OPTICAL SCATTERING OF LIGHT BEAM

• US 20090034276A1
• Filed: 07/17/2008
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation GmbH (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Mueller, Roland, Niemann, Boris
• Application Number:
  US12/174,801
• Publication Number:
  US 20090034276A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/466
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/085 due to special conditions, e.g. adverse weather, type of road, badly illuminated road signs or potential dangers B60Q1/10, B60Q1/12, B60Q1/1423 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/112 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/122 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/132 Pitch
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/142 Turn signal actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/332 on city roads
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/334 on motorways

Abstract

A system for controlling the optical scattering of a light beam in a vehicle comprises a light source, a reflector, a lens, and a headlamp controller. The light source is adapted to generate the light beam. The reflector is positioned about the light source to reflect the light beam. The lens is positioned a distance away from the light source and adapted to receive the light beam from the light source and the reflector and to project the light beam from the vehicle. The headlamp controller is operably coupled to a kinematic sensing device that detects motion characteristics of the vehicle and generates a kinematic signals. The headlamp controller is configured to linearly adjust the distance between the light source and the lens in response to the kinematic signals.

Claims

1. A system for controlling the optical scattering of a light beam in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a light source adapted to generate the light beam;

a reflector positioned about the light source to reflect the light beam;

a lens positioned a distance away from the light source and adapted to receive the light beam from the light source and the reflector and to project the light beam from the vehicle; and

a headlamp controller operably coupled to a kinematic sensing device that detects motion characteristics of the vehicle and generates a plurality of kinematic signals, the headlamp controller is configured to linearly adjust the distance between the light source and the lens in response to the kinematic signals.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the headlamp controller is configured to linearly adjust the distance between the light source and the lens in response to the kinematic signals while the system levels the light beam.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the headlamp controller is configured to linearly adjust the distance between the light source and the lens in response to the kinematic signals while the system provides curve lighting for the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the light source is one of a plurality of light emitting devices and Xenon.

5. A system for controlling the optical scattering of first and second light beams in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a first light source adapted to generate the first light beam;

a second light source adapted to generate the second light beam;

a first reflector positioned about the first light source;

a second reflector positioned about the second light source, the first and second reflectors being adapted to reflect the first and second light beams respectively;

a first lens positioned at a first distance away from the first light source and adapted to receive to the first light beam from the first light source and the first reflector and to project the first light beam from the vehicle;

a second lens positioned at a second distance away from the second light source and adapted to receive the second light beam from the second light source and the second reflector and to project the second light beam from the vehicle; and

a headlamp controller operably coupled to a kinematic sensing device that detects motion characteristics of the vehicle and generates a plurality of kinematic signals, the headlamp controller is configured to linearly adjust the first distance and the second distance in response the kinematic signals.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the first distance is equal to the second distance when the vehicle is in a first state.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the first state of the vehicle is defined as the vehicle driving on a straight road.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein the first distance is not equal to the second distance when the vehicle is in a second state.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the second state of the vehicle is defined as one or more of the vehicle driving on a curved road and the vehicle performing a turn.

10. The system of claim 5 wherein the light source is one of a plurality of light emitting devices and Xenon.

11. The system of claim 5 wherein the headlamp controller is configured to linearly adjust the first distance between the first light source and the first lens and the second distance between the second light source and the second lens in response to the kinematic signals while the system levels the first and second light beams.

12. A system for controlling the optical scattering of a light beam in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a light source adapted to generate the light beam;

a reflector positioned at a first distance away from the light source to reflect the light beam;

a lens positioned at a second distance away from the light source to receive the light beam from the reflector and the light source and to project the light beam from the vehicle; and

a headlamp controller operably coupled to a kinematic sensing device that detects motion characteristics of the vehicle and transmits a plurality of kinematic signals, the headlamp controller is configured to linearly adjust one of the first distance and the second distance in response to the kinematic signals.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the headlamp controller is configured to linearly adjust the first distance and the second distance in response to the kinematic signals while the system levels the light beam.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the headlamp controller is configured to linearly adjust the first distance and the second distance in response to the kinematic signals while the system provides curve lighting for the vehicle.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the light source is one of a plurality of light emitting devices and Xenon.