Apparatus for controlling swivel angles of on-vehicle headlights
US7792621B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 2007 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60Q2300/322
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus controls a swivel angle of on-vehicle headlights, the swivel angle of the lights being changeable in a lateral direction of the vehicle. A target swivel angle of the headlights is determined based on, for example, load map data of the road ahead the vehicle, and a control start point is determined based on the current position information and the road map data. The swivel angle is controlled to the target swivel angle in response to a state where the current position of the vehicle has reached the control start point. Running road shape-related information and a curvature direction of the road ahead are acquired. A control of the swivel angle toward the target swivel angle is prohibited when a direction of the target swivel angle determined is inconsistent with the curvature direction of the road, even in a case where the vehicle has reached the control start point.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.