Headlight moving apparatus for automotive vehicle

• US 4,858,080 A
• Filed: 03/09/1988
• Issued: 08/15/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Oikawa, Takahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hagarman, Sue
• Application Number:
  US07/165,795
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 362/71, 362/43, 362/37, 362/44, 362/42, 362/61, 362/66, 362/418, 362/419, 362/420, 362/427, 362/428, 73/517 AV
• US Class Current: 362/466
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/12 due to steering position
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/112 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/134 Yaw

Abstract

The headlight moving apparatus comprises a yaw rate sensor, a headlight position sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a CPU, and a headlight actuator. The CPU calculates an appropriate headlight turning position on the basis of these three sensor signals. Since the yaw rate sensor can directly detect the vehicle turning motion and direction, it is possible to move the headlights right and left more reliably. Therefore, the adjusted headlights can brighten remote forward road surface when the vehicle runs along a curved road.

Claims

1. A headlight moving apparatus for an automotive vehicle provided with at least one headlight, which comprises:

(a) vibrational angular rate sensor means for detecting yaw rate of the automotive vehicle;

(b) means for detecting vehicle speed;

(c) means for detecting headlight position;

(d) means, coupled to said vibrational angular rate sensor means, vehicle speed detecting means, and headlight position detecting means, for generating a headlight actuating signal indicative of an appropriate headlight turning position on the basis of the detected yaw rate, vehicle speed, and headlight position; and

(e) means, coupled to said signal generating means, for actuating the headlight in response to the generated headlight actuating signal.

2. The headlight moving apparatus for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said headlight actuating signal generating means generates a headlight actuating signal to actuate the headlight to an angular position proportional to the detected vehicle turning angle.

3. The headlight moving apparatus for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said headlight actuating signal generating means generates a headlight actuating signal to actuate the headlight at a speed proportional to the detected vehicle speed.