Abstract: Methods for aiming a headlamp assembly of a vehicle having an aiming bracket and a sensor coupled to the aiming bracket. The method includes adjusting the aiming bracket such that an optical axis of the optical assembly inside of the headlamp assembly is parallel to a predetermined axis). The method further includes storing an output of the sensor when the optical axis is parallel to the predetermined axis. The method further includes installing the headlamp assembly into the vehicle. The method further includes adjusting the aiming bracket such that the output of the sensor equals the stored output.

Abstract: A tie down clamp comprises two U-shaped pieces interconnected via roll pins or similar mechanisms, wherein a cam arm is pivotally mounted on an axle between the two U-Shaped pieces. A double torsion spring wraps around the axle with the “hook” of the spring pressing against the cam arm when engaged. The cam arm includes a bore sized to accommodate a hook as may be found on a load securing mechanism. The bore may be beveled on each side to prevent “sharp edges” from being formed by the load securing mechanism. The bore is close to the pivot point of the cam arm. The cam arm includes a protrusion at the bottom so that the point of contact with the trailer angle iron, when the cam arm is engaged, is toward the end of the cam arm and offset from the vertical plane that runs through the axle roll pin.

Abstract: Headlight leveling systems and methods are described. A determination can be made as to whether an input corresponding to a loading condition of the vehicle has been received from a vehicle occupant. If an input corresponding to the loading condition of the vehicle has been received from the vehicle occupant, a headlight level setting can be determined based upon the input. Further, an orientation of a light emitting portion of a vehicle headlight assembly can be caused to be adjusted based on the headlight level setting. Manual lookup of a loading conditions correlation table by the vehicle occupant to determine a correct headlight level setting can be avoided. In some instances, responsive to receiving a signal indirectly indicative of a potential change in a loading condition of the vehicle, a prompt can be presented to a vehicle occupant to provide an input corresponding to the loading condition of the vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicle headlight leveling methods and systems provide occupants of a vehicle the ability to manually adjust headlight level in an efficient and intuitive manner. In some embodiments, a user may supply a current vehicle loading condition to an input such as a vehicle information or entertainment system. The system may determine a headlight level setting based on the received loading condition using an in-vehicle processor and/or memory. A signal indicative of the headlight level setting may be sent to a headlight leveling device to change the orientation of the vehicle headlight in relation to the body of the vehicle. Some embodiments may prompt a user to input a vehicle loading condition if the vehicle recognizes changed vehicle characteristics.

Abstract: A head lamp apparatus of an automobile and a method of controlling the same light a curved road by rotating one of a left DBL and a right DBL to the left or right according to a relative distance reflecting a driving speed of the automobile, not an absolute distance from a driving position of the automobile before the automobile enters the curved road on a driving path.

Abstract: A detection method, system and device for a motor vehicle (V1). The method, system and device uses at least one camera which has a predetermined field of vision. The method includes the following steps: receiving information which is representative of a driving state associated with the vehicle; and modifying the field of vision of the camera, and in particular its orientation, according to the information.

Abstract: A motor vehicle headlamp is provided with a first array of light-emitting diodes, which are activated by a first actuation unit for a first lighting function. The headlamp also exhibits a second array of light-emitting diodes, which are activated by a second actuation unit for a second lighting function. Additionally provided is a flat printed-circuit board with conducting paths for connecting light-emitting diodes with one of the respective actuation units. The light-emitting diodes are accommodated together on one side of the printed-circuit board.

Abstract: A headlamp in an automobile, which is rotatable about a yaw axis when negotiating a bend, has a controller for controlling the rotary movement. In order to improve the illumination of a roadway lying in front of an automobile, the controller may take into account unstable driving situations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method of its use to temporarily or permanently display decorations, signs or lighting. The device is especially suited for displaying from a structure, such as under the eave of a house. The inventive device is capable of conveniently rotating an attached display or lighting arrangement in and out of view, at will. It is particularly useful for the permanent display of holiday decorations, including string-lights and to display them during the holidays but remove them from sight during the remainder of the year.

Abstract: A system for mounting a headlight on a motor vehicle comprising a rigid housing closed by a protective glass. The system comprising: a first connecting element fixed to the headlight, a second connecting element fixed to the motor vehicle, the first and second connecting elements being assembled so as to slide one in the other. The first and second connecting elements are curved and mounted at least partially about a center of rotation of the headlight providing rotational movement of the headlight.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for controlling a head lamp. The apparatus comprises: a lamp electronic control unit for generating a lamp steering signal according to a received steering angle and speed information; first and second head lamp control sections for generating motor driving signals corresponding to the lamp steering signal; and first and second step actuators for rotating first and second head lamp modules at predetermined angles by converting a rotational movement of a motor into a linear movement according to the motor driving signals of the first and second head lamp control modules.

Abstract: An optical axis control assembly is provided with a plurality of control means which are supplied with information necessary for deciding the tilt angle of the car body 1, and determine the body tilt angle by sharing the input information with the other control means; and optical axis control means for controlling the optical axis of each headlight based on the determined body tilt angle. By the combined use of a plurality of low-cost, small control devices of the same specifications each of which is incapable of determining the body tilt angle by itself because of a lack of information, the optical axis control device assembly exerts the function of determining the body tilt angle, and effects the optical axis control of the headlights based on the determined body tilt angle.

Abstract: A vehicle light control apparatus includes an illumination control unit for executing illumination control on the mode of illumination of a subject vehicle based on signal transmission of a vehicle ID signal unique to the subject vehicle and signal reception of the vehicle ID signal unique to the subject vehicle. The control unit identifies a vehicle having brightness exceeding a predetermined threshold from an image of other vehicles acquired through an image recognition MPU as a vehicle having an illumination adjustment failure, and returns the same vehicle identification signal transmitted from the other vehicle thus identified to vehicles other than the subject vehicle.

Abstract: A headlight device (27) for motor vehicle includes a plurality of headlight units (29 and 30). At least one of those headlight units is a movable headlight unit (30) having a light distribution adjusting mechanism (83) for changing a range of illumination during a cornering of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle headlight has a motor operated adjustable mounting for adjusting the beam of light in a plane. The adjustment device includes an ear on the headlight with an axially extendable arm, the extension of which is driven by an electric motor. Rotation of the motor causes motorized adjustment of the beam. The motor is slideably mounted in a retainer for movement parallel to the extendable arm. A manually adjustable screw adjusts the position of the motor along the slide to permit manual alignment of the headlight beam.

Abstract: A vehicle headlight positioning device comprising a pivoting headlight support and a linear actuator comprising a housing (16), an electric stepping motor with a rotor having a part in the form of a nut, and a linear-movement screw engaging the nut part of the rotor. The screw has a coupling portion arranged at one of its ends and is intended to transversely engage a coupling portion part integral with a pivotable headlight support.

Abstract: In a vehicle lighting apparatus in which the irradiation direction of lamps provided at the left and right portions of an automobile can be deflected to the left and right directions in association with the steering operation of a steering apparatus, the deflection angles of the left and right lamps are changed in different manners in accordance with a vehicle speed, for example. For example, at the time of steering to the right, when a vehicle speed is a predetermined value or less, only the right lamp is subjected to the deflecting operation, while when a vehicle speed exceeds the predetermined value, both the right and left lamps are simultaneously subjected to the deflecting operation. The deflection angles of the left and right lamps are differentiated in accordance with the speed change of an automobile.

Abstract: A grille for a car grille includes a frame, a filter net mounted on a side of the frame, and a light emitting device mounted between the frame and the filter net. Thus, the arcuate convex faces of the reflective plate of the light emitting device reflect the light rays firm the light emitting members toward the pattern plate, so that the light rays from the light emitting members are projected onto the pattern plate evenly and smoothly, thereby enhancing the outstanding appearance of the grille when the car is driven at the night.

Abstract: An adjustable light assembly is disclosed comprising, a light and an attachment bracket adapted to secure the light to the vehicle. As the vehicle leans the light pivots directly in response to the pull of gravity in a direction opposite the lean of the vehicle.

Abstract: A pattern-variable headlamp includes a light source, a reflector, a movable shade that switches a position between a first position, a second position, and a third position to form a first light distribution pattern, a second light distribution pattern, and a third light distribution pattern, respectively, from the light reflected from the reflector, a projection lens that irradiates the light distribution pattern to a road surface, a first solenoid that moves the movable shade to switch from the first position to the second position, a second solenoid that moves the movable shade to switch from the first position to the third position, and an elastic returning unit that returns the movable shade to switch from the second position to either of the first position and the third position, or from the third position to the first position.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a headlight system. The apparatus includes a control yoke control unit having a brake control, a dimmer switch, an actuating mechanism, and at least one control support for supporting the brake control and dimmer switch. Both controls are incorporated into the control unit. The control unit may have only a single control support with both controls therein, or it may have two control supports each with one control. The control unit also includes an electrical connector for connecting the dimmer switch to a headlight and a source of electrical power. The actuating mechanism is movable in first and second directions from a neutral position, such that moving the actuating mechanism from the neutral position in the first direction actuates the brake control, and moving the actuating mechanism from the neutral position in the second direction actuates the dimmer switch.

Abstract: The disclosed safety light is designed to provide automatic operation for lights placed on elastic tires. Wheel (100) comprises a hub (84), a urethane tire (88), and a safety light circuit molded into the urethane tire and hub. The safety light circuit is formed on a circuit board which holds electrical components comprising, a battery (B1), deformation-activated switch (SW1), photo sensor and delay(CDS1, D1, R1, R2, Q1, C1), and illumination devices (LED1 and LED2). Battery(B1) provides electromotive power to operate all circuitry, with switch (SW1), photo sensor CDS1, and illumination devices (LEDp1 and LED2) placed substantially in series electrically. Switch (SW1) is designed to conduct current when a change in deformation or a specified rate-of-change in deformation of the tire material is detected. The photocell (CDS1) signals the photo-sensor to conduct current when photocell (CDS1) detects a sufficiently low level of light.

Abstract: A vehicular lamp in which a spherical leading end portion of a tilting actuator is prevented from dropping out of a reflector-side groove-type ball bearing body in a reflector tilting device for tilting a reflector mounted within a lamp body. A reflector tilting device capable of tiltably adjusting a reflector contained in a lamp body includes a tilting actuator disposed in the lamp body having an actuator rod displaceable in the direction of the optical axis of the reflector. A groove-type ball bearing body is mounted to the reflector and fitted into a spherical leading end portion disposed at a leading end of the actuator rod. The groove-type ball bearing body has, at each end of a groove portion which has opposed open ends and into which the spherical leading end portion is fitted, a dropout-preventing strip portion protruding towards the interior of the groove portion.

Abstract: In a headlamp of an automobile, a reflector is divided to an upper reflector member positioned above an optical axis and a lower reflector member including the optical axis; the upper reflector is rotatable and provided with a reflection face for forming a diffusing luminous intensity distribution pattern; the lower reflector member is provided with a light source bulb, rotatable and provided with a reflection face for forming a reference luminous intensity distribution pattern. Therefore, the diffusing luminous intensity distribution pattern and the reference luminous intensity distribution pattern can independently or simultaneously be changed by rotating the upper reflector member and the lower reflector member independently or simultaneously. Accordingly, visibility is improved when an automobile is running on a curved road.

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: An activating device for light-emitting wheel comprises a wheel, a sound and light generating circuit, a plurality of light emitting elements and a plurality of conductive wires. The wheel has a hub at the center of the wheel, a plurality of spokes radially arranged around the hub and a rim arranged around the outer contour of the plurality of spokes. An interspace chamber is formed between two adjacent spokes. The sound and light generating circuit is arranged within one of the interspace chambers. The sound and light generating circuit has a housing case, two conductive plates, an activating element and a top cover on the housing case. The two conductive plates are of the same structure and have slantingly bent bottom portions. The two conductive plates are such mounted on the housing case that a predetermined separation is kept between the two slantingly bent bottom portions thereof.

Abstract: An illuminator has all of it's electrical components mounted within a housing that is secured to the rotatable object. Those components include a light source, an electrical power source, a first switch activated by intermittent motion of the housing and a second switch activated by centrifugal forces caused by rotation of the rotatable object. The illuminator components also include a timer which has a timing cycle and which is operably connected relative to the first switch and the second switch such that activation of either the first switch or the second switch initiates that timing cycle of the timer and enables the flow of electricity from the power source to the light source during the timing cycle. The light source can include an electro luminescent strip or light emitting diodes. As noted the illuminator can be mounted on a rotatable object, or can be used by wearing on a person, pet or other device to provide a warning or locator light.