Lighting system for vehicles
US6481876B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 5, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 5, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60Q2300/334
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.