Including Headlamp Beam Measuring Or Indicating (e.g., Headlamp Beam Leveling, Aiming, Inclination Detecting) Patents (Class 362/460)
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Patent number: 7907261Abstract: An optical axis inspection apparatus is provided with: a camera for capturing a light distribution pattern of a light source device projected on a screen; an image processing device for finding a cutoff line in the light distribution pattern; an acceptance reference cutoff line setting unit; and a shade having an oblong slit and arranged to be opposed to a projection lens of the projection type light source device. Whether or not an optical axis is proper is inspected based oh a shift of the cutoff line with respect to the acceptance reference cutoff line. Only a transmissive light passing through a substantially central portion in a vertical direction of a projection lens including an optical axis of the projection lens is guided onto the screen by the shade.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2008Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tetsuaki Inaba
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Publication number: 20110032716Abstract: A headlamp assembly includes a simplified adjusting mechanism for adjusting the aim of a headlamp. The mechanism includes a gear screw that is snap fit into the headlamp housing, a grommet that positioned around the gear screw and snap-fit into the headlamp reflector, and an O-ring to ensure a good seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2008Publication date: February 10, 2011Inventor: John Burton
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Patent number: 7824087Abstract: A headlamp adjuster includes an output shaft driven by a co-rotatable gear. Threads on the shaft engage splines in a thin wall boss, the splines having limited circumferential engagement with the screw. The thin wall boss deflects outwardly in response to forces that build in the engagement of the shaft and splines, to release driving engagement between the splines and the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2008Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Asyst Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael T. Gattone, Stanley Piotrowski, Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Patent number: 7784955Abstract: Disclosed herein is an LED (light emitting diode) headlamp aiming apparatus, which aims a mounting module that is provided with LEDs and is installed in a headlamp housing. The LED headlamp aiming apparatus includes a vertical aiming unit, which is provided on the rear side of the mounting module and is coupled to the headlamp housing, a horizontal aiming unit, which is provided on the rear side of the mounting module and is coupled to the headlamp housing, and a pivot unit which is coupled to the headlamp housing and is provided under the lower portion of the mounting module to support the mounting module and provide the center of the aiming operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Sung Uk Choi, Se Wook Oh, Joung Hyun Joo
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Patent number: 7674023Abstract: A headlight assembly for a straddle-type vehicle (e.g., a motor scooter) is provided that is positioned lower to the ground and farther forward than typical headlights to provide enhanced illumination from a front end of the vehicle. The assembly comprises a front portion of a vehicle body cover that extends over a portion of the front wheel of the vehicle. A headlight assembly is disposed at least partially on a front end of the front portion of the vehicle body cover. The headlight assembly comprises an upper light for generating a low beam of light and a lower light for generating a high beam of light. In addition, the headlight comprises position lights disposed on the right side and the left side of the upper and lower lights. Preferably, at least a portion of the headlight assembly is positioned farther forward than a leading end of the front wheel of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masaru Ohira
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Patent number: 7661856Abstract: A vehicular lamp 1 including a lamp chamber 7, which is formed with a lamp body 3 and a transparent front cover 5 attached to the front opening of the lamp body, and a lamp unit 13, which includes a reflector 9 and a light source 11 and is provided in the lamp chamber 7 so that the optical axis direction of the lamp unit is adjusted by a tilting movement adjustment mechanism 15, wherein a millimeter wave radar device 25 is attached to the lamp body, and a reflection mirror 31 that reflects, toward the front of the lamp, a millimeter wave signal 29 emitted by the millimeter wave radar device is attached to a supporting frame 21 which is a part of the tilting movement adjustment mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2007Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiromi Nakamura, Kazuma Mochizuki, Yoshinao Daicho, Hiromi Umehara, Yasuo Teranishi
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Patent number: 7561064Abstract: A vehicle light control apparatus includes an illumination control unit for executing illumination control on the mode of illumination of a subject vehicle based on signal transmission of a vehicle ID signal unique to the subject vehicle and signal reception of the vehicle ID signal unique to the subject vehicle. The control unit identifies a vehicle having brightness exceeding a predetermined threshold from an image of other vehicles acquired through an image recognition MPU as a vehicle having an illumination adjustment failure, and returns the same vehicle identification signal transmitted from the other vehicle thus identified to vehicles other than the subject vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2007Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Atsushi Yamamoto
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Publication number: 20090073703Abstract: An optical axis inspection apparatus is provided with: a camera for capturing a light distribution pattern of a light source device projected on a screen; an image processing device for finding a cutoff line in the light distribution pattern; an acceptance reference cutoff line setting unit; and a shade having an oblong slit and arranged to be opposed to a projection lens of the projection type light source device. Whether or not an optical axis is proper is inspected based oh a shift of the cutoff line with respect to the acceptance reference cutoff line. Only a transmissive light passing through a substantially central portion in a vertical direction of a projection lens including an optical axis of the projection lens is guided onto the screen by the shade.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Tetsuaki Inaba
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Patent number: 7500768Abstract: A vehicle headlight has a motor operated adjustable mounting for adjusting the beam of light in a plane. The adjustment device includes an ear on the headlight with an axially extendable arm, the extension of which is driven by an electric motor. Rotation of the motor causes motorized adjustment of the beam. The motor is slideably mounted in a retainer for movement parallel to the extendable arm. A manually adjustable screw adjusts the position of the motor along the slide to permit manual alignment of the headlight beam.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2005Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Inventor: Jack Chen
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Patent number: 7496439Abstract: A display unit carried in an exterior rearview mirror assembly having a generic display matrix displaying numbers, text and indicia interchangeably. A vehicle status sensor in communication with the display unit for providing vehicle status information for display, and a proximity sensor in communication with the display unit for providing object avoidance information for display in the form of a distance measurement between the vehicle and an object in the vehicle's path. A controller carried in the vehicle interior operatively associated with the display unit for selectively displaying object avoidance information or vehicle status information based on whether the vehicle is placed in a reverse gear. A display driver in communication with the controller causes the display unit to display the vehicle status information when the vehicle is not in a reverse gear, and to display the object avoidance information when the vehicle is place in a reverse gear.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2005Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Lang Mekra North America, LLCInventor: Malcolm B. McCormick
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Publication number: 20090021953Abstract: The lighting and/or signaling system according to the invention comprises at least one lighting and/or signaling device which is able to emit at least one light beam and is equipped with at least one actuator for adjusting an angle of the light beam, and at least one actuator control device for controlling the actuator. According to the invention, the actuator control device transmits an active setpoint information item to the actuator only when a current value of the setpoint information item differs substantially from a previous value of the setpoint information item. The improved actuator control incorporated in the system according to the invention helps to achieve greater reliability and a longer service life.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: VALEO VISIONInventors: Daniel Alvarez Garcia, Pascal POIROT
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Patent number: 7449997Abstract: An auto light system allows the driver to control the head light beam direction and range, via a light control device. A manual light operating device for operating the light manually is operated in response to an output signal from the light control device. A display device displays the control state of the light controlled by the light control device.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2004Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Isao Furusawa, Tatsuhiko Monji, Jun Higashino, Fujio Iida
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Patent number: 7446653Abstract: The lighting and/or signaling system according to the invention comprises at least one lighting and/or signaling device which is able to emit at least one light beam and is equipped with at least one actuator for adjusting an angle of the light beam, and at least one actuator control device for controlling the actuator. According to the invention, the actuator control device transmits an active setpoint information item to the actuator only when a current value of the setpoint information item differs substantially from a previous value of the setpoint information item. The improved actuator control incorporated in the system according to the invention helps to achieve greater reliability and a longer service life.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2006Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Valeo VisionInventors: Daniel Alvarez Garcia, Pascal Poirot
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Publication number: 20080239734Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Faroog Abdel-Kareem Ibrahim, Markus Klein, Christoph Schmidt
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Patent number: 7387413Abstract: In order to meet the legal requirements regarding color of light from a headlight, especially at the light-dark boundary and how much scattered light can occur in the dark region, a lens (5) is provided, which has a diffractive structure on at least one of its surfaces (8). This lens (5) is built into a headlight with a diaphragm (4) arranged between the lens (5) and a light source (3) so that the diffractive structure is arranged substantially only in a region of the lens surface that is not masked by the diaphragm. In various embodiments a computer-generated hologram (17a-17e) can be arranged in the other region of the lens surface that is masked by the diaphragm, so that the lighting apparatus can perform other functions, such as improving driver visibility, displaying an image, measuring the distance to an object or detecting rain or snow.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2004Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Schott AGInventors: Matthias Brinkmann, Edgar Pawlowski, Wolfram Beier, Rolf Harmgardt
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Patent number: 7374320Abstract: A control unit of a vehicular headlamp apparatus can selectively perform steering angle control and navigation-cooperative control. The steering angle control operates a drive mechanism based on a steering angle and a speed of a vehicle to control a headlamp's swivel angle. The navigation-cooperative control operates the drive mechanism using a navigation unit to control the swivel angle. When a current position of the vehicle reaches an entry control start point, the control unit starts navigation-cooperative control at the entry into a curved road. The control unit finds a target swivel angle based on a curvature radius and curved road direction information about the curved road. While the vehicle moves from the entry control start point to a curved road start point, the control unit operates the drive mechanism to gradually change the headlamp's swivel angle to the target swivel angle.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2005Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Yasutoshi Horii, Junichi Hasegawa, Toshio Sugimoto
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Patent number: 7350944Abstract: In an automatic leveling apparatus, a motor inclines an optical axis of a headlamp in an up and down direction relative to a vehicle body, a vehicle height sensor detects a change in a height direction of an axle portion of a front wheel or a rear wheel of a vehicle, and an involatile memory records a control constant inherent to the vehicle. CPU determines whether the control constant is recorded to the involatile memory, calculates a pitch angle based on the control constant inherent to the vehicle and a detecting output of the vehicle height sensor, and controls to drive the motor by generating a control signal for canceling the pitch angle. CPU calculates the pitch angle on a condition that the control constant is recorded to the involatile memory, outputs the control signal and stops to output the control signal to the motor otherwise.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2005Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Atsushi Yamazaki
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Patent number: 7325950Abstract: An antiglare device comprises a housing for coupling to a headlight of a vehicle. Surfaces of the housing which face a passenger side of the vehicle are reflective to encourage reflection of light away from oncoming traffic while surfaces of the housing facing towards the driver side of the vehicle are preferably non-reflective to reduce the amount of light reflected towards oncoming traffic. Plates may be supported within the housing through which the light passes in which the plates similarly include reflective and non-reflective surface. The plates may be pivotal between a high beam position parallel to the direction of light projected through the housing and a low beam position in which the plates are deflected in the direction in which the reflective surfaces face towards the passenger side. The plates may instead be horizontal in the high beam position and deflected downwardly in the low beam positions.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Inventor: Robert M. Davidson
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Patent number: 7303321Abstract: A clip which is configured to keep a headlamp adjuster together during installation (and preferably also shipping), thereby allowing for one hand, easier installation. The clip can be left on the assembly after installation, or it can be removed, whichever is preferred. The clip is configured such that leaving it in place will not interfere with standard operation of the headlamp adjuster. A method of installing a headlamp adjuster with one hand is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2004Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Acument Intellectual Properties, LLCInventors: Bradley C. Miller, Karl R. Schmitt
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Publication number: 20070263398Abstract: A headlight optical axis angle control system for a vehicle has a headlight, a height sensor for detecting a height of the vehicle and an actuator for changing an optical axis angle of the headlight based on an output value of the height sensor. The system also has an ECU that detects an abnormal change in the output value of the height sensor, and drives the actuator to maintain the optical axis angle of the headlight unchanged irrespective of the output value of the height sensor when the abnormal change is detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2007Publication date: November 15, 2007Applicant: DENSO CorporationInventor: Ryu Mizuno
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Patent number: 7284887Abstract: A lamp adjuster for adjusting the aim of a headlamp is disclosed. The lamp adjuster includes an input shaft, a ball stud bracket in threaded engagement with the input shaft and an o-ring mounted on the ball stud bracket. Rotation of the input shaft causes linear translation of the ball stud bracket, thereby adjusting the aim of the lamp.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2005Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Asyst Technologies, LLCInventor: Scott Fladhammer
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Publication number: 20070217220Abstract: A light emitting apparatus and control method are provided. The light-emitting apparatus includes a light emitting part; a power supplying part; a switching part which is serially coupled to the light emitting part; and a control part which compares a switch voltage level with a comparison level, and controls the power supplying part to supply the driving power having a voltage level decreased by a reference level if the switch voltage level is higher than the comparison level. The control method includes supplying a driving power to the light emitting part; emitting light; measuring a switch voltage level across the switching part, and decreasing a voltage level of the driving power by a reference level if the switch voltage level is higher than the comparison level.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2007Publication date: September 20, 2007Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jeong-il Kang, Sang-hoon Lee
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Patent number: 7198392Abstract: An adjuster to be used with numerous applications including the adjusting of a headlamp reflector of a headlamp assembly includes a clutch mechanism that prevents over-driving and over-traveling of the adjuster output shaft during an overload condition. The adjuster includes generally an output shaft, drive gear, spring, and a driven gear that allow the headlamp adjuster to clutch. The driven gear is held in an engaged position with the drive gear by the spring force of the spring. In a high torque condition, such as when the output shaft encounters a high load, the driven gear will disengage from the drive gear overcoming the spring force of the spring. In this position, the headlamp adjuster will clutch, thereby preventing the over-driving and over-traveling of the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2005Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Illinois Tool Works IncInventors: Darien P. Hobbs, Peter B. Brazas
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Patent number: 7178953Abstract: A headlight optical axis control unit of a vehicle capable of reducing cost, improving accuracy and ensuring safety is provided. An inclination angle detecting sensor placed in the front of a vehicle is connected to a control unit, and includes two transceivers of ultrasonic sensors. The two transceivers obtain the levels at their locations from the phase differences between the emitted waves and the reflected waves from a road surface, and measure the inclination angle from the level differences. The inclination angle is continuously detected during running of the vehicle. The measured values of the inclination angle are subjected to the cumulative sum and cumulative averaging. According to the average value, the control unit adjusts the angle of the optical axis of the headlights via headlight optical axis control sections.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshio Katayama, Takashi Ohsawa
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Patent number: 7131754Abstract: An automatic headlamp control system includes an image sensor and a control. The image sensor captures an image of a forward exterior scene and the control processes the image to determine if any light sources in the captured image are indicative of headlamps of oncoming vehicles or taillights of leading vehicles. The control adjusts the state of the headlamps between a high beam state and a lower beam state in response to such processing, and may adjust the beam illumination state of one headlamp independent of adjustment of the beam illumination state of the other headlamp. The control adjusts one headlamp to its lower beam state in response to a detection of a headlamp of an approaching vehicle in the forward field of view, and adjusts or maintains the beam illumination state of the other headlamp independent of the adjustment of the first headlamp in response to the detection.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2006Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventor: Kenneth Schofield
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Patent number: 7118259Abstract: An adjuster having a housing or lamp housing with an adjuster portion, a gear positioned inside the housing or adjuster portion, a control rod engaged to the gear and extending from the housing or adjuster portion, and at least one tang outside the housing or adjuster portion such that the tang engages the control rod and prevents rotation thereof. As such, rotation of the gear results in linear movement of the control rod. The adjuster may be positioned on a lamp housing, or other structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2004Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Asyst Technologies, LLCInventor: Scott Fladhammer
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Patent number: 7114835Abstract: A headlamp adjuster is provided for use and access from the front of a headlamp assembly on which it is installed. The adjuster includes an input shaft and an output screw in substantially parallel, spaced arrangement. A gear train drivingly connects inner ends of the input shaft and the output screw. Rotation of the input shaft about its longitudinal axis causes axial translation of the output screw.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2005Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.Inventor: Peter B. Brazas
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Patent number: 7090385Abstract: A shade includes a pivot member disposed along a horizontal axis extending in the transverse direction of a vehicle and configured to pivot about the horizontal axis. An indentation section extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle is formed in a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the shade. Two areas on the outer peripheral surface in the circumferential direction thereof are formed as a first distributed light generation section for generating a left low beam light distribution pattern, and a second distributed light generation section for generating a right low beam light distribution pattern. The indentation section is formed as a third distributed light generation section for generating a high beam light distribution pattern.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2004Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Atsushi Sugimoto
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Patent number: 7053762Abstract: A projecting direction control system for a vehicle headlamp comprises a wheel-speed detecting means for detecting left and right wheel speeds and a posture decision means for calculating centrifugal force from the left and right wheel speeds obtained by the wheel-speed detecting means, difference between the wheel speeds, and characteristic information of the vehicle including vehicle width and vehicle weight so as to apprehend a rolling condition. The rolling condition can be recognized accurately from the direction and strength of the centrifugal force by calculating the centrifugal force during turning motion.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tomoyuki Sakai
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Patent number: 7052164Abstract: A headlamp assembly including a simplified adjusting mechanism for adjusting the aim of the headlamp. The mechanism includes a gear screw that is snap fit into the headlamp housing with or without an adjuster housing. The gear screw has an O-ring in radial compression so as to ensure a good seal.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2002Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Burton Technologies LLCInventor: John Burton
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Patent number: 7014345Abstract: A auto-leveling system for vehicle headlamp comprises a headlamp an optical axis L of which is tilted vertically by a drive of a motor, a control unit 16 for controlling the drive of the motor 10, a vehicle pitch angle sensing means 14, and a headlamp lighting switch 11, whereby the control unit 16 controls the drive of the motor 10 based on a sensed pitch angle such that the optical axis of the headlamp is always set to a predetermined tilted state with respect to a road surface when the headlamp lighting switch is in an ON state, wherein the system has a daytime running light lighting deciding function, and the control unit 16 controls the drive of the motor 10 so as to fix the optical axis L of the headlamp at a frontal lower limit position when the headlamp lighting switch 11 is in an OFF state and a daytime running light is turned on. Thus, the drive of the motor 10 in a daytime running is eliminated and a load applied to the motor 10 is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Atsushi Toda
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Patent number: 7004606Abstract: An automatic headlamp control system includes an image sensor, such as an imaging array sensor, and a control. The image sensor is operable to capture an image of a scene forwardly of the vehicle and the control is operable to process the image to determine if any light sources in the captured image are indicative of headlamps of oncoming vehicles or taillights of leading vehicles. The control may adjust the state of the headlamps between a high beam state and a lower beam state in response to such processing of the captured image. The control may be operable to distinguish a reflection of the controlled vehicle's headlamps from the taillights of a leading vehicle, headlamps of an oncoming vehicle, other light sources, and/or reflections from other light sources via recognition of a signature, code or pattern superimposed on the light output of the headlamps of the controlled vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventor: Kenneth Schofield
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Patent number: 6994460Abstract: A vehicular headlamp that forms a predetermined light distribution pattern in front of the lamp by light that is radiated from a projector-type lamp unit. The projector-type lamp unit includes a projection lens provided on the optical axis that extends in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle and passes through substantially the center of the projection lens, a light source bulb provided behind the rear focal point of the projection lens, and a reflector which condenses and reflects light from the light source bulb toward the optical axis in the forward direction; and the light source bulb is disposed in the reflector at a point which is at a distance from the optical axis in an obliquely downward direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2003Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Satoshi Yamamura
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Patent number: 6990397Abstract: A system and method for controlling the in situ orientation of the headlamps of a vehicle, from a camera that is mounted in the headlamp, as a function of the attitude of the vehicle. A camera is secured to a reflector of the headlamp so as to film the road extending in front of the vehicle. An image processing unit processes at least two successive images in order to detennine a measured horizon line of the road scene in front of the vehicle. A setpoint horizon line has been determined beforehand during initial adjustment of the headlamp. The real horizon line is then brought closer to the setpoint horizon line by modifying the orientation of the headlamp, until the distance between the measured line and the setpoint line tends towards zero.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Valeo VisionInventors: Pierre Albou, Joël Leleve
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Patent number: 6979109Abstract: A sliding adjuster includes a base housing with a slide positioned at least partially therein. The base housing includes mounting tabs so that the adjuster can be secured to the back of a headlamp assembly support frame. The base housing includes channels along its sides in which rails extending from the slide are disposed. A ball stud extends from the slide, the ball of which is engaged in a reflector within the headlamp assembly such that axial movement of the ball stud causes movement of the reflector. Movement of the slide is caused by rotation of an adjustment screw that is threaded into the slide but held in axial position with respect to the base housing. The adjuster may include a vehicle headlamp aiming device (“VHAD”) if required for the particular application.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2004Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Burton Technologies LLCInventor: John E. Burton
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Patent number: 6951412Abstract: The present invention comprises a pivot stud with an axis of rotation in the horizontal plane for use within a visual optical aim light assembly. The axis of rotation of the pivot stud defines an axis of rotation about which the light assembly may be rotated so as to properly aim the visual optical aim light assembly. The pivot stub does not allow rotation about planes other than the horizontal plane. According to one embodiment, the pivot stud comprises a ball and socket of a generally ellipsoid shape.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Assignee: Guide CorporationInventors: Travis S. Floyd, R. Andrew Kidd
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Patent number: 6919820Abstract: A vehicle headlamp system with headlamps, each of which contains a lamp unit for emitting beams forward with a predetermined luminous intensity distribution. The system carries out beam emission with a luminous intensity distribution corresponding to the travel conditions of a vehicle. In an implementation, when the speed of one's own vehicle exceeds 25 km/h, a low-beam luminous intensity distribution P(L) is varied according to a vehicle-to-vehicle distance in relation to a preceding vehicle. Remote visibility is increased by positioning a cut-off line slightly upward when the vehicle-to-vehicle distance L is long, whereas when the vehicle-to-vehicle distance L is short the cut-off line is lowered slightly in order not to give a glare to the driver of the preceding vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2001Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Makita, Takeshi Kimura, Masahiro Kusagaya
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Patent number: 6913374Abstract: A headlamp adjuster for adjusting the position of a reflector includes a base housing with a slide positioned at least partially therein. The base housing has mounting tabs so that the adjuster can be secured to the back of a headlamp assembly support frame. The base housing also has channels along its sides in which rails extending from the slide are disposed. A ball stud extends from the slide, the ball of which engages the reflector within the headlamp assembly such that axial movement of the ball stud causes movement of the reflector. Movement of the slide is caused by rotation of an adjustment screw that is threaded into the slide but held in axial position with respect to the base housing. The adjuster may include a vehicle headlamp aiming device (“VHAD”) if required for the particular application.” A marked-up version showing the changes is enclosed herewith in accordance with 37 CFR §1.121 (b)(iii).Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2002Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLCInventor: John E. Burton
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Patent number: 6779912Abstract: The headlight, especially for a motor vehicle, includes at least two separately adjustable reflectors and a reflector height adjusting mechanism for adjusting the reflector heights separately or synchronously. The reflectors include a first reflector for high beam light and/or fog light and a second reflector associated with a low beam light module. The reflector height adjusting device includes separate adjusting devices for individually adjusting the respective heights for the at least two separately adjustable reflectors and a coupling member for the separate adjusting devices. When the separate adjusting devices are put in a coupled state by the coupling member the heights of the at least two reflectors are synchronously adjusted by operation of only one of the separate adjusting devices. The method for adjusting light radiated from the headlight includes performing a pre-adjustment in which each of the reflectors is separately adjusted by the separate adjusting devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2002Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Krieg, Hans-Joachim Schmidt, Harry Hofmann
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Patent number: 6773146Abstract: A method for designing a projection-type headlamp, and a projection-type headlamp produced thereby, that allows the position of a shade member and a light source to be set so that the luminous utilization efficiency is optimized for a given allowable height of the headlamp. Design values of the lens diameter and focal distance of the projection lens are set, and characteristics of the luminous utilization efficiency obtained in a case where the first focal point F1 and second focal point F2 of the reflector are changed are determined, and characteristics of the diffusion angle in the vertical light direction obtained in a case where the first focal point F1 and the second focal point F2 are changed are also determined.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroyuki Ishida
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Publication number: 20040090786Abstract: The present invention comprises a pivot stud with an axis of rotation in the horizontal plane for use within a visual optical aim light assembly. The axis of rotation of the pivot stud defines an axis of rotation about which the light assembly may be rotated so as to properly aim the visual optical aim light assembly. The pivot stub does not allow rotation about planes other than the horizontal plane. According to one embodiment, the pivot stud comprises a ball and socket of a generally ellipsoid shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2002Publication date: May 13, 2004Applicant: GUIDE CORPORATIONInventors: Travis S. Floyd, R. Andrew Kidd
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Patent number: 6693380Abstract: An auto leveling apparatus which drives a motor only in case that a posture that has changed during stoppage becomes stable and the stable posture is different from the posture controlled at the last time thereby to reduce the number of operations of the motor.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Toda, Hideaki Takeuchi
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Publication number: 20030227777Abstract: An automatic headlamp control system includes an image sensor, such as an imaging array sensor, and a control. The image sensor is operable to capture an image of a scene forwardly of the vehicle and the control is operable to process the image to determine if any light sources in the captured image are indicative of headlamps of oncoming vehicles or taillights of leading vehicles. The control may adjust the state of the headlamps between a high beam state and a lower beam state in response to such processing of the captured image. The control may be operable to distinguish a reflection of the controlled vehicle's headlamps from the taillights of a leading vehicle, headlamps of an oncoming vehicle, other light sources, and/or reflections from other light sources via recognition of a signature, code or pattern superimposed on the light output of the headlamps of the controlled vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2003Publication date: December 11, 2003Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
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Publication number: 20030223242Abstract: A leveling apparatus for a vehicle headlamp has a case body, a motor disposed within the case body, a worm wheel supported by the case body rotatably but unmovably in the longitudinal direction and rotated by the motor and a shaft screwed into the worm wheel. The shaft and the worm wheel are screwed together by thread ridges provided on the inner side of the worm wheel and thread ridges provided on the outer periphery of a driven portion forming the shaft. The thread ridges on one side out of the thread ridges on two sides are formed by one to two pitches.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2003Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventor: Hirohisa Deguchi
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Publication number: 20030179582Abstract: An analysis method of a lamp member for a vehicle, includes (1) the point group data generation step of generating point group data that represents a region to be analyzed, on the basis of CAD data of a lamp member for a vehicle, (2) the analysis parameter extraction step of extracting analysis parameters required for analysis from a storage device, (3) the analysis parameter accept step of accepting input of the analysis parameters, and (4) the analysis execution step of executing analysis in accordance with a program corresponding to a structure of the lamp member for a vehicle on the basis of the generated point group data, and the accepted analysis parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Akio Nakanishi, Yoshinori Otsuka
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Patent number: 6614579Abstract: According to one embodiment, a proximity switch comprises a radiation emitter for emitting radiation, at least one photosensor for detecting light levels near the radiation emitter, and an electronic circuit for energizing the radiation emitter and for receiving and processing signals from the photosensor so as to perform a specified function upon detecting an object that causes the radiation emitted from the radiation emitter to be reflected back to the photosensor. According to another embodiment, a rearview assembly for a vehicle comprises a transparent housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: John K. Roberts, Jeremy A. Fogg, Frederick T. Bauer
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Publication number: 20030103358Abstract: A lighting unit for a low beam is provided with a movable shade constituted to take a shielding position in which a part of light incident on a reflector from a light source is shielded and a shielding release position in which the shielding is released. When a vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined set vehicle speed, or when a vehicle turns toward the opposite lane side, the movable shade is moved to the shielding release position, thereby adding auxiliary light distribution patterns P(B) and P(C) having cutoff lines CLb and CLc above cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 of a low beam distribution pattern P(L) to the low beam distribution pattern P(L) to carry out beam irradiation. Thus, the visibility of a distant road is enhanced.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2002Publication date: June 5, 2003Inventors: Masashi Tatsukawa, Toshiyuki Kinouchi
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Patent number: 6568837Abstract: A motorized headlamp adjuster which is operably connectable to a control circuit and which is engageable with a headlamp assembly. Specifically, the headlamp adjuster includes an adjuster output shaft which is engageable with a reflector of a headlamp assembly. The headlamp adjuster includes a housing, and the adjuster output shaft extends from the housing. The adjuster output shaft preferably has a sealing member thereon which seals with the housing. Preferably, an external surface of the housing also has a sealing member thereon for engaging and sealing with the housing of the headlamp assembly when the headlamp adjuster is installed. As such, the headlamp adjuster is sealed, and seals with a headlamp housing when installed. Preferably, the headlamp adjuster does not include several complex components and is relatively easy to assemble.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Elco Textron Inc.Inventor: Ronald S. Denley
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Publication number: 20030076686Abstract: A method for designing a projection-type headlamp, and a projection-type headlamp produced thereby, that allows the position of a shade member and a light source to be set so that the luminous utilization efficiency is optimized for a given allowable height of the headlamp. Design values of the lens diameter and focal distance of the projection lens are set, and characteristics of the luminous utilization efficiency obtained in a case where the first focal point F1 and second focal point F2 of the reflector are changed are determined, and characteristics of the diffusion angle in the vertical light direction obtained in a case where the first focal point F1 and the second focal point F2 are changed are also determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2002Publication date: April 24, 2003Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTDInventor: Hiroyuki Ishida
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Patent number: 6543916Abstract: A vehicular headlamp with a movable reflector in which suitable aiming is possible using an aiming screw made from synthetic resin. The headlamp includes a synthetic resin lamp body and synthetic resin front lens that define a lamp compartment is which a reflector carrying a light source is housed. An aiming mechanism is disposed between the lamp body and the reflector and that supports the reflector such that it may be tilted relative to the lamp body. The aiming mechanism includes an aiming fulcrum that forms a tilt fulcrum for the reflector, a synthetic resin screw that extends forward and is rotatably supported in the screw insertion hole of the lamp body, and a synthetic resin nut member attached to a bracket formed on the reflector that meshes with the screw and is moved forward or backward in connection with the rotation of the screw. A nut slide guide carrying the nut member and supporting it so that it can slide forward and backward is integrally formed with the lamp body.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Katsutada Shirai