Patent ID: 6130506
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: B60Q

Abstract:
An apparatus for regulating the illumination field of a running light of a vehicle, the running light being of the type for illuminating a region forward of the vehicle relative to the vehicle direction of travel and the vehicle being of the type having an adjusting element for adjusting the orientation of the running light to thereby vary the position of the illumination field relative to the vehicle, comprising: a member for irradiating at least a first and a second area on the road surface with a first and a second radiation beam, respectively, in a manner in which at least some of the radiation beam is reflected from the respective irradiated area, the first area on the road surface being at a different spacing from the vehicle than the second area relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle; a sensor for sensing a characteristic of radiation reflected from the irradiated first and second areas on the road surface; means for determining a relationship of a sensed characteristic of radiation reflected from the first area on the road with a sensed characteristic of radiation reflected from the second area on the road; and means for comparing the determined relationship of the sensed reflected radiation characteristics with a radiation characteristic representative of a predetermined proper position of the illumination field of the running light, the comparing means being operatively connected with the adjusting element for providing a signal thereto in response to which the adjusting element can adjust the orientation of the running light on the vehicle and thereby reorient the running light into a position in which the light projected therefrom illuminates the proper illumination field, the irradiating member being operable to emit electromagnetic beams, the sensing means being an optic electronic sensor and the comparing means including means for creating respective data points which are representative of the sensed reflected radiation characteristics of the first and second areas on the road and means for evaluating a position of a data point to create a signal provided to the adjusting element for controlling its adjustment activity.