Ulllted States Patent [19]
`Speak et al.
`
`[54] ADJUSTABLE HEADLIGHTS, HEADLIGHT
`ADJUSTING AND DIRECTION SENSING
`CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF
`ADJUSTING HEADLIGHTS
`
`[76] Inventors, Justin R_ Speak; Michael J_ Barnes,
`both of 5843 Dudley, Taylor, Mich
`48180
`
`[21] AppL NO‘, 751,504
`
`NOV- 18, 1996
`
`Filed:
`[22]
`Int. cLe
`[51]
`[52] US. Cl.
`
`B60Q 1/076
`362/37 362/66- 362/71
`’
`’ 362/46
`362/37 40 66
`[58] Field of Search
`362/71, 419, 420, 423, 287, 4127:4255
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U'S' PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,118,765 10/1978 Atsuchi
`4,217,627
`8/1980 Toimita et a1. ..
`4,293,893 10/1981 TsuZuki et a1. ..
`
`
`4,858,080 5,099,400
`8/1989 Oikawa 3/1992 Lee
`
`5,416,465
`5/1995 Lin
`5,580,148 12/1996 L180
`5,588,733 12/1996 Gotou
`
`362/384
`362/71
`~- 362/38
`" 362/61
`
`362/37
`362/37
`
`US005868488A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,868,488
`Feb. 9, 1999
`
`Primary Examiner—Thomas M. Sember
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Joseph N. BreauX
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An adjustable headlight and headlight adjusting direction
`sensing control system Which incrementally adjusts the Y
`axis of an automobile headlight in accordance With the
`vehicle turning direction and adjusts the X aXis in accor
`dance With the hood orientation in relation to the road
`topography. Amethod for adjusting the X axis and Y aXis of
`the adjustable headlights for enhancing the illumination of
`the ehehgihg ferwerd reed tePegrePhY The e‘hemehhe
`heedhght and the heedhght adjusting and dheeheh Seheihg
`control system comprises a pair of adjustable headlights, a
`pair of Servomotors Systems’ ?rst Sensor’ Second Sensor and
`microprocessor. The adjustable headlights are coupled to a
`pair of servomotors of one of the servomotor systems for
`adjusting the adjustable headlights along its X aXis orY aXis
`in accordance With the output signals from the micropro
`cessor. The microprocessor is further coupled to the ?rst
`Sensor for determining Whether the Vehicle is turning left or
`right and adjusting the adjustable headlights and the second
`sensor for determining the hood orientation based on the
`road topography and adjusting the adjustable headlights
`along is X aXis.
`
`2 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`Page 1 of 10
`
`BMW 1009
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 9, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 of4
`
`5,868,488
`
`FIG.1
`
`Page 2 of 10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 9, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 of4
`
`5,868,488
`
`Page 3 of 10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 9, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 of4
`
`5,868,488
`
`0M .QI
`
`Page 4 of 10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 9, 1999
`
`Sheet 4 0f 4
`
`5,868,488
`
`SUPPLY ENERGY /52
`TO COMPONENTS
`
`55
`I
`MONITOR /
`SENSORS
`
`TURNING LEET
`OR RIGHT?
`55
`
`SWITCH
`67 OR 67'
`CLOSED?
`
`NO
`
`570
`
`CALCULATE
`LEFT OR RIGHT
`ADJUSTMENT
`FACTOR
`
`CALCULATE
`UP OR DOWN
`ADJUSTMENT
`FACTOR
`
`ROTATE
`HEADLIGHT
`FRAME
`To
`OR/G/NAL
`POSITION
`
`/56
`SENO CONTROL
`S/CNAL
`
`ROTATE
`INTER/OR
`FRAME
`51 1/
`MEMBER
`57
`,
`TO
`gg'SG/TIYQ’ATJ ROTATE INTER/OR / ROTATE HEADLIGHT
`FRAME MEMBER / FRAME MEMBER
`512
`L
`I
`
`SEND CONTROL
`SIGNAL
`
`573
`
`58
`
`574
`
`DEENERGIZE COMPONENTS /515
`
`Page 5 of 10
`
`

`
`1
`ADJUSTABLE HEADLIGHTS, HEADLIGHT
`ADJUSTING AND DIRECTION SENSING
`CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF
`ADJUSTING HEADLIGHTS
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to automobile headlights,
`headlight adjusting and direction sensing control system and
`a method for adjusting automobile headlights, and more
`particularly, to adjustable headlights and headlight adjusting
`and direction sensing control system Which incrementally
`adjusts the Y axis of the adjustable headlights in accordance
`With the vehicle turning direction and adjusts the X axis in
`accordance With the hood orientation in relation to the road
`topography. The present invention further relates to a
`method for adjusting the X axis and the Y axis of adjustable
`headlights thereby enhancing the illumination of the chang
`ing forWard road topography.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Typically, automobile headlights are mounted on the front
`end of an automotive vehicle body. These lights are station
`ary and only illuminate the road surface directly straight
`ahead based on an illumination angle of the headlights.
`Since the automobile headlights illuminate the surface
`straight ahead proportionate to the illumination angle, as the
`road curves, the automobile headlights do not adequately
`illuminate the road surface immediately to the left or right in
`relation to the curved road. Henceforth, an obstruction
`immediately to the left or right may not be illuminated and
`a driver of the vehicle may not have enough time to
`maneuver the vehicle aWay from the obstruction thereby
`potentially causing an accident. Furthermore, a driver may
`not be abreast of the topography of the road and sharper
`curves are extremely haZardous.
`Moreover, When a vehicle travels up or doWn a mountain
`or hill, stationary headlights do not adequately illuminate the
`upWard or doWnWard sloping road topography thereby hin
`dering the visual capability of the driver of the vehicle.
`To overcome the above aforementioned problems, several
`automobile headlight systems have been patented Which are
`aimed at automobile headlights and headlight adjusting
`systems.
`The knoWn vehicle headlight and headlight adjusting
`apparatuses do not address the need for adjustable headlights
`and headlight adjusting and direction sensing control system
`Which incrementally adjusts the Y axis of the adjustable
`headlights in accordance With the vehicle turning direction
`and adjusts the X axis in accordance With the hood orien
`tation in relation to the road topography. The present inven
`tion further addresses the need for a method for adjusting the
`X axis and the Y axis of adjustable headlights thereby
`enhancing the illumination of the changing forWard road
`topography.
`
`25
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`
`45
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`55
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The preferred embodiment of the present invention solves
`the aforementioned problems in a straight forWard and
`simple manner. What is provided is adjustable headlights
`and headlight adjusting and direction sensing control system
`Which incrementally adjusts the Y axis of the adjustable
`headlights in accordance With the vehicle turning direction
`and adjusts the X axis in accordance With the hood orien
`tation in relation to the road topography. Further provided is
`a method for adjusting the X axis and the Y axis of
`
`65
`
`5,868,488
`
`2
`adjustable headlights thereby enhancing the Illumination of
`the changing forWard road topography.
`In operation, the adjustable headlight and the headlight
`adjusting and direction sensing control system for use in a
`vehicle comprises at least one means for illuminating having
`an X axis and a Y axis; a ?rst sensor means for detecting a
`turning direction of said vehicle; a second sensor means for
`detecting a hood orientation in relation to the road topog
`raphy; and at least one control means for rotating the at least
`one illuminating means on said X axises in response to said
`second sensor means and rotating said at least one illumi
`nating means on said Y axises in response to said ?rst sensor
`means.
`In vieW of the above, it is an object of the present
`invention to provide adjustable headlights and headlight
`adjusting and direction sensing control system for adjusting
`the at least one means for illuminating along its Y axis as a
`vehicle turns left or right thereby reducing the risk of a
`potential accident When a vehicle proceeds around a sharp
`curvature of the road topography.
`It Is a further object of the present invention to provide
`such adjustable headlights Which are simple in construction
`and easily rotatable for altering the illumination angle
`thereof.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`adjustable headlights and headlight adjusting and direction
`sensing control system for adjusting the at least one means
`for illuminating along its X axis in relation to the hood
`orientation in accordance With road topography for enhanc
`ing the illumination of the upWard or the doWnWard road
`topography of a hill or mountain.
`It is thus an object of the invention to provide a sensor
`means for detecting the hood orientation and a sensor means
`for detecting the turning direction of a vehicle Which are
`simple in construction.
`It is a further object of the invention to provide adjustable
`headlights and headlight adjusting and direction sensing
`control system that is easily adaptable and attachable for use
`in all manufactured automobiles or vehicles.
`It is a still further object of the invention to provide
`adjustable headlights and headlight adjusting and direction
`sensing control system that reduces poWer consumption and
`poWer drains on a conventional vehicle battery or other
`suitable energy generator.
`The above objects and other features of the present
`invention Will become apparent from the draWings, the
`description given herein, and the appended claims.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`For a further understanding of the nature and objects of
`the present invention, reference should be had to the fol
`loWing detailed description, taken in conjunction With the
`accompanying draWings, in Which like elements are given
`the same or analogous reference numbers and Wherein:
`FIG. 1 illustrates the adjustable headlights and the head
`light adjusting and direction sensing control system of the
`preferred embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 illustrates the headlight rotation control means and
`a partial vieW of an adjustable headlight of the embodiment
`of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3a illustrates an exploded back vieW of the adjust
`able headlight structure of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3b illustrates a vieW of a plate for ?xedly securing
`the frame rotation rods of the interior frame member and the
`headlight frame member of the adjustable headlight struc
`ture of the embodiment of FIG. 3a;
`
`Page 6 of 10
`
`

`
`3
`FIG. 4 illustrates a front vieW of an alternative embodi
`ment of an adjustable headlight structure, assembled, of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 5 illustrate a schematic diagram of the sensor means
`for detecting the hood orientation in relation to the road
`topography of the embodiment of FIG. 1; and
`FIG. 6 is a How chart of the method for adjusting the X
`axis and Y axis of the present invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY
`EMBODIMENT
`Referring noW to the draWings, and in particular FIG. 1,
`a schematic diagram of adjustable headlights and headlight
`adjusting and direction sensing control system of the present
`invention is shoWn. The adjustable headlights and the head
`light adjusting and direction sensing control system is des
`ignated generally by the numeral 10 and is generally com
`prised of steering Wheel 12, gear shaft 14, gear box 15, front
`Wheel axil rod 16, front end frame structure 19, stationary
`headlights 50 and 50‘ and system microprocessor 18. Steer
`ing Wheel 12, gear shaft 14, front Wheel axle rod 16, front
`end frame structure 19 and stationary headlights 50 and 50‘
`are conventional components manufactured by knoWn auto
`mobile and\ or vehicle manufacturers. HoWever, stationary
`headlights 50 and 50‘ are slightly moved left or right from
`their original position thereby facilitating the placement of
`adjustable headlight structures 30 and 30‘.
`Adjustable headlights and headlight adjusting apparatus
`and direction sensing control system 10 further comprises
`sensor means 17, sensor means 60, adjustable headlight
`structures 30 and 30‘ and tWo headlight rotating control
`means 20 and 20‘. Gear box 15 is interfaced With sensor
`means 17 for detecting the turning direction of the vehicle in
`accordance With the rotation direction of steering Wheel 12.
`In the exemplary embodiment, sensor means 17 is a rotary
`digital generator Which produces digital square Waves When
`steering Wheel 12 is turned left or right. Nevertheless, sensor
`means 17 is not limited to only a rotary digital generator.
`System microprocessor 18 couples to the output of sensor
`means 17 via Wiring (not shoWn) and processes the output
`signals therefrom. System microprocessor 18 in turn calcu
`lates a left or a right adjustment factor incrementally for
`adjustable headlight structures 30 and 30‘ for rotating the
`illumination angle about the Y axis. Speci?cally, as the
`vehicle turns left, sensor means 17 detects When the vehicle
`is turning left. The output signals of sensor means 17 is
`processed by system microprocessor 18. System micropro
`cessor 18 sends the incrementally calculated left adjustment
`factor control signal to the tWo headlight rotating control
`means 20 and 20‘. Henceforth, adjustable headlight struc
`tures 30 and 30‘ are incrementally rotated left in synchro
`nism thereby rotating the illumination angle left Within the
`range of 0 degrees to 90 degrees, incrementally, With 0
`degrees being the original position and 90 degrees being the
`maximum amount of rotation.
`Accordingly, as the vehicle turns right, the adjustable
`headlight structures 30 and 30‘ are incrementally rotated
`right in synchronism. System microprocessor 18 sends the
`incrementally calculated right adjustment actor control sig
`nal to the tWo headlight rotating control means 20 and 20‘.
`Henceforth, adjustable headlight structures 30 and 30‘ are
`incrementally rotated right in synchronism thereby rotating
`the illumination angle right Within the range of 0 degrees to
`90 degrees, incrementally, With 0 degrees being the original
`position and 90 degrees being the maximum amount of
`rotation. Henceforth, the forWard road along a curve or
`
`10
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`15
`
`25
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`35
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`45
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`55
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`65
`
`5,868,488
`
`4
`corner is illuminated, in accordance With the rotated illumi
`nation angle. Since headlight rotating control means 20 and
`20‘ are identical, it Will be necessary to describe only one
`such headlight rotating control means in detail.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of headlight rotat
`ing control means 20. Headlight rotating control means 20
`comprises X axis servomotor 21, Y axis servomotor 22,
`Wiring means 23, ?rst shaft 24, second shaft 25, X axis
`rotation control mechanism 26 and Y axis rotation control
`mechanism 27. Wiring means 23 couples to system micro
`processor 18 (FIG. 1) and to the inputs of X axis servomotor
`21 and Y axis servomotor 22, respectively. X axis servomo
`tor 21 and Y axis servomotor 22 have coupled thereto ?rst
`rotating shaft 24 and second rotating shaft 25, respectively.
`First rotating shaft 24 and second rotating shaft 25 have
`coupled thereto X axis rotation control mechanism 26 and Y
`axis rotation control mechanism 27, respectively.
`Accordingly, as X axis servomotor 21 operates to rotate ?rst
`rotating shaft 24, X axis rotation control mechanism 26
`rotates interior frame member 34 from 0 degrees to 90
`degrees based on the left or right adjustment factor thereby
`rotating the illumination angle proportionately. On the other
`hand, as Y axis servomotor 22 operates to rotate second
`rotating shaft 25, Y axis rotation control mechanism 27
`rotates headlight frame member 31 from 0 degrees to 90
`degrees based on the upWard or doWnWard adjustment factor
`thereby rotating the illumination angle proportionately.
`Interior frame member 34 has formed therein a recess for
`housing therein X axis rotation control mechanism 26.
`Headlight frame 37 has formed therein a recess for housing
`therein Y axis rotation control mechanism 27.
`Since each of adjustable headlight structures 30 and 30‘
`are identical, it Will be necessary to describe only one such
`adjustable headlight structure in detail. FIG. 3 illustrates an
`exploded back vieW of adjustable headlight structure 30.
`Adjustable headlight structure 30 comprises exterior frame
`member 31, interior frame member 34, headlight frame
`member 37 and Illuminating means housing 40. Exterior
`frame member 31 is shaped substantially rectangularly and
`comprises legs 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d. Legs 31a and 31b
`have formed therein semi-cylindrical recesses 33 and 33‘,
`respectively. Additionally, exterior frame member 31 has
`formed therein a plurality of hole pairs Wherein one hole of
`a hole pair is located just above recess 33 and the other hole
`of said hole pair is located just beloW recess 33.
`Additionally, one hole of another hole pair is located just
`above recess 33‘ and the other hole of said another hole pair
`is located just beloW recess 33‘. Each hole of the plurality of
`hole pairs is formed to receive therein a screW (not shoWn)
`or other suitable means of securing.
`The outer perimeter of the front face of exterior frame
`member 31 has ?xed coupled thereto a plurality of support
`connectors 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e, 32f, and 32g for con
`necting exterior frame member 31 to the front end of She
`vehicle. Each of support connectors 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e,
`32f, and 32g have formed therein a recess for receiving a bolt
`or other suitable attachment mechanism for securing support
`connectors 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e, 32f, and 32g to the front
`end of the vehicle. Although, support connectors 32a—32g
`are shoWn, the number of support connectors is not limited
`to ?ve support connectors. Preferably, there are an even
`number of connectors such as 2, 4, 6, 8, etc., Wherein the
`number of connectors is a function of the siZe and shape of
`exterior frame member 31.
`interior frame member 34 is shaped substantially rectan
`gularly and dimensioned such that the outer perimeter of
`
`Page 7 of 10
`
`

`
`5,868,488
`
`5
`interior fame member 34 is slightly smaller than the inner
`perimeter of exterior frame member 31. Interior frame
`member 34 comprises legs 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d Wherein
`legs 34c and 34d have formed therein semi-cylindrical
`recesses 35 and 35‘, respectively. Additionally, interior
`frame member 34 has formed therein a plurality of hole pairs
`Wherein one hole of a hole pair is located just to the right of
`recess 35 and the other hole of a hole pair is located just to
`the left of recess 35. Additionally, one hole of another hole
`pair is located just to the right of recess 35‘ and the other hole
`of said another hole pair is located just to the left of recess
`35‘. Each hole of the plurality of hole pairs is formed to
`receive therein a screW (not shoWn) or other suitable means
`of securing. Interior frame member 34 further comprises
`frame rotation rods 36 and 36‘ coupled centrally to the
`exterior side surface of legs 34a and 34b, respectively, Which
`matingly couple into recesses 33 and 33‘, respectively, for
`rotation therein. Proximate to frame rotation rod 36, leg 34a
`has formed therein is an aperture 43 for receiving therein
`?rst rotating shaft 24 (FIG. 2).
`Headlight frame member 37 is shaped substantially rect
`angularly and dimensioned such that the outer perimeter of
`headlight frame member 37 is slightly smaller than the inner
`perimeter of interior frame member 34. Headlight frame
`member 37 comprises legs 37a, 37b, 37c and 37d. Headlight
`frame member 37 further comprises frame rotation rods 39
`and 39‘ coupled centrally to the top surface on leg 37c and
`centrally to the bottom surface of leg 37d, respectively,
`Which matingly couple into recesses 35 and 35‘, respectively,
`for rotation therein. Proximate to frame rotation rod 39‘, the
`back surface area of illuminating means housing 40 has
`formed therein an aperture 44 for receiving therein second
`rotating shaft 25 (FIG. 2). Headlight frame member 37 has
`?xedly coupled to the interior surface thereof illuminating
`means housing 40.
`Illuminating means housing 40 comprises connector plug
`38 centrally located on the back surface area of illuminating
`means housing 40 for connection to an electrical outlet
`provided in the front end of the vehicle. When connector
`plug 38 is coupled to the electrical outlet, energy ?oWs
`through connector plug 38 to the light ?xture (not shoWn),
`thereby illuminating said light ?xture.
`In the exemplary embodiment, the overall shape of adjust
`able headlight structure 30 is substantially rectangular.
`Nonetheless, adjustable headlight structure 30 may be modi
`?ed to be substantially circular in shape by equally modi
`fying the shape of exterior frame member 31, interior frame
`member 34 and headlight frame member 37. Accordingly,
`adjustable headlight structure 30 may be of any shape that
`Will provide the desired illumination angle for illuminating
`the road topography. Additionally, the exemplary
`embodiment, illustrates tWo separate structures for adjust
`able headlight structures 30 and 30‘ and stationary structures
`50 and 50‘. Nevertheless, adjustable headlights 30 and 30‘ of
`the present invention may be unitarily formed together With
`stationary headlight 50 and 50‘ Wherein stationary headlights
`50 and 50‘ Will not have their illumination angle rotated.
`FIG. 3b illustrates a vieW of a plate for ?xedly securing
`the frame rotation rods of the interior frame member and the
`headlight frame member of adjustable headlight structure 30
`and 30‘. Adjustable headlight structures 30 and 30‘ comprise
`a plurality of plates 45. Since each of plates 45 are identical,
`it Will be necessary to describe only one such plate in detail.
`Plate 45 has a centrally located semi-cylindrical curvature
`for mating connection to frame rotation rods 36 and 36‘ and
`39 and 39‘ and proportionate to recesses 33 and 33‘ and 35
`and 35‘. The top and bottom surface areas each have formed
`
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`65
`
`6
`therein holes With matingly couple to said hole pairs of
`exterior frame member 31 and said hole pairs of interior
`Frame member 34. The Width of plate 45 is limited to the
`Width of the legs 31a and 31b of exterior frame member 31
`and legs 34c and 34d of interior frame member 31, such that
`plate 45 does not in any Way inhibit the rotation of interior
`frame member 34 or headlight frame member 37.
`Nevertheless, plate 45 is coupled to exterior frame member
`31 and interior frame member 34 via said screWs (not
`shoWn) or other suitable means for securing.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a front vieW of an alternative embodi
`ment of adjustable headlight structure 30”, assembled.
`Adjustable headlight structures 30, 30‘ and 30” further
`comprise headlight glass front 42 for passing therethrough
`the illumination of the light ?xture (not shoWn). Headlight
`glass front 42 in combination With the light ?xture and
`illuminating means housing 40 are hereinafter referred to as
`a means for illuminating. The means for illuminating is
`designed to have an illumination angle. In the alternative
`embodiment, interior frame member 34‘ rotates about the Y
`axis and headlight frame member 37‘ rotates about the X
`axis; henceforth, as the interior frame member 34‘ rotates
`about the Y axis and headlight frame member 37‘ rotates
`about the X axis, said means for illuminating is adjusted on
`its X axis and its Y axis for adjusting the position of the
`illumination angle. In the alternative embodiment, said X
`axis and Y axis servomotors are sWitched accordingly, as
`Well as, the placement of said frame rotation rods (as
`shoWn).
`FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of sensor means 60.
`Sensor means 60 comprises doWnWard detection sWitch 61
`and upWard detection sWitch 61‘, sWitch contacts 62 and 62‘,
`encapsulating housings 63 and 63‘, electrical Wires means 64
`and 64‘ and mounting bracket 66. Mounting bracket 66
`couples to front end frame member Mounting bracket 66 is
`a side vieW of mounting bracket 66. Mounting bracket 66
`comprises an aperture (not shoWn) for receiving therein a
`bolt or other suitable securing means. Preferably, doWnWard
`detection sWitch 61 and upWard detection sWitch 61‘ are
`mercury sWitches. Since doWnWard detection sWitch 61 and
`upWard detection sWitch 61‘ are identical in structure only
`one such detection sWitch Will be described in detail. DoWn
`Ward detection sWitch 61 and sWitch contact 62 are encased
`in encapsulating housing 63. Electrical Wires 64 coupled to
`sWitch contact 62 and doWnWard detection sWitch 61,
`respectively, for delivering control detection signals to sys
`tem microprocessor 18 (FIG. 1).
`DoWnWard detection sWitch 61 and upWard detection
`sWitch 61‘ differ only in that doWnWard detection sWitch 61
`detects if the hood is pointed in a doWnWard direction When
`the vehicle Is on a sloping road topography, such as a
`mountain or hill. On the other hand, upWard detection sWitch
`61‘ detects if the hood of the vehicle is pointed in an upWard
`direction When the vehicle is on a sloping road topography,
`such as a mountain or hill. Furthermore, doWnWard detec
`tion sWitch 61 and upWard detection sWitch 61‘ are normally
`in an open position (as shoWn). Alternatively, detection
`sWitches 61 and 61‘ may be normally in the closed position.
`If a vehicle moves in an upWard direction on a sloping
`road topography, such as a mountain or hill, sWitch 61‘
`detects said upWard direction and sWitch 61‘ closes. If a
`vehicle moves in a doWnWard direction on a sloping road
`topography, sWitch 61 detects said doWnWard direction and
`sWitch 61 closes. System microprocessor 18 detects When
`sWitches 61 and 61‘ are closed and calculates a doWnWard or
`a upWard adjustment factor
`The folloWing description Will be directed to the operation
`and method of adjusting headlights of the present invention.
`
`Page 8 of 10
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`Referring noW to FIG. 6, a ?owchart of the method of
`adjusting headlights along the X axis and the Y axis of the
`present invention is shoWn. When the automobile or vehicle
`is in operation, and more speci?cally, When in operation
`during the dusk and night hours or during adverse Weather
`conditions, the user of the vehicle turns the stationary lights
`of the vehicle on. Preferably, When the vehicle turns the
`stationary lights of the vehicle on, similarly the light ?xture
`of adjustable headlight structures 30 and 30‘ should be
`activated and turned on (in step S1) by supplying energy to
`connector plug 38 via a conventional battery or other
`suitable energy generating means. Preferably, the other
`electrical components of the present invention, such as
`system microprocessor 18, servomotor headlight rotating
`control means 20 and 20‘ and sensor means 17 and 60,
`receive energy at the same time (in step S2) for reducing
`poWer consumption and poWer drain on the conventional
`battery or other suitable energy generator. HoWever, during
`manufacturing system microprocessor 18 may be integrated
`With the other control logic components of the vehicle or
`automobile and poWered accordingly.
`Henceforth, if the headlights of the vehicle or automobile
`have been activated and turned on (in step S1) system
`microprocessor 18 monitors the outputs of sensor 17 and
`sensor 60, simultaneously (in step S3). The present inven
`tion adjusts the X axis and the Y axis of the adjustable
`headlight simultaneously. HoWever, based on the destination
`of the vehicle and road topography, the present invention
`need only alter the X axis or Y axis at any given time.
`Accordingly a determination is made Whether the vehicle is
`turning left or right (in step S4) from the output of sensor
`means 17. If the vehicle is turning left adjustable headlight
`structures 30 and 30‘ are rotated left incrementally in relation
`to the calculated left adjustment factor (in step S5) propor
`tionate to the rotation of steering Wheel 12. If the vehicle is
`turning right, adjustable headlight structures 30 and 30‘ are
`rotated right incrementally in relation to the calculated right
`adjustment factor (in step S5) proportionate to the rotation of
`steering Wheel 12. System microprocessor 18 send control
`signals (in step S6) to Y axis servomotor 22. Y axis servo
`motor 22 in turn controls Y axis rotation control mechanism
`27 to rotate interior frame member 34 (in step S7) to the left
`or right based on the calculated left or right adjustment
`factor (in step S5). System microprocessor 18 continuously
`monitors the output of sensor means 17 Wherein after a
`vehicle has turned either right or left and continues along a
`substantially straight road surface, adjustable headlight
`structures 30 and 30‘ are rotated back into their original Y
`axis position (in step S8).
`If the vehicle is traveling up or doWn a mountain or a hill,
`the hood orientation With respect to the road topography is
`directed upWard causing sWitch 61‘ to close or doWnWard
`causing sWitch 61 to close. System microprocessor 18
`detects that 61 or 61‘ has closed (in step S9). System
`microprocessor 18 calculates an up or a doWn adjustment
`factor (in step S10) and sends control signals (in step S11)
`to X axis servomotor. X axis servomotor 21 in turn controls
`X axis rotation control mechanism 26 to rotate headlight
`frame member 37 (in step S12) upWard or doWnWard based
`on the calculated up or doWn adjustment factors. System
`microprocessor 18 continuously monitors the output of
`sensor means 60 Wherein after a vehicle begins to proceed
`on a ?at road topography, sWitch 61 or 61‘ opens again and
`adjustable headlight structures 30 and 30‘ are rotated back
`into their original X axis position (in step S13)
`When it is determined that adjustable headlight structures
`30 and 30‘ are deactivated or turned off (in step S14), said
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`electrical components of the present invention are deacti
`vated (in step S15) thereby reducing poWer consumption and
`poWer drains on the conventional battery or other suitable
`energy generator. OtherWise, if the lights are not turned of
`(in step S14) system microprocessor 18 continuously moni
`tor sensor means 17 and 60 (in step S3).
`It is noted that the embodiment of the adjustable head
`lights the headlight adjusting and direction sensing control
`system and the method of adjusting headlights described
`herein in detail for exemplary purposes is of course subject
`to many different variations in structure, design, application
`and methodology. Because many varying and different
`embodiments may be made Within the scope of the inventive
`concept(s) herein taught, and because many modi?cations
`may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accor
`dance With the descriptive requirements of the laW, it is to be
`understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as
`illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
`What is claimed is:
`1. An adjustable headlight and a headlight adjusting and
`direction sensing control system for use in a vehicle, said
`adjustable headlight and the headlight adjusting and direc
`tion sensing control system comprising:
`at least one means for illuminating having an X axis and
`a Y axis;
`sensor means for detecting a hood orientation in relation
`to the road topography, said sensor means for detecting
`the hood orientation including a plurality of mercury
`sWitches; and
`at least one control means for rotating the at least one
`illuminating means on said X axis in response to said
`sensor means;
`said sensor means for detecting the hood orientation being
`coupled to a front frame structure of the vehicle;
`said at least one illuminating means comprising:
`and exterior frame member;
`an interior frame member rotatably coupled to said
`exterior frame member via a ?rst rotation rod and a
`second rotation rod; and
`a headlight frame structure rotatably coupled to said
`interior frame member via a third rotation rod and a
`fourth rotation rod,
`Wherein as said interior frame member rotates about
`said ?rst rotation rod and said second rotation rod,
`said headlight frame structure is rotated about said X
`axis and as said headlight frame structure rotates
`about said third rotation rod and said fourth rotation
`rod, said headlight frame structure is rotated about
`said Y axis.
`2. An adjustable headlight and a headlight adjusting and
`direction sensing control system for use in a vehicle, said
`adjustable headlight and the headlight adjusting and direc
`tion sensing control system comprising:
`at least one means for illuminating having an X axis and
`a Y axis;
`a ?rst sensor means for detecting a turning direction of
`said vehicle, said ?rst sensor means being coupled to a
`front frame structure of said vehicle;
`a second sensor means for detecting a hood orientation in
`relation to the road topography; and
`at least one control means for rotating the at least one
`illuminating means on said X axis in response to said
`second sensor means and rotating said at least one
`illuminating means on said Y axis in response to said
`?rst sensor means;
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`said at least one illuminating means comprising:
`an exterior frame member;
`an interior frame member rotatably