A vehicle turn signal system (10), and an associated method, utilizes turn selectors (14, 16) located on a steering wheel (12). The system has right and left turn signal indicator circuits (34, 38) that are each energizable to indicate an intended movement of the vehicle toward the right or left, respectively. A micro-controller 20 controls the energization of the right and left turn indicator circuits (34, 38). Each of the right and left selectors (14, 16) is actuatable in a first manner for causing the micro-controller (20) to energize the respective indicator circuit (34 or 38) to perform a first indication operation and actuatable in a second manner for causing the micro-controller to energize the respective indicator circuit (34 or 38) to perform a second indication operation. In one embodiment, the first manner of selector actuation is a relatively short duration actuation, and the second manner of selector is a relatively long duration actuation.

Abstract: An array of disks faces a viewing direction is composed of disk's rotatable about an axis approximately perpendicular to the viewing direction between alternating orientations where bright and dark sides are respectively displayed in the viewing direction. There is provided a row of LED's located forwardly of the array and out of the normal viewing path located to illuminate the disks of said array. Masking means prevents direct illumination from said LED's being visible in the viewing direction.

Abstract: A headlamp mounting system for an automobile includes respective headlamp housings for holding monofilament headlamps. Also, respective bases are attached to the automobile and each base is pivotably engaged with a respective one of the headlamp housings. An activating shaft extends between the headlamp housings and is connected to each, and an activating rod is connected to a radially protruding ear of the activating shaft. The activating rod is coupled to an operating knob in the passenger compartment, and the knob can be pushed and pulled as desired by an occupant to cause the activating rod to reciprocate and, thus, to rotate the activating shaft and hence pivot the headlamp housings. Thereby, the elevation angle of the headlamp beams is selectively established, with a high angle establishing a high beam orientation and a low angle establishing a low beam orientation.

Abstract: An adjustable headlight and headlight adjusting direction sensing control system which incrementally adjusts the Y axis of an automobile headlight in accordance with the vehicle turning direction and adjusts the X axis in accordance with the hood orientation in relation to the road topography. A method for adjusting the X axis and Y axis of the adjustable headlights for enhancing the illumination of the changing forward road topography. The automobile headlight and the headlight adjusting and direction sensing control system comprises a pair of adjustable headlights, a pair of servomotors systems, first sensor, second sensor and microprocessor. The adjustable headlights are coupled to a pair of servomotors of one of the servomotor systems for adjusting the adjustable headlights along its X axis or Y axis in accordance with the output signals from the microprocessor.

Abstract: A system for assisting a reverse cornering of a vehicle includes: left and right cornering sensors, which are respectively mounted on left and right corners of the front side of the vehicle, for detecting objects which approach near the left and right corners; a warning device mounted near a driver's seat for generating a warning sound to a driver, when one of the cornering sensors detects objects approaching near the corners of the vehicle; and a head lamp angle adjusting device for adjusting the angle of left and right head lamps toward left and right side of the vehicle in accordance with the front wheel steering angle when the vehicle is in a reverse state.

Abstract: A head lamp device for a vehicle in which a lighting region in front of the vehicle in a traveling direction can be adjusted in rightward and leftward directions comprises: a direction indicating signal outputting mechanism 11 for detecting an operation of a winker device and outputting a direction indicating signal; a steering signal outputting mechanism 12 for detecting a steering angle of a steering device and outputting a steering angle signal; a map information outputting mechanism 30 for outputting map information including road data; a present position detecting mechanism 32 for detecting a present position of proper vehicle on the map; and a control mechanism 10 for inputting the said direction indicating signal, steering angle, map information and information of the present position and adjusting the lighting region of the head lamp.

Abstract: An automatically slaved light for a motor vehicle comprises a roof mounted lamp steerable about a horizontal and vertical axis, and an internal control unit within the coach of the vehicle. The control unit rotates the lamp unit about the vertical axis via a first motor in the lamp housing when the vehicle is engaging a turn, wherein the lamp is rotated in the direction of turn of the vehicle to an angle proportional to the steering angle thereof as determined by a steering angle sensor coupled to the vehicle's steering wheel. The lamp is rotated upward about the horizontal axis by the control unit via a second motor in the lamp housing when the vehicle is traversing a declinate section of road, wherein the lamp unit is rotated upward relative the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle to an angle proportional to the angle defined between the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and the gravitational horizon which is determined by a level sensor in the control unit.

Abstract: A vehicular cornering lamp system which reduces spark noise generated by a motor thereof, reduces wear of parts such as the brushes and commutator of the motor, and improves the rate of use of the power voltage of the system and thereby generates sufficient torque to rotate the motor. An illumination direction control circuit generates voltages to be applied to the two terminals of the motor according to differences between the output voltage of a lamp illumination angle sensor and the output voltage of a steering sensor.

Abstract: A headlight moving apparatus which includes a steering wheel angle detecting member, a headlight angle detecting member, and an actuating member operatively associated with the steering wheel and headlight angle detecting members, whereby the headlights swing right and left on the basis of the angular position of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle cornering headlamp system in which the direction of illumination of the headlamps of an automobile are made to follow the actual direction of movement of the vehicle, except that the direction of illumination is returned to the straight-ahead direction more quickly than it is moved away therefrom, thereby more accurately following the usual eye movement of the driver. For this purpose, a control signal is generated which has a pulse width indicative of the steering angle but which has a variation characteristic with respect to steering angle which is larger when the steering wheel is turned back towards the straight-ahead position than when the steering wheel is turned away from the straight-ahead position.

Abstract: A cornering lamp system for a vehicle which changes direction of the headlamps in conjunction with the operation of the vehicle's steering mechanism. The headlamps are moved in discrete steps by use of a stepper motor.The headlamps move in the direction which the vehicle is turning, and the headlamp closest to the center of rotation moves prior to the headlamp further from the center of rotation. A delay circuit causes the headlamps to move a predetermined period of time after the direction of the steering wheel is changed.

Abstract: A lighting equipment of pendant type comprising:a plural number of strings strung between a principal body of the lighting equipment and a holding means from which the lighting equipment is to be suspended for suspending the principal body from the holding means such as a ceiling or a beam,a string winder for winding and paying out the plural number of strings in each other related manner for variation of distance from the ceiling to the principal body, the string winder being to be fixed either to the principal body or on the ceiling,string guiding means for guiding each string and disposed with a predetermined distance from each other, corresponding to the string winder.The equipment has always desirable atitude in plan view aspect as well as in elevation view aspect.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slide member of a remote controller of a device for adjusting the angle at which the headlight beams from a motor vehicle are directed down onto the road surface, from within the vehicle. The remote controller comprises a guide case and a slide member mounted to the guide case for axial movement but against rotation with respect to the guide case. The slide member is adjusted by a threaded rotatable shaft mounted to the guide case for rotation but against axial movement with respect to the guide case. The slide member includes an end wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a block having a part-cylindrical surface formed with a threaded portion with which the threaded rotatable shaft engages. The first and second side walls extend parallel to each other and are connected to the end wall and the block.

Abstract: This invention relates to a headlight tilting system for vehicles having pivotal frames, oscillatable via a linkage driven by an electric motor and circuitry in which a manual switch can be set to establish a circuit between the motor and a battery via contacts sliding on a first conductive portion of a rotatable member driven by the motor. Electric current flows to the motor until a second portion electrically isolated or portions reaches one of the contacts forming the circuit when the circuit is broken and a switching arrangement simultaneously short circuits the armature of the motor to stop rotation of the motor instantly thus stopping the oscillation of the frames in exactly the desired position.

Abstract: A motor vehicle comprises a pivotal support member having at least one headlamp secured thereto, an unidirectional motor which rotates its output shaft in one rotational direction only when energized, cam and linkage means whereby rotation of the output shaft of the motor is converted into a pivotal movement of the support member about its pivot axis to adjust the headlight angles. Also provided is an electric circuit for energizing the motor which comprises a first group of electrical contacts which are connected in series with a second group of electrical contacts, respectively, a contact disc in slidable engagement with the second group of electrical contacts, and a manually operable means for selectively connecting one of the first group of electrical contacts to a battery. The contact disc is electrically connected in series with the motor and also mechanically connected to the output shaft of the motor to be rotated thereby.

Abstract: The device comprises a bar pivoted to a swing-bar whose ends are each connected to a piston rod of a jack having two positions. The travel of one of the jacks is equal to double the travel of the other. The front end of the bar is connected to the upper part of a headlamp and the bar is connected to the middle of the swing-bar. The ends of the latter are formed over and engaged in notches formed in a support of the device. The edges of the notches constitute abutments for the swing-bar.

Abstract: To vary the angle at which the headlight beams are directed only road surface from within the passenger compartment of a moving vehicle, spring forces urging hinged headlight mounting frames foreward are matched by the force of a spring assisting a winder to urge, via a first cable, lever, second and third cables, the frames in the opposite direction such that the force required to move the frames in either direction via a knob in the passenger compartment is substantially that required to move the frames if they were hanging or otherwise under the influence of only their own weight.

Abstract: Two headlight frames are mounted on the vehicle body front to be tilted about their lower peripheries and are usually preloaded by a spring assembly to be limitedly tilted. A manually operable lever accessible to an operator is movable to and is held in the selected one of multiple operating positions. The manual operating effort applied to the lever is transferred through a linkage including cables or rods and pivotal levers to the headlight frame to maintain it in a certain tilted position corresponding to the selected position of the manually operable lever.