Headlamp control system

• US 10,030,835 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2014
• Issued: 07/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ming Chi University of Techology
• Original Assignee: Ming Chi University of Techology
• Inventors: Wu, Chang Jo
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Bao Q
• Application Number:
  US14/548,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20150138787A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/085 due to special conditions, e.g. adverse weather, type of road, badly illuminated road signs or potential dangers B60Q1/10, B60Q1/12, B60Q1/1423 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1423 Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/112 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/314 Ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/42 oncoming vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/25 Projection lenses
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/635 by moving refractors, filters or transparent cover plates
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/663 by switching light sources by switching incandescent light sources F21S41/162

Abstract

One object of the present invention is to provide a headlight control system. The headlight control system is configured to be used with a headlight of a vehicle. The headlight control system includes a first light sensor, a microcontroller, a first driving motor, a power module and an optical lens module. The optical lens module is disposed in front of the headlight in order to receive illumination of the headlight. The microcontroller is electrically connected to the first light source sensor and configured to receive a signal transmitted by the first light sensor. The first driving motor is electrically connected to the microcontroller. The first driving motor is configured to follow an instruction from the microcontroller to drive a first driving mechanism. The first driving mechanism is configured to adjust the optical lens module upon being driven by the first driving motor. The power module is electrically connected to the microcontroller and the headlight. The power module is configured to follow an instruction from the microcontroller to supply the power to the headlight.

Claims

1. A headlight control system is electrically connected to a headlight of a vehicle, the headlight control system comprising:

a first light sensor disposed at a front part of the vehicle;

an optical lens module disposed in front of the headlight in order to receive illumination of the headlight;

a microcontroller electrically connected to the first light sensor and receiving a signal transmitted from the first light sensor;

a first driving motor electrically connected to the microcontroller and following an instruction from the microcontroller to drive a first driving mechanism for adjusting the optical lens module; and

a power module electrically connected to the microcontroller and the headlight, the power module following an instruction from the microcontroller to supply power to the headlight;

wherein when the first light sensor receives suddenly-increased luminous flux, the first driving motor drives the first driving mechanism to adjust an angle of the optical lens module for turning an irradiation angle of the headlight into a low beam mode.

2. The headlight control system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is electrically connected to a velocity sensor of the vehicle, and the microcontroller receives a signal transmitted from the velocity sensor;

wherein when a speed value of the vehicle detected by the velocity sensor is more than a first speed value, the first driving mechanism adjusts an angle of the optical lens module for turning an irradiation angle of the headlight into a high beam mode.

3. The headlight control system of claim 2 further comprising a second light sensor, wherein the second light sensor is disposed on a shell surface of the vehicle and electrically connected to the microcontroller;

wherein when a value of a luminous flux received by the second light sensor is less than a first luminous flux value, the power module powers the headlight.

4. The headlight control system of claim 2 further comprising a second driving motor, wherein the second driving motor is electrically connected to the microcontroller;

wherein when a speed value of the vehicle detected by the velocity sensor is less than a second speed value, the second driving motor drives a second driving mechanism to move the optical lens module for reducing a distance between the optical lens module and the headlight.

5. The headlight control system of claim 2, wherein when a speed value of the vehicle detected by the velocity sensor is more than the first speed value, the power module increases the power to the headlight.

6. The headlight control system of claim 1, wherein the front part of the vehicle has a recess, an inner side of the recess is coated with a reflective material, and the first light sensor is embedded in the recess.

7. The headlight control system of claim 2, wherein when a speed value of the vehicle detected by the velocity sensor is less than a third speed value, the first driving mechanism moves the optical lens module for reducing a distance between the optical lens module and the headlight.

8. The headlight control system of claim 1, wherein the first driving mechanism uses a multi-stage approach for adjusting the optical lens module.

9. The headlight control system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an automobile or a scooter.

10. The headlight control system of claim 1, wherein the first driving motor is a stepper motor.