Motorcycle headlight

Details Motorcycle headlight Motorcycle headlight

1999-09-10

2001-10-30

Patel, Nimeshkumar D. (Department: 2879)

Illumination

Supported by vehicle structure

Projection-type headlamp

C362S538000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06309093

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motorcycle headlight in for improving light distribution at the time of cornering.
2. Description of Background Art
FIG.
21
(
a
) and FIG.
21
(
b
) are overhead views illustrating the light distribution for a dimmed beam of a conventional motorcycle headlight. FIG.
21
(
a
) illustrates a motorcycle when travelling in a straight line while FIG.
21
(
b
) illustrates the case when cornering.
In FIG.
21
(
a
), the headlight
100
shines light having a left and right spread on the road surface in the relative foreground in front of the motorcycle so as not to dazzle vehicles coming in the opposite direction.
In FIG.
21
(
b
), during cornering, the motorcycle
101
leans into the corner, and a portion
103
of the light distribution inside the corner moves to the side of the motorcycle
101
.
FIG.
22
(
a
) and FIG.
22
(
b
) are overhead views illustrating light distribution of a main beam of a conventional motorcycle headlight. FIG.
22
(
a
) illustrates a motorcycle travelling in a straight direction, while FIG.
22
(
b
) illustrates a motorcycle when cornering.
In FIG.
22
(
a
), the headlight
100
illuminates the road surface along a distance in front of the motorcycle
101
. In FIG.
22
(
b
), during cornering, the motorcycle
101
leans into the corner and a portion
103
of the light distribution
102
inside the corner moves to the side of the motorcycle
101
.
FIG.
23
(
a
) and FIG.
23
(
b
) illustrate a light distribution screen for a conventional motorcycle headlight at the time of cornering. FIG.
23
(
a
) corresponds to the dimmed beam in FIG.
21
(
b
) while FIG.
23
(
b
) corresponds to the travelling straight beam in FIG.
22
(
b
), and the main light distribution region
104
of FIG.
23
(
a
) and the main light distribution region
105
of FIG.
23
(
b
) both slope downwardly to the left.
As shown in FIG.
21
(
b
) and FIG.
22
(
b
), the amount of light reaching the shoulder
107
of a corner seen by the rider
106
of the motorcycle
101
during cornering, and the amount of light reaching the road surface
108
ahead of the shoulder
107
is reduced, and these regions become dark. That is, at the time of cornering, because there is no light distributed in the ranges A
1
and A
2
in FIG.
23
(
a
) and FIG.
23
(
b
), which include the shoulder
107
and the road surface
108
, there is a need to improve the forward visibility of the corner by distributing light in these ranges A
1
and A
2
.
Also, in Japanese Utility Model Publication Sho 59-13685, entitled “Headlight for Vehicle”, and Japanese Patent publication Sho 63-312280 entitled “Headlight for Motorcycle”, techniques for adjusting light distribution using lenses and reflectors are disclosed, but with respect to lighting up a corner during cornering, insufficient consideration is given to where and at what brightness light is irradiated.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a headlight for a motorcycle which enables an improvement in the visibility of a corner during cornering.
In order to achieve the above described object, the present invention defines a main light distribution region including a main optical axis. In addition, a low light intensity region darker than an upper part of said main light distribution region is provided. Further, a high light intensity region which is brighter than an upper region of said low intensity region is provided.
When the motorcycle is cornering, it is possible to brightly light up the corner, and it is possible to improve the visibility of the corner, as well as to prevent the dazzling of oncoming vehicles when travelling straight ahead.
In the present invention, the high light intensity region is provided with a region where the light distribution is at least 200 candela at an upper side from
4
U. Thus, it is possible to ensure sufficient brightness when cornering.
In the present invention, the high light intensity region is outside
10
R and outside
10
L. It is possible to prevent light from the high light intensity region entering the rearview mirror of a car or motorcycle stopped in front, when waiting at a traffic light, etc.
In the present invention, the high light intensity region does not exceed 1000 candela. Light from the high intensity light region substantially does not dazzle oncoming vehicles.
The headlight carries out light distribution using a plurality of prisms formed in a lens, and the high light intensity region is formed using at least some of the prisms. The high light intensity region can be formed easily.
The headlight is a projector type, and the high light intensity region is formed by providing non-shielded portions in a light shielding section contained inside the headlight, in order to form a dimmed beam pattern.
It is possible to form the high light intensity region easily, and it is possible to effectively utilize shielded light.
In the present invention, the headlight is either a multi-reflector type having a plurality of reflecting surfaces formed in a reflector, or a single curved surface reflector type having a reflecting surface of a reflector as a single curved surface, and said high light intensity region is formed at part of said reflector. The high light intensity region can be formed easily.
Part of the reflector of the present invention is divided, this divided portion is constructed so as to be movable from a first position when a vehicle is travelling straight on to a second position when the vehicle is cornering, and the high light intensity region is formed at the second position.
It is possible to form the high light intensity region using light at a place where light distribution becomes unnecessary when a vehicle is cornering or light at a place that is too bright, and it is possible to effectively utilize the light.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4870545 (1989-09-01), Hatanaka et al.
patent: 5158352 (1992-10-01), Ikegami et al.
patent: 5171082 (1992-12-01), Watanabe
patent: 5975732 (1999-11-01), Tabata et al.
patent: 3718642C1 (1988-10-01), None
patent: 0273353-A2 (1988-07-01), None
patent: 273353-A2 (1988-10-01), None
patent: 273353A2 (1988-12-01), None
patent: 0661193-A1 (1995-07-01), None
patent: Y2-5913685 (1984-04-01), None
patent: A-63312280 (1988-12-01), None

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