Light baffling apparatus for headlamp sensor

• US 8,125,628 B1
• Filed: 01/17/2009
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joe J. Lones
• Original Assignee: Joe J. Lones
• Inventors: Lones, Joe J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ton, Tri T
• Application Number:
  US12/355,780
• Time in Patent Office: 1,137 Days
• Field of Search: 356121-137, 356150-154, 356213-229, 250/216, 250/221, 332/88, 333/35, 332/86, 332/64, 332/66, 332/93, 348/94, 348/95, 348/135
• US Class Current: 356/121
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0214 Constructional arrangements for removing stray light
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0271 Housings; Attachments or accessories for photometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0403 Mechanical elements; Supports for optical elements; Scanning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/06 Restricting the angle of incident light
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/4228 arrangements with two or more detectors, e.g. for sensitivity compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 11/064 by using camera or other imaging system for the light analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 11/065 details about the image analysis

Abstract

A light baffle arrangement for sensors is used to limit the sensing field of view. Arranging multiple said limited view sensors in a linear array provides a means to accurately locate and analyze the position of a beam pattern along said array axis as in checking vehicle headlamp beam alignment.

Claims

1. An apparatus for baffling light in a headlamp aim detection sensor comprising:

a block comprising one or more holes formed therein, each of said holes having positioned inside;

a first ring with a hole forming a first aperture;

a second ring with a hole forming a second aperture,

wherein said first ring and said second ring are spaced apart and oriented to allow light to travel through both apertures;

a photosensor positioned to receive light through said first aperture and said second aperture, wherein said first aperture and said second aperture limits the field of view of said photosensor to substantially eliminate light from a second headlamp when a first headlamp is being detected, wherein said first headlamp and said second headlamp are in predetermined locations relative to said block and are horizontally displaced from each other.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said block comprises a linear array of a plurality of holes.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said linear array is oriented vertically and positioned a predetermined distance from a vehicle being audited.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said photosensor is coupled to an electronic sensor unit capable of sampling a light level.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said electronic sensor unit is disposed on a printed circuit board mounted to said block.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a window covering said one or more holes.

7. A method for baffling light in a headlamp aim detection sensor comprising the steps of:

providing a block comprising one or more holes formed therein, each of said holes having positioned inside;

a first ring with a hole forming a first aperture;

a second ring with a hole forming a second aperture, wherein said first ring and said second ring are spaced apart and oriented to allow light to travel through both apertures;

a photosensor positioned to receive light through said first aperture and said second aperture, wherein said first aperture and said second aperture limits the field of view of said photosensor to substantially eliminate light from a second headlamp when a first headlamp is being detected;

positioning a vehicle comprising a first vehicle headlamp and a second vehicle headlamp a predetermined distance from said block, such that said first headlamp and said second headlamp are in predetermined locations relative to said block and are horizontally displaced from each other;

energizing said first vehicle headlamp and said second vehicle headlamp;

sensing a light level on said photosensor.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said block comprises a linear array of a plurality of holes.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said linear array is oriented vertically and positioned a predetermined distance from a vehicle being audited.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein said photosensor is coupled to an electronic sensor unit capable of sampling a light level.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said electronic sensor unit is disposed on a printed circuit board mounted to said block.

12. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of:

providing a window covering said one or more holes.