Vehicle headlamp apparatus and method of setting optical axis position
First Claim
1. A vehicle headlamp apparatus comprising:
- light distribution control means for deflecting the irradiation optical axis of a headlamp to the right and left in response to the steering angle of a vehicle; and
reference angle position setting means for detecting the maximum deflection angle when the headlamp is pivoted in one direction as well as the maximum deflection angle when the headlamp is pivoted in the opposite direction and gaining a reference angle position based on both the maximum deflection angles thus detected whereby to set the reference angle position to the irradiation optical axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Provided is a reference angle position setting means for setting an optical axis at a reference angle position (direction of going straight ahead: 0°) by detecting the maximum deflection angles when swivel lamps 3R and 3L are pivoted in one direction and in the opposite direction and gaining the reference angle position based on both the maximum deflection angles detected. Projector lamps are pivoted in one direction toward the reference angle position so as to set an optical axis position through the steps of detecting a first maximum deflection angle by pivoting each projector 30 lamp in one direction until it is no longer able to pivot in one direction, detecting a second maximum deflection angle by pivoting a headlamp in the opposite direction until it is no longer able to pivot in the opposite direction and computing the reference angle position of the irradiation optical axis from the first and second maximum deflection angles. Thus it is possible to not only set off the deflection produced in the projector lamps and the like but also accurately set the optical axis at the reference angle position at the time of bringing the projector lamps into contact with stoppers on both sides.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A vehicle headlamp apparatus comprising:
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light distribution control means for deflecting the irradiation optical axis of a headlamp to the right and left in response to the steering angle of a vehicle; and
reference angle position setting means for detecting the maximum deflection angle when the headlamp is pivoted in one direction as well as the maximum deflection angle when the headlamp is pivoted in the opposite direction and gaining a reference angle position based on both the maximum deflection angles thus detected whereby to set the reference angle position to the irradiation optical axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of setting the position of the optical axis of a vehicle headlamp apparatus having light distribution control means for deflecting the irradiation optical axis of a headlamp to the right and left in response to the steering angle of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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detecting a first maximum deflection angle by pivoting the headlamp in one direction until the headlamp is no longer able to pivot in one direction;
detecting a second maximum deflection angle by pivoting the headlamp in the opposite direction until the headlamp is no long able to pivot in the opposite direction;
computing the reference angle position of the irradiation optical axis from the first and second maximum deflection angles; and
pivoting the headlamp in one direction toward the reference angle position. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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Specification