Automobile headlight

• US 6,179,455 B1
• Filed: 04/05/1999
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stanley Electric Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Stanley Electric Company Limited
• Inventors: Taniuchi, Hitoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): TON, ANABEL
• Application Number:
  US09/285,786
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 362/464, 362/465, 362/466, 362/467, 362/512, 362/513, 362/507, 362/282, 362/280
• US Class Current: 362/507
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1438 Actuating means for dimming masks or screens
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/333 with discontinuity at the junction between adjacent areas
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/435 Hoods or cap-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/692 Shields, i.e. screens not creating an image meant to be projected

Abstract

An automobile headlight comprising a light source, a reflector having a by-passing reflecting portion, which reflects light emitted from the light source downward to form a light distribution pattern for by-passing, and a traveling reflecting portion, which reflects light emitted from the light source to a horizontal front of the automobile headlight when the movable shade is in a position for traveling straight ahead, a fixed shade which directs light emitted from the light source towards the reflector, a movable shade capable of taking a position P or Q depending on whether the automobile is traveling straight ahead or by-passing another vehicle, and a driving unit connected to the movable shade for changing a position of the movable shade, wherein when the movable shade is in the by-passing position Q, the movable shade suppresses light emitted from the light source towards the traveling reflecting portion and passes light emitted from the light source toward the by-passing reflecting portion, and when the movable shade is in the position P for traveling straight ahead, the movable shade suppresses partly emitted light at an upper end of the by-passing reflecting portion and passes light emitted from the light source toward the traveling reflecting portion and the remaining by-passing reflecting portion. The automobile headlight provides more appropriate light distribution patterns for both traveling straight ahead and by-passing another vehicle, especially for traveling straight ahead. The automobile headlight may further comprise a passing switch for enabling a passing function.

Claims

1. An automobile headlight comprising:

a light source;

a movable shade positionable between a traveling position P and a by-passing position Q, when the automobile is traveling straight ahead and when by-passing another vehicle, respectively;

a reflector having a by-passing reflecting portion that reflects light emitted from the light source downward to form a light distribution pattern for by-passing, and a traveling reflecting portion which reflects light emitted from the light source when the movable shade is in the position P for traveling straight ahead, the by-passing reflecting portion positioned adjacent the traveling reflecting portion;

a fixed shade which directs light emitted from the light source towards the reflector, the fixed shade positioned adjacent the light source; and

a driving unit connected to the movable shade for changing a position of the movable shade, wherein;

the movable shade in the by-passing position Q suppresses light emitted from the light source towards the traveling reflecting portion and passes light emitted from the light source toward the by-passing reflecting portion; and

the movable shade in the traveling position P partly suppresses emitted light at an upper end of the by-passing reflecting portion and passes light emitted from the light source toward the traveling reflecting portion and the remaining by-passing reflecting portion.

2. The automobile headlight according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit comprises a passing switch connected to the movable shade for enabling a passing function.

6. The automobile headlight according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the by-passing reflector portion is contiguous with a portion of the traveling reflecting portion.

3. An automobile headlight assembly comprising:

a light source;

a reflector disposed behind the light source having a first shaped surface and a second shaped surface, such that light emitted from the light source is reflected in different directions depending upon whether the emitted light is exposed to the first shaped surface or the second shaped surface, the first shaped surface disposed adjacent to the second shaped surface;

a first shade extending in front of the light source that suppresses direct illumination from the light source of the headlight assembly; and

a second shade that suppresses light emitted from the light source according to whether the automobile is traveling straight ahead or passing by another vehicle, the second shade disposed adjacent the light source;

wherein

the second shade partly suppresses light emitted toward the first shaped surface and passes light emitted toward the second shaped surface when in a first configuration for traveling straight ahead; and

the second shade suppresses light emitted toward the second shaped surface and passes light emitted toward the first shaped surface when in a second configuration for passing by another vehicle.

4. The automobile headlight assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a driving unit connected to the second shade for changing a position of the second shade.

7. The automobile headlight according to claim 3, wherein a portion of the first shaped surface is contiguous with a portion of the second shaped surface.

5. A driving unit for an automobile headlight assembly in an automobile comprising:

a light source;

a movable shade;

a solenoid connected to the movable shade;

a first switch connected to the solenoid that is capable of changing between a first terminal m for traveling straight ahead and a second terminal s for by-passing another vehicle;

a timer connected to the solenoid, and connected in parallel to the first switch, for keeping the moveable shade in a first position for a predetermined time;

a second switch connected through the timer to the solenoid, and connected to a power supply, that allows current to flow to the timer when the automobile is by-passing another vehicle;

a third switch connected to the power supply, and also connected parallel to the second switch and in series with the first switch, that allows current to flow to the first switch when the light source is to be lit; and

a diode connected at one end between the timer and the second switch, and at the other end between the third switch and the first switch, for preventing current from running to the solenoid when the third switch is on.