United States Patent [w]
`Ulllted States Patent [19]
`Speak et al.
`Speak et al.
`
`US005868488A
`US005868488A
`[ii] Patent Number:
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,868,488
`5,868,488
`Feb. 9, 1999
`Feb. 9, 1999
`
`[54] ADJUSTABLE HEADLIGHTS, HEADLIGHT
`[54] ADJUSTABLE HEADLIGHTS, HEADLIGHT
`ADJUSTING AND DIRECTION SENSING
`ADJUSTING AND DIRECTION SENSING
`CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF
`CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF
`ADJUSTING HEADLIGHTS
`ADJUSTING HEADLIGHTS
`
`[76] Inventors, Justin R_ Speak; Michael J_ Barnes,
`Inventors: Justin R. Speak; Michael J. Barnes,
`[76]
`both of 5843 Dudley, Taylor, Mich
`both of 5843 Dudley, Taylor, Mich.
`48180
`48180
`
`[21] AppL NO‘, 751,504
`[21] Appl. No.: 751,504
`Nov. 18, 1996
`[22] Filed:
`[22] Filed:
`NOV- 18, 1996
`[51] Int. cLe
`[51] Int. CI.6
`[52] US. Cl.
`[52] U.S. CI.
`
`B60Q 1/076
`B60Q 1/076
`362/37 362/66- 362/71
`362/37; 362/66; 362/71;
`’
`’ 362/46
`362/40
`362/37 40 66
`[58] Field of Search
`[58] Field of Search
`362/37, 40, 66,
`362/71, 419, 420, 423, 287, 4127:4255
`362/71, 419, 420, 423, 287, 427, 428
`
`[56]
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`U'S' PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,118,765 10/1978 Atsuchi
`4,118,765
`10/1978 Atsuchi
`4,217,627
`8/1980 Toimita et al.
`4,217,627
`8/1980 Toimita et a1. ..
`10/1981 Tsuzuki et al.
`4,293,893
`4,293,893 10/1981 TsuZuki et a1. ..
`8/1989 Oikawa
`4,858,080
`
`
`4,858,080 5,099,400
`8/1989 Oikawa 3/1992 Lee
`3/1992 Lee
`5,099,400
`5/1995 Lin
`5,416,465
`5,416,465
`5/1995 Lin
`12/1996 Liao
`5,580,148
`5,580,148 12/1996 L180
`12/1996 Gotou
`5,588,733 12/1996 Gotou
`5,588,733
`
`362/384
`362/384
`362/71
`. 362/71
`. 362/38
`~- 362/38
`. 362/61
`" 362/61
`. 362/37
`. 362/37
`. 362/37
`362/37
`. 362/37
`362/37
`
`30'
`
`Primary Examiner—Thomas M. Sember
`Primary Examiner—Thomas M. Sember
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—-Joseph N. Breaux
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Joseph N. BreauX
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`An adjustable headlight and headlight adjusting direction
`An adjustable headlight and headlight adjusting direction
`sensing control system which incrementally adjusts the Y
`sensing control system Which incrementally adjusts the Y
`axis of an automobile headlight in accordance with the
`axis of an automobile headlight in accordance With the
`vehicle turning direction and adjusts the X axis in accor­
`vehicle turning direction and adjusts the X aXis in accor
`dance with the hood orientation in relation to the road
`dance With the hood orientation in relation to the road
`topography. A method for adjusting the X axis and Y axis of
`topography. Amethod for adjusting the X axis and Y aXis of
`the adjustable headlights for enhancing the illumination of
`the adjustable headlights for enhancing the illumination of
`the changing forward road topography. The automobile
`the ehehgihg ferwerd reed tePegrePhY The e‘hemehhe
`headlight and the headlight adjusting and direction sensing
`heedhght and the heedhght adjusting and dheeheh Seheihg
`control system comprises a pair of adjustable headlights, a
`control system comprises a pair of adjustable headlights, a
`pair of servomotors systems, first sensor, second sensor and
`pair of Servomotors Systems’ ?rst Sensor’ Second Sensor and
`microprocessor. The adjustable headlights are coupled to a
`microprocessor. The adjustable headlights are coupled to a
`pair of servomotors of one of the servomotor systems for
`pair of servomotors of one of the servomotor systems for
`adjusting the adjustable headlights along its X axis or Y axis
`adjusting the adjustable headlights along its X aXis orY aXis
`in accordance with the output signals from the micropro­
`in accordance With the output signals from the micropro
`cessor. The microprocessor is further coupled to the first
`cessor. The microprocessor is further coupled to the ?rst
`sensor for determining whether the vehicle is turning left or
`Sensor for determining Whether the Vehicle is turning left or
`right and adjusting the adjustable headlights and the second
`right and adjusting the adjustable headlights and the second
`sensor for determining the hood orientation based on the
`sensor for determining the hood orientation based on the
`road topography and adjusting the adjustable headlights
`road topography and adjusting the adjustable headlights
`along is X axis.
`along is X aXis.
`
`2 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`2 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`1 6
`
`1 2
`
`50'
`
`i
`
`50
`
`\
`
`30
`
`23
`
`20
`
`17
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`15
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`
`[0
`
`1 0
`
`19
`
`-20'
`
`-23
`
`14
`
`18
`
`V V
`
`TOYOTA EX. 1009
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 9, 1999
`Feb. 9, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`Sheet 1 of4
`
`5,868,488
`5,868,488
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 9, 1999
`Feb. 9, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`Sheet 2 of4
`
`5,868,488
`5,868,488
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`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 9, 1999
`Feb. 9, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`Sheet 3 of4
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`5,868,488
`5,868,488
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 9, 1999
`Feb. 9, 1999
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`Sheet 4 0f 4
`
`5,868,488
`5,868,488
`
`FIG. 6
`
`( START )
`
`NO
`
`51
`
`LIGHTS
`p/v?
`YES
`52
`SUPPLY ENERGY /52
`SUPPLY ENERGY
`TO COMPONENTS
`TO COMPONENTS
`
`53
`55
`I
`MONITOR /
`MONITOR
`SENSORS
`SENSORS
`
`54
`
`59
`
`NO
`
`^VEH/CLE\
`TURNING LEET
`TURNING LEFT
`•\0R RIGHTT^s
`OR RIGHT?
`55
`55
`
`YES
`
`CALCULATE
`CALCULATE
`LEFT OR RIGHT
`LEFT OR RIGHT
`ADJUSTMENT
`ADJUSTMENT
`FACTOR
`FACTOR
`
`^SWITChT^
`SWITCH
`6 1 O R 6 1 '
`67 OR 67'
`J3L0SED?^>
`CLOSED?
`5 1 0
`570
`
`NO
`NO
`
`YES
`
`CALCULATE
`CALCULATE
`UP OR DOWN
`UP OR DOWN
`ADJUSTMENT
`ADJUSTMENT
`FACTOR
`FACTOR
`
`ROTATE
`ROTATE
`HEADLIGHT
`HEADLIGHT
`FRAME
`FRAME
`To
`TO
`OR/G/NAL
`ORIGINAL
`POSITION
`POSITION
`
`56
`/56
`SEND CONTROL
`SENO CONTROL
`S/CNAL
`SIGNAL
`
`ROTATE
`ROTATE
`INTER/OR
`INTERIOR
`FRAME
`FRAME
`51 1/
`MEMBER
`5 1 1
`MEMBER
`TO
`57
`,
`TO
`57
`ORIGINAL
`gg'SG/TIYQ’ATJ ROTATE INTER/OR / ROTATE HEADLIGHT
`ROTATE HEADLIGHT
`ROTATE INTERIOR
`POSITION
`FRAME MEMBER / FRAME MEMBER
`FRAME MEMBER
`FRAME MEMBER
`5 1 2
`512
`L
`I
`
`SEND CONTROL
`SEND CONTROL
`SIGNAL
`SIGNAL
`
`5 1 5
`573
`
`58
`58
`
`5 1 4
`574
`
`L/GH7"S\
`DEACTIVATED,
`
`NO
`
`DEENERGIZE COMPONENTS /515
`
`DEENERGIZE COMPONENTS
`
`YES
`
`5 1 5
`
`

`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5,868,488
`5,868,488
`
`1
`1
`ADJUSTABLE HEADLIGHTS, HEADLIGHT
`ADJUSTABLE HEADLIGHTS, HEADLIGHT
`ADJUSTING AND DIRECTION SENSING
`ADJUSTING AND DIRECTION SENSING
`CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF
`CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF
`ADJUSTING HEADLIGHTS
`ADJUSTING HEADLIGHTS
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`The present invention relates to automobile headlights,
`The present invention relates to automobile headlights,
`headlight adjusting and direction sensing control system and
`headlight adjusting and direction sensing control system and
`a method for adjusting automobile headlights, and more
`a method for adjusting automobile headlights, and more
`particularly, to adjustable headlights and headlight adjusting
`particularly, to adjustable headlights and headlight adjusting
`and direction sensing control system which incrementally
`and direction sensing control system Which incrementally
`adjusts the Y axis of the adjustable headlights in accordance
`adjusts the Y axis of the adjustable headlights in accordance
`with the vehicle turning direction and adjusts the X axis in
`With the vehicle turning direction and adjusts the X axis in
`accordance with the hood orientation in relation to the road
`accordance With the hood orientation in relation to the road
`topography. The present invention further relates to a
`topography. The present invention further relates to a
`method for adjusting the X axis and the Y axis of adjustable
`method for adjusting the X axis and the Y axis of adjustable
`headlights thereby enhancing the illumination of the chang­
`headlights thereby enhancing the illumination of the chang
`ing forward road topography.
`ing forWard road topography.
`
`2
`2
`adjustable headlights thereby enhancing the Illumination of
`adjustable headlights thereby enhancing the Illumination of
`the changing forward road topography.
`the changing forWard road topography.
`In operation, the adjustable headlight and the headlight
`In operation, the adjustable headlight and the headlight
`adjusting and direction sensing control system for use in a
`adjusting and direction sensing control system for use in a
`5 vehicle comprises at least one means for illuminating having
`vehicle comprises at least one means for illuminating having
`an X axis and a Y axis; a first sensor means for detecting a
`an X axis and a Y axis; a ?rst sensor means for detecting a
`turning direction of said vehicle; a second sensor means for
`turning direction of said vehicle; a second sensor means for
`detecting a hood orientation in relation to the road topog­
`detecting a hood orientation in relation to the road topog
`raphy; and at least one control means for rotating the at least
`raphy; and at least one control means for rotating the at least
`1° one illuminating means on said X axises in response to said
`10
`one illuminating means on said X axises in response to said
`second sensor means and rotating said at least one illumi­
`second sensor means and rotating said at least one illumi
`nating means on said Y axises in response to said first sensor
`nating means on said Y axises in response to said ?rst sensor
`means.
`means.
`In view of the above, it is an object of the present
`In vieW of the above, it is an object of the present
`invention to provide adjustable headlights and headlight
`invention to provide adjustable headlights and headlight
`adjusting and direction sensing control system for adjusting
`adjusting and direction sensing control system for adjusting
`the at least one means for illuminating along its Y axis as a
`the at least one means for illuminating along its Y axis as a
`vehicle turns left or right thereby reducing the risk of a
`vehicle turns left or right thereby reducing the risk of a
`potential accident when a vehicle proceeds around a sharp
`potential accident When a vehicle proceeds around a sharp
`20 curvature of the road topography.
`curvature of the road topography.
`It Is a further object of the present invention to provide
`It Is a further object of the present invention to provide
`Typically, automobile headlights are mounted on the front
`Typically, automobile headlights are mounted on the front
`such adjustable headlights which are simple in construction
`such adjustable headlights Which are simple in construction
`end of an automotive vehicle body. These lights are station­
`end of an automotive vehicle body. These lights are station
`and easily rotatable for altering the illumination angle
`and easily rotatable for altering the illumination angle
`ary and only illuminate the road surface directly straight
`ary and only illuminate the road surface directly straight
`thereof.
`thereof.
`ahead based on an illumination angle of the headlights. 25
`ahead based on an illumination angle of the headlights.
`25
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`Since the automobile headlights illuminate the surface
`Since the automobile headlights illuminate the surface
`adjustable headlights and headlight adjusting and direction
`adjustable headlights and headlight adjusting and direction
`straight ahead proportionate to the illumination angle, as the
`straight ahead proportionate to the illumination angle, as the
`sensing control system for adjusting the at least one means
`sensing control system for adjusting the at least one means
`road curves, the automobile headlights do not adequately
`road curves, the automobile headlights do not adequately
`for illuminating along its X axis in relation to the hood
`for illuminating along its X axis in relation to the hood
`illuminate the road surface immediately to the left or right in
`illuminate the road surface immediately to the left or right in
`orientation in accordance with road topography for enhanc­
`orientation in accordance With road topography for enhanc
`relation to the curved road. Henceforth, an obstruction 30
`relation to the curved road. Henceforth, an obstruction
`ing the illumination of the upward or the downward road
`ing the illumination of the upWard or the doWnWard road
`immediately to the left or right may not be illuminated and
`immediately to the left or right may not be illuminated and
`topography of a hill or mountain.
`topography of a hill or mountain.
`a driver of the vehicle may not have enough time to
`a driver of the vehicle may not have enough time to
`It is thus an object of the invention to provide a sensor
`It is thus an object of the invention to provide a sensor
`maneuver the vehicle away from the obstruction thereby
`maneuver the vehicle aWay from the obstruction thereby
`means for detecting the hood orientation and a sensor means
`means for detecting the hood orientation and a sensor means
`potentially causing an accident. Furthermore, a driver may
`potentially causing an accident. Furthermore, a driver may
`for detecting the turning direction of a vehicle which are
`for detecting the turning direction of a vehicle Which are
`not be abreast of the topography of the road and sharper 35
`not be abreast of the topography of the road and sharper
`35
`simple in construction.
`simple in construction.
`curves are extremely hazardous.
`curves are extremely haZardous.
`It is a further object of the invention to provide adjustable
`It is a further object of the invention to provide adjustable
`Moreover, when a vehicle travels up or down a mountain
`Moreover, When a vehicle travels up or doWn a mountain
`headlights and headlight adjusting and direction sensing
`headlights and headlight adjusting and direction sensing
`or hill, stationary headlights do not adequately illuminate the
`or hill, stationary headlights do not adequately illuminate the
`control system that is easily adaptable and attachable for use
`control system that is easily adaptable and attachable for use
`upward or downward sloping road topography thereby hin­
`upWard or doWnWard sloping road topography thereby hin
`40 in all manufactured automobiles or vehicles.
`in all manufactured automobiles or vehicles.
`dering the visual capability of the driver of the vehicle.
`dering the visual capability of the driver of the vehicle.
`It is a still further object of the invention to provide
`It is a still further object of the invention to provide
`To overcome the above aforementioned problems, several
`To overcome the above aforementioned problems, several
`adjustable headlights and headlight adjusting and direction
`adjustable headlights and headlight adjusting and direction
`automobile headlight systems have been patented which are
`automobile headlight systems have been patented Which are
`sensing control system that reduces power consumption and
`sensing control system that reduces poWer consumption and
`aimed at automobile headlights and headlight adjusting
`aimed at automobile headlights and headlight adjusting
`power drains on a conventional vehicle battery or other
`poWer drains on a conventional vehicle battery or other
`systems.
`systems.
`45 suitable energy generator.
`suitable energy generator.
`45
`The known vehicle headlight and headlight adjusting
`The knoWn vehicle headlight and headlight adjusting
`The above objects and other features of the present
`The above objects and other features of the present
`apparatuses do not address the need for adjustable headlights
`apparatuses do not address the need for adjustable headlights
`invention will become apparent from the drawings, the
`invention Will become apparent from the draWings, the
`and headlight adjusting and direction sensing control system
`and headlight adjusting and direction sensing control system
`description given herein, and the appended claims.
`description given herein, and the appended claims.
`which incrementally adjusts the Y axis of the adjustable
`Which incrementally adjusts the Y axis of the adjustable
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`headlights in accordance with the vehicle turning direction 50
`headlights in accordance With the vehicle turning direction
`For a further understanding of the nature and objects of
`and adjusts the X axis in accordance with the hood orien­
`For a further understanding of the nature and objects of
`and adjusts the X axis in accordance With the hood orien
`the present invention, reference should be had to the fol­
`tation in relation to the road topography. The present inven­
`the present invention, reference should be had to the fol
`tation in relation to the road topography. The present inven
`lowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
`tion further addresses the need for a method for adjusting the
`loWing detailed description, taken in conjunction With the
`tion further addresses the need for a method for adjusting the
`accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given
`X axis and the Y axis of adjustable headlights thereby
`accompanying draWings, in Which like elements are given
`X axis and the Y axis of adjustable headlights thereby
`enhancing the illumination of the changing forward road 55 the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein:
`enhancing the illumination of the changing forWard road
`the same or analogous reference numbers and Wherein:
`55
`topography.
`topography.
`FIG. 1 illustrates the adjustable headlights and the head­
`FIG. 1 illustrates the adjustable headlights and the head
`light adjusting and direction sensing control system of the
`light adjusting and direction sensing control system of the
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`preferred embodiment of the present invention;
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`preferred embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 illustrates the headlight rotation control means and
`FIG. 2 illustrates the headlight rotation control means and
`The preferred embodiment of the present invention solves
`The preferred embodiment of the present invention solves
`the aforementioned problems in a straight forward and 60 a partial view of an adjustable headlight of the embodiment
`a partial vieW of an adjustable headlight of the embodiment
`the aforementioned problems in a straight forWard and
`of FIG. 1;
`of FIG. 1;
`simple manner. What is provided is adjustable headlights
`simple manner. What is provided is adjustable headlights
`FIG. 3fl illustrates an exploded back view of the adjust­
`and headlight adjusting and direction sensing control system
`FIG. 3a illustrates an exploded back vieW of the adjust
`and headlight adjusting and direction sensing control system
`able headlight structure of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
`which incrementally adjusts the Y axis of the adjustable
`able headlight structure of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
`Which incrementally adjusts the Y axis of the adjustable
`FIG. 3b illustrates a view of a plate for fixedly securing
`headlights in accordance with the vehicle turning direction
`headlights in accordance With the vehicle turning direction
`FIG. 3b illustrates a vieW of a plate for ?xedly securing
`and adjusts the X axis in accordance with the hood orien- 65 the frame rotation rods of the interior frame member and the
`and adjusts the X axis in accordance With the hood orien
`the frame rotation rods of the interior frame member and the
`65
`tation in relation to the road topography. Further provided is
`headlight frame member of the adjustable headlight struc­
`headlight frame member of the adjustable headlight struc
`tation in relation to the road topography. Further provided is
`ture of the embodiment of FIG. 3a;
`a method for adjusting the X axis and the Y axis of
`ture of the embodiment of FIG. 3a;
`a method for adjusting the X axis and the Y axis of
`
`

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