Patent Application
20050185413
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a variable, multi-source lighting device. In particular, the invention relates to compact lighting units with a variable lighting capability for motor vehicles and intended for illumination of the area in front of and on the sides of the motor vehicle.
2. Related Technology
At the present time, variable-type headlamps for motor vehicles utilize mechanical rotation of the headlamp so that a horizontal displacement of the whole light beam is achieved. This manner of displacement of horizontal light beam is used, for example, in driving into curves and requires an exact mechanical adjustment of the whole headlamp. As a result, the manufacture of such systems is difficult and the production costs are high.
The variable, multi-source lighting device of the present invention works as an auxiliary light for low beam or high beam light modes of the vehicle and substantially improves the light distribution.
As applied to a motor vehicle, a lighting device is positioned on both sides of the front part of the vehicle and includes a series of individual light sources. Each of the light sources defines a partial light beam and the partial light beams cooperatively define a composite light beam that is emitted from the device. At least one of the partial light beams emanating from the device is directed along an axis that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. At least two other partial light beams are progressively oriented, in relation to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, at increasing angular orientations laterally outward.
In an implemented system, the device is coupled to a controller (such as an electronic control system in the vehicle) that actuates (turns “on”, turns “off” or varies the intensity) the individual light sources depending on the status of the vehicle. The controller may simultaneously actuate the devices on both sides of the vehicle in conjunction with the front lights of the vehicle. Additionally, the controller may only actuate the device on one side of the vehicle when the vehicle is turning along a curved vehicle path. As an input to determine how to actuate the devices, the controller may be coupled to steering wheel angle sensor or to a global position satellite (GPS) device, which may be part of a navigation system in the vehicle.
In operation, the means for actuating the light sources may operate such that number of light sources turned “on” is variable depending on an increasing angle of rotation of the steering wheel. For example, with an increased steering wheel angle of rotation (indicating a sharper turning of the vehicle), a greater number of the light sources may be turned on providing a more dispersed light beam to the side of the vehicle or to the inside of the curved path of the vehicle. Alternately, the means for actuating the light sources may operate such that number of sources turned on is variable depending on the instantaneous speed of the motor vehicle. For example, with decreasing speed, a greater number of the light sources may be turned on providing a more dispersed light beam to the side of the vehicle or to the inside of a curved path of the vehicle. In either scenario, the controller may actuate the light sources progressively, based on the angular orientation of the partial light beam of the particular light source. Thus, the light sources may be separately actuated or actuated in groups.
The device itself may be collectively defined by a definitive or discrete number of separate lighting devices. However, in a preferred embodiment the device is unitary in construction and includes a plurality of chambers that are defined by reflectors and located in each one is one of the light sources. The light sources themselves may be of any know variety including incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, xenon bulbs, light emitting diodes (LED), etc. With either construction, the envelope of the device(s) may be in the shape of a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle or a square.
In turning “on” or “off” the light sources, the device may activate the light sources in a discrete or continuous fashion.
One of the light sources of the device may operate as and according to the conditions for activation of a fog headlight.
The preferred, but not limiting, embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring now to the drawings, seen in
The segments 12, 14 each include chambers 16, 18, 20, 22, with the base segment 12 having a single chamber 16 and the side segments 14 having three chambers 18, 20, 22. Each chamber 16, 18, 20, 22 has its own light source 24, 26, 28, 30 and is characterized by its own partial light beam, which is different for each chamber 16, 18, 20, 22. The resulting light spot of the device 10 is thus composed of a series of partial light beams from the individual chambers 16, 18, 20, 22 and modification of this light spot is made by activation or deactivation of the individual chambers 16, 18, 20, 22 of the whole device 10. The chambers 16, 18, 20, 22 themselves are defined by reflectors 32, 34, 36, 38 which are constructed in accordance with well known techniques in the industry. As such, the reflectors 32, 34, 36, 38 each include a reflective surface that operates to reflect light generated by the light source 24, 26, 28, 30 in a direction generally parallel to the optical axis 40, 42, 44, 46 thereof.
The optical axis 40 of the base segment 12 is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle. The optical axes 42, 44, 46 of the side segment 14, however, are obliquely oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle. Proceeding away from the chamber 16 of the base segment 12, it is seen that the angle defined by each successive chamber 18, 20, 22 increases with respect the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. As a result, each successive chamber 18, 20, 22 provides additional light to the side of the motor vehicle. As seen in
A basic beam is formed by the base segment 12. This basic beam is generally characterized by a light intensity distribution of a front fog headlight. As such, the basic beam created by the light source 24 and chamber 16 of the base segment 12 preferably conforms with Regulation #19 Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval Of Motor Vehicle Front Fog Lamps Of The United Nations Agreement Concerning The Adoption Of Uniform Technical Prescriptions For Wheeled Vehicles, Equipment And Parts Which Can Be Fitted And/Or Be Used On Wheeled Vehicles And The Conditions For Reciprocal Recognition Of Approvals Granted On The Basis Of These Prescriptions. While illustrated as having a single chamber 16, the base segment 12 could alternately include one or more chambers whose partial light beams create the resulting light beam of the whole base segment 12.
The side segment 14 is intended to illuminate the side of the motor vehicle, either the left or the right side of the motor vehicle depending upon the orientation and positioning of the variable lighting device 10. In the optical axes 42, 44, 46 of the chamber 18, 20, 22 are progressively oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the lateral dispersion of a light beam created by the side segment 12 can be increased or decreased or altered by successively activating or deactivating the chambers 18, 20, 22. Activations of these chambers during operation of the side segment 14 can be done either progressively, (first chamber 18, then chamber 20 and finally chamber 22) or through activation of various groupings of the chambers (for example, chambers 18 and 22 being activated together without activation of chamber 20 or chambers 20 and 22 being activated together without chamber 18 or any of the chambers 18, 20, 22 being activated individually without the remaining chambers).
The switching on of the individual light sources 24, 26, 28, 30 in the respective chamber 16, 18, 20, 22 may be either discrete or continuous. In the latter, the voltage provided to the light source 40, 42, 44, 46 would be gradually increased so that lighting intensity of the light source 40, 42, 44, 46 is gradually increased according to a desired start up or turn on characteristic.
The variable lighting device 10 is believed to have applicability in at least three modes of operation, including a fog mode, a low beam contribution mode and an adaptive front lighting system, AFS, contribution mode. Each of these modes is further discussed below.
In the fog mode of operation, the variable lighting device 10 is used in conjunction with either the low beam or high beam, and possibly the parking lights, provided by the primary headlamps of the vehicle. In this mode of operation, a variable lighting device 10 provided on the right and left front part of the motor vehicles are both used. More specifically, the base segment 12 is utilized in this mode and is activated in compliance with the conditions required for activation of the front fog lamps of the vehicle (for example, only operating in combination with the headlamps of the vehicle when low beam light is being produced).
In a low beam light contribution mode of operation, the variable lighting device 10 is used in conjunction with the headlamps of the vehicle as those headlamps are producing low beam light. The variable lighting device 10 is utilized such that when the motor vehicle is driving into a right hand curve, the variable lighting device 10 increases the lateral dispersion of light to the right side of the low beam light produced by the headlamps of the vehicle. More specifically, the variable lighting device 10 located on the right side of the front of the motor vehicle will activate one or more of the chambers 18, 20 and 22 of the variable lighting device 10. Similarly, when driving into a left hand curve, the variable lighting device 10 on the left side of the front of the vehicle is activated to increase the lateral dispersion of the low beam light. Activation of the side segment 14 may be determined by a sensor 56 sensing rotation of the steering wheel of the motor vehicle or by a global position satellite (GPS) signal 58 via the motor vehicle's navigation system or other system. Either of these signal may be communicated to an electronic controller 60 which appropriately and accordingly activates the light sources 24, 26, 28, 30.
In an AFS contribution mode of operation, the activation of individual chamber 16, 18, 20, 22 are controlled and dependent upon the speed of the motor vehicle. For example, at low speed operation of the vehicle, the lateral dispersion of light to both the left and right side of the vehicle may be maximized so that the front and side areas of the vehicle are illuminated. At higher speeds, the lateral dispersion may be decreased, minimized or not used at all. Additionally, variations to the lateral dispersion of light can be made when the motor vehicle is in a passing mode of operation or other modes of operation.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PV 2003-2589 | Sep 2003 | CZ | national |
