Automatic leveling apparatus for use with vehicle headlamps

摘要

An automatic leveling apparatus includes a headlamp whose light axis is pivoted in a vertical direction relative to a vehicle body by an actuator 10; a control unit 16 for controlling the operation of the actuator 10; vehicle speed detection device 12 for detection of the speed of the vehicle; and pitch angle detection device 14 for detecting a pitch angle of the vehicle. When the pitch angle detection device 14 detects a pitch angle theta2 while the vehicle is in a stable traveling state, the control unit 16 controls the operation of the actuator 10 in consideration of the pitch angle theta2. Consequently, the actuator is prevented from being controlled on the basis of a pitch angle obtained when the vehicle stops facing downhill or in an unnatural position such as in which the wheels on one side of the vehicle are on the curb.