Vehicle head lamp

• US 20050180139A1
• Filed: 02/18/2005
• Published: 08/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Company Limited
• Inventors: Ito, Masayasu, Takeda, Hitoshi
• Granted Patent: US 7,237,928 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/276
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/12 due to steering position
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/143 combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/24 for lighting other areas than only the way ahead
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/054 Variable non-standard intensity, i.e. emission of various beam intensities different from standard intensities, e.g. continuous or stepped transitions of intensity
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/122 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/141 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/143 the main emission direction of the LED being parallel to the optical axis of the illuminating device
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/147 the main emission direction of the LED being angled to the optical axis of the illuminating device
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/148 the main emission direction of the LED being perpendicular to the optical axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A vehicle head lamp is disclosed for use in a vehicle, and includes a plurality of semiconductor light sources which differ in directions of radiation; an optical system disposed for common use by the plurality of semiconductor light sources; and a luminous energy control section for changing a ratio among luminous energies emitted by the respective semiconductor light sources in accordance with a vehicle-originated signal provided by a vehicle-side. In addition, the luminous energy control section may change the ratio among the luminous energy in accordance with a rotation angle by means of receiving a signal indicating a rotation angle of a steering wheel as the vehicle-originated signal.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp for use in a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of semiconductor light sources which differ from each other in terms of illumination direction;

an optical system disposed for common use by the plurality of semiconductor light sources; and

a luminous energy control section for changing a ratio among luminous energies emitted by the respective semiconductor light sources in accordance with a vehicle-originated signal output from the vehicle.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein

the luminous energy control section changes the ratio among luminous energies in accordance with a rotation angle of a steering wheel of the vehicle upon receipt of the vehicle-originated signal, wherein the vehicle-originated signal indicates the rotation angle.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein

the luminous energy control section changes the ratio among luminous energies in accordance with a vehicle speed upon receipt of the vehicle-originated signal, wherein the vehicle-originated signal indicates the vehicle speed.

4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein

the luminous energy control section increases a rate of the luminous energy of each of the semiconductor light sources in accordance with a variation of the vehicle-originated signal.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein at least a region of the optical system changes directions of light beams from the respective semiconductor light sources.

6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the luminous energy control section changes the ratio among luminous energies emitted by the respective semiconductor light sources so that the semiconductor light sources provide graduated illumination.

7. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the luminous energy control section changes the ratio among luminous energies in accordance with a vehicle driving condition upon receipt of the vehicle-originated signal, wherein the vehicle-originated signal indicates one or more of the group consisting of a turn signal, wheel speed, vehicle height, vehicle posture, and exterior luminance.

8. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the luminous energy control section for changing a ratio among luminous energies emitted by the respective semiconductor light sources is in accordance with a combination of vehicle-originated signal outputs from the vehicle.

9. A method for changing a ratio of luminous energies comprising:

receiving a vehicle-originated signal;

controlling the ratio of luminous energies emitted by the respective semiconductor light sources in accordance with the vehicle-originated signal; and

illuminating a plurality of semiconductor light sources.