Illumination – Vehicle steering mechanism or element moves pivoted lamp or...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-11
2001-01-23
Sember, Thomas M. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Vehicle steering mechanism or element moves pivoted lamp or...
C362S464000, C315S081000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176590
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to lighting systems for motor vehicles, comprising driving lights which include lights having a bend-lighting function, for example, of lighting the road ahead of the vehicle, on the side towards which the vehicle is turning when being steered on a bend in the road. Such lights will be referred to as “bend lighting driving lights”.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The bend-lighting function enables the verges of the road, on the nearside of the vehicle, close to which the vehicle is travelling when passing round a bend, to be illuminated in front and to the side of the vehicle.
For a driving light such as a headlight having a main beam, is known to provide the bend lighting function when the orientation of the reflector of this headlight varied. However, the varying technique cannot be used in the case of short-range illumination (close to the vehicle), in which rotation of the beams would involve alterations in the adjustment of the projection of the beam on the ground. This would be incompatible with lighting regulations.
DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a lighting system for a motor vehicle which will provide a satisfactory bend lighting function for short range driving lights.
According to the invention, a lighting is provided for a motor vehicle, comprising at least two bend lighting driving lights (as defined above), of the type having a transverse cut-off, for emitting beams that illuminate bends in the road, including means for controlling the power supplied to the lights as a function of the steering deflection of the wheels of the vehicle.
According to a preferred feature of the invention, the lighting system includes a sensor which measures rotation of the steering column of the vehicle, a control unit which receives input signals corresponding to the measurements taken by the sensor and which controls the power supplied to the bend lighting driving lights in response to these measurements. Preferably, the control system includes filtering unit for filtering the measurements from the sensor.
Preferably, the control unit comprises computer means and a power circuit.
According to another preferred feature of the invention, the control means maintains the bend lighting driving lights extinguished as long as the steering deflection of the wheels of the vehicle is below a predetermined threshold value.
According to a further preferred feature of the invention, the control increase the supply of power to the bend lighting driving light which is situated on the side towards which the vehicle is turning, progressively with the steering deflection of the wheels of the vehicle.
In preferred embodiments having the two last mentioned features, the control unit supply a constant power to the bend lighting driving light which is situated on the side opposite the side towards which the vehicle is turning bend lighting driving light.
The control unit preferably includes electronic converters for supplying a temporary over-voltage to the bend lighting driving light which is situated on the side towards which the vehicle is turning, in order to improve the illumination given by the latter when the steering deflection of the wheels of the vehicle becomes high.
Preferably, both of the bend lighting driving lights are lit simultaneously and extinguished simultaneously.
Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on a reading of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which is given by way of non limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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patent: 5410456 (1995-04-01), Sibata et al.
patent: 5526242 (1996-06-01), Takahashi et al.
patent: 5567032 (1996-10-01), Heizmann
patent: 5754100 (1998-05-01), Park
patent: 5798911 (1998-08-01), Josic
patent: 5868488 (1999-02-01), Speak et al.
patent: 130 815 (1929-03-01), None
French Search Report dated Oct. 10, 1997.
Leleve Jo{umlaut over (e)}l
Prevost Andr{acute over (e)}
Morgan & Finnegan , LLP
Sember Thomas M.
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