US5124549A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic headlamp dimmer with optical baffle
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1990-10-15
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Granted: 1992-06-23
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Expires: 2010-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle light sensor for controlling light responsive systems such as an automatic headlamp dimmer. The sensor includes an enclosure containing a lens and a photo responsive detector. An optical chamber within the enclosure permits unwanted light from reaching the detector. A series of baffles within the chamber prevent light from outside a desired entrance angle from reaching the detector. A thin-film aperture is attached to the detector for controlling the size and shape of the detector's field of view. Gray scale shading may also be incorporated into the aperture to reduce the intensity of incoming light in selected portions of the field of view. An adjustment mechanism provides very fine angular view adjustments, beyond what is practical by simple assembly of molded parts.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul A. Michaels
- 👤 Harold R. Macks
- 👤 Michael R. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:04
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/14; B60Q1/1415; B60Q1/1423; G; G01; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/02; G01J1/04; G01J1/0403; G01J1/0407; G01J1/0437; G01J1/0448; G01J1/06; B60Q2300/00; B60Q2300/30; B60Q2300/31; B60Q2300/314; B60Q2300/33; B60Q2300/332; B60Q2300/3321; B60Q2300/40; B60Q2300/41; B60Q2300/42; B60Q2300/45; G01J1/0214
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A vehicle light sensor comprising: a detector for producing an electrical signal in response to incoming light; upper and lower enclosure members for enclosing said detector; a lens for receiving light and focusing it on said detector; at least one of said upper and lower enclosure members having a receptacle for mounting said lens; optical chamber within said enclosure members disposed adjacent to said light detector for preventing light that does not pass through said lens from reaching said light detector; and a plurality of spaced, thin-walled, optical baffles protruding into said optical chamber, wherein off axis light outside a desired entrance angle is incident on one of said baffles and is captured between said baffle and an adjacent baffle, whereby said off axis light is substantially prevented from reaching said detector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A vehicle light sensor comprising: a detector for producing an electrical signal in response to incoming light; upper and lower enclosure members for enclosing said detector; a lens for receiving light and focusing it on said detector; at least one of said upper and lower enclosure members having a receptacle for mounting said lens; optical chamber within said enclosure members disposed adjacent to said light detector for preventing light that does not pass through said lens from reaching said light detector; and a plurality of spaced, thin-walled, optical baffles protruding into said optical chamber, wherein off axis light outside a desired entrance angle is incident on one of said baffles and is captured between said baffle and an adjacent baffle, whereby said off axis light is substantially prevented from reaching said detector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle light sensor of claim 1 wherein said baffles form consecutively smaller apertures as their distance from the detector decreases.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vehicle light sensor of claim 1 wherein said baffles and said optical chamber are formed by interior portions of said upper and lower enclosure members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vehicle light sensor of claim 1 further comprising a transmission filter positioned in front of said detector for blocking selected wavelengths of incoming light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle light sensor of claim 4 wherein said transmission filter blocks visible and ultraviolet wavelengths but transmits infrared wavelengths.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The vehicle light sensor of claim 1 further comprising: lens flanges molded integrally with said lens; one of said enclosure members having a seat portion adapted to receive said lens flanges; and a pair of pins attached to one of said enclosure members and deformed around said lens flange.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The vehicle light sensor of claim 6 wherein said seat portion includes a plurality of supports upon which the lens flanges rest, said supports being easily modified to permit precise adjustment of the lens position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vehicle light sensor of claim 1 wherein one of said enclosure members includes a means for holding said detector, and a means for adjusting the position of said detector within said enclosure member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The vehicle sensor of claim 8 wherein said means for adjusting the position of said detector further comprises a coil spring and a screw mounted on opposite sides of said detector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicle light sensor of claim 8 wherein said means for adjusting includes a screw and a cantilevered leaf spring, each making contact with said detector on opposite sides.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicle light sensor of claim 1 wherein said lens, said optical chamber, and said detector are all located on said lower enclosure member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicle light sensor of claim 11 wherein said upper and lower enclosure members are molded of a low mold shrinkage, low thermal coefficient of expansion, plastic.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The vehicle light sensor of claim 1 further comprising: a thin aperture plate attached to said detector, said plate being opaque to light for preventing light from reaching said detector; and an opening in said aperture plate for permitting light to reach said detector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The vehicle light sensor of claim 13 wherein said opening is rectangular in shape.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vehicle light sensor of claim 13 wherein said opening is non-rectangular and defines an aperture that obstructs light received from the upper right portion of the field of view of the detector.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicle light sensor of claim 13 wherein said thin aperture plate is a thin film having a thickness of less than 0.05 inches.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vehicle light sensor of claim 13 wherein said thin aperture plate includes a shaded portion for reducing the intensity of light reaching the detector in a portion of the field of view of the detector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle light sensor of claim 17 wherein said shaded portion comprises a series of triangular portions protruding into said opening.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
85 words
A light sensor module for an automatic headlamp dimmer system comprising: a detector for producing electrical signals in response to incoming light; a circuit board coupled to said detector for processing said electrical signals; an enclosure for containing said detector and said circuit board; a thin aperture plate mounted directly to said detector, said plate being opaque to light and having a thickness of less than 0.05 inches; an opening on said aperture plate for permitting light within a limited zone to reach said detector.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
85 words
A light sensor module for an automatic headlamp dimmer system comprising: a detector for producing electrical signals in response to incoming light; a circuit board coupled to said detector for processing said electrical signals; an enclosure for containing said detector and said circuit board; a thin aperture plate mounted directly to said detector, said plate being opaque to light and having a thickness of less than 0.05 inches; an opening on said aperture plate for permitting light within a limited zone to reach said detector.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The light sensor of claim 19 wherein said detector includes a detection surface and a transmission filter attached to said detection surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The light sensor of claim 19 wherein said opening is rectangular in shape.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The light sensor of claim 19 wherein said opening is non-rectangular and defines an aperture that obstructs light received from the upper right portion of the field of view of the detector.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The light sensor of claim 19 wherein said thin aperture plate includes a shaded portion for reducing the intensity of light reaching the detector in a portion of the field of view of the detector.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-23 | 1995-12-23 | 1996-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-23 | 1999-12-23 | 2000-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-23 | 2003-12-23 | 2004-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |