Abstract: A light mount for mounting a light to a steering arm on an axle may include a bracket designed to attach to the steering arm, wherein the bracket and, thus, the light pod rotate with rotation of the steering arm. The bracket may include a mounting frame, wherein a first edge of the mounting frame is concavely curved and wherein a plurality of mounting orifices extend through the mounting frame; and a mounting plate extending substantially perpendicularly from an upper edge of the mounting frame, wherein the mounting plate has a mounting orifice extending therethrough, the mounting orifice being sized to accommodate a fastener extending from a light pod.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lamp for a vehicle, the lamp including: a light source provided in a housing; an inner lens provided in front of the light source; a cover member disposed between the inner lens and the light source and configured to move between a first position at which a front side of the light source is opened and a second position at which the front side of the light source is closed; and a drive part configured to selectively move the cover member from the first position to the second position, thereby improving marketability and design characteristics of the lamp.

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

Abstract: The vehicle headlamp is provided with a main lamp unit fixed and arranged inside a lamp chamber and sub-lamp units as an auxiliary lamp capable of changing and forming light distribution patterns by using semiconductor light emitting elements as light sources. The sub-lamp units are respectively equipped with a vertically changing mechanism for changing the illuminating direction in a vertical direction, a laterally changing mechanism for changing the illuminating direction in a lateral direction and a pattern changing mechanism for changing a light distribution pattern.

Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight is provided having a basic light source, a swiveling device which is equipped for swiveling the basic light source about a basic swiveling angle, and an infrared radiation source which is coupled with the swiveling device such that, when the basic light source is swiveled by the swiveling device about a basic swiveling angle, the infrared radiation source is swiveled by the swiveling device about an infrared swiveling angle deviating from the basic swiveling angle.

Abstract: An LED lamp includes a frame having a bottom surface, a plurality of heat sinks, and a plurality of LED modules. Each of the heat sinks has an engaging surface defined at an acute angle with respect to the bottom surface of the frame. Each of the LED modules is attached on the engaging surface of the heat sink. The heat sinks are rotatable relative to the frame to adjust the angle of the engaging surface of the heat sinks with respect to the bottom surface of the frame, providing variable area and intensity of illumination.

Abstract: In the vehicle lighting control apparatus and method, it is determined that the user's steering wheel is returned from a steering angle existing in a saturated steering angle region toward a neutral steering angle region at a given speed or more. If such a steering condition is found, a swivel angle is calculated based on a swivel-angle control characteristic showing a monotonic decrease in the swivel angle when the steering angle decreases from the steering angle existing in the saturated steering angle range to a third preset angle. The third preset angle is an angle from which the swivel angle decreasing from the steering angle existing in the saturated steering range becomes zero. This calculated swivel angle is used to control the swivel angle of light irradiated from on-vehicle headlights.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An instrument panel device includes an instrument panel incorporating a speed meter, an odometer, a main switch and a meter cover covering the instrument panel and the main switch. The main switch is provided with a key cylinder projecting inwardly from the side surface of the meter cover. An inclined surface is formed on the side surface of the meter cover so that the projecting direction of the key cylinder is oriented obliquely downwardly. The inclined surface is formed at a position lowered by one step from the outermost circumferential surface of the meter cover. The resulting configuration reduces the size of the instrument panel device by reducing the depth of the instrument panel device incorporating the main switch with the key cylinder.

Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight is provided having a basic light source, a swiveling device which is equipped for swiveling the basic light source about a basic swiveling angle, and an infrared radiation source which is coupled with the swiveling device such that, when the basic light source is swiveled by the swiveling device about a basic swiveling angle, the infrared radiation source is swiveled by the swiveling device about an infrared swiveling angle deviating from the basic swiveling angle.

Abstract: A braking system for electric step motors that operate in conjunction with a light assembly, including a moving head for pan or tilt thereof or for moving internal optical components. The step motors are connected to driving means to reduce movement speed of the moving head during power down and are connected through switches with a first operating position to connect the driving means to the step motors, and with a second power down position to establish a current path through a motor winding. Movements after power down take place very slowly and without generating noise for use in a theatre where the lamp may be switched off because a fuse burn out, and so cease operation without making disturbing noise. In a controlled power down, noise is reduced when several lamp fixtures placed side by side at the same time move to a stop position.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus and projection display apparatus using the same are disclosed. The present invention includes a plurality of light sources emitting lights, respectively, each transmitting at least one of a light emitted from a different light source and a light having transmitted through the different light source and a light guiding unit sending the lights emitted from the light sources and the light transmitted through the light sources in one direction. Accordingly, the lighting apparatus can minimize the etendue to provide sufficient intensity of light despite a plurality of the light sources. By eliminating the necessity for the color separating/synthesizing unit using the lighting apparatus or by eliminating the necessity for the integrator using the lighting apparatus having the long reflecting member, the projection display system can be implemented with a simple configuration.

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

Abstract: The directions of optical axes of headlights of a vehicle are adjusted based on a steering angle by switching filters of different response speed characteristics. The filters are provided with hystereses along boundaries neighboring to each other. The filters are switched depending upon the steering angle and a steering angular velocity to vary the response of swivel control. Therefore, the start of swiveling is not quickened, the filter is not frequently switched, quick motion is suppressed and, hence, smooth motion is realized making it possible to execute a swivel control without causing discomfort.

Abstract: The deflection angles of the irradiation of lamps provided at the left and right portions of an automobile are continuously increased in correspondence to the increase of a steering angle until the steering angle reaches a predetermined value. The left and right lamps are held at particular deflection angles respectively when the steering angle is equal to or more than a predetermined steering angle. The value of the particular deflection angle of the lamp on the steering direction side is made larger than that of the lamp on the opposite side. When the deflection angle is small, the left and right lamps are deflected in almost the same state to irradiate the straight traveling direction or the traveling direction of an automobile. When the deflection angle becomes large, the lamp on the steering direction side irradiates the traveling direction and the lamp on the opposite direction irradiates an area in the straight traveling direction.

Abstract: There is a vehicle headlamp in a multibeam mode comprising: a reflecting mirror for reflecting light emitted from a discharge tube having a single light emitting section; and a shield for blocking off light directly emitted forward and light emitted to the lower part of the reflecting mirror out of the light emitted from the discharge tube, wherein the headlamp includes a rotationally moving device for three-dimensionally moving the light emitting section of the discharge tube to any position of the reflecting mirror, which is suitable for low-beam or high-beam, by eccentrically rotating the discharge tube to move back and forth; and a rotation controller for controlling the rotation of the rotationally moving device. The headlamp can be used in several beam modes using a conventional reflection mirror and a discharge tube.

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

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

Abstract: There is a vehicle headlamp in a multibeam mode comprising: a reflecting mirror for reflecting light emitted from a discharge tube having a single light emitting section; and a shield for blocking off light directly emitted forward and light emitted to the lower part of the reflecting mirror out of the light emitted from the discharge tube, wherein the headlamp includes a rotationally moving device for three-dimensionally moving the light emitting section of the discharge tube to any position of the reflecting mirror, which is suitable for low-beam or high-beam, by eccentrically rotating the discharge tube to move back and forth; and a rotation controller for controlling the rotation of the rotationally moving device. The headlamp can be used in several beam modes using a conventional reflection mirror and a discharge tube.

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 vehicular cornering lamp which radiates beams having different light distribution patterns in accordance with different driving conditions such as different driving speed ranges. A bulb shade blocks light from a front filament from reaching a lower reflecting area on a reflecting surface of the reflector of the lamp while allowing light from the front filament to strike only an upper reflecting area, while an upward light blocking shade provided above and adjacent the light source bulb blocks light from the rear filament from reaching the upper reflecting area while allowing light from the rear filament to strike only the lower reflecting area. The active area of the reflecting surface of the reflector can be changed by switching illumination between the front filament and the rear filament.

Abstract: A vehicular headlamp wherein aiming adjustment of two reflectors can be conducted accurately regardless of the positional relation between aiming screws operating in conjunction with each other. The headlamp includes first and second reflectors mounted in a lamp chamber defined by a lamp body opening at its front and a lens covering the front opening of the lamp body, the reflectors each being tiltable by turning of an aiming screw of a corresponding aiming mechanism that supports the corresponding reflector in a tiltable manner relative to the lamp body. A belt mechanism rotationally couples the two aiming screws for allowing the first aiming screw for tilting the first reflector and the second aiming screw for tilting the second reflector to be turned in conjunction with each other.

Abstract: Horizontal street lamp (10) of an oblong concave structure housing a source of light, with a downward-facing mouth in whose center is applied a frame (60) with a cavity into which a substantially vertical plate (80) can be freely inserted, said plate being illuminated by a source of light to create a sort of road sign, or for purposes of advertising, decoration generally.

Abstract: A lighting system for vehicles including a plurality of dimmer lamps, a steering sensor, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The dimmer lamps are provided at the front of a vehicle in its moving direction, and their radiated ranges differ from each other and their quantity of light also varies, according to the steering angle as sensed by the steering sensor. The ECU changes the combination of radiated ranges of the lamps to realize light distribution control ahead and sideways of a vehicle by turning-on/off the lamps, as well as changes the quantity of light of each lamp according to the wheel steering angle. The ECU sequentially turns on the lamps according to the steering angle and increases the corresponding quantity of radiation in proportion to the magnitude of the steering angle. Thus, the radiated range gradually expands in the vehicle's turning direction and its brightness gradually increases.

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

Abstract: An improved headlight having variable light distribution is provided, where said headlight comprises a reflector divided into an upper movable light distribution reflector and a lower fixed light distribution reflector by a horizontal line located 10 to 30 mm above the optical axis of the light source and the reflector, of which said movable light distribution reflector is rotatable around a vertical rotary axis practically crossing the optical axis of the light source and said fixed light distribution reflector is designed to reflect 50 to 60% of the total quantity of light applied to the reflector. With such an arrangement, the swerving side of the automobile is satisfactorily illuminated by the movable light distribution reflector while a desired frontal light distribution pattern of the headlight is ensured by the fixed light distribution reflector because the two reflectors provide a substantially equal quantity of light.

Abstract: An illuminating device for a vehicle has at least one light generating unit, at least one light distributing unit, at least one light conducting element connecting the units with one another, the light distributing unit being provided with at least one lens element for projecting and distributing light exiting from an end of the light conducting element associated with light distributing element, the units and the element being arranged so that a relative arrangement between the end of the light element associated with the light distributing element and also the lens element is changeable in a substantially horizontal direction for changing a distribution of light exiting the light conducting elements, and an adjusting device provided for changing the arrangement and activated by steering of the vehicle so that an illumination provided by the light distributing unit is increased in an actual driving direction.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a planar buried heterojunction laser a semiconductor structure is etched to delimit a laser stripe upstanding on a confinement layer. Lateral layers surround the laser stripe to constitute the planar buried heterojunction laser. They are formed by a non-selective growth method not only at the sides of said stripe but also on top of said stripe to create a parasitic projection. These layers and the projection are subsequently covered with a contact localizing layer. The projection is then removed to form a contact window in the contact localizing layer for localizing an electrical contact on top of the laser stripe. The invention finds a particular application in the manufacture of lasers for fiber optic telecommunication systems.

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

Abstract: An automotive illumination system with which, when steering the vehicle around a curve or corner, both the path along which the vehicle is to travel and the direction straight ahead of the vehicle are sufficiently illuminated. Four headlamps are provided. Two of the headlamps, preferably the outer two, have directions of illumination fixed in the straight-ahead direction of the vehicle. The other two headlamps have directions of illumination which are controlled in accordance with the steering angle of the vehicle.

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

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