Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for automatically adjusting optical axis of vehicle headlights

US6626564B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
3References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 28, 2001
Grant dateSep 30, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 28, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60Q2300/322
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

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.

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