An apparatus (100), including: a framework (104) configured to be secured to a vehicle; an arm base (106) configured to pivot relative to the framework between a retracted position and an extended position; an arm (110) removably secured to and extending from the arm base; and a shock absorber (142) configured to absorb shock and to prevent relative movement between the arm base and the arm.

A light-emitting diode (LED) string includes an electrically conductive wire and a plurality of LEDs. The LEDs are electrically connected to the wire in series along an axial length of the wire. The LED string may include a solder layer, with the LEDs electrically connected to the wire via the solder layer. A tube having an optional phosphor coating may circumscribe the wire and LEDs. When connected to a surface, the LED string emits light in a band of at least 180 degrees with respect to the surface. A light assembly includes a first surface and a first LED string configured as set forth above. The light assembly may include a second LED string positioned with respect to the surface and having additional LEDs configured to illuminate in response to a second control signal from the controller.

A hazard notification system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of exterior lights and a positioning system configured to identify a location of the vehicle. The system further comprises a controller. The controller is configured to identify the vehicle in an unestablished parking region based on the location and receive an indication of a parked condition of the vehicle. In response to the parked condition and the vehicle located in the unestablished parking region, the controller is configured to activate the exterior lights.

In a motor vehicle having motor vehicle exterior lighting devices and an operator control device, the following lighting modes of the motor vehicle exterior lighting devices can be set: deactivated, parking light, daytime running light, forwarding lighting, and automatic mode in which the motor vehicle exterior lighting devices are operated by an automatic forward light controller. The operator control device further has a single monostable operator control element by which the lighting modes can be set; or the operator control device has a monostable operator control element by which the deactivated, parking light, daytime running light and forward lighting lighting modes can be set. The operator control device has a pushbutton key or a toggle lever by which the automatic mode can be set.

A vehicular illumination mechanism is mountable on a vehicle having a loading and unloading mechanism for moving a wheelchair between the vehicle and a road surface. The loading and unloading mechanism has an upper face portion and is movable between a stored position and an extended position. The vehicular illumination mechanism includes a position detection portion that is configured to detect a position of the loading and unloading mechanism, an illuminating lamp that is configured to illuminate the upper face portion of the loading and unloading mechanism extended to the extended position, and an illumination control portion that is configured to light the illuminating lamp when the position detection portion detects that the loading and unloading mechanism is in the extended position.

According to one aspect, headlights of a vehicle are used to communicate information that may be understood by a user or other person in the vicinity of the vehicle. A method includes operating a vehicle and determining a status of the vehicle. The vehicle has a park gear arranged to be engaged to cause the vehicle to be in a parked state, and the vehicle includes a first optical assembly that has a first optical arrangement and a first optical controller. The method also includes causing the first optical arrangement to visually communicate a first indication, the first indication being arranged to indicate the status of the vehicle.

An automotive lamp with a lighting device is provided that includes a LED lighting circuit designed to generate a luminous flux on the basis of a driving current, a controlling electrical circuit which provides the driving current on the basis of a reference electrical quantity and of a sensed electrical quantity, and a compensating electrical circuit, which is configured so as to vary the reference electrical quantity by way of a compensation function of the luminous flux predetermined, on the basis of the temperature of the LED lighting circuit. The compensating electrical circuit includes a resistive conditioning electrical device that conditions the compensation function of the luminous flux so as to vary the reference electrical quantity in a predetermined way in response to a change in temperature.

A collision protection system is provided for a parked motor vehicle. That collision protection system includes a warning device, a sensor for detecting an approaching motor vehicle and a controller. The controller is configured to activate the warning device in response to a signal from the sensor indicating that the approaching motor vehicle is within a predetermined distance of the parked motor vehicle. A related method is also provided.

A lamp kit, preferably a headlamp kit, for the installation in a motor vehicle, comprising at least two headlamps (1, 11), preferably two front headlamps, wherein the lamp kit comprises at least two light sources (3, 13) for installation in one each of the two lamps (1, 11), wherein each of the two light sources (3, 13) can emit light in at least one first or one second wavelength, wherein the first of the at least two multicoloured light sources (13) is or can be connected to a first control unit (14) for controlling the wavelength of the light emitted by the first light source, wherein the first control unit is or can be connected to a first receiving unit for receiving a wirelessly transmitted signal, and the second of the at least two multicoloured light sources (3) is or can be connected to a second control unit (4) for controlling the wavelength of the light emitted by the second light source, wherein the second control unit (4) is or can be connected to a second receiving unit for receiving a wirelessly transmitted signal; and an arrangement (10) with at least two headlamps (1, 11) of a motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle.

An exterior lighting system for a vehicle comprising a lighting source configured to emit a light beam, the lighting source being part of one of existing exterior lights of the vehicle, an object being configured to have at least one active position and a passive position, the object being configured to modify the light beam in the at least one active position and to have no effect on the light beam in the passive position, an actuator configured to move the object between the at least one active position and the passive position, and a controller for controlling the actuator, the controller being configured to deactivate the actuator when the vehicle is not parked and activate the actuator only when the vehicle is parked.