IP Library Granted Patent US 9,221,388
Granted Patent B2
US 9,221,388 · App. 14/098,227 · Granted Dec 29, 2015

Method for reducing the movements of light from a movable light source

Inventors: Andreas Krauβ (Erwitte, DE); Boris Kubitza (Möhnesee-Körbecke, DE)
Assignee: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
B60Q1/122B60Q2300/122
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,221,388
App. No.
14/098,227
Granted
Dec 29, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for reducing the movements of light from at least one movable light source for a motor vehicle with a steering wheel, wherein a movement of the steering wheel causes a movement of the light source includes the steps of detecting a current steering wheel angle and at least one steering wheel angle change coming from the current steering wheel angle is detected over a defined time window and the steering wheel angle change is summed to form a magnitude, wherein simultaneously a number of steering wheel changes in direction is detected within the defined time window, wherein a characteristic value is allocated to each magnitude and the associated number of changes, wherein a comparison of the characteristic value with a limiting value is performed and a decision is made with reference to the comparison whether additional movement of the light source is carried out.

Claims (19)

1. A method for reducing the movements of light from at least one movable light source for a motor vehicle with a steering wheel, wherein a movement of the steering wheel causes a movement of the light source, comprising the steps of:

detecting a current steering wheel angle with a sensor;

detecting at least one steering wheel angle change coming from the current steering wheel angle with the sensor over a defined time window;

summing the at least one steering wheel angle change to form a magnitude;

detecting a number of steering wheel changes in direction within the defined time window with the sensor;

determining a characteristic value based on the magnitude and the associated number of changes;

comparing the characteristic value with a limiting value; and

moving the light source when the limiting value is greater than the characteristic value.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a characteristic curve is defined by at least two limiting values.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the characteristic curve divides a coordinate system into a first region and a second region, wherein additional movement of the light source is prevented when the characteristic value is in the first region or additional movement of the light source is carried out when the characteristic value is in the second region.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a filtering of a crossover of the characteristic value is carried out.

5. A device for reducing the movements of light from at least one movable light source for a motor vehicle with a steering wheel, wherein through a movement of the steering wheel, a movement of the light source can be actuated by a control unit, comprising:

a sensor connected to the steering wheel, said sensor configured to detect a current steering wheel angle,

a computing unit connected to the sensor, and

wherein at least one steering wheel angle change coming from the current steering wheel angle is detected by the sensor over a defined time window and is summed by the computing unit to form a magnitude, wherein simultaneously a number of steering wheel changes in direction within the defined time window is detected by the computing unit, wherein a characteristic value is allocated to each magnitude and the associated number of changes, wherein additional movement of the light source is actuated by the control unit when the limiting value is greater than the characteristic value.

6. The device according to claim 5 , further comprising a wired or wireless data connection for transmitting data of the sensor to the computing unit.

7. The device according to claim 5 , wherein the sensor is one of a potentiometer, an inductive component, a capacitive component, or an optoelectronic component.

8. The device according to claim 5 , wherein a light distribution of the light source is changed electromechanically by means of a swiveling actuator or a light distribution is carried out by turning on and off several light sources.

9. The device according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit and the computing unit are constructed as one unit.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 23, 2018
From: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
To: HELLA GMBH & CO. KGAA
Reel/Frame 046219/0517 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2013
From: KRAUSS, ANDREAS; KUBITZA, BORIS
To: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
Reel/Frame 031726/0029 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2012 112 128 · Dec 12, 2012 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140163821A1 · Jun 12, 2014