Abstract: In an automatic beam-axis adjustment system, a beam-axis of a headlight is gradually swivel to a position determined based on a steering angle of a steering wheel. The beam-axis returns to the initial position and a swivel control is inhibited when a vehicle is at a stop or slowly moving in an intersection, regardless of the steering angle. The swivel control is restarted after the vehicle starts running straight ahead. In other words, the swivel control is not restarted until the vehicle stats running straight ahead even when the speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined value. Therefore, the movement of the headlights does not disturb a driver.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a direction of a light axis of a swingable auxiliary headlight of a vehicle includes a steered angle sensor detecting a steered angle of a steering wheel of a vehicle, a vehicle speed sensor detecting a vehicle speed of the vehicle, a turning radius calculating device calculating a turning radius of the vehicle on the basis of the detected steered angle and the detected vehicle speed, and a control unit performing a swivel control by which the directions of the light axes of auxiliary headlights of the vehicle are adjusted to target directions determined depending on the detected steered angle and the detected vehicle speed. The control unit is configured to control the auxiliary headlights to be in an off state while the calculated turning radius shows a value equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The apparatus for automatically adjusting a direction of a light axis of a vehicle headlight includes a steering angle sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a memory for storing a plurality of control maps each of which defining a relationship between the steering angle and a swiveling angle, a processing unit for performing a map switchover by which one of the plurality of the control maps is selected depending on the vehicle speed and the steering angle, and an actuator for swiveling, from an initial direction, the light axis of the vehicle headlight by the swiveling angle defined by one of the plurality of control maps selected by the processing unit. The processing unit performs the map switchover when the steering angle is changed to outside a predetermined angular range around a neutral angular position of the steering wheel.

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 full function light bar is provided mountable inside a vehicle against the windshield. The light bar is an assembly of several light sources, including strobe lamps, flashing lamps, oscillating lamps, and an aimable take down lamp. The light bar is not limited in application to one specific vehicular model and is adaptable and adjustable to conform to the windshield, rear window, or other interior cab surfaces of varying shape (curvature). The light sources are supported on a flexible support mount which has adjustable, flexible gaskets. End caps and the gaskets screen the inside of the vehicle from the light emitted by the light bar. The support mount is hung on adjustable brackets which allow the light bar to be raised, lowered and tilted to further facilitate conformance with the windshield.

Abstract: A vehicle headlight includes a body case fixed to a vehicle body, a lens provided in front of the body case, a lamp bulb facing an inner space formed by the body case and the lens and an intermediate member interposed between the body case and the lens so as to be exposed to an external environment. The body case and the intermediate member are arranged with their end faces opposing each other, and the lens and the intermediate member are arranged with their end faces opposing each other.

Abstract: 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.

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: In a lighting system for a vehicle comprising lamp deflection angle control means for changing and controlling a deflection angle in the irradiating direction of a lamp corresponding to the running situation of the vehicle, lamp deflection angle control means 2 and 4 include means 45 and 5 for setting the irradiating direction of a lamp 30 into a preset reference position when an ignition switch S2 is turned ON. When the electrical system of the vehicle is turned ON so that the illumination of the vehicle can be carried out, the irradiating direction of the lamp 30 is set into the reference position. Consequently, when the lamp is turned ON again, a car running in an opposite direction can be prevented from being dazzled by the illuminated light of the lamp.

Abstract: A digital lighting apparatus for a vehicle, which employs a reflection digital light deflector, includes a storage unit that stores digital data of a plurality of light distribution patterns and a controller. The controller selects digital data corresponding to a predetermined light distribution pattern from among the digital data stored in the storage unit and controls the reflection digital light deflector, and illuminates a road surface and the like with the predetermined light distribution pattern.

Abstract: A steering angle detected by a steering angle sensor is filtered to be used for changing a responsiveness of controlling an axis orientation of headlights of a vehicle. Based on the filtered steering angle, the axis orientations of the headlights are thereby controlled for being laterally swiveled. This leads to relieving a driver from being bothered by a feeling of strangeness irrespective of a state where the vehicle is rectilinearly traveling or turning around a curve, resulting in providing preferable swivel control meeting driver's sensibility.

Abstract: 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.

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: A motor vehicle light is comprised of a high intensity lamp for attaching to a motor vehicle, such as to a side mounted rear view mirror. The lamp includes optics for focusing a light beam into a small spot on the road in front of the vehicle. The lamp includes a hinge for being pivoted to direct the light spot for marking the track of the vehicle to help the driver position the vehicle within the lane. In a second embodiment, the lamp is linked to the steering apparatus of the vehicle for simultaneous movement so as to mark the track of a rear wheel during a turn.

Abstract: In such a state that a self-vehicle runs along a guide route (YES in S6), if an intersection is not present in a forward part for a while (NO in S8), beam control is carried out in a navigation associating mode corresponding to the guide route (S9). Consequently, beam irradiation is properly carried out over a road provided ahead of the vehicle without requiring a complicated calculation for the beam control. On the other hand, if the intersection is present in the forward part of the guide route (YES in S8), the beam control is carried out in a normal mode (a control mode other than the navigation associating mode) (S10). Consequently, even if the self-vehicle gets out of the guide route when passing through the intersection, the beam control itself is performed continuously and the beam irradiation is properly executed over the road provided ahead of the vehicle.

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 lamp body control system includes a steering angle sensor, a light emitting unit which can change a illuminating direction laterally, a driving unit changing the illuminating direction, a control unit controlling the driving unit based on an output from the steering angle sensor, and a straight driving condition determining unit determining the straight ahead driving condition of a vehicle. The control unit directs the illuminating direction to a direction according to a steering direction and a variation in the steering angle in the event that the variation is larger than a predetermined value, whereas in the event that the variation is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, the control unit returns the illuminating direction toward a forward direction of the vehicle at a predetermined returning speed until the determining unit determines that the vehicle is in a straight driving condition after an ignition switch is turned on.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A filter is changed to change a response in swivel adjustment of a direction of an optical axis of each swivel light based on a steering angle variation of a steering angle of a steering wheel measured with a steering angle sensor. The direction of the optical axis of each swivel light is adjusted based on a swivel control angle obtained upon application of the filter. A weaker filter is selected if the steering wheel is quickly steered, and a stronger filter is selected if the steering wheel is slowly steered. By this filtering operation, the direction of the optical axis of each swivel light is adjusted in response to the steering operation of the steering wheel without causing an uncomfortable feeling to a driver.

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 headlight for giving an offset beam or verge beam, for illuminating the verge of the road, is of the type comprising, considered from the rear towards the front along a horizontal reference axis, an elliptical reflector, a light source, and a convergent lens element. The reflector and light source are mounted for pivoting movement, thereby defining a movable optical axis with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A steering wheel is determined to be under a counter steering state when the following two conditions are both satisfied: (I) a steering angle measured with a steering angle sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle; and (II) a steering direction does not coincide with a turning direction of the vehicle. The vehicle is determined to be under a slipping state when the following two conditions are both satisfied: (I) the steering angle is equal to or greater than the predetermined angle; (II) an absolute value of a change per unit time of a difference between a left wheel speed and a right wheel speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Under both the counter steering state and the slipping state, adjustment of the optical axes of the swivel lights is stopped or modified.

Abstract: An orientation-adjusting device for a vehicle head light comprises a housing encasement, an active unit, a driven unit, a cover, and driven screw rod, an elastic unit, and an elastic sealing unit. The housing encasement is installed with an elliptical hole and an axial hole. The active unit has an axial portion axially installed to the axial hole, and a gear portion located in the housing encasement. The driven unit is installed with a gear portion engaged with the gear portion of the action unit, and an axially-formed penetrating hole, which includes a threaded hole section near the active unit and a threadless hole section remotely away from the active unit. The cover is installed on the housing encasement to cover the interior of the housing encasement for preventing the driven unit from projecting out from the housing encasement.

Abstract: In a lighting system for a vehicle comprising lamp deflection angle control means for changing and controlling a deflection angle in the irradiating direction of a lamp corresponding to the running situation of the vehicle, lamp deflection angle control means 2 and 4 include means 45 and 5 for setting the irradiating direction of a lamp 30 into a preset reference position when an ignition switch S2 is turned ON. When the electrical system of the vehicle is turned ON so that the illumination of the vehicle can be carried out, the irradiating direction of the lamp 30 is set into the reference position. Consequently, when the lamp is turned ON again, a car running in an opposite direction can be prevented from being dazzled by the illuminated light of the lamp.

Abstract: An optical axis adjusting device for a vehicle headlamp judges an inclined state of the vehicle on the basis of detection of an ultrasonic sensor of a vehicle, and performs an optical axis adjustment of a headlamp. In order to accurately judge the inclined state and to suitably adjust the optical axis of the headlamp, with respect to the detection by the ultrasonic sensor, a factor hindering its accurate detection is detected, and when it is judged that the ultrasonic sensor can not perform an accurate detection, the optical axis adjustment of the headlamp is suspended.

Abstract: A beam radiator that radiates visible light beams having a predetermined wavelength onto a road surface to inform drivers of other vehicles of the existence of a self-owned vehicle or to let a driver of the self-owned vehicle confirm a traveling path thereof is disposed in a front portion of a body of the self-owned vehicle. An optical filter is disposed substantially all over a windshield in front of a driver seat. The filter is designed to have a characteristic of being more permeable to light having wavelengths close to a wavelength of visible light beams radiated from the beam radiator 24 than to light having a wavelength different from those wavelengths. In this construction, the driver is prevented from finding it difficult to visually recognize a visible light pattern resulting from visible light beams radiated from the self-owned vehicle or another vehicle owing to sunlight or the like, and visual recognizability of the visible light pattern is enhanced.

Abstract: An illustration illuminator has a leg arrangement and a frame connected to the leg arrangement and extending upwardly and at a slant rearwardly away from the leg arrangement. A support surface is arranged at the front side of the frame for supporting an illustration to be illuminated. A light assembly is connected to the frame remote from the leg arrangement for illuminating the support surface. The light assembly has lamps emitting light rays and further has a front end with an outlet via which the light rays exit and impinge on the support surface. The light assembly has a reflector arranged relative to the lamps such that the light rays emitted by the lamps pass through the outlet only after having been reflected at least once on the reflector.

Abstract: The present invention changes the headlight optical axis of a vehicle in relation to an inclination angle during normal control and to properly adjust the optical axis according to information including front information about a car ahead. The headlight optical axis is adjusted based on the inclination angle of a vehicle, road information in the direction of travel, presence of a car ahead, a distance between vehicles, and the center optical axis angle corrected according to changes in horizontal and vertical behavior of the car ahead.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly comprising a reflector, with three (3) mounting bosses arranged in a triangular fashion on the rear side thereof, a light source and a housing. Three (3) pivot sockets are fixedly attached to each mounting boss, respectively. The vehicle lamp assembly also comprises two (2) ball pivot adjusting screws that are movably secured within two (2) of the three (3) pivot sockets, and an actuator ball pivot that is movably secured within the third pivot socket. An actuator is fixedly attached at one end to the housing and attached at the other end to the actuator ball pivot in a manner that permits linear motion of the actuator. The invention further comprises a vertical adjuster plate and a reflector plate. Movement of the actuator causes the reflector to adjust in both the horizontal and vertical directions, thus allowing the vehicle lamp assembly to produce both low beam and high beam lighting functionality.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A headlamp device for a vehicle includes a first light distribution controlling portion moving light irradiated forward from a light source in a lateral direction of the vehicle, and a second light distribution controlling portion moving the light irradiated forward from the light source in a vertical direction of the vehicle. A light distribution is controlled in response to a signal sent from the first light distribution controlling portion to the second light distribution controlling portion.

Abstract: In such a state that a self-vehicle runs along a guide route (YES in S6), if an intersection is not present in a forward part for a while (NO in S8), beam control is carried out in a navigation associating mode corresponding to the guide route (S9). Consequently, beam irradiation is properly carried out over a road provided ahead of the vehicle without requiring a complicated calculation for the beam control. On the other hand, if the intersection is present in the forward part of the guide route (YES in S8), the beam control is carried out in a normal mode (a control mode other than the navigation associating mode) (S10). Consequently, even if the self-vehicle gets out of the guide route when passing through the intersection, the beam control itself is performed continuously and the beam irradiation is properly executed over the road provided ahead of the vehicle.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has at its front end a pair of passing or dipped beam headlights and a separate pair of headlights which are cruising or main beam headlights. The passing lights and cruising lights produce, respectively, a regulation, short range, dipped passing beam and a regulation, long range, main or cruising beam.

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 is provided with a travel environment detecting means (2) for acquiring information indicative of a travel environment related to a travel path of a vehicle; a travel region judging means (3) for judging a travel region where the vehicle is presently traveling based upon the information acquired by the travel environment detecting means (2); and a lighting control means (4) for lighting control of a vehicle lighting member (6) in response to a judgement signal derived from the travel region judging means (3). For example, in response to a link number of nodes of a vehicle traveling path, which is obtained from a navigation apparatus (2a) constituting the travel environment detecting means (2), a travel region is judged based upon either a total value of the link numbers or an average value thereof, and an increase/decrease trend thereof. Thus, a travel region where a vehicle is traveling is judged to realize a vehicle lighting control suitable for this travel region.

Abstract: An orientation-adjusting device for a vehicle head light comprises a housing encasement, an active unit, a driven unit, a cover, and driven screw rod, an elastic unit, and an elastic sealing unit. The housing encasement is installed with an elliptical hole and an axial hole. The active unit has an axial portion axially installed to the axial hole, and a gear portion located in the housing encasement. The driven unit is installed with a gear portion engaged with the gear portion of the action unit, and an axially-formed penetrating hole, which includes a threaded hole section near the active unit and a threadless hole section remotely away from the active unit. The cover is installed on the housing encasement to cover the interior of the housing encasement for preventing the driven unit from projecting out from the housing encasement.

Abstract: A method for producing a rack bar for a steering mechanism in an automobile. A blank pipe is held in a die, which has, at its inner surface, linear tooted portions. Mandrels are inserted repeatedly to the blank pipe while the direction of the insertion is alternately changed, while the insertion of the mandrel on one side of the blank pipe and the withdrawal of the mandrel on the other side are overlapped. Furthermore, lubrication is controlled so that an increased temperature of the work around 200° C. as generated under the plastic deformation of the metal is kept. An increased efficiency as well as reduced cost are obtained.

Abstract: In a headlight optical axis adjusting apparatus and method for a vehicle, the shape of a road in front of the vehicle is detected by a CCD camera based on a change in lane marking line which indicates the lane width on the road, before the steering angle of a vehicle steering wheel is detected by a steering angle sensor. Left and right swivel lights of the vehicle are swiveled and adjusted based on the change in the lane marking line or the steering angle. The optical axis of the left or right swivel light is first swiveled and adjusted based on the change in the lane marking line. The driver's forward visibility can thus be improved before the driver turns the steering wheel.

Abstract: A light unit 1 for a vehicle has a driving-environment detecting device 2 for detecting information (the shape of the road, the position of the vehicle, whether or not oncoming and preceding vehicle exist, the traffic volume density and ambient luminous intensity) indicating a driving environment provided by a path through which a vehicle is driven. A mode determining device 3 determines a driving mode which is included in driving modes classified in accordance with combinations of information detected by the driving-environment detecting device 2 and which is dynamically changed when the driving environment is changed during driving of the vehicle. In accordance with an instruction signal supplied from the mode determining device 3 to an illumination control device 4 and corresponding to the driving mode, illumination which is performed by the light unit 5 is controlled.

Abstract: 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.

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: The lighting device for a vehicle includes running direction detect means 3 for detecting the vehicle running direction or the vehicle steering angle and vehicle speed detect means 4 for detecting the vehicle speed. An illumination control means 5 specifies the turn-on and turn-off of a plurality of lamps in accordance with detect signals output from the means 3 and 4, thereby changing the combinations of the illumination ranges of the lamps.

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: In a vehicle headlight optical axis automatic adjusting system, a pitch angle in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle is calculated from a signal of a height sensor. Filtering corresponding to a control mode according to the acceleration is fixed and is not frequently switched unless the constant speed state of the vehicle continues for a predetermined time. The pitch angle may be calculated on the basis of the vehicle rear height value by using a prediction expression which is divided into a plurality of regions of vehicle postures according to loading conditions of an occupant load and a trunk load in correspondence with the vehicle type. The pitch angle may be updated when the vehicle enters a constant speed driving mode, i.e., stable driving mode, so that even when one trip is not finished the error is cancelled.

Abstract: A lighting system for a motor vehicle includes at least two short range driving lights with chopped beams, for illuminating bends in the road. The system includes a control unit for controlling the power supplied to the short-range (bend lighting) driving lights as a function of the steering deflection of the wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A lighting device in which the vehicle advancing direction at which a driver aims is predicted, and the irradiating direction and irradiating range of a lighting device are controlled by comparing the result of the prediction to the information of the profile of a road on which the vehicle is running at present. The lighting device (1) includes a road profile calculating device (2) for finding an advancing direction of the vehicle in the case where the vehicle advances along a road on which the vehicle is running at present, in accordance with the map information including the road profile and the present position information of the vehicle; and a vehicle advancing direction predicting device (3) for predicting an advancing direction of the vehicle intended by a driver, by an operation signal given by the driver or detection information of the vehicle running state.

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 automobile includes an automobile body, a wheel drive assembly mounted to the automobile body, a front lamp device mounted turnably on the automobile body, a motor drive device coupled to the front lamp device and operable so as to turn the front lamp device relative to the automobile body, and a control device coupled electrically to the motor drive device and coupled mechanically to the wheel drive assembly for detecting angular rotation of a steering wheel of the wheel drive assembly and for operating the motor drive device so as to turn the front lamp device by an angle corresponding to the angular rotation of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A head lamp device for a vehicle capable of changing a lighting region in front of the vehicle in right and left directions, in which change of the lighting region is suppressed so as not to give the driver a sense of incongruity when a steering wheel is operated in one direction and then rapidly in the other as in case of counter-steering.