Electromagnetic Or Fluid-pressure Actuated Patents (Class 362/526)
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Patent number: 6773152Abstract: A headlight for a motor vehicle has a light module with at least one reflector and a light source, a first frame with which at least a part of the light module is connected, a first adjusting element for swivelling the first frame around a first swivel axis, a second frame in which the first frame is supported and which is turnable around a second swivel axis, a second adjusting element for swivelling the second swivel frame, a body-fixed frame support in which the second frame is supported, the frames being arranged so that the swivel axes extend perpendicular to one another and arranged in one plane, a base adjustment element for adjusting at least one of the frames around an adjusting axis which is aligned with one of the swivel axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2003Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbHInventor: Heinz Ruckwied
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Patent number: 6767115Abstract: A pneumatically actuated telescoping mast assembly has a mast axis and comprises a plurality of telescopically interengaged mast tubes having axially opposite ends and being axially slidable relative to one another along the mast axis between retracted and extended positions. Axially adjacent mast tubes include a stop collar held on one of the ends of each tube by a snap ring. The radially inner mast tube, of two adjacent mast tubes, includes a double wrap snap ring thereon for engaging the stop collar on the radially outer mast tube to limit relative axial displacement therebetween. The radially inner mast tube further includes a guide collar with a gasket slidably engaging the inner side of the radially outer mast tube. The mast assembly also includes an internal support collar for displacing and supporting the internal wiring used to supply power to the top of the mast assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: The Will-Burt CompanyInventor: Paul B. Blackwelder
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Patent number: 6761476Abstract: The present invention involves an apparatus for swiveling a headlamp body of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a headlamp bracket configured to receive the headlamp body to rotate the headlamp body. The headlamp bracket has a mounting stem and a first receiving port extending therefrom. An outer bracket has a receiving slot formed thereon. The receiving slot is shaped so as to receive the mounting stem to define a first axis about which the headlamp bracket rotates within the outer bracket. The outer bracket has a second receiving port extending therefrom. The first receiving port is cooperable with a first motor assembly for rotation of the headlamp bracket within the outer bracket. A plurality of sockets is attached to the outer bracket to define a second axis about which the outer bracket and headlamp bracket rotate. The second receiving port is cooperable with a second motor assembly for rotation of the outer bracket and headlamp bracket about the second axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2002Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mihai S. Pascutiu
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Patent number: 6761473Abstract: A vehicle lighting apparatus includes lamp deflection angle controlling means for controlling the change of a deflection angle of a lamp. The vehicle lighting apparatus further includes a reference angular position setting means for setting the deflection angle of the lamp to a predetermined reference angular position when a deflection angle detecting means for detecting the deflection angle of the lamp is broken down. When the deflection angle of the lamp cannot be detected in an adaptive front-lighting system (AFS), and thus the AFS lapsed into malfunction, the deflection angle of the lamp is fixed to a reference position obtained by rotating a motor for deflecting the lamp in one direction to the locked state, and from this locked state, rotating by the given amount in the reverse direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2002Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshihisa Hayami
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Publication number: 20040114387Abstract: Vehicle headlight including a light emitting unit for emitting a light, an operating member joined with the light emitting unit, the operating member fitted with a magnet, a coil in the vicinity of the operating member for generating a magnetic field, and a housing for holding the operating member and the coil therein, thereby permitting selective lighting of a high beam for regular running at night or a low beam required in crossing an opposite vehicle by using a single light emitting unit and a simple structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventor: Tae Kyu Park
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Publication number: 20040100803Abstract: An improved system for selectively deploying an auxiliary lighting system in which the vehicle onboard power system is utilized to permit the operator of the vehicle to deploy lamps to an in use position and to stow the same in a protected environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2002Publication date: May 27, 2004Inventor: James Michael Steward
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Patent number: 6729749Abstract: A DC motor is driven with a predetermined driving signal thereto before a headlight axis direction control is started by using a headlight axis control angle calculated on a basis of a variety of sensor information and a positional signal from a potentiometer. If there is no variation in the positional signal, a failure in the driving system of the DC motor is decided to exist. Therefore, for example, if failure detection is implemented when an ignition switch to start an engine is turned on, the failure in the driving system of the DC motor is detected before the headlight needs to be turned on. Thereby, reliability in the system for headlight axis direction control is able to be improved.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2001Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Masanori Kondo, Kunio Ohashi, Yuji Yamada, Yoshiyuki Miki
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Publication number: 20040057240Abstract: Provided is a reference angle position setting means for setting an optical axis at a reference angle position (direction of going straight ahead: 0°) by detecting the maximum deflection angles when swivel lamps 3R and 3L are pivoted in one direction and in the opposite direction and gaining the reference angle position based on both the maximum deflection angles detected. Projector lamps are pivoted in one direction toward the reference angle position so as to set an optical axis position through the steps of detecting a first maximum deflection angle by pivoting each projector 30 lamp in one direction until it is no longer able to pivot in one direction, detecting a second maximum deflection angle by pivoting a headlamp in the opposite direction until it is no longer able to pivot in the opposite direction and computing the reference angle position of the irradiation optical axis from the first and second maximum deflection angles.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventors: Junji Baba, Atsushi Sugimoto, Naoki Takii, Masahiro Kusagaya
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Patent number: 6709140Abstract: A vehicle headlamp unit includes a discharge lamp, a socket to which the discharge lamp is fitted, a base carrying the socket and being compatible with a base of a halogen bulb provided with a high beam filament and a low beam filament, and a moving mechanism, in response to a high beam mode or a low beam mode, for moving the socket in parallel along a direction perpendicular to a light axis of the vehicle headlamp unit without inclining a light axis of the discharge lamp.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Asahi Rise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takahiro Ui
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Publication number: 20040037086Abstract: The present invention involves an apparatus for swiveling a headlamp body of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a headlamp bracket configured to receive the headlamp body to rotate the headlamp body. The headlamp bracket has a mounting stem and a first receiving port extending therefrom. An outer bracket has a receiving slot formed thereon. The receiving slot is shaped so as to receive the mounting stem to define a first axis about which the headlamp bracket rotates within the outer bracket. The outer bracket has a second receiving port extending therefrom. The first receiving port is cooperable with a first motor assembly for rotation of the headlamp bracket within the outer bracket. A plurality of sockets is attached to the outer bracket to define a second axis about which the outer bracket and headlamp bracket rotate. The second receiving port is cooperable with a second motor assembly for rotation of the outer bracket and headlamp bracket about the second axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2002Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mihai S. Pascutiu
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Publication number: 20040008520Abstract: A mobile illumination system for a golf course comprises a vehicle and a lamp set, the vehicle can move around while the lamp set illuminates the golf course at night time, the lamp set is composed of at least two spot lights and is able to adjust its angle individually for golfers to strike ball and to aim destination.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2002Publication date: January 15, 2004Inventor: Yao-Hung Huang
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Publication number: 20030218884Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vehicle headlight equipped with a gas-discharge lamp, which is designed such that a high beam mode or a low beam mode is selectively operated by controlling a position of the gas-discharge lamp using a magnetic force, thus making the interior construction of the headlight compact, in addition to the prevention of frequent malfunction of the headlight. The headlight is provided with a lamp control means controlling a position of a bobbin in a housing to selectively operate the low beam mode or the high beam mode. The lamp control means includes a return spring provided in the housing to elastically bias the bobbin forward. A magnet assembly is installed in a rear portion of the housing in such a way as to be adjacent to a rear end of the bobbin. A solenoid is wound around a rear portion of the bobbin and cooperates with the magnet assembly to move the bobbin and a bulb rearward when electric power is applied.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: November 27, 2003Inventor: Si Yung Kim
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Patent number: 6648494Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes an optical means whereof the direction of irradiation is change by rotation, a motor, an output shaft for driving the optical means, and a rotation transmitting mechanism for transmitting rotation from the motor to the output shaft. The motor, the output shaft, and the rotation transmitting mechanism are accommodated in the case body, and a revolving shaft of the motor is supported by the case body.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Tsutomu Takiguchi
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Patent number: 6623147Abstract: A vehicle lighting apparatus includes abnormality detecting means for detecting abnormality in the AFS of the vehicle lighting apparatus, and means for adjusting optical axis of the lamp in the vertical direction for setting the angle of the optical axis of the lamp downward in the vertical direction in comparison with the reference angle upon receipt of abnormality-detected signal from the abnormality detecting means. When the vehicle lighting apparatus lapsed into malfunction, by tilting the optical axis of the lamp in the deflected state downward in the vertical direction, the lamp is prevented from dazzling oncoming cars even when the lamp is in the deflected state toward the oncoming cars, thereby realizing failsafe which is preferable in terms of traffic safety.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2002Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshihisa Hayami, Tetsuya Ishida
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Patent number: 6616302Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a drive portion having a drive source, and a lamp body that has a light source and that is supported by a rotary shaft operable to be rotated by the drive portion. A rotary contact is provided around the rotary shaft and rotates together with the lamp body. A fixed contact is provided for the drive portion. The rotary contact and the light source are electrically connected through a power supply cord and electric power is supplied to the fixed contact.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Masanori Nishigaya
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Publication number: 20030133309Abstract: A device for adjusting a light emission direction of a motor vehicle headlight has a unit for executing a pivoting movement of at least one part of the motor vehicle headlight that is held by a suspension and which effects the light emission direction, about an axis of rotation that is approximately parallel to a vertical axis of the motor vehicle, the unit for executing the pivotal movement having at least one electric motor selected from the group consisting of a direct current motor and an alternating current motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2002Publication date: July 17, 2003Inventors: Lothar Seif, Ulrich Neubauer, Ernst-Olaf Rosenhahn, Gustav Klett
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Publication number: 20030117808Abstract: In a vehicular lamp system for an automotive vehicle, a first reflector (11201) equipped with a light source, a second reflector (11202) enabled to deflect a reflection direction thereof toward a vehicular turn direction independently of the first reflector, and a driving section (2) that operatively performs a deflection drive for the first and second reflectors are provided. A controller (3) controls the driving section(s) on the basis of a vehicular velocity detected by a vehicular velocity detector (6) and a steering angle detected by a vehicular steering angle detector (5) in such a manner that the second reflector is deflected toward the vehicular turn direction according to the detected steering angle when the detected vehicular velocity falls in an extremely low vehicular velocity range and that the first reflector is deflected toward the vehicular turn direction according to the steering angle when the detected vehicular velocity falls in a high vehicular velocity range.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2002Publication date: June 26, 2003Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kinya Iwamoto, Kiyotaka Ozaki, Kenjou Umezaki
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Patent number: 6582105Abstract: An extendable mast arrangement, that is supported on a mobile vehicle, having a telescopically extending mast and a mast accessory supported at one end thereof. The mast arrangement having a control system for effecting the movements and functions of the mast and mast accessories, that includes a wireless remote control that utilizes coded command signals to communicate instructions to the control system of the mast arrangement. The control system, including the remote control, utilizes spread spectrum modulation to encode and decode the electromagnetically transmitted control commands. Particularly, the control system uses frequency hopping modulation, a form of spread spectrum modulation, to encode and decode the command signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: The Will-Burt CompanyInventor: Jerry A. Christensen
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Publication number: 20030095411Abstract: A pneumatically actuated telescoping mast assembly has a mast axis and comprises a plurality of telescopically interengaged mast tubes having axially opposite ends and being axially slidable relative to one another along the mast axis between retracted and extended positions. Axially adjacent mast tubes include a stop collar held on one of the ends of each tube by a snap ring. The radially inner mast tube, of two adjacent mast tubes, includes a double wrap snap ring thereon for engaging the stop collar on the radially outer mast tube to limit relative axial displacement therebetween. The radially inner mast tube further includes a guide collar with a gasket slidably engaging the inner side of the radially outer mast tube. The mast assembly also includes an internal support collar for displacing and supporting the internal wiring used to supply power to the top of the mast assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Applicant: The Will-Burt CompanyInventor: Paul B. Blackwelder
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Publication number: 20030090907Abstract: A switching device for selection of high/low beam has a bulb base set in a lamp shield for accommodating a lighting element, wherein the bulb base is connected with an electromagnetic valve, which is turned electrically on or off to shorten or lengthen the distance between the lighting element and a reflective surface and thereby regulate the high or the low beam of an automobile's headlamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2001Publication date: May 15, 2003Inventor: Yu-Hua Jong Huang
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Publication number: 20030090905Abstract: In a headlamp comprising low beam irradiating means 21a and 23, there are provided main beam irradiating means 31a and 33, light distribution switching means 50 for switching a low beam and a main beam, abnormality detecting means (a light distribution switching circuit) 50 for detecting an abnormal situation in which a proper low beam cannot be formed, and optical axis tilting means 40 for vertically tilting an optical axis L31 of at least a main beam, and in the case in which the abnormality detecting means (the light distribution switching circuit) 50 detects an abnormality, a light distribution is switched into a main beam by the light distribution switching circuit 50 and the optical axis L31 of the main beam is turned downward by the optical axis tilting means 40.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2002Publication date: May 15, 2003Inventors: Hideki Uchida, Makoto Izawa
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Patent number: 6550944Abstract: A vehicle headlamp has a unit pivot control mechanism for laterally moving the luminous intensity distribution of a lamp unit by laterally pivoting the lamp unit according to the travel conditions of the vehicle, and a luminous intensity variable control mechanism for varying the luminous intensity distribution by moving a shade of the lamp unit according to the travel conditions of the vehicle. Beam emission can be carried out at emission angles with the luminous intensity distribution conforming to the travel conditions of the vehicle by properly combining beam emission control performed by the unit pivot control mechanism and the luminous intensity variable control mechanism. The result is improved visibility of a road surface ahead of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masahiro Kusagaya
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Publication number: 20030067780Abstract: The lighting directions of a plurality of lamps RL and LL are controlled independently or integrally corresponding to a running condition. When a vehicle changes a running direction, the direction of the optical axis of one of the lamps is deflected earlier in the running direction and the direction of the optical axis of the other lamp is maintained in a straight running direction in a running condition in which other cars or obstacles might be present in the straight running direction of the vehicle, and the direction of the optical axis of the other lamp is deflected with a delay upon receipt of a further steering operation. It is possible to carry out an illumination in the running direction and the straight running direction of the vehicle. In particular, the invention is very effective for maintaining the safety running of the vehicle on an intersection road or at time of a lane change.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Kiyotaka Fukawa
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Publication number: 20030067762Abstract: A vehicle light apparatus comprises a controller 10 for changing a lighting range of a lamp L for illuminating a forward part of a vehicle corresponding to a steering angle of the vehicle and for controlling the lighting range of lighting means corresponding to a steering angular velocity of the vehicle. Alternatively, there is provided lighting range control means for changing a lighting range of lighting means for illuminating a forward part of the vehicle corresponding to a steering angle of the vehicle and for controlling the lighting range of the lighting means based on an operation of a turn signal lamp of the vehicle. It is possible to decide a running condition of the vehicle from the steering angular velocity or the operation state of the turning signal lamp and a vehicle speed, thereby rapidly controlling a change in the lighting direction or the lighting area of the lamp L in a running direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Kiyotaka Fukawa
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Publication number: 20030063475Abstract: A retractable light system is concealed beneath a vehicle and is exposed when desired to provide rearward lighting from the vehicle. A holding frame having a rotating shaft is attached to the undersurface of the vehicle by a bearing or bracket and supports lights that rotate between a first position where the lights are retracted beneath the undersurface of the vehicle and a second position where the lights are extended below the vehicle and provide rearward lighting. The rotational mechanism for moving the lights to the deactivated and activated positions may include a motor coupled to the holding frame by a cable. Guards may be provided on the light system to protect the lights from damage. The holding frame may be attached to an accessory trailer hitch beneath the vehicle rather than directly to the vehicle. And, the retractable light system may be activated or deactivated by a remote control device such as a key chain remote.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2001Publication date: April 3, 2003Inventor: Michael Simmons
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Publication number: 20020196627Abstract: A light includes a casing for securing to an object, such as the head light housing, a socket slidably received in the casing for supporting a light bulb, and a reflector disposed around the light bulb. The light bulb is a high intensity light bulb that may generate a strong light. A cable is coupled between the socket and a solenoid device, for moving the light bulb relative to the reflector to adjust a light beam of the light device when the solenoid device is energized. A spring may be engaged with the cable for recovering the light bulb relative to the reflector.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2001Publication date: December 26, 2002Inventor: Jen Hsieh Shin
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Publication number: 20020163814Abstract: A vehicle lighting apparatus includes abnormality detecting means for detecting abnormality in the AFS of the vehicle lighting apparatus, and means for adjusting optical axis of the lamp in the vertical direction for setting the angle of the optical axis of the lamp downward in the vertical direction in comparison with the reference angle upon receipt of abnormality-detected signal from the abnormality detecting means. When the vehicle lighting apparatus lapsed into malfunction, by tilting the optical axis of the lamp in the deflected state downward in the vertical direction, the lamp is prevented from dazzling oncoming cars even when the lamp is in the deflected state toward the oncoming cars, thereby realizing failsafe which is preferable in terms of traffic safety.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2002Publication date: November 7, 2002Inventors: Toshihisa Hayami, Tetsuya Ishida
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Publication number: 20020163815Abstract: A vehicle lighting apparatus includes lamp deflection angle controlling means for controlling the change of a deflection angle of a lamp. The vehicle lighting apparatus further includes a reference angular position setting means for setting the deflection angle of the lamp to a predetermined reference angular position when a deflection angle detecting means for detecting the deflection angle of the lamp is broken down. When the deflection angle of the lamp cannot be detected in an adaptive front-lighting system (AFS), and thus the AFS lapsed into malfunction, the deflection angle of the lamp is fixed to a reference position obtained by rotating a motor for deflecting the lamp in one direction to the locked state, and from this locked state, rotating by the given amount in the reverse direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2002Publication date: November 7, 2002Inventor: Toshihisa Hayami
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Publication number: 20020064051Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes an optical means whereof the direction of irradiation is change by rotation, a motor, an output shaft for driving the optical means, and a rotation transmitting mechanism for transmitting rotation from the motor to the output shaft. The motor, the output shaft, and the rotation transmitting mechanism are accommodated in the case body, and a revolving shaft of the motor is supported by the case body.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2001Publication date: May 30, 2002Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Tsutomu Takiguchi
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Publication number: 20020001195Abstract: In a vehicular lamp system for an automotive vehicle, a first reflector (11201) equipped with a light source, a second reflector (11202) enabled to deflect a reflection direction thereof toward a vehicular turn direction independently of the first reflector, and a driving section (2) that operatively performs a deflection drive for the first and second reflectors are provided. A controller (3) controls the driving section(s) on the basis of a vehicular velocity detected by a vehicular velocity detector (6) and a steering angle detected by a vehicular steering angle detector (5) in such a manner that the second reflector is deflected toward the vehicular turn direction according to the detected steering angle when the detected vehicular velocity falls in an extremely low vehicular velocity range and that the first reflector is deflected toward the vehicular turn direction according to the steering angle when the detected vehicular velocity falls in a high vehicular velocity range.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2001Publication date: January 3, 2002Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kinya Iwamoto, Kiyotaka Ozaki, Kenjou Umezaki
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Patent number: 6325528Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight assembly switchable between low-beam and high-beam modes of operation includes a housing, a reflector component mounted in the housing for displacement relative thereto between a plurality of beam aiming positions, and a light source component mounted in the housing for movement relative to the reflector component between a low-beam position and a high-beam position. A motor is provided for displacing the reflector component between the plurality of beam aiming positions relative to the housing. To selectively move the light source component between, and for holding the light source component in at least one of, its low-beam and high-beam positions relative to the reflector component, use is being made of the motor and of an electromagnet operated in sequential cooperation with the motor.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1999Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Erwin Wittmeier, Heinz Grimm
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Patent number: 6315435Abstract: An electronically controlled, programmable searchlight (1), particularly useful for mounting on helicopters. The searchlight (1) uses a digital electronic control circuit (30) in conjunction with rotary potentiometers (32), (34) to control movement of the searchlight (1). Adjustable trimpots (22) are employed to provide the searchlight (1) with preset positions, each preset position having an easily alterable operating envelope. The searchlight (1) may have light sources (50, 52) of varying type, which may also be controlled by the electronic control circuit (30).Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1999Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.Inventors: Scott E. Hamilton, Brian J. Barnhart, Nicolo F. Machi
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Patent number: 6299336Abstract: An improved low profile mounting arrangement is provided for a telescoping tube construction applied to the roof of a vehicle. The lowest mast section is nested between two vertically upright shaft support plates which journal a pivot shaft rotatably secured to a collar affixed to the bottom of the lowest mast section whereby rotation of the pivot shaft causes the telescoping mast to rotate from a horizontal to a vertically upright position. A pivot link mounted to an end of the pivot shaft extends downward adjacent a support plate side opposite to the side facing the telescoping mast so that an actuator secured to the pivot link is mounted on the side of the telescoping mast construction to achieve a low profile mount with minimal vertical elevation.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1999Date of Patent: October 9, 2001Assignee: The Will-Burt CompanyInventor: John A. Hulse
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Patent number: 6247835Abstract: A vehicle headlight includes a driving unit capable of repeatedly switching the headlight's light distribution pattern between a by-passing mode and a traveling mode by moving an element committed to the formation of the light distribution patterns. The driving unit includes a first spring for biasing a positioning element in a by-passing mode, a meshing gear for moving the positioning element to a traveling mode position against the bias of the first spring, a motor which supplies power to drive the meshing gear, a second spring biased in an engaging direction of the meshing gear, a solenoid for releasing the engagement of the meshing gear with a second gear against the pulling power of the second spring. The disclosed headlight enables size reduction of the driving unit, and provides improved reliability if the motor malfunctions.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1999Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hitoshi Taniuchi
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Patent number: 6206555Abstract: A headlight for a low beam and a high beam in a vehicle has a reflector, a light source, an adjusting device operative for displacing the light source relative to the reflector between a position for a low beam and a position for a high beam, the adjusting device including holding means which produce a holding force for fixing the light source in one of the two positions.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Kirsten Redzinsky, Heinz Grimm
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Patent number: 6048085Abstract: A vehicular light system for viewing addresses of homes in the absence of ambient light is provided including at least one light assembly situated on an exterior of an automobile. The at least one light assembly serves to deliver a light beam emitted therefrom upward upon the receipt of an upward signal, downward upon the receipt of a downward signal, and left and right upon the receipt of a left and a right signal, respectively. Further provided is a control panel situated within a passenger compartment of the vehicle and connected to the at least one light assembly. The control panel includes a joy stick having a first orientation for transmitting the upward signal to the light assembly, a second orientation for transmitting the downward signal to the light assembly, and a third and fourth orientation for transmitting the left and right signal, respectively, to the light assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1998Date of Patent: April 11, 2000Inventor: Bruce E. Turner
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Patent number: 5980070Abstract: An improved pneumatically telescoping mast supported for pivotal movement in opposite directions is provided. The mast includes adjacent telescoping sections slidable relative to one another between retracted and extended positions. A pneumatic control system for displacing the mast sections between retracted and extended positions is also provided as is a system for pivoting the mast in opposite directions about the pivot axis between the horizontal and vertical positions. The mast includes a light source mounted at the other upper end of the mast which is capable of running on the same DC power source as the pneumatic control system and the mast pivoting system.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1998Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: The Will-Burt CompanyInventors: John A. Hulse, John C. Stearns
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Patent number: 5911502Abstract: The present invention provides a a headlight operable as a running light of a vehicle and, in particular, as a headlight of the vehicle for selectively projecting a low and a high beam. The headlight includes a reflector having a light source disposed therein. A beam position adjusting device operates to move the light source between its low beam position and its high beam position. The beam position adjusting device includes an electric powered drive motor and a displaceable interconnecting element interconnecting the beam position adjusting device and the light source. The device also includes a motion translation element for translating the drive output of the drive motor to displacement of the displaceable interconnecting element, the beam position adjusting device being operable to dispose the light source in its high beam position. A return movement device automatically biases the light source to move to its low beam disposition when the drive motor is not powered.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1998Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Ulrich Zillgitt, Stefan Hammerstingl, Werner Schulze, Thilo Wagner, Andreas Hammele, Elefterios Konto