Automatic light system for motor vehicles of all kinds and a method for controlling a light system

• US 5,798,911 A
• Filed: 08/30/1995
• Issued: 08/25/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ante Josic
• Original Assignee: Ante Josic
• Inventors: Josic, Ante
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US08/521,541
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 362/66, 362/72, 362/61, 362/71, 362/40, 362/286, 362/287, 362/284, 362/80, 362/37, 362/277
• US Class Current: 362/466
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/085 due to special conditions, e.g. adverse weather, type of road, badly illuminated road signs or potential dangers B60Q1/10, B60Q1/12, B60Q1/1423 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/10 due to vehicle inclination, e.g. due to load distribution
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/18 being additional front lights bracket mounted headlights B60Q1/0483
• 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 2300/112 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/114 Vehicle acceleration or deceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/122 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/132 Pitch
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/21 Manual control
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/312 Adverse weather
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/314 Ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/32 Road surface or travel path

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic light system (ALS) for motor vehicles of all types. According to the invention the headlamp system is operated in such a manner that at every instant of the journey the minimum beam range does not drop below the instantaneous stopping distance (=braking distance+reaction distance) of the vehicle and the particular light intensity required is determined and set. This can be done for example by vertical pivoting of the headlamps or reflectors. Furthermore, the beam direction is adapted to the instantaneous steering angle.

Claims

1. Light system for controlling a beam range of a motor vehicle and comprising

an automatic multifunctional system constructed from programs and information,

the multifunctional system distinguishing between four basic stages for road conditions,

the multifunctional system distinguishing in each of the four basic stages three stages of visibility conditions, thus giving twelve stages,

in dependence upon a particular stage, on the basis of the programs and entered and current information, the multifunctional system controlling instantaneous beam range in such a manner that it always lies between a minimum and a maximum beam range, the formulae

2. A light system for a motor vehicle having an actual minimum stopping distance and comprising

headlamp means having a beam length adjustable between a minimum beam range and a maximum beam range,

the headlamp means including for each vehicle side a main reflector and a fog reflector, the beam ranges of which are adjustable independently of each other,

adjusting means for adjusting the beam range of the headlamp means, and

control means for controlling the adjusting means automatically in such a manner that at any instant during vehicle travel the minimum beam range is not less than the actual minimum stopping distance of the vehicle.

3. The light system of claim 2 wherein with good visibility the main reflectors are operated in dependence upon the stopping distance and with average visibility the fog reflectors, the main reflectors remaining switched to an initial position, and with poor visibility both the main reflectors and the fog reflectors are operated in dependence upon the stopping distance.

4. A light system for a motor vehicle having an actual minimum stopping distance and an actual maximum stopping distance comprising

headlamp means having a beam length adjustable between a minimum beam range and a maximum beam range,

adjusting means for adjusting the bean range of the headlamp means, and

control means for controlling the adjusting means automatically in such a manner that at any instance during vehicle travel the minimum beam range is not less than the actual minimum stopping distance of the vehicle,

the control means determining a maximum beam range from the actual maximum stopping distance and reaction time of a driver and the beam range being continuously adjusted during vehicle travel so that it does not exceed the prospective maximum beam range.

5. The light system of claim 4 wherein when the vehicle is stationary or at low speeds the control means sets a fixed initial beam range which exceeds the stopping distance, the initial beam range being selected in particular at 30 m, and wherein the control means adjusts the minimum beam range when the stopping distance exceeds the initial beam range.

6. The light system of claim 4, including adjustment means directly coupled to a steering wheel for adjusting beam direction of the headlamp means in a horizontal plane.

7. Method for controlling beam range of a headlamp means of a motor vehicle during its travel and comprising the steps of

automatically setting a minimum beam range for the headlamp means which does not drop below the value of a momentary stopping distance of the vehicle,

automatically setting a maximum beam range for the headlamp means which does not exceed a momentary maximum stopping distance of the vehicle,

calculating the minimum stopping distance from a sum of maximum braking distance and minimum reaction distance of a driver, and

calculating the maximum stopping distance from a sum of maximum braking distance and maximum reaction distance of a driver.

8. Method of claim 7 further including a step of determining maximum braking distance for a maximum loaded vehicle in accordance with speed and road conditions as well as vehicle-specific data.

9. Method of claim 7 wherein the steps of calculating the minimum and maximum stopping distances are determined in accordance with minimum and maximum reaction times of an inexperienced or professional driver and speed, said reaction times of inexperienced and professional drivers being at all times absolutely the same ratio.

10. Method of claim 9 wherein the steps of calculating minimum and maximum stopping distances take into account driver reaction time dependent on weather and/or visibility conditions.