Loading patent…
OwnerEvan Leon Hopkins, Evan Lloyd Hopkins +1inventors
InventorsEvan Leon Hopkins, Evan Lloyd Hopkins, Jerry L. Wedel
Estimating the term…
A method and apparatus for detecting orientation with respect to predetermined frames of reference particularly for use in aligning vehicle headlamps relative to frames of reference such as the true horizontal and the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Orientation relative to the true horizontal is detected by comparing the electrical responses of two photocells which have a peak spectral response at a predetermined wavelength and which bracket a gas bubble provided in an upwardly curved transparent housing containing both the bubble and a fluid. The photocells are illuminated through the housing by associated light emitting diodes which have peak emissivities at wavelengths matched to the peak spectral response of the corresponding photocells. Orientation relative to a predetermined axis such as the axis of the vehicle is detected by detecting the orientation of a planar surface defining two brightness zones relative to a light beam originating at a light source as a concentrated light spot and diverging along the length of the beam. When aiming headlamps, the two orientation detecting means are mounted on a pair of headlamp aiming tools which are retained on the headlamps in a predetermined orientation relative thereto. Signals related to the detected orientation are generated by the orientation detectors and are selectively applied to a headlamp position adjusting means to modify the position of the headlamps in response to the detected orientations. The appropriate orientation signal may be selected automatically in response to the position of the adjusting means.
Apparatus for aiming a vehicle headlamp of the type including means defining a reference surface having a predetermined orientation relative to an optical axis of the headlamp, the apparatus comprising:
Apparatus for aiming a vehicle headlamp of the type adjustably mounted on a vehicle, the adjustable mounting including first and second headlamp adjusting means for adjusting the headlamp relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and relative to the true horizontal, respectively, the apparatus comprising:
Apparatus for aligning vehicle headlamps of the type provided with means defining an outwardly facing reference surface, the apparatus comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.