Patent Application
20120236581
The innovation disclosed herein relates to vehicles and more specifically, to headlamps for vehicles whereby the headlamp is remotely adjustable.
A “headlamp” usually refers to a lamp or light, usually attached to the front of a vehicle, for example a car or truck. Headlamps are used to illuminate the road usually during periods of low visibility, such as darkness, inclement weather, etc. While it is not uncommon for the term “headlight” to be used interchangeably in place of a “headlamp,” the term headlamp is technically the correct term for the device itself. The term “headlight” properly refers to a beam of light produced and transmitted by the headlamp device.
Although headlamps are primarily associated with motorized vehicles on the nation's roads and highways, headlamps are often applied to airplanes, trains, construction vehicles and even bicycles. Advancements have been made over the years to increase illumination output, for example, with the introduction of Xenon- and LED-based lighting systems. Additionally, lighting systems have been configured to automatically toggle on and off as appropriate, e.g., at dusk. Unfortunately, today's lighting systems are essentially fixed in position thereby illuminating in a pre-designed direction. Thus, there is a need in the art for a vehicle lighting system that is adaptable and adjustable to meet the desires of an operator.
The following presents a simplified summary of the innovation in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview of the innovation. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the innovation or to delineate the scope of the innovation. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the innovation in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The innovation disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a vehicle management illumination system (and method) for a vehicle that facilitates remote adjustment is provided. The system includes an illumination system and an adjustment system. The adjustment system facilitates remote adjustment of an illumination direction and/or at least one illumination characteristic of the illumination system.
In accordance with other aspects, the system may include a plurality of sensors disposed on an exterior of the vehicle, and wherein the plurality of sensors detect a direction and/or rotation of a cab of the vehicle, and wherein the adjustment system adjusts the illumination system in response to the detected direction and/or rotation of the cab.
In accordance with still other aspects, the system may include a plurality of sensors disposed on an interior of the vehicle, and wherein the plurality of sensors detect a direction and/or rotation of the operator with respect to a cab of the vehicle, and wherein the adjustment system adjusts the illumination system in response to the detected direction and/or rotation of the operator with respect to the cab.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the innovation can be employed and the subject innovation is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the innovation will become apparent from the following detailed description of the innovation when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the innovation.
While specific characteristics are described herein (e.g., thickness), it is to be understood that the features, functions and benefits of the innovation can employ characteristics that vary from those described herein. These alternatives are to be included within the scope of the innovation and claims appended hereto.
While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the one or more methodologies shown herein, e.g., in the form of a flow chart, are shown and described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the subject innovation is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance with the innovation, occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with the innovation.
Referring initially to the drawings,
In operation, the directional adjustment system 102 can be used to, for example, adjust the direction or range of view or illumination by the illumination system 104. The illumination system 104 can include most any illumination source such as, for example, Xenon lights, incandescent lights, LED sources or the like. In operation, the directional adjustment system 102 can be employed to adjust the illumination system 104 as described herein. For example, direction, range of view, focal adjustment, effect(s), etc. can be adjusted via the adjustment system 102.
Turning now to
As shown, the illumination system 104 can include a tracking system 204 that enables adjustment of the illumination system 104. Specifically, the tracking system 204 can track and facilitate a movement and/or an illumination characteristic of the illumination system 104. For example, the tracking system 204 can include sensors, motors, actuators and the like that enable desired adjustment of illumination system components. In yet other aspects, sensors and the like can be applied to an operator's seating device so as to automatically track an operator's field of view thereby auto-adjusting the illumination system to correspond to the field of view.
Referring now to
The vehicle 300 includes a plurality of illumination sources 302 disposed at various locations inside and/or outside the vehicle 300 and a control panel system 304 disposed inside a cab 306. While a specific orientation of the illumination sources 302 is illustrated, it is to be understood that other embodiments can include additional illumination sources, fewer illumination sources as well as illumination sources disposed in alternative locations. These aspects are contemplated and are to be included within the scope of this disclosure herein. The illumination sources 302 can include most any illumination source, such as but not limited to, Xenon lights, incandescent lights, LED
A motor for each illumination source 302 is incorporated into the vehicle illumination management system 100 to move and re-position the illumination sources 302 as desired. The motor(s) can be located at any position in close proximity to each illumination source 302. In an alternative embodiment, the motor(s) can be located inside the illumination source 302. The motor(s) are controlled by signals received from the control panel system 304, which will be described in more detail below. It is to be understood, that the motors can operate in tandem to position the illumination sources 302 together or independently from each other to re-position each illumination source 302. As a result, in an embodiment incorporating a construction vehicle, the illumination sources 302 can be positioned to illuminate the same work area or can be positioned independently of each other to illuminate different work areas.
Still referring to
Referring back to
Still yet in alternative embodiments, the control panel system 304 can provide controls not only to adjust the direction of the illumination sources 302, but also illumination characteristics of the illumination sources 302. In other words, the control panel system 304 can, based on inputs from the operator, provide controls to adjust illumination characteristics, such as but not limited to, field of view, a focal perspective, intensity, brightness, duration, etc. of the illumination sources 302. These adjustments can be communicated to the adjustment controller component 402, which in turn makes the appropriate adjustments.
Referring to
The innovation disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a vehicle illumination management system 100 (and method) that facilitates remote adjustment, for example, of illumination intensity and viewing range of illumination sources. In one aspect, four-way touch pad and/or joystick can be employed to remotely adjust direction of one or more illumination sources. In other aspects, illumination characteristics, such as but not limited to, focal perspective, illumination intensity, effects, etc. can be adjusted as desired. It will be understood that comprehensive adjustment of a vehicle illumination system, for example on a construction cab, can enhance operation, safety and overall experience of an operator and those around the vehicle.
As described above, in yet other aspects, the system can automatically track a direction of an operator thereby providing appropriate lighting corresponding to the operator's direction. In one aspect, exterior sensors can detect a direction and/or rotation of the cab and adjust the illumination sources accordingly. In another aspect, interior sensors (e.g., seat sensors) can be employed to trigger automatic adjustment of the illumination sources to enhance an operator's experience in low-light or low-visibility situations. In this aspect, the lighting system, or portion thereof, can auto track an operator's field of view so as to enhance visibility and overall experience.
What has been described above includes examples of the innovation. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the subject innovation, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the innovation are possible. Accordingly, the innovation is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/453,265 entitled “VEHICLE ILLUMINATION SYSTEM” filed on Mar. 16, 2011. The entireties of the above-noted applications are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61453265 | Mar 2011 | US |
