United States Patent [19]
`Jones
`
`||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
`US005426571A
`[11] Patent Number:
`5,426,571
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Jun. 20, 1995
`
`[54] MOTORCYCLE HEADLIGHT AIMING
`DEVICE
`[76] Inventor: Jerry Jones, 202 Albion Ct., Novato,
`Calif. 94947
`[21] Appl. No.: 29,767
`[22] Filed:
`Mar. 11, 1993
`[51] Int. Cl." ................................................ B62J 6/00
`[52] U.S. Cl. ........................................ 362/72; 362/66;
`362/286
`[58] Field of Search ..................... 362/66, 72, 71, 285,
`362/286, 287, 284
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,939,339 2/1976 Alphen ............................... 240/62.2
`4,024,388 5/1977 Skoff ....
`... 240/7.55
`4,075,469 2/1978 Alphen .................................. 362/72
`4,868,720 9/1989 Miyauchi et al. ...
`. 362/72 X
`4,870,545 9/1989 Hatanaka et al. ..................... 362/72
`4,922,390 5/1990 Nakazawa et al. ................... 362/72
`5,217,087 6/1993 Ikegami et al. ................... 362/72 X
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`62-96148 5/1987 Japan .
`
`Primary Examiner—Stephen F. Husar
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`A device which determines the direction and amount of
`tilt, lean, bank, or attitude of a vehicle relative to the
`road surface by means of one or more sensors which
`measure the return time of emitted energy reflected
`from the road surface. Vehicle attitude information is
`used to move, correct, adjust, or otherwise alter prese
`lected vehicle parts or functions according to a prede
`termined combination of computer paradigms and me
`chanical linkages. This process can be used to adjust the
`headlight beam orientation in order to better illuminate
`the forward path of the vehicle. The headlight beam
`may be further adjusted according to information on
`vehicle speed and changes thereof. The Motorcycle
`Headlight Aiming Device may be used to aim a camera
`which is mounted to a banking vehicle. Bank angle data
`may also be used to switch off a turn signal mechanism,
`and to limit engine power at extreme angles of bank.
`Engine power may also be limited when sensor data
`indicates front wheel lift-off.
`-
`
`7 Claims, 25 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`MICROPROCESSOR
`
`SL Corporation v. Adaptive Headlamp Technologies, Inc.
`
`
`
`SL Corp. Exhibit 1043
`Case IPR2016-00193
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 1 of 25
`Sheet 1 of 25
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`5,426,571
`5,426,571
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`1
`
`FIG.
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 2 of 25
`Sheet 2 of 25
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`5,426,571
`5,426,571
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`FIG. 2
`FIG. 2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 3 of 25
`Sheet 3 of 25
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`5,426,571
`5,426,571
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`MICROPROCESSOR
`
` MICROPROCESSOF?
`
`FIG. J.
`FIG. 3
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 4 of 25
`Sheet 4 of 25
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`F|G. 4.
`FIG.
`4
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 5 of 25
`Sheet 5 of 25
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`FIG.5
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`§
`400
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`390
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 6 of 25
`Sheet 6 of 25
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`32
`«32
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`39G
`390
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`40d
`400
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`FIG. 6
`FIG. 6
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 7 of 25
`Sheet 7 of 25
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`F.C. 7
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 8 of 25
`Sheet 8 of 25
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`FIG.8
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 9 of 25
`Sheet 9 of 25
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`5,426,571
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 10 of 25
`Sheet 10 of 25
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` MICROPROCESSOR
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`MICROPROCESSOR
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`
`
`F|G. 1 O
`FIG. 10
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 11 of 25
`Sheet 11 of 25
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`55
`55
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`56
`56
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`53
`53
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`FIG. 1
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 12 of 25
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`F|G. 12
`FIG. 12
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 13 of 25
`Sheet 13 of 25
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`FIG. 13
`FIG. 13
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 14 of 25
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`F|G. 14.
`FIG. 14
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`5,426,571
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`FIG.15
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 16 of 25
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`F.C. 16
`FIG. 16
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 17 of 25
`Sheet 17 of 25
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 18 of 25
`Sheet 18 of 25
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`F|G. 18
`FIG. 18
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 19 of 25
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`6 ||
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 20 of 25
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 21 of 25
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`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 22 of 25
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`5,426,571
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`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 23 of 25
`Sheet 23 of 25
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 20, 1995
`June 20, 1995
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`Sheet 24 of 25
`Sheet 24 of 25
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`5,426,571
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`5,426,571
`5,426,571
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`

`
`1
`1
`MOTORCYCLE HEADLIGHT AIl\/IING DEVICE
`MOTORCYCLE HEADLIGHT AIMING DEVICE
`
`10
`10
`
`BACKGROUND——FIELD OF INVENTION
`BACKGROUND–FIELD OF INVENTION
`A method of determining the degree of tilt, bank,
`A method of determining the degree of tilt, bank,
`lean, or attitude of a vehicle relative to the road surface,
`lean, or attitude of a vehicle relative to the road surface,
`which makes possible various improvements in vehicle
`which makes possible various improvements in vehicle
`performance, the most significant of which is improved
`performance, the most significant of which is improved
`headlight illumination for motorcycles.
`headlight illumination for motorcycles.
`BACKGROUND--FIELD OF PRIOR ART
`BACKGROUND–FIELD OF PRIOR ART
`When a motorcycle leans or banks into a turn, the
`When a motorcycle leans or banks into a turn, the
`headlight beam fails to adequately illuminate the road
`headlight beam fails to adequately illuminate the road
`ahead for four reasons:
`ahead for four reasons:
`15
`15
`1) HEADLAMP HEIGHT ERROR-banking a
`1) HEADLAMP HEIGHT ERROR-—banking a
`motorcycle physically lowers the headlight. Be
`motorcycle physically lowers the headlight. Be-
`cause the headlight beam is set to tilt downward
`cause the headlight beam is set to tilt downward
`toward the road, lowering the headlight shortens
`toward the road, lowering the headlight shortens
`the range of illumination.
`the range of illumination.
`20
`2) STEERING ANGLE ERROR-motorcycle
`20
`2) STEERING ANGLE ERROR--motorcycle
`headlights are often rigidly mounted on a fairing,
`headlights are often rigidly mounted on a fairing,
`but even when the headlight turns with the front
`but even when the headlight turns with the front
`wheel, the steering angle, or the angle between the
`wheel, the steering angle, or the angle between the
`planes of the two wheels, is not sufficient to turn
`planes of the two wheels, is not sufficient to turn
`25
`the headlight enough to illuminate the roadway in
`25
`the headlight enough to illuminate the roadway in
`the direction of the turn. Instead, the center of the
`the direction of the turn. Instead, the center of the
`beam is tangent to the curve. As the motorcycle
`beam is tangent to the curve. As the motorcycle
`banks, the steering angle points the beam increas
`banks, the steering angle points the beam increas-
`ingly downward, further shortening the range of
`ingly downward, further shortening the range of
`30
`forward illumination.
`30
`forward illumination.
`3) BEAM TILTANGLE ERROR-when the angle
`3) BEAM TILT ANGLE ERROR——when the angle
`of the headlight beam is properly adjusted with the
`of the headlight beam is properly adjusted with the
`vehicle in an upright position by pivoting the head
`vehicle in an upright position by pivoting the head-
`light about a horizontal axis at a right angle to the
`light about a horizontal axis at a right angle to the
`35
`direction of travel, the center of the beam is tilted
`direction of travel, the center of the beam is tilted
`35
`or angled slightly downward, with the top cutoff
`or angled slightly downward, with the top cutoff
`of the high beam aimed toward the horizon in
`of the high beam aimed toward the horizon in
`order to illuminate the road surface ahead. But as
`order to illuminate the road surface ahead. But as
`the motorcycle is banked, this downward beam
`the motorcycle is banked, this downward beam
`angle rotates about an axis defined by the contact
`angle rotates about an axis defined by the contact
`points of the two tires, so that the center of the
`points of the two tires, so that the center of the
`beam is aimed toward the outside of the turn, short-
`beam is aimed toward the outside of the turn, short
`ening the forward range of illumination in the di
`ening the forward range of illumination in the di-
`rection of the turn.
`rection of the turn.
`45
`4) BEAM PATTERNERROR-the headlight beam
`4) BEAM PATTERN ERROR—-the headlight beam
`45
`pattern is a cross section of the headlight beam,
`pattern is a cross section of the headlight beam,
`generally in the shape of a horizontal rectangle
`generally in the shape of a horizontal rectangle
`with a sharply cut upper edge to minimize the light
`with a sharply cut upper edge to minimize the light
`which could shine into the eyes of oncoming driv
`which could shine into the eyes of oncoming driv-
`50
`ers. As a motorcycle turns, the beam pattern tilts
`ers. As a motorcycle turns, the beam pattern tilts
`50
`with the banking motorcycle and is thus cut off too
`with the banking motorcycle and is thus cut off too
`low on the inside of the turn and too high on the
`low on the inside of the turn and too high on the
`outside. This tilted beam pattern not only fails to
`outside. This tilted beam pattern not only fails to
`illuminate the path of the turning motorcycle, it
`illuminate the path of the turning motorcycle, it
`55
`also blinds oncoming drivers in the outside lane.
`also blinds oncoming drivers in the outside lane.
`55
`Various means of correcting these errors have been
`Various means of correcting these errors have been
`proposed, although none are in common use today.
`proposed, although none are in common use today.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,388 (Skoff, May 17, 1977) shows
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,388 (Skoff, May 17, 1977) shows
`a main headlight with fixed supplimentary headlights
`a main headlight with fixed supplimentary headlights
`pointed to either side to illuminate right and left turns,
`pointed to either side to illuminate right and left turns,
`these supplimentary lights being also mounted at a fixed
`these supplimentary lights being also mounted at a fixed
`angle of rotation about their beam axes so as to roughly
`angle of rotation about their beam axes so as to roughly
`correct for beam pattern error. The lights are controlled
`correct for beam pattern error. The lights are controlled
`by a pendulum switch comprising a quantity of mercury
`by a pendulum switch comprising a quantity of mercury
`65
`in a U-shaped tube transversely mounted on the motor
`in a U-shaped tube transversely mounted on the motor-
`65
`cycle. This method of determining the direction and
`cycle. This method of determining the direction and
`angle of bank depends on the rider moving from side to
`angle of bank depends on the rider moving from side to
`side in a turn. Although this is done in racing, where the
`side in a turn. Although this is done in racing, where the
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`rider’s padded knee is often extended to contact the
`rider’s padded knee is often extended to contact the
`road surface at the inside of the turn for added stability,
`road surface at the inside of the turn for added stability,
`in normal riding the rider's center of gravity remains
`in normal riding the rider’s center of gravity remains
`aligned with the plane of the motorcycle, thus there
`aligned with the plane of the motorcycle, thus there
`would be no effect on the pendulum switch. Moreover,
`would be no effect on the pendulum switch. Moreover,
`Skoff’s drawings show the mercury level displaced in a
`Skoffs drawings show the mercury level displaced in a
`direction opposite to that which would occur if the
`direction opposite to that which would occur if the
`rider were leaning inward.
`rider were leaning inward.
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,339 (Alphen, May 17, 1976) de
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,339 (Alphen, May 17, 1976) de-
`scribes a means of correcting for beam pattern error
`scribes a means of correcting for beam pattern error
`only, using a cam system to detect the direction of han
`only, using a cam system to detect the direction of han-
`dlebar rotation and a sprung weight to indicate the
`dlebar rotation and a sprung weight to indicate the
`degree of bank by measuring the amount by which the
`degree of bank by measuring the amount by which the
`centrifugal force of a banked turn moves the weight
`centrifugal force of a banked turn moves the weight
`toward the tire contact point. This movement causes
`toward the tire contact point. This movement causes
`the headlight to rotate about the beam axis in a direction
`the headlight to rotate about the beam axis in a direction
`determined by handlebar rotation. Clearly, this mecha
`determined by handlebar rotation. Clearly, this mecha-
`nism is extremely susceptible to the influence of bumps
`nism is extremely susceptible to the influence of bumps
`and to rises and falls in the road surface. Moreover,
`and to rises and falls in the road surface. Moreover,
`centrifugal force at low speeds would be insufficient to
`centrifugal force at low speeds would be insufficient to
`rotate the light, and handlebar movement would be
`rotate the light, and handlebar movement would be
`insufficient to activate the cam-operated gear change
`insufficient to activate the cam-operated gear change
`illustrated at high vehicle speeds.
`illustrated at high vehicle speeds.
`The Japanese Laid Open Patent Number Sho.
`The Japanese Laid Open Patent Number Sho.
`62-96148 (Kitamura et al., 1987) derives a headlight
`62-96148 (Kitamura et al., 1987) derives a headlight
`pivot angle from the degree of bank and speed of the
`pivot angle from the degree of bank and speed of the
`motorcycle, and rotates the headlamp along the optical,
`motorcycle, and rotates the headlamp along the optical,
`or beam axis by an amount equal and opposite to the
`or beam axis by an amount equal and opposite to the
`bank angle in order to keep the rectangular beam pat
`bank angle in order to keep the rectangular beam pat-
`tern horizontal. This design, as in aircraft instrumenta
`tern horizontal. This design, as in aircraft instrumenta-
`tion, uses a gyroscope to measure the bank angle. How
`tion, uses a gyroscope to measure the bank angle. How-
`ever, headlight beam rotation based on a true horizontal
`ever, headlight beam rotation based on a true horizontal
`orientation will not work well on banked turns, intro-
`orientation will not work well on banked turns, intro
`ducing a tilt angle error in the opposite direction to that
`ducing a tilt angle error in the opposite direction to that
`of a conventional motorcycle headlight, thus blinding
`of a conventional motorcycle headlight, thus blinding
`oncoming drivers in the inside lane.
`oncoming drivers in the inside lane.
`Moreover, Kitamura shows a device where the head-
`Moreover, Kitamura shows a device where the head
`light pivot axis banks with the motorcycle, increasing
`light pivot axis banks with the motorcycle, increasing
`the steering angle error, which tends to aim the beam
`the steering angle error, which tends to aim the beam
`further downward as the motorcycle banks. In addition
`further downward as the motorcycle banks. In addition
`to the gyro motor, two servomotors are required to
`to the gyro motor, two servomotors are required to
`move the headlight, one controlling the rotation about
`move the headlight, one controlling the rotation about
`the beam axis, the other controlling the movement
`the beam axis,
`the other controlling the movement
`about the pivot axis.
`about the pivot axis.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,545 (Hatanaka, et al., Sep. 26,
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,545 (Hatanaka, et al., Sep. 26,
`1989) expands on the Japanese patent cited above by
`1989) expands on the Japanese patent cited above by
`determining whether the vehicle is entering a turn, in
`determining whether the vehicle is entering a turn, in
`which case the headlight is pivoted further to the inside
`which case the headlight is pivoted further to the inside
`to illuminate the apex of the turn, or whether the vehi
`to illuminate the apex of the turn, or whether the vehi-
`cle is exiting a turn, in which case the beam pivot angle
`cle is exiting a turn, in which case the beam pivot angle
`is reduced to better illuminate the straightaway follow
`is reduced to better illuminate the straightaway follow-
`ing the turn. This determination is the product of a
`ing the tum. This determination is the product of a
`complex microprocessor program combining data on
`complex microprocessor program combining data on
`vehicle speed, throttle position, gear position and steer
`vehicle speed, throttle position, gear position and steer-
`ing angle from a variety of sensors. Although the ad
`ing angle from a variety of sensors. Although the ad-
`justment of headlight aim based on the position of the
`justment of headlight aim based on the position of the
`motorcycle in the turn may be useful, the means de
`motorcycle in the turn may be useful, the means de-
`scribed are unnecessarily complicated.
`scribed are unnecessarily complicated.
`In order to avoid the cost and complexity of a gyro
`In order to avoid the cost and complexity of a gyro-
`scopic bank detector, Hatanaka uses a steering angle
`scopic bank detector, Hatanaka uses a steering angle
`measuring device, calculating the angle of bank from
`measuring device, calculating the angle of bank from
`information on steering angle and vehicle speed. Note
`information on steering angle and vehicle speed. Note
`that both Alphen and Hatanaka use some means to
`that both Alphen and Hatanaka use some means to
`detect or measure the steering angle in order to deter
`detect or measure the steering angle in order to deter-
`mine the direction or degree of bank. Although the
`mine the direction or degree of bank. Although the
`angle of bank can be accurately derived from the steer
`angle of bank can be accurately derived from the steer-
`ing angle and speed in a sustained curve, this method
`ing angle and speed in a sustained curve, this method
`
`

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`gives momentary false results whenever a turn is begun,
`gives momentary false results whenever a turn is begun,
`DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`because in initiating a turn it is necessary first to turn the
`because in initiating a turn it is necessary first to turn the
`front wheel in a direction opposite to the direction of
`FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a fixed-pin embodiment
`front wheel in a direction opposite to the direction of
`FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a fixed-pin embodiment
`of the Motorcycle Headlight Aiming Device.
`the turn in order to move the tire contact points to one
`the turn in order to move the tire contact points to one
`of the Motorcycle Headlight Aiming Device.
`FIG. 2 is a cross-section longitudinally bisecting the
`side of the vehicle's center of gravity, causing the vehi
`side of the vehicle’s center of gravity, causing the vehi-
`FIG. 2 is a cross-section longitudinally bisecting the
`Motorcycle Headlight Aiming Device of FIG. 1.
`cle to tilt or bank about a longitudinal axis which inter
`Motorcycle Headlight Aiming Device of FIG. 1.
`cle to tilt or bank about a longitudinal axis which inter-
`sects the center of gravity. In fact, when negotiating a
`FIG. 3 is a head-on perspective view of a faired mo
`FIG. 3 is a head—on perspective View of a faired mo-
`sects the center of gravity. In fact, when negotiating a
`torcycle, showing the location of two distance sensors.
`series of S curves in which the motorcycle is continu
`torcycle, showing the location of two distance sensors.
`series of S curves in which the motorcycle is continu-
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of key elements of the
`ally banking from one side to the other, any measure
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of key elements of the
`ally banking from one side to the other, any measure-
`10
`fixed-pin embodiment of the Motorcycle Headlight
`ment of bank angle based on steering angle will be
`10
`fixed-pin embodiment of the Motorcycle Headlight
`ment of bank angle based on steering angle will be
`Aiming Device at three angles of bank.
`wrong almost half the time, rendering any lighting com
`Aiming Device at three angles of bank.
`wrong almost half the time, rendering any lighting com-
`FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an alternate fixed-pin
`pensation thus derived dangerously inaccurate.
`FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an alternate fixed-pin
`pensation thus derived dangerously inaccurate.
`embodiment of the Motorcycle Headlight Aiming De
`embodiment of the Motorcycle Headlight Aiming De-
`OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
`OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
`vice with the rear cowling not included.
`vice with the rear cowling not included.
`FIG. 6 is a cross section longitudinally bisecting the
`The Motorcycle Headlight Aiming Device is unique
`FIG. 6 is a cross section longitudinally bisecting the
`The Motorcycle Headlight Aiming Device is unique
`Motorcycle Headlight Aiming Device of FIG. 5 with
`Motorcycle Headlight Aiming Device of FIG. 5 with
`in that the angle and direction of bank are determined
`in that the angle and direction of bank are determined
`the rear cowling included.
`the rear cowling included.
`by one or more electronic distance sensors measuring
`by one or more electronic distance sensors measuring
`FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of key elements of the
`FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of key elements of the
`the distance to the road surface on one or both sides of
`the distance to the road surface on one or both sides of
`alternate fixed-pin embodiment of the Motorcycle
`alternate fixed-pin embodiment of the Motorcycle
`the vehicle. The output from the sensor(s) is fed into a
`the vehicle. The output from the sensor(s) is fed into a
`Headlight Aiming Device at three angles of bank.
`20
`microprocessor circuit which computes the direction
`microprocessor circuit which computes the direction 20 Headlight Aiming Device at three angles °f bank‘
`FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a movable-pin embodi
`FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a movable-pin embodi-
`and angle of bank relative to the road surface; thus the
`and angle of bank relative to the road surface; thus the
`ment of the Motorcycle Headlight Aiming Device with
`ment of the Motorcycle Headlight Aiming Device with
`headlight beam can be rotated about a longitudinal, or
`headlight beam can be rotated about a longitudinal, or
`the rear cowling not included.
`the rear cowling not included.
`beam, axis so as to ensure that the rectangular beam
`beam, axis so as to ensure that the rectangular beam
`FIG. 9 is a cross section longitudinally bisecting the
`FIG. 9 is a cross section longitudinally bisecting the
`pattern remains parallel to the road surface at all times,
`pattern remains parallel to the road surface at all times,
`25
`Motorcycle Headlight Aiming Device of FIG. 8 with
`25
`Motorcycle Headlight Aiming Device of FIG. 8 with
`regardless of the degree to which the road is banked.
`regardless of the degree to which the road is banked.
`the rear cowling included.
`the rear cowling included.
`In addition, in the Motorcycle Headlight Aiming
`In addition,
`in the Motorcycle Headlight Aiming
`FIG. 10 is a side view of a motorcycle rear wheel
`FIG. 10 is a side view of a motorcycle rear wheel
`Device the headlight pivot axis rotates with the head
`Device the headlight pivot axis rotates with the head-
`assembly showing the location of a single distance sen
`assembly showing the location of a single distance sen-
`light assembly. Because the pivot axis therefore remains
`light assembly. Because the pivot axis therefore remains
`sor, a speed sensor, and a perforated ring mounted to
`sor, a speed sensor, and a perforated ring mounted to
`perpendicular or normal to the road surface at any
`perpendicular or normal to the road surface at any
`30
`the rear brake disk.
`the rear brake disk.
`30
`angle of bank, the swept angle of the beam remains
`angle of bank, the swept angle of the beam remains
`FIG. 11 is a rear view of the speed sensor shown in
`FIG. 11 is a rear View of the speed sensor shown in
`parallel to the road surface as the headlight assembly
`parallel to the road surface as the headlight assembly
`FIG. 10.
`FIG. 10.
`pivots as necessary to illuminate the curve ahead.
`pivots as necessary to illuminate the curve ahead.
`FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of key elements of the
`FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of key elements of the
`The bank sensor data may be used to control a bank
`The bank sensor data may be used to control a bank
`movable-pin embodiment of the Motorcycle Headlight
`movable-pin embodiment of the Motorcycle Headlight
`warning signal, an engine power limiter to reduce the
`35
`warning signal, an engine power limiter to reduce the
`Aiming Device showing the relationship of these ele
`35
`Aiming Device showing the relationship of these ele-
`risk of skidding at extreme angles of bank as well as
`risk of skidding at extreme angles of bank as well as
`ments at two pin positions and at three angles of bank.
`ments at two pin positions and at three angles of bank.
`preventing front wheel liftoff under extreme accelera
`preventing front wheel liftoff under extreme accelera-
`FIG. 13 is a cross section longitudinally bisecting the
`FIG. 13 is a cross section longitudinally bisecting the
`tion, and an automatic turn signal control which shuts
`tion, and an automatic turn signal control which shuts
`coil and alternator embodiment of the Motorcycle
`coil and alternator embodiment of the Motorcycle
`off the turn signal whenever the motorcycle returns to
`ofi‘ the turn signal whenever the motorcycle returns to
`Headlight Aiming Device.
`Headlight Aiming Device.
`an upright position.
`an upright position.
`FIG. 14 is a side view of an alternator mounted out-
`FIG. 14 is a side view of an alternator mounted out
`The bank sensor data may also be used in combina
`The bank sensor data may also be used in combina-
`board of a motorcycle gearbox sprocket.
`board of a motorcycle gearbox sprocket.
`tion with vehicle speed data inputed to a microproces
`tion with vehicle speed data inputed to a microproces-
`FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view of a parallel linkage
`FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view of a parallel linkage
`sor circuit which controls the headlight aim more pre
`sor circuit which controls the headlight aim more pre-
`headlight assembly mount, with broken lines indicating
`headlight assembly mount, with broken lines indicating
`cisely, allowing the use of a more narrowly focused
`cisely, allowing the use of a more narrowly focused
`an alternate position.
`an alternate position.
`beam, giving a brighter beam at any given wattage.
`45
`beam, giving a brighter beam at any given wattage.
`FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a ball-jointed mova
`FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a ball-jointed mova-
`45
`Hatanaka’s goal of an additional beam pivot adjustment
`Hatanaka’s goal of an additional beam pivot adjustment
`ble-pin embodiment of the Motorcycle Headlight Aim
`ble-pin embodiment of the Motorcycle Headlight Aim-
`for entering and exiting a turn is realized in several
`for entering and exiting a turn is realized in several
`ing Device.
`ing Device.
`embodiments of the Motorcycle Headlight Aiming De
`embodiments of the Motorcycle Headlight Aiming De-
`FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of key elements of the
`FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of key elements of the
`vice using a variety of simple inertial and pneumatic
`vice using a variety of simple inertial and pneumatic
`ball-jointed movable-pin embodiment of the Motorcy
`ball-jointed movable-pin embodiment of the Motorcy-
`means.
`50
`cle Headlight Aiming Device showing the relationship
`Inteans.
`50
`cle Headlight Aiming Device showing the relationship
`A further advantage of the Motorcycle Headlight
`A further advantage of the Motorcycle Headlight
`of these elements at two pin positions and at three an
`of these elements at two pin positions and at three an-
`Aiming Device is that, in many embodiments, rotation
`Aiming Device is that, in many embodiments, rotation
`gles of bank.
`gles of bank.
`along the beam axis mechanically pivots the beam at a
`along the beam axis mechanically pivots the beam at a
`FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a ball-jointed fixed
`FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a ball-jointed fixed-
`predetermined angle about the pivot axis. Thus the
`predetermined angle about the pivot axis. Thus the
`pin embodiment of the Motorcycle Headlight Aiming
`pin embodiment of the Motorcycle Headlight Aiming
`55
`Device.
`headlight movement is powered by only one motor.
`headlight movement is powered by only one motor.
`Device.
`55
`Although some embodiments have a second motor
`Although some embodiments have a second motor
`FIG. 19 is an exploded view of a vane and linkage
`FIG. 19 is an exploded view of a vane and linkage
`which compensates for variation in vehicle speed and
`embodiment of the Motorcycle Headlight Aiming De
`which compensates for variation in vehicle speed and-
`embodiment of the Motorcycle Headlight Aiming De-
`vice.
`/or acceleration-deceleration, this second motor would
`/or acceleration-deceleration, this second motor would
`Vice.
`require far less power and would therefore be more
`require far less power and would therefore be more
`FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a ball-jointed em
`FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a ball-jointed em-
`compact and less expensive. In other embodiments the
`compact and less expensive. In other embodiments the
`bodiment of the Motorcycle Headlight Aiming Device
`bodiment of the Motorcycle Headlight Aiming Device
`function of the second motor is effected pneumatically,
`using a piston to position the movable pin.
`function of the second motor is effected pneumatically,
`using a piston to position the movable pin.
`or by a simple electric coil. A further embodiment uses
`or by a simple electric coil. A further embodiment uses
`FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional view of the piston and
`FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional view of the piston and
`a selectively switched array of fixed headlamps,
`a selectively switched array of fixed headlamps,
`movable pin detail of the embodiment illustrated in
`movable pin detail of the embodiment illustrated in
`FIG. 20.
`wherein the switch is controlled by the unique bank
`wherein the switch is controlled by the unique bank
`FIG. 20.
`65
`angle measuring means described above.
`angle measuring means described above.
`FIG. 21 is a longitudinal cross-section of an electri
`FIG. 21 is a longitudinal cross-section of an electri-
`65
`Further objects and advantages of my invention will
`cally operated air bleed valve.
`Further objects and advantages of my invention will
`cally operated air bleed valve.
`become apparent from a consideration of the drawings
`FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a wind operated air
`become apparent from a consideration of the drawings
`FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a wind operated air
`bleed valve.
`and ensuing description.
`'
`and ensuing description.
`-
`bleed valve.
`
`

`
`10
`10
`
`l5
`15
`
`20
`20
`
`25
`25
`
`30
`30
`
`35
`35
`
`5,426,571
`5,426,571
`5
`5
`80 pin carriage
`FIG. 23 is a schematic view showing key elements of
`FIG. 23 is a schematic view showing key elements of
`80 pin carriage
`81 link
`a Watts linkage embodiment of the Motorcycle Head
`a Watts linkage embodiment of the Motorcycle Head-
`81 link
`light