United States Patent [19]
`Hatanaka et al.
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`4,870,545
`Sep. 26, 1989
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`[54] HEADLIGHT CONTROL APPARATUS FOR
`MOTORCYCLES
`[75] Inventors: Kaoru Hatanaka; Hajime Tabata,
`both of Saitama; Tooru Hasegawa,
`Tokyo; Yoshihiro Nakazawa,
`Saitama, all of Japan
`Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki
`Kaisha, Tokyo, Japan
`[21] Appl. No.: 257,216
`[22] Filed:
`Oct. 13, 1988
`[30]
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Oct. 13, 1987 [JP]
`Japan ................................ 62-258548
`[51] Int. Cl* ................................................ B62J 6/00
`[52] U.S. Cl. ........................................ 362/72; 362/66;
`315/82
`[58] Field of Search ....................... 362/37, 71, 72, 66,
`362/418, 428, 271, 272, 286; 315/79, 81, 82
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,939,339 2/1976 Alphen .................................. 362/72
`4,024,388 5/1977 Skoff ..................................... 362/72
`Primary Examiner—Stephen F. Husar
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Lyon & Lyon
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`Method and apparatus are described for controlling the
`roadway illuminating position of a motorcycle head
`light during cornering of the motorcycle by determin
`ing a basic desired optical axis deflection angle for the
`headlight in response to the turning radius of the vehicle
`and, coincident therewith, correcting the deflection
`angle in accordance with the determined longitudinal
`position of the motorcycle along the roadway turning
`line.
`
`10 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`• -- = == ** ---
`
`
`
`- - - - - 9
`
`SL Corporation v. Adaptive Headlamp Technologies, Inc.
`
`
`
`SL Corp. Exhibit 1041
`Case IPR2016-00193
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Sep. 26, 1989
`US. Patent
`Sep.26, 1989
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`Sheet 1 of4
`A a 1.
`IE1.
`
`4,870,545
`4,870,545
`
`
`
`VEHICLE SPEED
`WEHICLE SPEED
`SENSOR
`SENSOR
`
`°PT'°"L “'3
`CONTROL MOTOR
`
`THROTTLE
`SENSOR
`
`CORNER POSITION
`SENSTNG SECTION
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Sep. 26, 1989
`US. Patent
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`4,870,545
`4,870,545
`
`
`
`7G.3.
`32
`46 (= 460)
`
`34
`
`3:
`3|
`°
`Ci
`
`32d
`
`35
`
`º
`§s
`
`33
`33
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Sep. 26, 1989
`U.S. Patent
`Sep. 26, 1989
`04 I
`40.
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`Sheet 3 of4
`
`4,870,545
`4,870,545
`
`Ni?
`IIIIXIIIUNIIIII
`
`HANDLEBARTURNING
`HANDLEBAR TURNING
`ANGLE SENSOR 900
`ANGLE SENSOR Hag
`
`WEHICLE SPEED
`VEHICLE SPEED
`SENSOR WSP
`SENSOR
`VSP
`
`402
`402
`
`403
`405
`
`404
`404
`
`TURNING RADIUS
`TURNING RADIUS
`COMPUTATION
`COMPUTATION
`- LP
`H609
`60g
`
`405
`
`
`
`COMPUTATION OF BASIC OPTICAL AXIS DEFLECTION.
`
`40_%;"
`
`A9.%”nTI’I"
`SECTION
`SECTION
`
`
`
`
`
`45
`
`R-——>
`COMPUTATION OF BASIC OPTICAL AXIS
`OEFLECTION.
`
`A90 OUTPUT
`A90
`ouwur
`
`SENSING OF GEAR POSITION
`srsusmc or GEAR POSITION
`
`ACCELERATOR OPENING
`ACCELERATOR opemm;
`SENSOR 9TH
`ssnsoa am
`
`|
`
`406
`406
`407
`407
`408
`403
`409
`409
`
`
`
`A/G. 4.
`/L76‘. 4.
`
`VEHICLE SPEED COMPUTATION
`
`9 TH —->
`9TH —-
`WEHICLE SPEED COMPUTATION
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Sep. 26, 1989
`U.S. Patent
`Sep. 26,1989
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`Sheet 4 of4
`
`4,870,545
`4,870,545
`
`50]
`
`502
`502
`
`
`
`
`
`FIXED TIME
`FIXED TIME
`|NTERRUPTION
`INTERRUPTION
`
`HANDLEBAR TURNING
`HANDLEBAR TURNING
`ANGLE SENSOR 90g
`ANGLE SENSOR Bag
`
`
`
`
`
`504
`504
`
`503
`503
`
`WEHICLE SPEED
`VEHICLE SPEED
`SENSOR WSP
`SENSOR
`VSP
`
`
`
`TURNING RADIUS
`
`TURNING RADIUS
`wº R=K Gag
`COMPUTGTSTON
`R=K %
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`R——>
`COMPUTATION OF BASIC OPTICAL AXIS
`COMPUTATION OF BASIC OPTICAL AXIS
`OEFLECTION.
`DEFLECTION.
`
`50?
`507
`
`
`
`
`
`VSP -->
`WSP –-
`COMPUTATION OF HANDLEBARTURNING
`COMPUTATION OF HANDLEBAR TURNING
`ANGLE.
`ANGLE.
` 6’ag OUTPUT
`6'dg OUTPUT
`
`
`
`

`
`1
`1
`HEADLIGHT CONTROL APPARATUS FOR
`HEADLIGHT CONTROL APPARATUS FOR
`MOTORCYCLES
`MOTORCYCLES
`
`5
`5
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to a headlight apparatus
`The present invention relates to a headlight apparatus
`for motorcycles and, more particularly, to a headlight
`for motorcycles and, more particularly, to a headlight
`apparatus that deflects the optical axis of the headlight
`apparatus that deflects the optical axis of the headlight
`in accordance with the turning radius of a vehicle when
`in accordance with the turning radius of a vehicle when
`10
`10
`the vehicle rounds a curve or turns a corner, or the like.
`the vehicle rounds a curve or turns a corner, or the like.
`A conventional headlight deflection control appara
`A conventional headlight deflection control appara-
`tus for motorcycles is known in the prior art as dis
`tus for motorcycles is known in the prior art as dis-
`closed in, for example, Laid-Open Japanese Patent No.
`closed in, for example, Laid-Open Japanese Patent No.
`Sho. 62-96148. This prior art, the disclosure of which is
`Sho. 62-96148. This prior art, the disclosure of which is
`15
`15
`incorporated herein by reference, is designed to com
`incorporated herein by reference, is designed to com-
`pute a turning radius from the vehicle speed and an
`pute a turning radius from the vehicle speed and an
`inclination angle of the vehicle body, to compute an
`inclination angle of the vehicle body, to compute an
`adjusted angle of optical axis of the headlight from the
`adjusted angle of optical axis of the headlight from the
`turning radius, and to turn the headlight by this adjusted
`turning radius, and to turn the headlight by this adjusted
`20
`angle of optical axis to the direction to which the vehi
`20
`angle of optical axis to the direction to which the vehi-
`cle body is going to turn, thereby improving light distri
`cle body is going to turn, thereby improving light distri-
`bution to the turning path of the vehicle.
`bution to the turning path of the vehicle.
`Generally, when rounding a corner, a motorcycle
`Generally, when rounding a corner, a motorcycle
`rider has a tendency to view the apex of the corner
`rider has a tendency to view the apex of the corner
`25
`when he has come to the entrance of the corner, the exit
`25
`when he has come to the entrance of the corner, the exit
`of the corner when at a midway location therein, and
`of the corner when at a midway location therein, and
`the traffic condition ahead as in the forward straight
`the traffic condition ahead as in the forward straight-
`away when at the exit of the corner. However, the prior
`away when at the exit of the corner. However, the prior
`art described above has the problem that the headlight
`art described above has the problem that the headlight
`30
`is only rotated by the aforesaid angle of the optical axis
`30
`is only rotated by the aforesaid angle of the optical axis
`to the direction of turn of the vehicle body and, accord
`to the direction of turn of the vehicle body and, accord-
`ingly, light distribution to the areas within the rider’s
`ingly, light distribution to the areas within the rider’s
`view at the entrance, midway and exit of the corner
`View at the entrance, midway and exit of the corner
`carmot be obtained.
`cannot be obtained.
`The present invention, accordingly, has as a general
`The present invention, accordingly, has as a general
`objective to solve the above-mentioned problems of the
`objective to solve the above-mentioned problems of the
`prior art. It further seeks to provide a headlight control
`prior art. It further seeks to provide a headlight control
`apparatus for motorcycles which has good light distri
`apparatus for motorcycles which has good light distri-
`bution characteristics in the direction of turning when
`bution characteristics in the direction of turning when
`the vehicle rounds a corner, and enables light distribu-
`the vehicle rounds a corner, and enables light distribu
`tion to the region of the rider's visual confirmation at
`tion to the region of the rider’s visual confirmation at
`each of the entrance, midway and exit positions of the
`each of the entrance, midway and exit positions of the
`corner.
`COIIIer.
`
`35
`35
`
`4,870,545
`4,870,545
`2
`2
`dius from the vehicle speed and the handlebar turning
`dius from the vehicle speed and the handlebar turning
`angle and also computes a basic headlight optical axis
`angle and also computes a basic headlight optical axis
`deflection angle from the turning radius. When the
`deflection angle from the turning radius. When the
`entrance position of the corner has been sensed by the
`entrance position of the corner has been sensed by the
`corner position sensing means, the basic optical axis
`corner position sensing means,
`the basic optical axis
`deflection angle is corrected to a greater value by a
`deflection angle is corrected to a greater value by a
`correcting means; and when the exit position of corner
`correcting means; and when the exit position of corner
`has been sensed, the basic optical axis deflection angle is
`has been sensed, the basic optical axis deflection angle is
`corrected to a smaller value.
`corrected to a smaller value.
`For a better understanding of the invention, its oper
`For a better understanding of the invention, its oper-
`ating advantages and the specific objectives obtained by
`ating advantages and the specific objectives obtained by
`its use, reference should be made to the accompanying
`its use, reference should be made to the accompanying
`drawings and description which relate to a preferred
`drawings and description which relate to a preferred
`embodiment thereof.
`embodiment thereof.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating schematically a
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating schematically a
`motorcycle headlight control apparatus according to
`motorcycle headlight control apparatus according to
`the present invention;
`the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating the running
`FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating the running
`state of a vehicle in the vicinity of the entrance position
`state of a vehicle in the vicinity of the entrance position
`of a corner;
`of a corner;
`FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating the direc
`FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating the direc-
`tion of headlight deflection during riding at positions
`tion of headlight deflection during riding at positions
`near the entrance, midway and exit of the corner, re
`near the entrance, midway and exit of the corner, re-
`spectively;
`spectively;
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of opera
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of opera-
`tion of the headlight control apparatus of the present
`tion of the headlight control apparatus of the present
`invention; and
`invention; and
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the steps operation
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the steps operation
`of a second embodiment of the present invention.
`of a second embodiment of the present invention.
`DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`EMBODIMENT
`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrative of a
`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrative of a
`headlight apparatus for motorcycles pertaining to one
`headlight apparatus for motorcycles pertaining to one
`embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this
`embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this
`drawing figure, the headlight apparatus of a motorcycle
`drawing figure, the headlight apparatus of a motorcycle
`1 is provided with a vehicle speed sensor (the vehicle
`1 is provided with a vehicle speed sensor (the vehicle
`speed sensing means) 2 for sensing the vehicle speed
`speed sensing means) 2 for sensing the vehicle speed
`V; a steering wheel turning angle sensor (the handle
`Vjp; a steering wheel turning angle sensor (the handle-
`bar turning angle sensing means) 3 for sensing the han
`bar turning angle sensing means) 3 for sensing the han-
`dlebar turning angle Gag; a computing section (the
`dlebar turning angle Gag; a computing section (the
`computing means) 5 for computing the turning radius R
`computing means) 5 for computing the turning radius R
`of the vehicle from the vehicle speed VSP and the han
`of the vehicle from the vehicle speed V512 and the han-
`dlebar turning angle Gag that have been sensed by the
`dlebar turning angle Gag that have been sensed by the
`sensors 2 and 3, and also computes from the turning
`sensors 2 and 3, and also computes from the turning
`radius R a basic optical axis deflection angle Aeo at
`radius R a basic optical axis deflection angle A90 at
`which the headlight 4 illuminates the turning line; an
`which the headlight 4 illuminates the turning line; an
`optical axis control motor (the optical axis control
`optical axis control motor (the optical axis control
`means) 6 for deflecting the optical axis 4a of the head
`means) 6 for deflecting the optical axis 4a of the head-
`light (see FIG. 2) on the basis of the basic optical axis
`light (see FIG. 2) on the basis of the basic optical axis
`deflection angle Aeo; a corner position sensing section
`deflection angle A90; a corner position sensing section
`(the corner position sensing means) 7 for sensing from
`(the corner position sensing means) 7 for sensing from
`the running state of the vehicle in which region of the
`the running state of the vehicle in which region of the
`corner, i.e., entrance, midway or exit, the vehicle is
`comer,
`i.e., entrance, midway or exit, the vehicle is
`present; and a correcting section (the correction means)
`present; and a correcting section (the correction means)
`8 for correcting the basic optical axis deflection angle
`8 for correcting the basic optical axis deflection angle
`AGo to a greater value when the entrance position of
`A60 to a greater value when the entrance position of
`the corner has been sensed by the corner position sens
`the corner has been sensed by the corner position sens-
`ing section 7, and also for correcting the basic optical
`ing section 7, and also for correcting the basic optical
`axis deflection angle AGo to a smaller value when the
`axis deflection angle A80 to a smaller value when the
`exit position of the corner has been sensed. The comput
`exit position of the corner has been sensed. The comput-
`ing section 5, the corner position sensing section 7, and
`ing section 5, the corner position sensing section 7, and
`the correcting section 8 constitute the control unit 9. To
`the correcting section 8 constitute the control unit 9. To
`the input terminal of the computing section 5, output
`the input terminal of the computing section 5, output
`signals from the vehicle speed sensor 2 and the handle
`signals from the vehicle speed sensor 2 and the handle-
`
`60
`60
`
`45
`45
`
`55
`55
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`According to the present invention there is provided
`According to the present invention there is provided
`a headlight optical axis deflection control apparatus for
`a headlight optical axis deflection control apparatus for
`motorcycles comprising a vehicle speed sensing means;
`motorcycles comprising a vehicle speed sensing means;
`a handlebar turning angle sensing means; means for
`a handlebar turning angle sensing means; means for
`50
`computing a turning radius for the vehicle from the
`computing a turning radius for the vehicle from the
`50
`vehicle speed and the handlebar turning angle sensed by
`vehicle speed and the handlebar turning angle sensed by
`said aforementioned sensing means, and computing
`said aforementioned sensing means, and computing
`from said turning radius a basic optical axis deflection
`from said turning radius a basic optical axis deflection
`angle at which the headlight illuminates a turning line;
`angle at which the headlight illuminates a turning line;
`an optical axis control means for deflecting the optical
`an optical axis control means for deflecting the optical
`axis of said headlight on the basis of said basic optical
`axis of said headlight on the basis of said basic optical
`axis deflection angle; a corner position sensing means
`axis deflection angle; a comer position sensing means
`for sensing, from the running state of the vehicle, in
`for sensing, from the running state of the vehicle, in
`which position of entrance, midway and exit the vehicle
`which position of entrance, midway and exit the vehicle
`is present; and a correcting means for correcting said
`is present; and a correcting means for correcting said
`basic optical axis deflection angle to a greater value
`basic optical axis deflection angle to a greater value
`when the entrance position of a corner has been sensed
`when the entrance position of a corner has been sensed
`by said corner position sensing means, and for correct
`by said corner position sensing means, and for correct-
`ing said basic optical axis deflection angle to a smaller
`ing said basic optical axis deflection angle to a smaller
`value when the exit position of the corner has been
`value when the exit position of the corner has been
`sensed.
`sensed.
`In the aforementioned headlight apparatus for motor
`In the aforementioned headlight apparatus for motor-
`cycles, the computing means computes the turning ra
`cycles, the computing means computes the turning ra-
`
`65
`65
`
`

`
`5
`
`15
`15
`
`20
`20
`
`4,870,545
`4,870,545
`4
`4
`3
`3
`rider's view in the vicinity of the midway position 32,
`bar turning angle sensor 3 as well as an output signal
`rider’s view in the vicinity of the midway position 32,
`bar turning angle sensor 3 as well as an output signal
`from the throttle sensor 10 are transmitted.
`that is, a View 35 in the vicinity of the exit of the comer
`that is, a view 35 in the vicinity of the exit of the corner
`from the throttle sensor 10 are transmitted.
`12, are illuminated by the headlight 4.
`12, are illuminated by the headlight 4.
`The operation of the above-described first embodi
`The operation of the above-described first embodi-
`When the answer at Step 411 is “Yes”, that is, when
`When the answer at Step 411 is “Yes”, that is, when
`ment of the present invention is explained with refer
`ment of the present invention is explained with refer-
`ence to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, fixed
`the vehicle is under acceleration, the corner position
`the vehicle is under acceleration, the corner position
`ence to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, fixed
`sensing section 7 outputs to the correcting section 8 a
`time interruption is effected (Step 401); the handlebar
`sensing section 7 outputs to the correcting section 8 a
`time interruption is effected (Step 401); the handlebar
`signal which, as shown in FIG. 3, denotes that the vehi
`turning angle sensor 3 senses the handlebar turning
`signal which, as shown in FIG. 3, denotes that the vehi-
`turning angle sensor 3 senses the handlebar turning
`cle is near the exit position 33 of the corner 12. The
`angle, Gag (Step 402); the vehicle speed sensor 2 senses
`cle is near the exit position 33 of the comer 12. The
`angle, Gag (Step 402); the vehicle speed sensor 2 senses
`correcting section 8, in turn, outputs to the computing
`the vehicle speed, VSP (Step 403); the computing sec
`correcting section 8, in turn, outputs to the computing
`the vehicle speed, VSP (Step 403); the computing sec-
`10
`section 5 a corrected value (—a) for correcting the
`tion 5 computes the turning radius R (R =K.VSP/€ag)
`section 5 a corrected value (—a) for correcting the
`10
`tion 5 computes the turning radius R (R =K.VsP/Gag)
`aforementioned basic optical deflection angle A60 to a
`of the vehicle from the vehicle speed VSP, and the han
`aforementioned basic optical deflection angle A90 to a
`of the vehicle from the vehicle speed Vsp, and the han-
`smaller value (Step 413). In consequence, the comput
`dlebar turning angle, ag (Step 404); and computes, from
`smaller value (Step 413). In consequence, the comput-
`dlebar turning angle, ag (Step 404); and computes, from
`ing section 5 outputs the optical axis deflection angle,
`the turning radius R, the basic optical deflection angle,
`ing section 5 outputs the optical axis deflection angle,
`the turning radius R, the basic optical deflection angle,
`A6(A6= A60 —a), to the optical axis control motor 6
`AGo, at which the headlight illuminates the turning line
`A6(AG=A9o ——oL), to the optical axis control motor 6
`A90, at which the headlight illuminates the turning line
`(Step 414). At this time the optical axis 4a of the head
`11 (See FIG. 3) (Step 405); and this optical axis deflec
`(Step 414). At this time the optical axis 4a of the head-
`11 (See FIG. 3) (Step 405); and this optical axis deflec-
`light 4, as shown in FIG. 3, turns through the aforemen
`tion angle AGo is outputted (Step 406).
`light 4, as shown in FIG. 3, turns through the aforemen-
`tion angle A60 is outputted (Step 406).
`tioned optical axis deflection angle A63(AG = Aeo —a)
`Thereafter, a gear position sensor, which is not illus
`tioned optical axis deflection angle A6(A6=AGo —a)
`Thereafter, a gear position sensor, which is not illus-
`from the tangential direction 33a of the turning line 11
`trated, senses the gear position (Step 407), and a throttle
`from the tangential direction 330 of the turning line 11
`trated, senses the gear position (Step 407), and a throttle
`at the above-mentioned exit position 33, inwardly in the
`sensor 10 senses the accelerator opening, 6TH (Step
`at the above-mentioned exit position 33, inwardly in the
`sensor 10 senses the accelerator opening, 9TH (Step
`direction of turn, to the direction 33b so that the rider’s
`direction of turn, to the direction 33b so that the rider's
`408). The vehicle speed computing section (not illus
`408). The vehicle speed computing section (not illus-
`view 36 in the vicinity of the entrance position 33 is
`view 36 in the vicinity of the entrance position 33 is
`trated), which is a part of the aforementioned corner
`trated), which is a part of the aforementioned corner
`position sensing section 7, computes the vehicle speed,
`illuminated by the headlight 4. At the conclusion of the
`illuminated by the headlight 4. At the conclusion of the
`position sensing section 7, computes the vehicle speed,
`procedure the aforementioned optical axis deflection
`VSP', from the gear position and the accelerator open
`procedure the aforementioned optical axis deflection
`Vsp’, from the gear position and the accelerator open-
`angle A6 is reset at Step 415.
`ing, 67H (Step 409). The corner position sensing section
`angle A9 is reset at Step 415.
`ing, 97;; (Step 409). The corner position sensing section
`25
`A headlight control apparatus for motorcycles ac
`A headlight control apparatus for motorcycles ac-
`7 determines whether or not the vehicle speed, VSP, is
`7 determines whether or not the vehicle speed, Vsp’, is
`25
`cording to a second embodiment of the present inven
`greater than the accelerator opening BTH, at Step 410
`cording to a second embodiment of the present inven-
`greater than the accelerator opening 9171, at Step 410
`tion is described with reference to FIG. 5. The second
`and whether or not the vehicle speed, Vsp', is smaller
`tion is described with reference to FIG. 5. The Second
`and whether or not the vehicle speed, Vsp’, is smaller
`embodiment differs from the first embodiment de-
`than the accelerator opening, 6TH, at Step 411. Com
`embodiment differs from the first embodiment de
`than the accelerator opening, 97;], at Step 411. Com-
`scribed in the method by which sensing is effected by
`parison between the vehicle speed, VSP', and the accel
`scribed in the method by which sensing is effected by
`parison between the vehicle speed, V512’, and the accel-
`30
`the aforementioned corner position sensing section 7 of
`erator opening 6TH, is made at a voltage value corre
`the aforementioned corner position sensing section 7 of
`30
`erator opening 971;, is made at a voltage value corre-
`the entrance, midway and exit positions of the corner,
`sponding to each value, for example.
`the entrance, midway and exit positions of the corner,
`sponding to each value, for example.
`but is identical to the first embodiment in other respects.
`but is identical to the first embodiment in other respects.
`When an answer is “Yes” at Step 410, that is, when
`When an answer is “Yes” at Step 410, that is, when
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart explaining the steps of operation
`the engine brake is on, the corner position sensing sec
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart explaining the steps of operation
`the engine brake is on, the corner position sensing sec-
`of the second embodiment. Steps 501 to 506 in this
`tion 7 outputs to the correcting section 8 a signal which
`of the second embodiment. Steps 501 to 506 in this
`tion 7 outputs to the correcting section 8 a signal which
`35
`drawing are effected in a manner similar to that of Steps
`denotes that the vehicle is near the entrance position 31
`drawing are effected in a manner similar to that of Steps
`denotes that the vehicle is near the entrance position 31
`35
`401 to 406 in the FIG. 4 embodiment as described
`of the corner 12 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, which, in
`401 to 406 in the FIG. 4 embodiment as described
`of the corner 12 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, which, in
`above. As shown in the flowchart, the handlebar turn-
`turn, outputs to the computing section 5 (Step 412) a
`above. As shown in the flowchart, the handlebar turn
`turn, outputs to the computing section 5 (Step 412) a
`ing angle set value computing section (not illustrated)
`corrected value (+o) for correcting the aforesaid basic
`corrected value (+a) for correcting the aforesaid basic
`ing angle set value computing section (not illustrated)
`which is a part of the aforesaid corner position sensing
`optical axis deflection angle AGo to a greater value.
`which is a part of the aforesaid corner position sensing
`optical axis deflection angle A60 to a greater value.
`section 7 computes the handlebar turning angle set
`Consequently, the computing section 5 outputs the opti
`section 7 computes the handlebar turning angle set
`Consequently, the computing section 5 outputs the opti-
`value, Gag', which is a function of the vehicle speed,
`cal axis deflection angle, A6(A6=AGo +o), to the
`value, Gag’, which is a function of the vehicle speed,
`cal axis deflection angle, AG(A6=A6o +0.), to the
`VSP'(Step 507), outputting the handlebar turning angle
`optical axis control motor 6 (Step 414). At this time, the
`Vsp’(Step 507), outputting the handlebar turning angle
`optical axis control motor 6 (Step 414). At this time, the
`set value, Gag' (Step 508). This handlebar turning angle
`optical axis 4a of the headlight 4, as shown in FIGS. 2
`set value, Gag’ (Step 508). This handlebar turning angle
`optical axis 4a of the headlight 4, as shown in FIGS. 2
`set value, Gag’, is used to determine whether or not the
`and 3, turns inwardly in the direction of turn through
`set value, Bag’, is used to determine whether or not the
`and 3, turns inwardly in the direction of turn through
`45
`vehicle, after passing the entrance position of the cor
`the above-mentioned optical axis deflection angle
`vehicle, after passing the entrance position of the cor-
`the above-mentioned optical axis deflection angle
`45
`ner, has entered a midway position, that is whether or
`ner, has entered a midway position, that is whether or
`A6(A6=AGo +a), from the tangential direction 31a
`A9(A6=A9o +a), from the tangential direction 31a
`not the vehicle is turning a corner.
`not the vehicle is turning a corner.
`to the direction 31b of the turning line 11 at the above
`to the direction 31b of the turning line 11 at the above-
`At Step 509, is determined whether or not the handle
`mentioned entrance position 31. Therefore, the head
`mentioned entrance position 31. Therefore, the head-
`At Step 509, is determined whether or not the handle-
`bar turning angle, Gag, is greater than the handlebar
`light 4 illuminates the rider's range of visibility near the
`bar turning angle, Bag, is greater than the handlebar
`light 4 illuminates the rider’s range of visibility near the
`50
`turning angle set value Öag'. When the answer is nega
`entrance position 31, that is, the range of visibility near
`turning angle set value Gag’. When the answer is nega-
`entrance position 31, that is, the range of visibility near
`50
`tive (No), the corner position sensing section 7 outputs
`tive (No), the corner position sensing section 7 outputs
`the apex of the corner 12.
`the apex of the corner 12.
`to the correcting section 8 a signal which denotes that
`When the answer at Step 410 is “No”, proceed to the
`to the correcting section 8 a signal which denotes that
`When the answer at Step 410 is “No”, proceed to the
`the vehicle is present in the vicinity of the entrance
`aforementioned Step 411, and when the answer at Step
`the vehicle is present in the vicinity of the entrance
`aforementioned Step 411, and when the answer at Step
`position 31 and the correcting section 8 will, in turn,
`411 is “No”, that is, when the engine brake is off and the
`411 is “No”, that is, when the engine brake is off and the
`position 31 and the correcting section 8 will, in turn,
`output to the computing section 5 a corrected value
`vehicle is not accelerated, the corner position sensing
`vehicle is not accelerated, the comer position sensing
`output to the computing section 5 a corrected value
`(+o) to correct the aforementioned basic optical axis
`section 7 outputs to the correction section 8 a signal
`(+oL) to correct the aforementioned basic optical axis
`section 7 outputs to the correction section 8 a signal
`deflection angle AGo to a greater value (Step 510). As a
`which indicates that, as shown at 32 in FIG. 3, the
`which indicates that, as shown at 32 in FIG. 3, the
`deflection angle A60 to a greater value (Step 510). As a
`result, therefore, the computing section 5 outputs the
`vehicle is near the midway position of the corner 12. At
`result, therefore, the computing section 5 outputs the
`vehicle is near the midway position of the corner 12. At
`optical axis deflection angle, A6(A6= Aëo +d), to the
`this time, the correction section 8 outputs a corrected
`this time, the correction section 8 outputs a corrected
`optical axis deflection angle, AG(AG= A60 +00, to the
`60
`value 0 to the computing section 5. Consequently, the
`optical axis control motor 6 similarly to the case of the
`optical axis control motor 6 similarly to the case of the
`value 0 to the computing section 5. Consequently, the
`computing section 5 outputs the optical axis deflection
`aforesaid first embodiment (Step 511).
`aforesaid first embodiment (Step 511).
`computing section 5 outputs the optical axis deflection
`angle, AB(A6= Aeo), to the optical axis control motor
`When the answer at Step 509 is affirmative (Yes), that
`When the answer at Step 509 is affirmative (Yes), that
`angle, A9(A9= A60), to the optical axis control motor
`is, when the vehicle is rounding a corner, the above
`6 (Step 414). At this time, the optical axis 4a of the
`is, when the vehicle is rounding a corner, the above-
`6 (Step 414). At this time, the optical axis 4a of the
`headlight 4, as shown in FIG. 3, turns inwardly in the
`described throttle sensor 10 senses the accelerator open-
`described throttle sensor 10 senses the accelerator open
`headlight 4, as shown in FIG. 3, turns inwardly in the
`65
`ing, 6TH (Step 512), and, effecting a fixed time interrup
`direction of turn through the aforementioned optical
`direction of turn through the aforementioned optical
`ing, 97-H(Step 512), and, effecting a fixed time interrup-
`65
`axis deflection angle, A6(A6= Aëo) from the tangen
`tion, senses a variation, AGTH, (AGTH = 67H (m)
`tion, senses a variation, A9711,
`(AGTH =97}; (In)
`axis deflection angle, A9(A9=A9o) from the tangen-
`–6TH (m – 1)), of the accelerator opening 6TH which
`tial direction 32a to the direction 32b of the turning line
`tial direction 32a to the direction 32b of the turning line
`-613 (m -1)), of the accelerator opening 97;; which
`11 at the aforesaid midway position 32 Therefore, the
`is the difference between the accelerator opening, 6TH
`is the difference between the accelerator opening, 917;
`11 at the aforesaid midway position 32 Therefore, the
`
`55
`55
`
`

`
`5
`5
`
`15
`15
`
`25
`25
`
`4,870,545
`4,870,545
`6
`5
`6
`5
`(m – 1), previously sensed by the fixed time interrup
`control means operatively connected to said motor
`control means operatively connected to said motor-
`(m —— 1), previously sensed by the fixed time interrup-
`cycle headlight for deflecting the optical axis of
`tion and the accelerator opening, GTH (m), sensed this
`cycle headlight for deflecting the optical axis of
`tion and the accelerator opening, em (m), sensed this
`said headlight in accordance with the computed
`time (Step 513), thus determining whether or the not the
`time (Step 513), thus determining whether or the not the
`said headlight in accordance with the computed
`basic optical axis deflection angle;
`variation, AGTH, of the accelerator opening, 6TH (Step
`basic optical axis deflection angle;
`'
`variation, A9711, of the accelerator openin