US5798911A — Automatic light system for motor vehicles of all …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 181 words

Light system for controlling a beam range of a motor vehicle and comprising an automatic multifunctional system constructed from programs and information, the multifunctional system distinguishing between four basic stages for road conditions, the multifunctional system distinguishing in each of the four basic stages three stages of visibility conditions, thus giving twelve stages, in dependence upon a particular stage, on the basis of the programs and entered and current information, the multifunctional system controlling instantaneous beam range in such a manner that it always lies between a minimum and a maximum beam range, the formulae minimum beam range=minimum stopping distance maximum beam range=maximum stopping distance being fulfilled, in each basic stage the multifunctional system controlling light intensity in dependence upon the basic range in such a manner that an area in front of the vehicle is illuminated in optimum manner, so that all vehicles equipped with the automatic multifunctional system at any time during vehicle travel have a beam range and a light intensity which is adapted in optimum manner to the vehicle characteristics, the road conditions and the visibility conditions.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 181 words

Light system for controlling a beam range of a motor vehicle and comprising an automatic multifunctional system constructed from programs and information, the multifunctional system distinguishing between four basic stages for road conditions, the multifunctional system distinguishing in each of the four basic stages three stages of visibility conditions, thus giving twelve stages, in dependence upon a particular stage, on the basis of the programs and entered and current information, the multifunctional system controlling instantaneous beam range in such a manner that it always lies between a minimum and a maximum beam range, the formulae minimum beam range=minimum stopping distance maximum beam range=maximum stopping distance being fulfilled, in each basic stage the multifunctional system controlling light intensity in dependence upon the basic range in such a manner that an area in front of the vehicle is illuminated in optimum manner, so that all vehicles equipped with the automatic multifunctional system at any time during vehicle travel have a beam range and a light intensity which is adapted in optimum manner to the vehicle characteristics, the road conditions and the visibility conditions.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 105 words

A light system for a motor vehicle having an actual minimum stopping distance and comprising headlamp means having a beam length adjustable between a minimum beam range and a maximum beam range, the headlamp means including for each vehicle side a main reflector and a fog reflector, the beam ranges of which are adjustable independently of each other, adjusting means for adjusting the beam range of the headlamp means, and control means for controlling the adjusting means automatically in such a manner that at any instant during vehicle travel the minimum beam range is not less than the actual minimum stopping distance of the vehicle.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 105 words

A light system for a motor vehicle having an actual minimum stopping distance and comprising headlamp means having a beam length adjustable between a minimum beam range and a maximum beam range, the headlamp means including for each vehicle side a main reflector and a fog reflector, the beam ranges of which are adjustable independently of each other, adjusting means for adjusting the beam range of the headlamp means, and control means for controlling the adjusting means automatically in such a manner that at any instant during vehicle travel the minimum beam range is not less than the actual minimum stopping distance of the vehicle.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 57 words

The light system of claim 2 wherein with good visibility the main reflectors are operated in dependence upon the stopping distance and with average visibility the fog reflectors, the main reflectors remaining switched to an initial position, and with poor visibility both the main reflectors and the fog reflectors are operated in dependence upon the stopping distance.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 125 words

A light system for a motor vehicle having an actual minimum stopping distance and an actual maximum stopping distance comprising headlamp means having a beam length adjustable between a minimum beam range and a maximum beam range, adjusting means for adjusting the bean range of the headlamp means, and control means for controlling the adjusting means automatically in such a manner that at any instance during vehicle travel the minimum beam range is not less than the actual minimum stopping distance of the vehicle, the control means determining a maximum beam range from the actual maximum stopping distance and reaction time of a driver and the beam range being continuously adjusted during vehicle travel so that it does not exceed the prospective maximum beam range.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 125 words

A light system for a motor vehicle having an actual minimum stopping distance and an actual maximum stopping distance comprising headlamp means having a beam length adjustable between a minimum beam range and a maximum beam range, adjusting means for adjusting the bean range of the headlamp means, and control means for controlling the adjusting means automatically in such a manner that at any instance during vehicle travel the minimum beam range is not less than the actual minimum stopping distance of the vehicle, the control means determining a maximum beam range from the actual maximum stopping distance and reaction time of a driver and the beam range being continuously adjusted during vehicle travel so that it does not exceed the prospective maximum beam range.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 60 words

The light system of claim 4 wherein when the vehicle is stationary or at low speeds the control means sets a fixed initial beam range which exceeds the stopping distance, the initial beam range being selected in particular at 30 m, and wherein the control means adjusts the minimum beam range when the stopping distance exceeds the initial beam range.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 27 words

The light system of claim 4, including adjustment means directly coupled to a steering wheel for adjusting beam direction of the headlamp means in a horizontal plane.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 107 words

Method for controlling beam range of a headlamp means of a motor vehicle during its travel and comprising the steps of automatically setting a minimum beam range for the headlamp means which does not drop below the value of a momentary stopping distance of the vehicle, automatically setting a maximum beam range for the headlamp means which does not exceed a momentary maximum stopping distance of the vehicle, calculating the minimum stopping distance from a sum of maximum braking distance and minimum reaction distance of a driver, and calculating the maximum stopping distance from a sum of maximum braking distance and maximum reaction distance of a driver.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 107 words

Method for controlling beam range of a headlamp means of a motor vehicle during its travel and comprising the steps of automatically setting a minimum beam range for the headlamp means which does not drop below the value of a momentary stopping distance of the vehicle, automatically setting a maximum beam range for the headlamp means which does not exceed a momentary maximum stopping distance of the vehicle, calculating the minimum stopping distance from a sum of maximum braking distance and minimum reaction distance of a driver, and calculating the maximum stopping distance from a sum of maximum braking distance and maximum reaction distance of a driver.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 30 words

Method of claim 7 further including a step of determining maximum braking distance for a maximum loaded vehicle in accordance with speed and road conditions as well as vehicle-specific data.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 49 words

Method of claim 7 wherein the steps of calculating the minimum and maximum stopping distances are determined in accordance with minimum and maximum reaction times of an inexperienced or professional driver and speed, said reaction times of inexperienced and professional drivers being at all times absolutely the same ratio.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 26 words

Method of claim 9 wherein the steps of calculating minimum and maximum stopping distances take into account driver reaction time dependent on weather and/or visibility conditions.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-08-24	2002-02-23	2002-08-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-08-24	2006-02-23	2006-08-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-08-24	2010-02-23	2010-08-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Automatic light system for motor vehicles of all kinds and a method for controlling a light system

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