A vehicle comprises a head lamp which irradiates a head lamp irradiation region set in front of a vehicle body; an auxiliary lamp which irradiates an auxiliary lamp irradiation region set in front of the head lamp irradiation region; a bank state detecting section which detects a bank state of the vehicle body; and a lighting control section which lights the auxiliary lamp depending on the bank state, the lighting control section causes the auxiliary lamp to be lighted in a set lighting state when the bank state detecting section detects a predetermined set bank state, and the lighting control section causes the auxiliary lamp to be lighted in a preceding lighting state at luminosity lower than that of the set lighting state, when the bank state detecting section detects a preceding bank state which occurs before the vehicle body reaches the set bank state.

A single-track motor vehicle or a multi-track motor vehicle with tilt technology, includes one or more environment sensors that are installed in the front of the motor vehicle and that are arranged for detecting an area in front of the motor vehicle, and a control unit. The control unit controls an actuator while the motor vehicle is travelling depending on the position of the motor vehicle that is detected by the position sensor system in such a way that when the motor vehicle is tilted along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof, the movable element is moved by means of the actuator so that the position of a respective environment sensor is not rotated relative to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle when the motor vehicle is tilted compared to the position of the respective environment sensor when the motor vehicle is not tilted.

A lamp device for a vehicle includes a lamp housing and a light-emitting unit disposed therein. The light-emitting unit includes a light-emitting surface adjustable in at least one of a shape, an intensity of illumination, or a color of illumination. The lamp device further includes a bracket that supports the light-emitting unit to be mounted in the lamp housing, and that is configured to change the shape of the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting unit. The lamp device further includes a driving unit configured to apply a driving force to the bracket that changes the shape of the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting unit. The lamp device is configured to at least partially change, based on a plurality of lighting modes, at least one of the shape of the light-emitting surface, the intensity of illumination emitted from the light-emitting surface, or the color of illumination emitted from the light-emitting surface.

A method to operate a motor vehicle having a number of wheels is described. The method determines a steering angle for an automotive application. A steering angle is estimated using a yaw rate , a revolution rate of at least one wheel, a wheelbase L and a characteristic speed of the vehicle v.sub.ch based on a single-track model. Preferably, the steering angle is calculated using the yaw rate , the selected gear i, the wheelbase L, the speed v and the characteristic speed of the vehicle v.sub.ch according to the formula =[*i*L*(1+v.sup.2/v.sub.ch.sup.2)]/v. An application, such as adaptive light control during turns, that requires knowledge of the steering angle of the motor vehicle is carried out based on an estimated steering angle.

A bank angle of a vehicle can be accurately calculated using yaw axis data and roll axis data, and based on the calculated bank angle, vehicle illumination optics can be controlled to maintain a pattern of distributed light from the illumination optics to be generally horizontal. The calculated bank angle may be zeroed when the yaw axis data equals zero. The improved pattern of distributed light from the illumination optics illuminates a more natural field of view for the vehicle driver during a bank.

A saddle riding vehicle cornering light structure is provided on a saddle riding vehicle which banks a vehicle body in a rightward-leftward direction and performs cornering, and enlarges an illumination range in a direction to which the vehicle body is banked at the cornering, the structure including: a banking angle detection device that detects a banking angle of the vehicle body using a distance measurement device which measures a distance to a road surface; and a light main body that illuminates the direction to which the vehicle body is banked in accordance with the banking angle detected by the banking angle detection device.

An automated headlight system for vehicles replaces the high and low beam with a continuum of beam patterns, with further variable spatial distribution of intensities and color spectrum. The digital-headlight is comprised of a controller, sensors and multiple, individually-controllable light-sources modified by optical-control elements to form narrow-beams which are then combined to create the overall headlamp beam. Utilizing real-time sensor data regarding beings, objects and vehicles in the way-ahead, as well as optional information on the driver, vehicle and environment, the logical controller dynamically adapts the headlight system's illumination so as to provide vehicle operators with optimal visibility while preventing discomfort-glare from reaching the eyes oncoming traffic or pedestrians.

A bank angle of a vehicle can be accurately calculated using yaw axis data and roll axis data, and based on the calculated bank angle, vehicle illumination optics can be controlled to maintain a pattern of distributed light from the illumination optics to be generally horizontal. The calculated bank angle may be zeroed when the yaw axis data equals zero. The improved pattern of distributed light from the illumination optics illuminates a more natural field of view for the vehicle driver during a bank. In some embodiments, the vehicle illumination optics can include a primary illumination group and a plurality of side illumination groups.

A vehicle behavior detection device mounted on an own vehicle detects own vehicle's behavior, in particular driver's right or left turn behavior at an intersection on a roadway. The vehicle behavior detection device is a microcomputer system having a CPU capable of providing an intended direction acquiring section, a turn direction acquiring section, a coincidence judgment section and an information output section. The intended direction acquiring section obtains an intended direction toward which the own vehicle is turning. The turn direction acquiring section acquires a direction to which the own vehicle turns. The coincidence judgment section detects whether or not the intended direction coincides with the turn direction of the own vehicle. The information output section provides warning regarding wide right or left turn of the own vehicle when the judgment result indicates that the intended direction does not coincide with the turn direction of the own vehicle.

An illuminating device coupled with sensors or an image acquisition device and a logical controller allows illumination intensity and spectrum to be varied according to changing user needs. The system provides illumination to areas according to the principles of correct lighting practice for the optimal performance of visual tasks in the most efficient, cost effective manner. Aspects of the invention include: lighting fixtures which adapt to ambient lighting, movement, visual tasks being performed, and environmental and personal conditions affecting illumination requirements at any given instant. Lighting fixtures having spatial distribution of spectrum and intensity, providing both background room lighting, and task lighting.