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US 12,017,576 B2Granted
Lamp system and automotive lamp
AssigneeKoito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
InventorsKiyotaka Mochizuki, Naoki Tatara, Norihiko Kobayashi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lamp system includes a variable light distribution lamp. The variable light distribution lamp 110 irradiates a beam having a variable light intensity distribution to a road surface. A light distribution controller controls the variable light distribution lamp. In response to the start of a predetermined event, the light distribution controller draws a pattern that corresponds to the event. In response to the end of the event, the light distribution controller extinguishes the pattern.
Claims9
A lamp system comprising:
- a variable light distribution lamp structured to irradiate a beam having a variable light intensity distribution to a road surface;
- and
- a controller structured to control the variable light distribution lamp, to draw a pattern that corresponds to a predetermined event on the road surface in response to a start of the predetermined event, and to extinguish the pattern in response to an end of the predetermined event,
- wherein the predetermined event is an overtaking event where a user's vehicle traveling in an overtaking lane overtakes a leading vehicle traveling in a driving lane,
- wherein the variable light distribution lamp draws a first pattern on the road surface when a distance between the user's vehicle and the leading vehicle is reduced to a predetermined extent, and turns off the first pattern after the user's vehicle overtakes the leading vehicle,
- and wherein the first pattern is drawn in front of the user's vehicle over a predetermined range defined with a traveling direction as a longitudinal direction thereof with a light intensity that is brighter than a low beam.
3 more elements
An automotive lamp, comprising:
- a variable light distribution lamp structured to irradiate a beam having a variable light intensity distribution to a road surface;
- and a controller configured to control the variable light distribution lamp, wherein while a user's vehicle traveling in an overtaking lane overtakes a leading vehicle traveling in a driving lane, the controller is configured to control the variable light distribution lamp to draw a pattern on the road surface when a distance between the user's vehicle and the leading vehicle is reduced to a predetermined extent, and turn off the pattern after the user's vehicle overtakes the leading vehicle,
- and wherein a first pattern is drawn in front of the user's vehicle over a predetermined range with a traveling direction as a longitudinal direction thereof with a light intensity that is brighter than that of a low beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.