VEHICLE ILLUMINATION SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF

• US 20120236581A1
• Filed: 03/14/2012
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CVG Management Corporation (Commercial Vehicle Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CVG Management Corporation (Commercial Vehicle Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Stimel, William E.
• Application Number:
  US13/420,122
• Publication Number:
  US 20120236581A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/464
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/08 automatically
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/245 Searchlights, e.g. adjustable from within the vehicle adjustable headlights B60Q1/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/23 Driver's line of sight

Abstract

A vehicle illumination system (and method) that facilitates remote adjustment is provided. The system includes an illumination system and an adjustment system. The adjustment system facilitates remote adjustment of an illumination direction and/or at least one illumination characteristic of the illumination system.

Claims

1. A vehicle illumination management system comprising:

an illumination system; and

an adjustment system that remotely adjusts at least a subset of the illumination system,

wherein the adjustment system remotely adjusts an illumination direction and/or at least one illumination characteristic of the illumination system.

2. The vehicle illumination management system of claim 1 further comprising an adjustment controller, wherein the adjustment controller receives input signals from the adjustment system and communicates with the illumination system.

3. The vehicle illumination management system of claim 2, wherein the illumination system includes a plurality of illumination sources and a plurality of motors communicating with the plurality of illuminating sources.

4. The vehicle illumination management system of claim 3, wherein the illumination sources are at least one of Xenon, incandescent or LED lighting sources.

5. The vehicle illumination management system of claim 3, wherein the adjustment system includes a control panel system, and wherein an operator provides inputs to the control panel system to adjust the illumination direction and/or illumination characteristics at least one of the plurality of illumination sources.

6. The vehicle illumination management system of claim 5, wherein the illumination characteristics include at least one of one of the field of view, focal perspective, illumination intensity or effect.

7. The vehicle illumination management system of claim 5, wherein the control panel system includes one of a touch pad, joystick or toggle switch to facilitate the operator in providing inputs to the control panel system.

8. The vehicle illumination management system of claim 2, wherein the adjustment system includes a plurality of sensors disposed on an exterior of the vehicle, and wherein the plurality of sensors detect a direction and/or rotation of a cab of the vehicle, and wherein the adjustment system adjusts the illumination system in response to the detected direction and/or rotation of the cab.

9. The vehicle illumination management system of claim 2, wherein the adjustment system includes a plurality of sensors disposed on an interior of the vehicle, and wherein the plurality of sensors detect a direction and/or rotation of the operator with respect to a cab of the vehicle, and wherein the adjustment system adjusts the illumination system in response to the detected direction and/or rotation of the operator with respect to the cab.

10. A vehicle illumination management system comprising:

a plurality of illumination sources;

a tracking system that tracks and facilitates a movement of the plurality of illumination sources; and

a navigation system that remotely effects the adjustment of an illumination direction and/or at least one illumination characteristic of at least one of the plurality of illumination sources.

11. The vehicle illumination management system of claim 10 further comprising an adjustment controller, wherein the adjustment controller receives input signals from the navigation system and communicates with the plurality of illumination sources, and wherein the plurality of illumination sources are at least one of Xenon, incandescent or LED lighting sources.

12. The vehicle illumination management system of claim 11, wherein the tracking system includes a plurality of motors communicating with the plurality of illuminating sources.

13. The vehicle illumination management system of claim 11, wherein the navigation system includes one of a touch pad, joystick or toggle switch, and wherein an operator provides inputs to the navigation system via one of the touch pad, joystick or toggle switch to adjust the illumination direction and/or illumination characteristics of at least one of the plurality of illumination sources.

14. The vehicle illumination management system of claim 13, wherein the illumination characteristics include at least one of one of the field of view, focal perspective, illumination intensity or effect.

15. The vehicle illumination management system of claim 11, wherein the tracking system includes a plurality of sensors disposed on an exterior of the vehicle, and wherein the plurality of sensors detect a direction and/or rotation of a cab of the vehicle, and wherein the tracking system adjusts the illumination sources in response to the detected direction and/or rotation of the cab.

16. The vehicle illumination management system of claim 11, wherein the tracking system includes a plurality of sensors disposed on an interior of the vehicle, and wherein the plurality of sensors detect a direction and/or rotation of the operator with respect to a cab of the vehicle, and wherein the tracking system adjusts the illumination system in response to the detected direction and/or rotation of the operator with respect to the cab.

17. A method of adjusting an illumination system for a vehicle comprising:

providing a plurality of illumination sources;

providing an input to an adjustment system;

transmitting a signal to a tracking system; and

adjusting the illumination system that remotely adjusts at least a subset of the illumination system,

wherein the adjustment system remotely adjusts an illumination direction and/or illumination characteristics of at least one of the plurality of illumination sources.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein prior to transmitting a signal to a tracking system, the method comprising communicating the input from the adjustment system to an adjustment controller component.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the adjustment system includes a plurality of sensors disposed on an exterior of the vehicle, and wherein the plurality of sensors detect a direction and/or rotation of a cab of the vehicle, and wherein the adjustment system adjusts the illumination system in response to the detected direction and/or rotation of the cab.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the adjustment system includes a plurality of sensors disposed on an interior of the vehicle, and wherein the plurality of sensors detect a direction and/or rotation of the operator with respect to a cab of the vehicle, and wherein the adjustment system adjusts the illumination system in response to the detected direction and/or rotation of the operator with respect to the cab.