Patent · US Expired

Automatic headlamp dimmer with optical baffle

US5124549A · kind A · utility

401Cited by
19References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 15, 1990
Grant dateJun 23, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 15, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01J1/0214
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A vehicle light sensor for controlling light responsive systems such as an automatic headlamp dimmer. The sensor includes an enclosure containing a lens and a photo responsive detector. An optical chamber within the enclosure permits unwanted light from reaching the detector. A series of baffles within the chamber prevent light from outside a desired entrance angle from reaching the detector. A thin-film aperture is attached to the detector for controlling the size and shape of the detector's field of view. Gray scale shading may also be incorporated into the aperture to reduce the intensity of incoming light in selected portions of the field of view. An adjustment mechanism provides very fine angular view adjustments, beyond what is practical by simple assembly of molded parts.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.