Device for controlling the light width of headlights for vehicles

• US 5,896,011 A
• Filed: 08/13/1998
• Issued: 04/20/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Zillgitt, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Application Number:
  US09/133,795
• Time in Patent Office: 250 Days
• Field of Search: 315/82, 315/77, 307/10.8, 362/71, 362/285, 362/286, 362/428
• US Class Current: 315/82
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/10 due to vehicle inclination, e.g. due to load distribution
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/116 Vehicle at a stop
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/132 Pitch
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/324 Road inclination, e.g. uphill or downhill

Abstract

A device for controlling a light width of headlights of a vehicle said displacing units adapted to be associated with the headlights and operative for changing a light width of a light bundle emitted by the headlights, at least one sensor unit provided with at least one deflection sensor which detects a deflection of a vehicle body at least on one axle of the vehicle, an evaluating unit connected with the sensor unit and at least approximately determining an inclination γ of the vehicle body relative to a roadway from signals of the sensor unit and controlling the displacing units for at least approximately maintaining constant the light width of the light bundle emitted by the headlight, the at least one sensor unit being provided additionally with an inclination sensor which determines an inclination β of the vehicle body relative to a direction toward a center of gravity.

Claims

1. A device for controlling a light width of headlights of a vehicle, comprising displacing units adapted to be associated with the headlights and operative for changing a light width of a light bundle emitted by the headlights;

at least one sensor unit provided with at least one deflection sensor which detects a deflection of a vehicle body at least on one axle of the vehicle;

an evaluating unit connected with said sensor unit and at least approximately determining an inclination γ

of the vehicle body relative to a roadway from signals of said sensor unit and controlling said displacing units for at least approximately maintaining constant the light width of the light bundle emitted by the headlight, said at least one sensor unit being provided additionally with an inclination sensor which determines an inclination β

of the vehicle body relative to a direction toward a center of gravity.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said sensor unit has only one said deflection sensor operative to detect a deflection of the vehicle body on one axle of the vehicle.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said only one deflection sensor is operative for detecting a deviation of the vehicle body on a rear axle of the vehicle.

4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said inclination sensor is arranged so that a measuring plane of said inclination sensor is adapted to extend at least approximately in a vertical longitudinal plane of the vehicle body.

5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one deflection sensor is formed as a rotary angle sensor and detects a turning α

of a turning lever articulately connected to the vehicle body and to the axle of the vehicle.

6. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said sensor unit additionally has at least one further inclination sensor, said additional inclination sensor being operative for detecting an inclination β

of a component which is connected with the axle of the vehicle and performs an inclination change during deflection of the axle in and out, relative to a direction toward the center of gravity.

7. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein said at least one deflection sensor and said at least one further inclination sensor are formed so as to detect on a same rotary lever articulately connected to the vehicle body and to the axis of the vehicle a rotary angle and an inclination δ

of the turning lever.

8. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein the rotary lever forms a suspension part of the axle of the vehicle.

9. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said sensor unit and said evaluating unit are assembled to form a single assembly in a common housing arranged in the region of the axle of the vehicle.