Dana Corporation

Transmisiones Tsp, S. A., De, C.v.

Anthony B McDonald

James A Wheeler

Anand C Patel

Peter T Szymanski

James E Smith

A structure and method for operating a directional control system for vehicle headlights that is capable of altering the directional aiming angles of the headlights to account for changes in the operating conditions of the vehicle. One or more operating condition sensors may be provided that generate signals that are representative of a condition of the vehicle, such as road speed, steering angle, pitch, suspension height, rate of change of road speed, rate of change of steering angle, rate of change of pitch, and rate of change of suspension height of the vehicle. A controller is responsive to the sensor signal for generating an output signal. An actuator is adapted to be connected to the headlight to effect movement thereof in accordance with the output signal. The controller can include a table that relates values of sensed operating condition to values of the output signal. The controller is responsive to the sensor signal for looking up the output signal in the table.

Automatic directional control system for vehicle headlights

An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a clutch in a partially or fully automated mechanical transmission which is responsive to the actual speed of the vehicle engine for varying the engagement rate of release bearing during reengagement of the clutch. The apparatus includes an electronic controller which initially sets a desired speed for the vehicle engine during the shifting process, determines a rate of engagement movement of a release bearing of the clutch, and actuates appropriate valves to initiate the gradual engagement of the clutch. The electronic controller sets a first lower engine speed threshold and a second lower engine speed threshold. The magnitude of the first lower engine speed threshold may vary with the amount of depression of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle. If the actual speed of the engine remains above both the first lower engine speed threshold and the second lower engine speed threshold, the engagement process is continued without interruption. If the actual speed of the engine drops below the first lower engine speed threshold but remains above the second lower engine speed threshold, the release bearing is held in its current position until the actual speed of the engine recovers above the first lower engine speed threshold. If the actual speed of the engine drops below both the first lower engine speed threshold and the second lower engine speed threshold, the engagement process is aborted, and the release bearing is returned to the disengaged position until the actual speed of the engine recovers above an engagement re-start speed threshold.

Growing community of inventors

Perrysburg, OH, United States of America

Anthony B McDonald