Patent ID: 6142655
Filing Date: 2000-11-07
Classification: B60Q

Abstract:
A device for controlling headlights of a vehicle, said vehicle including a vehicle body; at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel mounted in said vehicle body by means of a suspension system; the headlights mounted in the vehicle body; a first link element of the suspension system pivotally connected between the at least one front wheel, or a front axle for the at least one front wheel, and the vehicle body; a second link element of the suspension system pivotally connected between the at least one rear wheel, or a rear axle of the at least one rear wheel, and the vehicle body; and a device for controlling said headlights; andwherein said device for controlling said headlights comprisesrespective adjusting units (20) for adjusting said headlights to vary light widths of said headlights (10);a first sensor unit (24) for measuring a first angle between a first mounting plane of the first sensor unit (24) and a direction (44,64) to the center of the earth, said first sensor unit (24) being mounted so that said first mounting plane extends on said first link element (40,50,60) pivotally connected between said at least one front wheel or said front axle (22) and said vehicle body (12);a second sensor unit (28) for measuring a second angle between a second mounting plane and a direction (44) to the center of the earth, said second sensor unit (28) being mounted so that said second mounting plane extends on said second link element (40,50,60) connected between said at least one rear wheel or said rear axle (26) and said vehicle body (12);a third sensor unit (30) for measuring a third angle of a third mounting plane of said third sensor unit relative to horizontal, said third sensor unit (30) being mounted so that said third mounting plane extends in and is fixed in relation to said vehicle body (12); andan evaluating unit (32) connected to said first, second and third sensor units to receive respective signals therefrom according to said first, second and third angles measured by said sensor units and connected to said adjusting units for adjusting said headlights, said evaluating unit including means for controlling said adjusting units to control said light widths of said headlights (10) according to said first, second and third angles.