AFS for LED headlamp
First Claim
1. An adjustable front lighting system for an automobile comprising:
- a. at least one stationary automotive lamp assembly having at least one stationary lens connected to a stationary lamp housing;
b. at least one moveable LED with a light emitting end, the LED positioned in the lamp housing in alignment with the lens so that light emitted from the LED'"'"'s light emitting end passes through the lens and creates a light beam for the automobile;
c. at least one actuator mechanically connected to the at least one LED in a manner that allows the actuator to move the LED; and
d. at least one controller operably connected to the at least one actuator in a maimer that causes the actuator to move the LED and the light beam in a horizontal plane, so that the light beam points in a direction that corresponds to whatever direction the automobile is traveling in.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The subject invention comprises an adaptive front lighting system (“AFS”) utilizing at least one light emitting diode (“LED”) as a light source and a means for moving the LED to achieve AFS functionality. An exemplary embodiment of the subject invention comprises a plurality of LEDs positioned and located on a LED carrier. The LED carrier is mechanically connected to at least one actuator that causes the LED carrier and LEDs to move. A controller is used to cause the actuator to move the LEDs. In this manner, this exemplary embodiment adjusts the light beam and creates the desired light beam pattern. Other exemplary embodiments of the subject invention pivotally connect the LEDs to the lens and to each other and utilize the actuator and controller to adjust the light beam. Another exemplary embodiment positions the LEDs in a spherical surface and connects them to the actuator by an extension in order to adjust the light beam.
51 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An adjustable front lighting system for an automobile comprising:
-
a. at least one stationary automotive lamp assembly having at least one stationary lens connected to a stationary lamp housing;
b. at least one moveable LED with a light emitting end, the LED positioned in the lamp housing in alignment with the lens so that light emitted from the LED'"'"'s light emitting end passes through the lens and creates a light beam for the automobile;
c. at least one actuator mechanically connected to the at least one LED in a manner that allows the actuator to move the LED; and
d. at least one controller operably connected to the at least one actuator in a maimer that causes the actuator to move the LED and the light beam in a horizontal plane, so that the light beam points in a direction that corresponds to whatever direction the automobile is traveling in. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method of providing forward lighting for a vehicle comprising the steps of:
-
a. providing an adaptive front lighting system lamp assembly having (i) at least one LED with a light emitting end, the LED being mechanically connected to at least one actuator, and (ii) at least one stationary lens aligned with the at least one LED in a location that creates a light beam for the vehicle;
b. generating the light beam for the vehicle with the lamp assembly so that the light beam points in a first direction which coincides with the direction that the vehicle is traveling;
c. causing the vehicle to travel in a second direction; and
d. moving the light beam so that the light beam points in the second direction that the vehicle is traveling by utilizing the at least one actuator to move the at least one LED without moving the at least one stationary lens or the lamp assembly. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification