Headlight unit for a vehicle fulfilling at least two different sets of legal regulations

US6176605A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Robert Bosch GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Esref Altunay · Reutlingen, DE
• Friedemann Schlienz · Stuttgart, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 13, 1998
• Grant date: Jan 23, 2001
• Expiry date: Aug 13, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60Q1/04
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The headlight unit has at least one low beam headlight and at least one high beam headlight. The headlight unit is constructed so that it fulfills the different sets of legal regulations for the high beam in both the U.S.A. and Europe. According to the regulations in the U.S.A. the high beam produced by the high beam headlight must have a maximum light intensity in the center of the high beam and at least one required light intensity on the opposing traffic side. The at least one required light intensity on the same traffic side is provided by the low beam propagated from the at least one low beam headlight. This low beam has an asymmetric light-dark boundary that is higher on the same traffic side than on the side of the opposing traffic. According to the European regulations a comparatively higher maximum light intensity is permitted in the center of the high beam and a comparatively lower light intensity is required in the lateral regions. These latter regulations are fulfilled by the high beam produced by the high beam headlight in the headlight unit according to the invention.