Dual filament static bending lamp

• US 20040165373A1
• Filed: 02/21/2003
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: Guide Corporation (Vehicle Lighting Incorporated)
• Inventors: Reismiller, Phillip A., Collins, Tony E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,955,439 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/12 due to steering position
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/18 being additional front lights bracket mounted headlights B60Q1/0483
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/112 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/122 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/128 Steering dead zone
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/14 characterised by the type of light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/33 Multi-surface reflectors, e.g. reflectors with facets or reflectors with portions of different curvature

Abstract

The present invention comprises a bending lamp apparatus and method of use. A first filament is energized as a vehicle begins to turn so as to provide illumination in the direction of the turn. As the turn becomes more severe, a second filament is energized such that an additional area is illuminated in the direction of the turn.

Claims

1. A static bending light fixture comprising,

a first filament responsive to a first sensed condition, and

a second filament responsive to a second sensed condition, such that the first filament is energized when the first condition is sensed, and the second filament is energized when the second condition is sensed.

2. The fixture of claim 1, wherein the first sensed condition is a first turn condition and wherein the second sensed condition is a second turn condition.

3. The fixture of claim 1, wherein the fixture is dedicated to providing bending light.

4. The fixture of claim 1, the fixture further comprising

a first optical axis, the first element located so as to provide illumination along the first optical axis, and

a second optical axis, the second element located so as to provide illumination along the second optical axis.

5. The fixture of claim 4, further comprising,

a reflector, the reflector having a first prescription and a second prescription, the first prescription defining the first optical axis and the second prescription defining the second optical axis.

6. The fixture of claim 4, further comprising,

a lens, the lens having a first prescription and a second prescription, the first prescription defining the first optical axis and the second prescription defining the second optical axis.

7. A method of providing bending light comprising the steps of,

providing a light fixture with at least a first and a second light source,

sensing a first turn condition,

energizing a first light source in response to the sensed first turn condition,

sensing a second turn condition, and

energizing a second light source in response to the second sensed turn condition.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of providing a light fixture comprises the steps of

providing a first optical axis, and

providing a second optical axis, and wherein the step of energizing a first light source in response to the sensed first turn condition comprises the step of,

energizing a first light source located so as to provide illumination along the first optical axis, and wherein the step of energizing a second light source in response to the sensed second turn condition comprises the step of,

energizing a second light source located so as to provide illumination along the second optical axis.

9. A light fixture dedicated to providing bending light comprising,

a first filament responsive to a first sensed turning condition, and

a second filament responsive to a second sensed turning condition, such that the first filament is energized when a vehicle begins to turn, and the second filament is energized as the turn becomes more severe.

10. The fixture of claim 9, the fixture further comprising

a first optical axis, the first element located so as to provide illumination along the first optical axis, and

a second optical axis, the second element located so as to provide illumination along the second optical axis.

11. The fixture of claim 10, further comprising,

a reflector, the reflector having a first prescription and a second prescription, the first prescription defining the first optical axis and the second prescription is defining the second optical axis.

12. The fixture of claim 10, further comprising,

a lens, the lens having a first prescription and a second prescription, the first prescription defining the first optical axis and the second prescription is defining the second optical axis.