111111111111101111111111111111MIloplIJR111010110110
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2001/0012206 Al
`Aug. 9, 2001
`(43) Pub. Date: (cid:9)
`Hayami et al. (cid:9)
`
`(54) LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. (cid:9)
`
` 362/464; 362/465
`
`(76) Inventors: Toshihisa Hayami, Shizuoka (JP);
`Hideki Uchida, Shizuoka (JP)
`
`(57) (cid:9)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Correspondence Address:
`SUGHRUE, MION, ZINN, MACPEAK &
`SEAS, PLLC
`2100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
`Washington, DC 20037-3202 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: (cid:9)
`
`09/775,627
`
`(22) Filed: (cid:9)
`
`Feb. 5, 2001
`
`(30) (cid:9)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Feb. 4, 2000 (JP) (cid:9)
`
`2000-28037
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. C1.7 (cid:9)
`
`B60Q 1/00; F21V 21/28
`
`A lighting system for vehicles including a plurality of
`dimmer lamps, a steering sensor, and an electronic control
`unit (ECU). The dimmer lamps are provided at the front of
`a vehicle in its moving direction, and their radiated ranges
`differ from each other and their quantity of light also varies,
`according to the steering angle as sensed by the steering
`sensor. The ECU changes the combination of radiated ranges
`of the lamps to realize light distribution control ahead and
`sideways of a vehicle by turning-on/off the lamps, as well as
`changes the quantity of light of each lamp according to the
`wheel steering angle. The ECU sequentially turns on the
`lamps according to the steering angle and increases the
`corresponding quantity of radiation in proportion to the
`magnitude of the steering angle. Thus, the radiated range
`gradually expands in the vehicle's turning direction and its
`brightness gradually increases.
`
`1 (cid:9)
`
`5(ECU UNIT)
`
`301
`MAIN/SUB
`SELECTOR SWITCH
`STEERING SENSOR I- (cid:9)
`3H
`METEOROLOGICAL
`INFORMATION
`ACQUISITION MEANS
`
`6
`
`4
`
`SPEED SENSOR
`
`40— OSCILLATION
`AUTO
`CIRCUIT
`FL.N.
`HIGHWAY
`
`SUBURBS
`CITY
`MODE
`SELECTOR
`SWITCH
`
`51 (cid:9)
`
`52
`
`SENSOR SIGNAL
`CONVERSION
`CONTROLLER
`
`HEADLAMP
`— CONTROLLER
`
`ACT. (cid:9)
`ACT.
`ACT. (cid:9)
`
`ACT.
`(AC
`ACT. (cid:9)
`
`15
`16
`20
`
`15
`
`20
`
`53
`
`ILLUMINATION
`CONTROL
`UNIT
`
`
`
`
`
`8L
`H-8R
`9L
`F— 9R
`I--10L
`I-10R
`
`Page 1 of 29
`
`BMW 1011
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`171 Jo 1 laaqS
`
`IV 90ZZI00/I0OZ Sfl
`
`------7R
`
`------7L
`
`(cid:9)ACT. 20
`(cid:9) ACT.16
`
`(cid:9) ACT. 15
`
`ILLUMINATION
`
`CONTROL
`
`UNIT
`
`c
`53
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`HEADLAMP
`
`SENSOR SIGNAL
`
`CONTROLLER
`CONVERSION
`
`: -
`
`
`
`SELECTOR
`
`SWITCH
`
`MODE
`
`CITY
`
`I I I (cid:9)•
`
`- 0
`
`SUBURBS
`
`AUTO
`
`HIGHWAY 14-
`CIRCUIT
`
`OSCILLATION
`
`SPEED SENSOR
`
`ACQUISITION MEANS 1 (cid:9)
`
`METEOROLOGICAL
`
`INFORMATION
`
`11
`
`STEERING SENSOR
`
`40
`
`4
`
`6
`
`3
`
`52
`
`51
`
`i
`
`
`
`SELECTOR SWITCH
`
`MAIN/SUB
`
`30
`
`r
`5(ECU UNIT)
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Page 2 of 29
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 9, 2001 Sheet 2 of 14 (cid:9)
`
`US 2001/0012206 Al
`
`FIG. 2
`
`FIG. 3
`
`7
`
`19
`
`18
`
`11
`
`20
`
`21
`
`Page 3 of 29
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 9, 2001 Sheet 3 of 14
`
`US 2001/0012206 Al
`
`FIG. 4(a)
`
`I
`
`FIG. 4(b)
`
`22
`
`B
`
`(VEHICLE MOVING DIRECTION)
`
`FIG. 4(c)
`
`27
`
`Page 4 of 29
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 9, 2001 Sheet 4 of 14 (cid:9)
`
`US 2001/0012206 Al
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Page 5 of 29
`
`

`
`171 Jo S laaqS
`
`IV 90ZZI00/I0OZ Sfl
`
`
`
`0"
` 0
`
`I ,
`
`y Z
`=
`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`-- -
`
`',,,,-r--
`
`__-----
`
`_...41- --
`
`_-
`
`-------
`
`......*........#-
`
`/
`
`0"
`
`0%-
`
`100 %-
`0%
`
`LIGHT AMOUNT
`
`CORNERRING-
`
`LAMP(10)
`
`BENDING-LAMP (9)
`
`LIGHT AMOUNT
`
`.00
`
`100%-
`0% -
`
`100%-
`
`0°
`
`LIGHT AMOUNT
`RAIN LAMP (8)
`
`
`
`180°
`
`100°
`
`60°
`la
`
`47.7
`10° 20° 30° 40°
`
`5° _
`
`LARGE
`
`MEDIUM
`
`SMALL (cid:9)
`
`SMALL
`VERY
`
`HEADLAMP OPTICAL
`
`AXIS ANGLE
`
`STEERING ANGLE
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Page 6 of 29
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 9, 2001 Sheet 6 of 14 (cid:9)
`
`US 2001/0012206 Al
`
`FIG. 7
`(STEERING ANGLE : 0°)
`
`0
`
`FIG. 8
`(STEERING ANGLE :VERY SMALL)
`
`D
`
`0
`
`A8
`
`A7
`
`A7
`
`FIG. 9
`(STEERING ANGLE : SMALL)
`
`FIG. 10
`(STEERING ANGLE : MEDIUM)
`
`A9
`
`FIG. 11
`(STEERING ANGLE : LARGE)
`
`Page 7 of 29
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`171 Jo L laaqS
`
`IV 90ZZI00/I0OZ Sfl
`
`TURN ON
`
`WEATHER
`
`BAD
`
`)
`
`(BOTH SIDES)
`
`X
`
`0
`
`(BOTH SIDES)
`
`0
`
`0
`
`X
`
`X
`
`X
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`(BOTH SIDES)
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0.5° UP
`
`r
`
`
`
`r
`
`CORNERING - RAIN-LAMP CORNERING-
`
`LAMP
`
`LAMP
`
`HEADING -
`
`LAMP
`
`LAMP
`CUT-OFF SHAPE RAIN -
`
`-0
`(180°) (cid:9)
`
`(40°) ----0- 20° (100°) --0- 60°
`
`(30°) -4— 20° (90° -4— 60° (160°)
`10°
`
`10°
`
`► (cid:9)
`
`STEERING ANGLE
`
`CONTROL FOR SUB-BEAM (LOW)
`
`FIG, 12
`
` 5°
`0° — 5°— 40°
`
`ZONE
`DEAD o_ 00 (cid:9)
`
`►
`
`AXIS POSITION (cid:9)
`MAIN OPTICAL
`STEERING ANGLE (cid:9)
`
`00
`
`MORE THAN 90km/h
`HIGH-SPEED DRIVE
`
` 5°
`
`-0- 0°—
`
`ZONE
`DEAD
`
`7°— 40°
`
`0° (cid:9)
`
`0° -0- (cid:9)
`
`AXIS POSITION (cid:9)
`MAIN OPTICAL (cid:9)
`STEERING ANGLE (cid:9)
`
`1.5 DEGREES OUTWARD
`OR LEFT LAMP SHIFTED TO A POSITION
`FIXING MAIN OPTICAL AXISES OF RIGHT
`
`HEAD-LAMP (OPTICAL AXIS CONTROL)
`
`SUBURBS DRIVE
`
`40 - 90km/h
`
`0 - 40km/h
`CITY DRIVE
`
`DRIVING MODE
`
`LAMP NAME
`
`0° (cid:9)
`0° (cid:9)
`
`TURNING OFF
`TURNIN ON
`
`Page 8 of 29
`
`(cid:9)
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`171 Jo 8 laaqS
`
`IV 90ZZI00/I0OZ Sfl
`
`0
`
`0
`
`UP
`
`1.5°
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`UP
`
`1.5°
`
`CORNERING- RAIN-LAMP CORNERING-
`
`LAMP
`
`LAMP
`
` LAMP
`-
`HEADING
`
`LAMP
`CUT-OFF SHAPE RAIN -
`
`(BOTH SIDES)
`
`X
`
`0
`
`(BOTH SIDES)
`
`0
`
`0
`
`X
`
`X
`
`(BOTH SIDES)
`
`X
`
`0
`
`UP
`
`1•5a
`
` 5,
`
`0o
`
`5°— 40°
`
`ZONE ►
`DEAD (cid:9)
`0° (cid:9)
`
`AXIS POSITION u (cid:9)
`MAIN OPTICAL ,, (cid:9)
`STEERING ANGLE (cid:9)
`
`MORE THAN 90km/h
`HIGH-SPEED DRIVE
`
`-IP- 0°— 5°
`
`ZONE
`DEAD
`
`7°— 40°
`
`0° (cid:9)
`
`0° --.-- (cid:9)
`
`AXIS POSITION (cid:9)
`MAIN OPTICAL (cid:9)
`STEERING ANGLE (cid:9)
`
`1.5 DEGREES OUTWARD
`OR LEFT LAMP SHIFTED TO A POSITION
`FIXING MAIN OPTICAL AXISES OF RIGHT
`
`HEAD-LAMP (OPTICAL AXIS CONTROL)
`
`SUBURBS DRIVE
`
`40 - 90km/h
`
`0 - 40km/h
`CITY DRIVE
`
`DRIVING MODE
`
`LAMP NAME
`
`0° (cid:9)
`0° (cid:9)
`
`TURNING OFF
`TURNIN ON
`
`TURN ON
`
`WEATHER
`
`BAD
`
`)
`
`A
`(180°) (cid:9)
`
`(40°) —0- 20° (100°) --0- 60°
`
`(30°) -m— 20° (90°) Al-- 60° (160°)
`10°
`
`10°
`
`► (cid:9)
`
`STEERING ANGLE
`
`CONTROL FOR SUB-BEAM (HIGH)
`
`FIG. 13
`
`Page 9 of 29
`
`(cid:9)
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 9, 2001 Sheet 9 of 14 (cid:9)
`
`US 2001/0012206 Al
`
`FIG. 14
`
`V
`
`FIG. 15
`
`FIG. 16
`
`Page 10 of 29
`
`(cid:9)
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 9, 2001 Sheet 10 of 14 (cid:9)
`
`US 2001/0012206 Al
`
`FIG. 17
`
`8:RAIN LAMP
`
`9:BENDING LAMP
`(\ (cid:9)
`10:CORNERING LAMP
`.
`k,
`"\, '/-------
`›s
`
`0
`
`
`
`STEARING STEARING ANGLE
`
`FIG. 18
`
`PEAK SHIFTING BASED ON
`SHIFT OF WATCHING POINT
`
`GHT AMOUNT
`
`0
`
`FROM CENTER OF VEHICLE
`
`Page 11 of 29
`
`(cid:9)
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 9, 2001 Sheet 11 of 14 (cid:9)
`
`US 2001/0012206 Al
`
`FIG. 19
`(STEERING ANGLE : SMALL)
`
`FIG. 20
`(STEERING ANGLE : MEDIUM)
`
`FIG. 21
`(STEERING ANGLE : LARGE)
`
`Page 12 of 29
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 9, 2001 Sheet 12 of 14 (cid:9)
`
`US 2001/0012206 Al
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`CO
`
`CORNERING LAMP:10
`
`IN1101A1V 1.1-1011
`
`8:RAIN LAMP
`
`Page 13 of 29
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`171 Jo CI 13311S
`
`IV 90ZZI00/I0OZ Sfl
`
`A7
`A7
`
`A7
`A7
`
`A7
`A7
`
`A8
`IIIIIP
`
`II
`
`A9 (cid:9)
`1111P .-- - (cid:9)
`
`‘1
`
`A8
`
`-„ ---- (cid:9)
`-.... (cid:9),
`
`...._ (cid:9)
`
`4.,
`
`A10
`
`A8
`
`A9
`lirk..___
`A8
`
`
`iz....„,•0 (cid:9)
`
`1 .;11.
`A9
`
`ii
`
`A10 A9_/
`
` A8
`
`-416"--
`....._ (cid:9)
`--"P'-' A8
`,--- (cid:9),..........-
`A9 .,----
`
`-°
`
`A7
`
`A7
`A7
`
`A7
`A7
`
`06 A8
`
`A8
`.....- 0,., (cid:9)
`-IN-- .,,fr ,41111111
`
`A9
` (cid:9)
`
`. (cid:9)_
`Iti..
`A9 (cid:9)
`
`11
`NI)
`
` A9
`_......- stimb h
`A8
`....._
`--J---Te' 0,4111--"Ill.' (cid:9)
`9 p (cid:9), 1 I 1 /A i s i i A8
`
`A10
`
`A10
`
`HIGH SPEED
`
`90Km/h
`
`.
`
`MEDIUM SPEED
`
`40-90Km/h
`
`A8 (cid:9)
`
`' (cid:9)
`
`A8
`
`A9
`0 (cid:9)Nip
`"---"
`'-..._
`.fr
`
`,,'
`
`Al
`
`....... (cid:9)
`
`0-40Km/h
`LOW SPEED
`
`illP" (cid:9)
`A9
`
`A10 (cid:9)
`
`RIGHT CARVE DIRECTION
`
`STRAIGHT DIRECTION
`
`FIG. 23
`
`Page 14 of 29
`
`(cid:9)
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 9, 2001 Sheet 14 of 14 (cid:9)
`
`US 2001/0012206 Al
`
`FIG. 24
`9:BENDING LAMP
`8:RAIN LAMP
`
`10:CORNERING
`LAMP
`AgrAdirry
`150
`100
`50 (cid:9)
`STEERING ANGLE
`
`100
`
`LIGHT AMOUNT
`
`100%
`0
`
`l=" CC
`<
`Z 0
`MCC
`Z
`JO
`
`0%
`
`FIG. 25
`
`HIGH MODE
`-'<------MEDIUM MODE
`
`MODE
`
`STEERING ANGLE (deg)
`
`Page 15 of 29
`
`(cid:9)
`

`
`US 2001/0012206 Al (cid:9)
`
`Aug. 9, 2001
`
`1
`
`LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
`
`[0002] The present invention relates to a lighting system,
`for vehicles, that specifies turning-on/off and that also speci-
`fies the quantity of light of a plurality of dimmer lamps with
`radiated ranges that are different from each other, wherein
`the dimmer lamps are provided at the front of a vehicle in its
`moving direction, and further wherein the lighting system
`changes the combination of radiated ranges of said lamps to
`realize light distribution control.
`
`[0003] 2. Related Art
`
`[0004] There is known a lighting system adapted to
`enhance the safety of driving on a winding road at nighttime
`by detecting the steering angle of a vehicle and changing the
`direction of radiation of lamps according to the change in the
`steering angle.
`
`[0005] 3. Problems that the Invention is to Solve
`
`[0006] However, said related art system only performs
`control by continuously changing the direction, of part of the
`radiation, according to the steering angle of a vehicle
`running on a winding road. Thus, it is difficult to provide
`sufficient illumination on road signs, pedestrians, the next
`vehicle ahead, oncoming cars, or obstacles.
`
`[0007] Another related art, as the Japanese Patent Laid-
`Open No. 238576/2000, proposes a lamp apparatus (a light-
`ing system for vehicles) that specifies turning-on and turn-
`ing-off, and the quantity of light, of a plurality of dimmer
`lamps with radiated ranges which are different from each
`other, wherein the dimmer lamps are provided at the front of
`a vehicle in its moving direction, and further wherein the
`lamp apparatus changes the combination of radiated ranges
`of said lamps to realize light distribution control.
`
`[0008] However, the lighting system according to the
`Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 238576/2000 presented
`additional problems that a predetermined lamp, generally a
`lamp on the wheel steering side suddenly comes on during
`driving on a winding road, thus surprising pedestrians. Also,
`in such a system, the driver's view suddenly becomes clear
`in the direction where the vehicle is turning, thus perplexing
`the driver.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0009] The invention, made in view of the problems of the
`above-described related art, aims at providing a lighting
`system for vehicles that controls the direction and range of
`radiation by changing the combination of radiated ranges by
`a plurality of lamps according to the steering angle of a
`vehicle, wherein the lighting system gradually controls the
`increase/decrease in the quantity of light in the radiated area
`by gradually increasing or decreasing the quantity of light of
`the lamps to turn them on or off.
`
`[0010] Manner of Solving the Problems
`
`[0011]
`In the present invention, in order to attain the above
`and other purposes, a lighting system for vehicles according
`to a first aspect of the invention includes:
`
`[0012] a plurality of dimmer lamps provided at the
`front of the vehicle in its moving direction, the lamps
`being disposed on the vehicle so that the radiated
`range of each of the lamps is adjacent to that of
`another in one of right and left directions, wherein
`the quantity of radiation of each lamp is variable;
`[0013] a steering sensor for detecting the steering
`angle of the vehicle; and
`[0014]
`radiation control means for changing the com-
`bination of radiated ranges of the lamps to achieve
`light distribution ahead and sideways of a vehicle by
`specifying turning-on and turning-off of the plurality
`of lamps, and also by specifying the quantity of light
`of each lamp, according to the steering angle as
`detected by the steering sensor,
`[0015] wherein the radiation control means is
`adapted to sequentially turn on lamps having respec-
`tive predetermined radiated ranges ahead, and to the
`side, of a vehicle according to the steering angle as
`detected by the steering sensor, and
`[0016]
`further wherein the radiation control means is
`adapted to increase and decrease the quantity of
`radiation of each lamp according to the steering
`angle.
`[0017] Relative data on the lamps to turn on, and their
`quantity of radiation according to the wheel steering angle is
`preset as tabular data in the radiation means. When the wheel
`is turned, the radiation control means computes the control
`data corresponding to the steering angle data provided by the
`steering sensor and based on said relative data. The radiation
`control means, based on the computed control data, sequen-
`tially turns on lamps having respective predetermined radi-
`ated ranges ahead and to the side of a vehicle according to
`the wheel steering angle.
`[0018]
`In this way, lamps having respective predetermined
`radiated ranges sequentially come on from ahead of a
`vehicle to the steering direction (the vehicle's turning direc-
`tion) according to the wheel steering angle to illuminate the
`vehicle's turning direction. Since the quantity of radiation of
`the lamps that come on increases according to the steering
`angle, the brightness of the radiated range in the vehicle's
`turning direction gradually increases without suddenly
`increasing, thus preventing the driver from being perplexed.
`[0019] In a second aspect of the invention, a lighting
`system for vehicles according to the first aspect of the
`invention is characterized in that said radiation control
`means is further adapted to turn on a first one of the plurality
`of lamps, and then turn on other ones of the plurality of
`dimmer lamps having adjacent radiated ranges while the first
`lamp is still on.
`[0020] Since other lamps having adjacent radiated ranges
`turn on while the first lamp is on, the radiated range is
`seamlessly expanded.
`[0021]
`In a third aspect of the invention, a lighting system
`for vehicles according to the first or second aspect of the
`invention is characterized in that said radiation control
`means is further adapted to turn on a first one of the plurality
`of dimmer lamps, and then to sequentially turn on other ones
`of the plurality of dimmer lamps whose radiated ranges are
`adjacent from right to left while controlling the quantity of
`radiation of the first lamp.
`
`Page 16 of 29
`
`

`
`US 2001/0012206 Al (cid:9)
`
`Aug. 9, 2001
`
`2
`
`[0022] Since the quantity of the adjacent radiated ranges
`increases as the quantity of light in the radiated range of the
`first lamp increases, the radiated range corresponding to the
`area ahead of a vehicle in its moving direction is seamlessly
`expanded in either right or left directions while gradually
`increasing in brightness.
`[0023] In a fourth aspect of the invention, a lighting
`system for vehicles according to either the first or second
`aspects of the invention is characterized in that said radiation
`control means is further adapted to turn on a first one of said
`plurality of dimmer lamps, and then to sequentially turn on
`other ones of said plurality of dimmer lamps whose radiated
`ranges are adjacent from right to left, about at the same time
`as the quantity of radiation of the first lamp is set to a
`maximum.
`[0024] Since the quantity of light of other lamps whose
`radiated ranges are adjacent from right to left increases
`about at the same time as the quantity of radiation of the first
`lamp reaches the maximum, the radiated range correspond-
`ing to the area ahead of a vehicle in its moving direction is
`seamlessly expanded in either right or left directions while
`gradually increasing in brightness.
`[0025]
`In a fifth aspect of the invention, a lighting system
`for vehicles according to any of the first through fourth
`aspects of the invention is characterized in that said radiation
`control means is further adapted to turn on each of the
`plurality of dimmer lamps at respective predetermined steer-
`ing angles, to increase the quantity of radiation of each lamp
`as the steering angle increases, and to maintain, once the
`quantity of radiation of the lamp has reached a predeter-
`mined value, the quantity of radiation of the lamp at the
`predetermined value irrespective of an increase in the steer-
`ing angle.
`[0026] The more the wheel is turned (i.e., the greater the
`steering angle), the radiated range ahead of the steering
`direction becomes brighter and is maintained at a substan-
`tially constant quantity of radiation until the wheel is
`returned to a predetermined steering angle position. This
`makes it easier to detect pedestrians or obstacles.
`[0027]
`In a sixth aspect of the invention, a lighting system
`for vehicles according to any of the first through fourth
`aspects of the invention is characterized in that said radiation
`control means is further adapted to turn on each of the
`plurality of dimmer lamps at respective predetermined steer-
`ing angles, to increase the quantity of radiation of each lamp
`as the steering angle increases, and to lower, once the
`quantity of radiation of the lamp has reached a predeter-
`mined value, the quantity of radiation of the lamp according
`to an increase in the steering angle.
`[0028] Since the quantity of radiation of a lamp having the
`radiated range in the direction corresponding to the wheel
`steering angle (ahead of a vehicle in its moving direction) is
`at the maximum and other lamps have small radiated ranges,
`the area in the vehicle's turning direction is the brightest thus
`providing excellent visibility and reducing power consump-
`tion.
`[0029] In a seventh aspect of the invention, a lighting
`system for vehicles according to any of the first through
`sixth aspects of the invention comprises a vehicle speed
`sensor that detects the speed of the vehicle, characterized in
`that said radiation control means is further adapted to control
`
`the quantity of radiation of said plurality of dimmer lamps
`according to the vehicle speed by controlling the quantity of
`radiation of said plurality of dimmer lamps so that the
`quantity of radiation of the radiated area ahead of a vehicle
`becomes smaller and the quantity of radiation of the radiated
`area sideways of the vehicle becomes larger as the vehicle
`speed becomes lower, and by controlling the quantity of
`radiation of the plurality of dimmer lamps so that the
`quantity of radiation of the radiated area ahead of a vehicle
`becomes larger and the quantity of radiation of the radiated
`area sideways of the vehicle becomes smaller as the vehicle
`speed becomes higher.
`[0030]
`In case control of the radiated area is made accord-
`ing to the wheel steering angle without varying the quantity
`of radiation of lamps, the driver senses a smaller dispersion
`of light responsive to wheel steering when the vehicle speed
`is low. On the other hand, the driver senses a larger disper-
`sion of light responsive to wheel steering when the vehicle
`speed is high. This phenomenon is generally caused because
`the driver's field of view is wider at a lower vehicle speed
`and is narrower at a higher vehicle speed.
`[0031] However, by controlling the quantity of radiation
`of dimmer lamps so that the quantity of radiation of the
`radiated area ahead of a vehicle becomes smaller and the
`quantity of radiation of the radiated area sideways of the
`vehicle becomes larger as the vehicle speed becomes lower,
`and by controlling the quantity of radiation of the dimmer
`lamps so that the quantity of radiation of the radiated area
`ahead of a vehicle becomes larger and the quantity of
`radiation of the radiated area sideways of the vehicle
`becomes smaller as the vehicle speed becomes higher, the
`driver senses a constant dispersion of light responsive to
`wheel steering irrespective of the vehicle speed. Thus, a
`difference in sensing of dispersion of light responsive to
`wheel steering, caused by a difference in the vehicle speed,
`is canceled.
`[0032] In an eighth aspect of the invention, a lighting
`system for vehicles according to any of the first through
`seventh aspects of the invention further comprises an illu-
`mination control mode selector switch for selecting, by a
`plurality of stages, one of a plurality of levels of quantity of
`radiation of all of said plurality of dimmer lamps, wherein
`said radiation control means is further adapted to control the
`quantity of radiation of the plurality of dimmer lamps based
`on the illumination control mode selected via said illumi-
`nation control mode selector switch.
`[0033] For example, it is possible to select the illumination
`control ratio of each lamp between three illumination control
`modes, a high illumination control mode whose maximum
`output is 100 percent, a medium illumination control mode
`whose maximum output is 80 percent, and a low illumina-
`tion control mode whose maximum output is 60 percent. The
`driver selects the low illumination control mode when
`driving in a very bright place where city lights are numerous,
`the high illumination control mode when driving in a very
`dark place such as a mountain road, and the medium
`illumination control mode when driving on a road having
`medium brightness. Thus, it is possible to control the quan-
`tity of radiation of lamps based on a proper illumination
`control mode where the quantity of radiation is not wasted.
`[0034]
`In a ninth aspect of the invention, a lighting system
`for vehicles according to any of the first through eighth
`
`Page 17 of 29
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`
`Aug. 9, 2001
`
`3
`
`aspects of the invention, further comprises a turn signal lamp
`switch, and is characterized in that said radiation control
`means is further adapted to control the quantity of radiation
`of a predetermined one of the plurality of dimmer lamps to
`provide the maximum quantity of radiation of said one lamp
`when the turn signal lamp switch is turned ON, irrespective
`of the wheel steering angle.
`
`[0035] The turn signal lamp switch is turned on some time,
`not immediately, before the vehicle makes a turn. In con-
`nection with the turn signal lamp switch being turned ON,
`the quantity of radiation of a predetermined lamp (a lamp
`that illuminates a predetermined radiated range ahead in the
`vehicle's turning direction) reaches the maximum before
`wheel steering irrespective of the wheel steering angle, thus
`brightly illuminating the area ahead of a vehicle in its
`turning direction.
`
`[0036] In a tenth aspect of the invention, a lighting system
`for vehicles according to any of the first through ninth
`aspects of the invention is characterized in that said lighting
`system for vehicles further comprises variable optical axis
`lamps whose optical axes vary in right and left directions in
`connection with the wheel steering angle.
`
`[0037] By additionally using variable optical axis lamps
`whose optical axes vary in connection with the wheel
`steering angle, a more proper light distribution control
`during driving is achieved.
`
`[0038] That is, using only variable optical axis lamps may
`result in light distribution being interrupted by a mechanical
`driver that drives the optical axis right and left, thus limiting
`the range of light distribution control. On the other hand,
`using only a structure where a plurality of dimmer lamps are
`sequentially turned on via illumination control, said lamps
`having radiating ranges adjacent to each other and said
`structure adapted to vary the quantity of radiation of the
`lamps, does not provide a seamless variation in light distri-
`bution. Thus, by combining both approaches (variable opti-
`cal axis lamps and a plurality of dimmer lamps), it is
`possible to realize a desirable predetermined light distribu-
`tion in terms of driving as well as to vary light distribution
`seamlessly.
`
`[0039] In an eleventh aspect of the invention, a lighting
`system for vehicles according to the tenth aspect of the
`invention is characterized in that said variable optical axis
`lamps are composed of headlamps mainly radiating the area
`ahead of a vehicle, and in that said dimmer lamps are
`composed of auxiliary lamps for illuminating the areas
`ahead of and around a vehicle, wherein the auxiliary lamps
`include: sub lamps for mainly radiating white lines on a road
`or shoulders; sideways radiating lamps having a radiated
`range from diagonally ahead to sideways of a vehicle; and
`lamps for radiating the area in the diagonally forward
`direction having a radiated range located between that of
`said sub lamps and that of said sideways radiating lamps.
`
`[0040] The optical axis of a headlamp (radiated range)
`varies in right and left directions in connection with the
`wheel steering angle, auxiliary lamps having radiated ranges
`corresponding to the steering direction (vehicle's turning
`direction) sequentially come on, and the quantity of radia-
`tion of the auxiliary lamps that come on gradually increases
`according to the steering angle. Thus, the area ahead of a
`vehicle in its moving direction (vehicle's turning direction)
`
`is illuminated brightly and the brightness of the quantity of
`radiation in the vehicle's turning direction does not vary
`suddenly. This approach is thus less perplexing to the driver.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0041] The above and other objects and advantages of the
`present invention will become more apparent by describing
`in detail preferred exemplary embodiments thereof with
`reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like ref-
`erence numerals designate like or corresponding parts
`throughout the several views, and wherein:
`
`[0042] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic
`configuration of a lighting system for vehicles according to
`a first embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0043] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the arrange-
`ment of headlamps and auxiliary lamps (dimmer lamps)
`provided at the front of an automobile;
`
`[0044] FIG. 3 is perspective view showing a configuration
`of the headlamps;
`
`[0045] FIGS. 4(a), (b), and (c) are horizontal sectional
`views showing configurations of the auxiliary lamps (dim-
`mer lamps);
`
`[0046] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the radi-
`ated ranges of headlamps and auxiliary lamps as seen from
`above a vehicle;
`
`[0047] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship
`between the headlamps' optical axes angles to the steering
`angle, and the quantity of light of each dimmer lamp;
`
`[0048] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the radi-
`ated ranges of headlamps and auxiliary lamps as seen from
`above a vehicle (where steering angle is 0);
`
`[0049] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the radi-
`ated ranges of headlamps and auxiliary lamps as seen from
`above a vehicle (where steering angle is very small);
`
`[0050] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the radi-
`ated ranges of headlamps and auxiliary lamps as seen from
`above a vehicle (where steering angle is small);
`
`[0051] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the radi-
`ated ranges of headlamps and auxiliary lamps as seen from
`above a vehicle (where steering angle is medium);
`
`[0052] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the radi-
`ated ranges of headlamps and dimmer lamps as seen from
`above a vehicle (where steering angle is large);
`
`[0053] FIG. 12 is a chart for explaining a control example
`of headlamps and auxiliary lamps used with low beams of
`headlamps;
`
`[0054] FIG. 13 is a chart for explaining a control example
`of headlamps and auxiliary lamps used with high beams of
`headlamps;
`
`[0055] FIG. 14 shows a light distribution pattern for low
`beams of headlamps;
`
`[0056] FIG. 15 shows a light distribution pattern for low
`beams of headlamps;
`
`[0057] FIG. 16 shows a light distribution pattern for high
`beams of headlamps;
`
`Page 18 of 29
`
`

`
`US 2001/0012206 Al (cid:9)
`
`Aug. 9, 2001
`
`4
`
`[0058] FIG. 17 shows the quantity of light of auxiliary
`lamps for the steering angle, according to a second embodi-
`ment of the invention;
`
`[0059] FIG. 18 shows how the peak of the radiated area
`shifts according to the wheel steering angle (as seen by the
`driver);
`
`[0060] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing the radi-
`ated ranges of headlamps and auxiliary lamps (where the
`steering angle is small);
`
`[0061] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the radi-
`ated ranges of headlamps and auxiliary lamps (where the
`steering angle is medium);
`
`[0062] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing the radi-
`ated ranges of headlamps and auxiliary lamps (where the
`steering angle is large);
`
`[0063] FIG. 22 shows the quantity of light of auxiliary
`lamps for the vehicle speed, according to a third embodi-
`ment of the invention;
`
`[0064] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of the radiated
`ranges of headlamps and auxiliary lamps as seen from above
`a vehicle;
`
`[0065] FIG. 24 shows the quantity of light of auxiliary
`lamps according to the steering angle, according to a fourth
`embodiment of the invention; and
`
`[0066] FIG. 25 shows the illumination control ratio of
`auxiliary lamps according to the steering angle, according to
`a fifth embodiment of the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0067] Next, embodiments of the invention will be
`explained based on examples. FIGS. 1 through 16 show a
`lighting system for vehicles (automobiles) as a first embodi-
`ment of the invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing
`the basic configuration of a lighting system for vehicles.
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of
`headlamps and auxiliary lamps (dimmer lamps) provided at
`the front of an automobile. FIG. 3 is perspective view
`showing the configuration of headlamps. FIG. 4 is a hori-
`zontal sectional view showing the configuration of auxiliary
`lamps (dimmer lamps). FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram
`showing the radiated ranges of headlamps and auxiliary
`lamps as seen from above a vehicle. FIG. 6 is a diagram
`showing the relationship between the optical axis angles of
`the headlamps to the steering angle and the quantity of light
`of each dimmer lamp. FIGS. 7 through 11 are schematic
`diagrams showing the radiated ranges of headlamps and
`auxiliary lamps as seen from above a vehicle. FIG. 7
`assumes a steering angle of 0 degrees. FIG. 8 assumes a
`very small steering angle. FIG. 9 assumes a small steering
`angle. FIG. 10 assumes a medium steering angle. FIG. 11
`assumes a large steering angle. FIGS. 12 and 13 are charts
`for explaining control examples of headlamps and auxiliary
`lamps. FIG. 12 shows a control example used when low
`beams of headlamps are formed. FIG. 13 shows a control
`example used when high beams of headlamps are formed.
`FIGS. 14 and 15 show light distribution patterns for low
`beams of headlamps. FIG. 16 shows light distribution
`patterns for high beams of headlamps.
`
`[0068] A lighting system for automobiles 1 is mainly
`composed of headlamps (7L, 7R) provided at the front of a
`vehicle, auxiliary lamps 8 (8L, 8R), 9 (8L, 9R), 10 (10L,
`10R), a steering sensor 3 for detecting the steering angle, a
`vehicle speed sensor 4 for detecting the vehicle speed, a
`main/sub selector switch 30 for switching between the main
`and sub light distribution of headlamps, a radiation control
`mode selector switch 40 for switching between radiation
`states of headlamps 7 and auxiliary lamps 8, 9, 10 according
`to the driving situation (city driving, suburban driving,
`high-speed driving), and an ECU unit (electronic control
`unit with built-in CPU) 5. The ECU acts as radiation control
`means for controlling light distribution of each lamp 7, 8, 9,
`10, based on the information provided by the steering sensor
`3, the vehicle speed sensor 4, the main/sub selector switch
`30, and the radiation control mode selector switch 40.
`
`[0069] Arrangement of the lamps is shown in FIG. 2.
`Headlamps 7 are arranged slightly sideways. Rain lamps 8
`are arranged at positions forward of the headlamps 7. Below
`the rain lamps 8 are arranged bending lamps 9. Below the
`headlamps 7, sideways of a vehicle are arranged cornering
`lamps 10.
`
`[0070] The Role of each lamp will now be explained.
`Headlamps 7 mainly illuminate the area ahead of a vehicle
`in its moving direction, and play a main role in light
`distribution of low beams and high beams. Rain lamps 8 are
`auxiliary lamps fo