Adaptive lighting system for motor vehicles
First Claim
1. A lighting system for a motor vehicle defining a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, the lighting system comprising:
- a left light assembly having a primary light unit and a secondary light unit;
a right light assembly having a primary light unit and a secondary light unit;
the primary light units producing a beam pattern including a high beam and a low beam;
the secondary light units producing a beam pattern including a low beam;
a controller operatively connected to the left and right light assemblies for controlling the operation of the primary and secondary light units, the controller receiving information on a speed of the vehicle; and
the controller energizing only the primary light units when the vehicle speed is below a predetermined speed value, the controller energizing both the primary light units and the secondary light units when the vehicle speed is at or above the predetermined speed value.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lighting system for a motor vehicle adapts to vehicle speed and weather conditions. Each light assembly has a primary light unit and a secondary light unit, and may also include a tertiary light unit. The primary light units produce a beam pattern including a high beam and a low beam, while the secondary light units produce a beam pattern including a low beam and tertiary light units produce a beam patter included low side beams. A controller is operatively connected to the light assemblies for controlling the operation of the primary, secondary and tertiary light units. The controller receives information on vehicle speed or weather or direction or other user input, and operates the primary, secondary and tertiary light units accordingly.
68 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A lighting system for a motor vehicle defining a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, the lighting system comprising:
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a left light assembly having a primary light unit and a secondary light unit;
a right light assembly having a primary light unit and a secondary light unit;
the primary light units producing a beam pattern including a high beam and a low beam;
the secondary light units producing a beam pattern including a low beam;
a controller operatively connected to the left and right light assemblies for controlling the operation of the primary and secondary light units, the controller receiving information on a speed of the vehicle; and
the controller energizing only the primary light units when the vehicle speed is below a predetermined speed value, the controller energizing both the primary light units and the secondary light units when the vehicle speed is at or above the predetermined speed value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A lighting system for a motor vehicle defining a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, the lighting system comprising:
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a left light assembly having a primary light unit and a secondary light unit;
a right light assembly having a primary light unit and a secondary light unit;
the primary light units producing a beam pattern including a high beam and a low beam;
the secondary light units producing a beam pattern including a low beam; and
the beam pattern of the secondary light units having a lower vertical cut-off above a lower edge of the beam pattern of the primary light units. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A lighting system for a motor vehicle defining a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, the lighting system comprising:
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a left light assembly having a primary light unit, a secondary light unit, and a tertiary light unit;
a right light assembly having a primary light unit, a secondary light unit and a tertiary light unit;
the primary light units producing a beam pattern including a high beam and a low beam;
the secondary light units producing a beam pattern including a low beam; and
the tertiary light units each producing a beam pattern including a low beam being substantially to the left and right, respectively, of the vertical axis;
a horizontal beam spread of the secondary light units being less than a horizontal beam spread of the primary light units; and
a horizontal beam spread of the tertiary light units being greater than the horizontal beam spread of the primary light units.
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Specification