Headlamp assembly with autodimming functionality

• US 10,821,882 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2018
• Issued: 11/03/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Hamlin, Bradley R., Lundy, Eric S., Minikey, Jr., Danny L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Raabe, Christopher M
• Application Number:
  US16/171,426
• Publication Number:
  US 20190126813A1
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 362466
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0023 the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1423 Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/143 combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 11/005 for lighting devices, e.g. indicating if lamps are burning or not
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/41 preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/42 oncoming vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/43 following vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/20 characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/285 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S41/24-F21S41/28
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/40 characterised by screens, non-reflecting members, light-shielding members or fixed shades
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/43 characterised by the shape thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/435 Hoods or cap-shaped

Abstract

A headlamp assembly includes a housing. A headlamp is disposed within the housing. An image sensor is disposed within the housing and is configured to detect a light source. A controller is operably coupled to the image sensor and the headlamp. The controller is operable to control the headlamp in response to the light source detected by the image sensor.

Claims

1. A vehicle system comprising:

a housing disposed at a front portion of a vehicle and including a forward opening;

a headlamp disposed within the housing;

a headlamp lens extending over the forward opening;

an image sensor disposed within the housing and configured to detect a light source;

an ambient light sensor;

a controller operably coupled to the image sensor, the ambient light sensor, and the headlamp, the controller operable to control the headlamp in response to the light source detected by the image sensor; and

a baffle proximate the image sensor, the baffle configured to isolate the image sensor from light emitted by the headlamp, wherein at least a portion of the baffle extends into the headlamp lens.

2. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the baffle extends from the housing forward toward the headlamp lens of the housing.

3. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the baffle extends from the headlamp lens rearward to the housing.

4. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the baffle includes a protrusion that is internal to the headlamp lens.

5. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the baffle extends circumferentially about an imager lens of the imager sensor.

6. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the baffle includes a coating on an inside surface of the baffle to minimize light infiltration from the headlamp to the imager sensor.

7. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the baffle is formed from a material that is the same as the headlamp lens.

8. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein a forward portion of the baffle extends through the headlamp lens.

9. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the baffle includes a generally V-shaped wall that isolates the image sensor from the light emitted by the headlamp.

10. A headlamp assembly comprising:

a housing;

a headlamp disposed within the housing;

an image sensor disposed within the housing and configured to detect a light source;

a headlamp lens including a circular wall therein that defines a lens island;

a baffle proximate the image sensor and aligned with the circular wall; and

a controller operably coupled to the image sensor and the headlamp, the controller operable to control the headlamp in response to the light source detected by the image sensor.

11. The headlamp assembly of claim 10,

wherein the baffle is configured to isolate the image sensor from light emitted by the headlamp.

12. The headlamp assembly of claim 10, wherein the image sensor is configured to receive image data through the lens island of said headlamp assembly.

13. The headlamp assembly of claim 10, wherein the baffle extends from the housing forward toward the headlamp lens.

14. The headlamp assembly of claim 10, wherein a gap is defined between the baffle and an inside surface of a headlamp lens.

15. The headlamp assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

an ambient light sensor, wherein the controller is operably coupled to the ambient light sensor, and wherein the controller is operable to control the headlamp in response to the light source detected by the image sensor.

16. The headlamp assembly of claim 15, wherein the controller utilizes an algorithm that functions to discern between the headlamp and one of headlights of an oncoming vehicle and taillights of a preceding vehicle.