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.