Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation

Gregory A Yotz

Evan L Hopkins

Wesley E Bowden

William E Oldweiler

An electrical circuit for adapting the independent brake lights and turn signal lights on a towing vehicle to the combined brake and turn signal lights on an associated trailer. An isolation network and a first CMOS exclusive OR integrated circuit are connected between the right turn signal light connection and brake light connection of the towing vehicle and the combined right turn signal and brake light connection on the trailer. An isolation network and a second CMOS exclusive OR integrated circuit are similarly connected between the left turn signal light connection and brake light connection of the towing vehicle and the combined left turn signal and brake light connection on the trailer. The isolation network prevents feedback from the electrical lighting system of the trailer to the electrical lighting system of the towing vehicle.

Brake turn signal adaptor for trailers

Brake and turn signal adaptor for trailers

A method for aiming vehicle headlights and for visually displaying the illumination patterns of the headlights using 'pattern framing'. The apparatus focuses the light beam on a screen and senses the intensity of the light in each cell of a matrix of cells overlying the reflected light beam with an image sensor. The apparatus generates an electrical signal for each cell indicative of the intensity of the light beam in each cell. The apparatus includes a computer for comparing at least some of the electrical signals to each other and with established criteria to determine whether the headlight is aimed within a prescribed degree of accuracy. The matrix is searched to find a row and column of points farthest away from the 'hot spot' of the beam which have at least one point with a certain light intensity relationship. The row and column are compared with the established criteria to determine if the headlight is properly aimed. The apparatus describes the illumination pattern of a headlight by visually displaying at least some of the electrical signals, i.e., the light intensities and their locations, on a display. The illumination pattern can be displayed as a series of isocandela lines, or can be displayed as a simulated headlight illumination pattern on a simulated road surface. The headlight illumination pattern can be compared to a properly aimed, simulated headlight illumination pattern to indicate the necessary aiming correction.

Headlight aiming method using pattern framing

An apparatus and method for aiming vehicle headlights and for visually displaying the illumination patterns of the headlights. A light beam is focused on a screen and the intensity of the light in each cell of a matrix of cells overlying the reflected light beam is sensed with an image sensor. An electrical signal is generated for each cell indicative of the intensity of the light beam in each cell. A computer compares at least some of the electrical signals to each other and with established criteria to determine whether the headlight is aimed within a prescribed degree of accuracy. The illumination pattern of a headlight is described by visually displaying at least some of the electrical signals i.e. the light intensities and their locations, on a display. The illumination pattern can be displayed as a series of isocandela lines, or can be displayed as a simulated headlight illumination pattern on a road surface. Exemplary objects can be included on the road surface at selected intervals to indicate relative distances. The headlight illumination pattern can be compared to a properly aimed, simulated headlight illumination pattern to indicate the necessary aiming correction. Digital and graphic indications of the relative deviations between the headlight illumination pattern and a properly aimed headlight illumination pattern are provided, as well as an aiming probe for centering the headlight relative to the lens.

Headlight aiming apparatus and display

A system and method for checking the aim of the high and low beams of a vehicle headlamp are provided. The system comprises a vehicle position locator adapted to be centered under the vehicle, and a target screen located at a predetermined distance from the headlamp of a vehicle centered on the locator. A laser/prism subassembly is mounted to the locator for lateral and vertical movement relative to the vehicle. The prism directs the laser beam toward the headlamp when it is positioned in front of the laser. A plurality of photosensors on the target screen sense the intensity of a light beam from the headlamp, and meters on the target screen indicate comparisons of the levels of intensity of portions of the beam sensed by the individual photosensors. The method comprises the steps of directing the laser beam at the center of the headlamp lens with the prism, fixing the position of the laser with respect to the headlamp lens, and moving the prism to redirect the laser beam at the target screen to establish an origin point for a properly aimed headlamp. The vehicle headlamp is then shined upon the photosensors. If the headlamp beam intensities sensed by the photosensors have the proper comparative distribution, the meters will verify the proper aim of the headlamp. If not, the target screen is moved until the meters show an acceptable aim indication. The steps of directing the laser light beam at the center of the headlamp lens, fixing the laser position, and redirecting the laser light beam at the target screen are then repeated. The distance on the screen between the origin point and the location of the laser beam after moving the screen indicates the amount of headlamp misalignment. The headlamp is accepted only if this distance is within prescribed limits.

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Emporia, KS, United States of America

Gregory A Yotz