Automatic leveling apparatus for use with automobile headlamps
First Claim
1. An automatic leveling apparatus for an automobile headlamp, comprising:
- an actuator for tilting a light axis of a headlamp in upward and downward relation to a vehicle body;
a control unit for controlling the operation of the actuator;
vehicle speed detection means for detecting a speed of the vehicle; and
pitch angle detection means for detecting a pitch angle of the vehicle, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the actuator in accordance with a detected pitch angle so that the light axis of the headlamp maintains a constant, predetermined angle in relation to a road surface, and wherein, while the vehicle is stationary, the control unit controls operation of the actuator at a time of initial illumination of the headlamp and at given time intervals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automobile headlamp automatic leveling apparatus is provided. A headlamp whose light axis is tilted upward and downward in relation to a vehicle body by means of an actuator, a control unit for controlling the operation of the actuator, vehicle speed detection means for detection of the speed of the vehicle; and pitch angle detection means for detecting a pitch angle of the vehicle are included in the leveling apparatus. The control unit controls the operation of the actuator on the basis of a detected pitch angle such that the light axis of the headlamp maintains a constant, predetermined angle in relation to the road surface. While the vehicle is stationary, the control unit controls operation of the actuator at the time of illumination of the headlamp. Subsequently, while the vehicle remains stationary, the operation of the actuator is controlled at given time intervals which are counted by an interval timer.
31 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An automatic leveling apparatus for an automobile headlamp, comprising:
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an actuator for tilting a light axis of a headlamp in upward and downward relation to a vehicle body;
a control unit for controlling the operation of the actuator;
vehicle speed detection means for detecting a speed of the vehicle; and
pitch angle detection means for detecting a pitch angle of the vehicle, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the actuator in accordance with a detected pitch angle so that the light axis of the headlamp maintains a constant, predetermined angle in relation to a road surface, and wherein, while the vehicle is stationary, the control unit controls operation of the actuator at a time of initial illumination of the headlamp and at given time intervals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for automatically leveling an automobile headlamp with an automatic leveling apparatus which includes an actuator for tilting a light axis of a headlamp in upward and downward relation to a vehicle body, a control unit for controlling the operation of the actuator, vehicle speed detection means for detecting a speed of the vehicle, and pitch angle detection means for detecting a pitch angle of the vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
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controlling the operation of the actuator in accordance with a detected pitch angle so that the light axis of the headlamp maintains a constant, predetermined angle in relation to a road surface, and while the vehicle is stationary, controlling operation of the actuator at a time of initial illumination of the headlamp and at given time intervals.
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Specification