Search Results

It has often been noted that the fixed position of conventional headlamp beams can present drawbacks. When a car accelerates or decelerates, the angle that the headlamp beam makes with the road surface will change due to vehicle pitching. This beam angle variation can cause a reduction in visibility distance, or alternatively, glare on oncoming vehicles. Both cases represent situations in which safety is impaired during night driving. The headlamp system to be discussed here was developed with a view towards solving this problem. It features a cylindrical light shield which, by rotating in response to sensors, can compensate for vehicle pitching and correct the beam to road angle. Our test results confirm that by using this system, the negative effects of changes in vehicle inclination, including glare on oncoming vehicles and reduced road illumination distance, can be all but eliminated.

This report describes the development of an advanced technology headlamp reflector which is capable of producing a sharp cut-off line. Similar attempts in the past have suffered from various drawbacks, but through the use of a mathematically derived set of equations describing a controlled curved surface, we were able to greatly increase performance specifications. Prototype headlamp tests showed improved distant visibility, a major problem in existing designs. Furthermore, by superimposing a ripple pattern onto the reflector surface, we were able to attain sufficient light diffusion to enable the reflector to be used within headlamps having highly slanted outer lenses.

These headlighting systems control the headlamp beams according to the running state of a vehicle at night in order to provide optimal illumination. They have two functions: to control the range of illumination according to vehicle speed and to control beam direction in response to the steering. Two optical systems were developed to realize these functions. One system uses two movable mirrors in each headlamp, while the other system uses a movable lens installed in front of the projector lamp. According to photometric data analysis done in our laboratory, bath systems improve visibility on curved roads substantially. It was also found that they are effective in limiting glare projected onto oncoming vehicles.

The motorcycle banks at an angle in order to maintain an adequate balance between the motorcycle and centrifugal force when it turns. This results in the following problems: 1) The motorcycle rider's visibility is reduced due to insufficient forward illumination. 2) Glare is projected onto oncoming drivers. This thesis is a report on the development of a device designed to prevent the above-mentioned problems so that the rider may drive his motorcycle safely at night.

This is a report on the development of a lamp system that will change the extent of the illuminated area in response to the steering angle. The optical performance of headlamp systems has been improved in response to increases in automobile performance and changes in traffic conditions. However, most of a driver's perception at night is visual so it is necessary to improve the driver's forward visibility at night in accordance with the increased performance of automobiles. The light distribution of current headlamps is designed mainly in consideration of straight forward vehicle movement so the area that a driver wants to see when making a turn is not necessarily sufficiently illuminated. In order to provide sufficient illumination for safe cornering, a headlamp system that changes the distribution of light in response to the steering angle with the use of microcomputer control has been developed.