Steering Post, Arm Or Rod Controlled Patents (Class 362/53)
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Patent number: 8678629Abstract: A lamp unit for a vehicular headlamp includes: a projection lens arranged to have an optical axis extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction; a light-emitting element that is a light source arranged on a rear side with respect to a rear focal point of the projection lens; and a reflector that is formed so that a longitudinal section of the reflector has the shape of an ellipse having a first focal point at a center of light emission of the light-emitting element and a second focal point at the rear focal point of the projection lens, wherein the reflector is arranged to cover the light-emitting element and reflects irradiated light toward the projection lens, the irradiated light being light irradiated from the light-emitting element. A major axis of the ellipse, passing through the first focal point and the second focal point, is inclined with respect to the optical axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2010Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Takuya Kotajima, Hidetada Tanaka
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Patent number: 7914186Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2007Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naohisa Tatara, Masahiro Kusagaya
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Publication number: 20090076688Abstract: A processing section determines whether a steering angle of a steering wheel of a vehicle is within or outside a range-to-be-ignored and sets an output steering angle depending on whether the steering angle is within or outside the range-to-be-ignored. A deflection angle calculating section calculates a deflection angle based on the output steering angle, and a swivel control section controls an irradiating direction of a lamp of the vehicle in accordance with the deflection angle. If the steering angle is determined to be outside the range-to-be-ignored, the processing section changes the range-to-be-ignored such that the steering angle is included within the range-to-be-ignored.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masashi Yamazaki
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Patent number: 7476011Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly includes a transmission axle coupled to a lamp unit, and a drive unit for driving the transmission axle to rotate such that the lamp unit is movable to a selected one of a default position, where the illuminating direction of the lamp unit is parallel to a vehicle axis, and left and right limit positions, where the illuminating direction forms left and right limit angles with the vehicle axis, respectively. A detecting device generates a default position signal when the lamp unit is at the default position. A control device is operable to control the drive unit for restoring the lamp unit to the default position with reference to the default position signal, and for moving the lamp unit according to angular displacement of a vehicle steering linkage system.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2006Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Inventors: Sheng-Lung Wu, Chien-Hung Lee
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Patent number: 6309082Abstract: An automatic turning headlight structure includes a headlight structure, a running gear and a server, the headlight structure being mounted through a rotatable main shaft at the front side of the car. The server is placed inside the headlight structure, and connected by a shaft with the main shaft. The server receives a signal to turn and to transmit a force to the shaft to drive the main shaft to make the headlight turn left or right, following the movement of the steering wheel.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1999Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Inventor: Tien-Ching Wu
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Patent number: 5550717Abstract: A direction turning device for headlights of an automobile comprises two operation mechanisms, namely, direct operation mechanism and electromagnetic operation mechanisms. For the direct operation mechanism, if an automobile with lefthand drive, the device is connected to the left headlight; if an automobile with righthand drive, the device is connected to the right headlight. Where, the electromagnetic operation mechanism is connected to both left and right headlights and activated synchronously with the steering system. This disclosure has been characterized in the simplized structure and the longevity of use because the electromagnetic mechanism is turned off during daytime driving.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1995Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Inventor: Winner Liao
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Patent number: 5099400Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1990Date of Patent: March 24, 1992Inventor: Hyun J. Lee
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Patent number: 4573107Abstract: A steerable spotlight assembly characterized by a pair of spotlights rotatably coupled to a vehicle's front bumper, and a cable-and-gear arrangement which couples the spotlights to the vehicle's steering column. More specifically, the cable-and-gear arrangement includes a spotlight rotating mechanism attached to each of the spotlights, a split gear attached around the steering column, a pair of cable drive gears simultaneously engaged with the split steering column gear, and a pair of rotary cables coupled between the cable drive gears and the spotlight rotating mechanisms. The cable drive gears are spring loaded so that they may disengage from the steering column gear if the steerable spotlight assembly becomes jammed. The spotlight rotating mechanisms are sealed and supported so as to be resistant to environmental damage, and provided with a gearing system which will not permit rotational force to be transmitted back from the spotlights to the cables.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1984Date of Patent: February 25, 1986Inventors: David Stock, William Akers
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Patent number: 4340928Abstract: Vehicle headlights that rotate in accordance with movement of the vehicle's steering system are disclosed. The rotatable lights are portable and suited for attachment on a variety of vehicles. The lights are rotated by means of small DC motors wired to a mechanical linkage mounted on the vehicle's steering column. The amount of rotation is determined by potentiometers mounted on the mechanical linkage and the DC motors. A logic circuit is also disclosed for use in conjunction with the device to enable each unit to be readily used on vehicles having different steering ratios.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1980Date of Patent: July 20, 1982Inventor: Thomas Hohmann, Jr.
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Patent number: 4115841Abstract: A searchlight apparatus which may be mounted on an aircraft, such as a helicopter. The exemplary apparatus comprises a tubular post which may be mounted in the craft for rotation about its axis. A control rod may pass through the post, extending between a bracket which is hinged to the post at the outer end and a handle at the inner end of the post. This control linkage system allows an operator in a helicopter to aim the lamps on a one-to-one ratio merely by aiming the handle.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1976Date of Patent: September 19, 1978Inventor: Eli James Alexander