GB2361530A - Automatic automobile sidelight/headlight sensor switch - Google Patents

Automatic automobile sidelight/headlight sensor switch Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2361530A
GB2361530A GB0000698A GB0000698A GB2361530A GB 2361530 A GB2361530 A GB 2361530A GB 0000698 A GB0000698 A GB 0000698A GB 0000698 A GB0000698 A GB 0000698A GB 2361530 A GB2361530 A GB 2361530A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
switch
sensor switch
light sensor
light
lights
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0000698A
Other versions
GB0000698D0 (en
Inventor
Ernest Anthony Shackleton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0000698A priority Critical patent/GB2361530A/en
Publication of GB0000698D0 publication Critical patent/GB0000698D0/en
Publication of GB2361530A publication Critical patent/GB2361530A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/14—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means
    • B60Q1/1415—Dimming circuits
    • B60Q1/1423—Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q2300/00—Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
    • B60Q2300/10—Indexing codes relating to particular vehicle conditions
    • B60Q2300/14—Other vehicle conditions
    • B60Q2300/146—Abnormalities, e.g. fail-safe
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q2300/00—Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
    • B60Q2300/20—Indexing codes relating to the driver or the passengers
    • B60Q2300/21—Manual control
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q2300/00—Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
    • B60Q2300/30—Indexing codes relating to the vehicle environment
    • B60Q2300/31—Atmospheric conditions
    • B60Q2300/314—Ambient light

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)

Abstract

An automatic sidelight/headlight sensor switch is connected to the electrical system of an automobile or other vehicle to allow automatic switching on and off of the external lights during the hours of darkness or places of enforced darkness eg in fog or in a tunnel. This eliminates the personal judgement required to ascertain the correct time to switch on and off the external lights which may be required for personal safety and that of other road users. The light sensor may be placed externally or internally of the vehicle. The light switch is activated at a predetermined light level which may be adjustable. Manual switching of the lights may be retained in case of failure of the light sensor switch, which would be indicated by a warning light.

Description

2361530 SHEET OF (3 AUTOMATIC AUTOMOBILE SIDELIGHT/ HEADLIGHT SENSORSWITCH
THIS INVENTION RELATES TO THE EXTERNAL LIGHTING SYSTEM OF AN AUTOMOBILE, OR OTHER VEHICLE AND IN PARTICULAR TO THE SIDELIGHTS, DIPPED HEADLIGHTS, OR OTHER LIGHTS WHICH MAY BE AFFECTED OR REQUIRED TO BE ON OR SWITCHED ON DURING DARKNESS, OR WHEN VISIBILITY IS POOR DUE TO VARIOUS FACTORS, E.G. NORMAL NIGHT- TIME DARKNESS, FOG A MISTY ATMOSPHERE, AN UNLIT OR DIMLY LIT TUNNEL, AND SIMILAR SITUATIONS WHICH MAY OCCUR GRADUALLY OR VERY QUICKLY, GIVING THE DRIVER LITTLE OR NO TIME TO REACT TO SWITCH ON THE LIGHTS REQUIRED.
AT THE PRESENT TIME THE LIGHTS WE ARE CONCERNED WITH, SIDELIGHTS, DIPPED HEADLIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS AND OTHERS ARE SWITCHED ON AND OFF AT THE DRIVERS DISCRETION OR JUDGEMENT, WHICH MAY VARY CONSIDERABLY, SOME DRIVERS MAY NOT SWITCH ON THEIR VEHICLES LIGHTS AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME WHEN THEY ARE REQUIRED, OTHERS MAY FORGET COMPLETELY TO SWITCH ON THE LIGHTS, THIS CAN LEAD TO VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AND MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.
WITH THE PRESENT INVENTION IT IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE OR FIT A LIGHT SENSOR SWITCH, WHICH WILL AUTOMATICALLY SWITCH ON AND OFF THE VEHICLES REQUIRED EXTERNAL LIGHTS AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME DURING THESE PERIODS OF DARKNESS AND LIGHTNESS, THUS TAKING MOST OR ALL OF THE PERSONAL JUDGEMENT REQUIRED FOR SWITCHING ON AND OFF THE VEHICLES LIGHTS, OUT OF THESE SITUATIONS.
IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE NORMAL OR STANDARD SWITCHING ON AND OFF MECHANISM BE RETAINED, SO THAT IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT OF A FAILURE OF THE LIGHT SENSOR SWITCH, THE VARIOUS REQUIRED LIGHTS CAN BE SWITCHED ON AND OFF AS USUAL, AS IF THE LIGHT SENSOR SWITCH WAS NOT FITTED. IT IS ALSO ENVISAGED THAT A WARNING LIGHT OR OTHER MEANS BE FITTED TO SHOW THAT THE LIGHT SENSOR SWITCH IS NOT WORKING, OR OUT OF USE, SO THAT MANUAL ON AND OFF SWITCHING OF THE LIGHTS IS REQUIRED.
SHEET (2) OF (3) THE AUTOMATIC AUTOMOBILE SIDELIGHT / HEADLIGHT SENSOR SWITCH IS A SWITCH WHICH WORKS OR SWITCHES ON OR OFF THE EXTERNAL LIGHTING SYSTEM OF AN AUTOMOBILE, DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT AVAILABLE, IT MAY BE CONTROLLED BY A FIXED AMOUNT OF LIGHT WHICH IS AVAILABLE, OR IT MAY BE ADJUSTABLE TO REACT TO ANY DEGREE OF LIGHT WHICH MAY BE AVAILABLE, WHEN THE LIGHT SENSOR SWITCH IS ACTIVATED BY A LACK OF SUFFICIENT LIGHT WHICH IS OR MAY BE PRE-DETERMINED, THE LIGHT SENSOR SWITCH MECHANISM COMPLETES THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WHICH BRINGS INTO USE THE LIGHTS REQUIRED ON THE VEHICLE, WHICH MAY BE THE SIDELIGHTS, DIPPED HEADLIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS, OR ANY OTHER LIGHTS WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED.
THE MANUAL SWITCHING ON AND OFF OF TIEE LIGHTING SYSTEM MAY OR MAY NOT BE RETAINED, HOWEVER IT IS NOT ENVISAGED THAT THE MANUAL SWITCH WILL OVERRIDE THE LIGHT SENSOR SWITCH, WHICH IS OR SHOULD BE INDEPENDENT, SO THAT THE SWITCHING ON OR OFF OF THE EXTERNAL LIGHTING SYSTEM DOES NOT RELY ON THE INDIVIDUAL JUDGEMENT OF THE DRIVER, OR OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THEM.
IT IS ENVISAGED THAT A WARNING LIGHT OR OTHER DEVISE MAY BE FITTED TO SHOW WHETBER OR NOT THE LIGHT SENSOR SWITCH IS OPERATING CORRECTLY, WHICH WILL THEN PROMPT THE DRIVER OR OPERATOR TO USE THE MANUAL SWITCH SYSTEM SHEET(3) OF( 3

Claims (6)

  1. CLAIM 1.
    AN AUTOMATIC SIDELIGHT / HEADLIGHT SENSOR SWITCH WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF AN AUTOMOBILE, TO ALLOW THE AUTOMATIC SWITCHING ON AND OFF OF THE EXTERNAL LIGHTS REQUIRED ON AN AUTOMOBILE, OR OTHER VEHICLE, DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS OR PLACES OF ENFORCED DARKNESS, SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE PERSONAL JUDGEMENT REQUIRED TO ASCERTAIN THE CORRECT TIME TO SWITCH ON AND OFF OF THE EXTERNAL LIGHTS WMCH MAY BE REQUIRED FOR PERSONAL SAFETY AND THAT OF OTHER ROAD USERS.
  2. CLAIM 2.
    A CLAIM AS IN CLAIM 1, WHEREBY THE LIGHT SENSOR SWITCH IS ACTIVATED BY A PRE-DETERMINED LEVEL OR AMOUNT OF LIGHT AVAILABLE, OR BY AN ADJUSTABLE LEVEL OR AMOUNT OF LIGHT AVAILABLE.
  3. CLAIM 3.
    A CLAIM AS IN ALL PREVIOUS CLAIMS, WHEREBY THE LIGHT SENSOR SWITCH MAY BE PLACED OR FITTED IN ANY SUITABLE PLACE, INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL TO THE VEHICLE.
  4. CLAIM 4.
    A CLAIM AS IN ALL PREVIOUS CLAIMS, WHEREBY A PLURALITY OF LIGHT SENSOR SWITCHES ARE PROVIDED TO SWITCH ON AND OFF INDIVIDUAL LIGHTS AS AND WHEN THEY ARE REQUIRED.
  5. CLAIM 5.
    A CLAIM AS IN ALL PREVIOUS CLAIMS, WHEREBY THE LIGHT SENSOR SWITCH IS OR MAY BE ADJUSTED OR PROGRAMMED TO SWITCH ON AND OFF ALL OR ANY OF THE LIGHTS WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED.
    CLAIEM
  6. 6.
    A CLAIM AS IN ALL PREVIOUS CLAIMS WHEREBY A WARNING LIGHT IS FITTED TO INDICATE THAT THE LIGHT SENSOR SWITCH IS FAULTY, OR NOT WORKING PROPERLY OR SATISFACTORY.
    CLAIM 7 A CLAIM AS IN ALL PREVIOUS CLAIMS WHEREBY THE LIGHT SENSOR SWITCH MAY OR MAY NOT BE FITTED WITH A FIXED OR ADJUSTABLE TIMING DEVICE, WHICH WILL ALLOW THE SWITCHING OFF OF THE EXTERNAL LIGHTING SYSTEM TO BE DELAYED.
    CLAIM 8 A CLAIM AS IN ALL PREVIOUS CLAIMS, WHEREBY THE LIGHT SENSOR SWITCH IS ACTIVATED WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS SWITCHED ON.
GB0000698A 2000-01-13 2000-01-13 Automatic automobile sidelight/headlight sensor switch Withdrawn GB2361530A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0000698A GB2361530A (en) 2000-01-13 2000-01-13 Automatic automobile sidelight/headlight sensor switch

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0000698A GB2361530A (en) 2000-01-13 2000-01-13 Automatic automobile sidelight/headlight sensor switch

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0000698D0 GB0000698D0 (en) 2000-03-08
GB2361530A true GB2361530A (en) 2001-10-24

Family

ID=9883593

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0000698A Withdrawn GB2361530A (en) 2000-01-13 2000-01-13 Automatic automobile sidelight/headlight sensor switch

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2361530A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2861022A1 (en) * 2003-10-21 2005-04-22 Renault Sa Motor vehicle, has driver compartment and display unit adopting, in response to events, steering and display configurations selected from set of respective configurations, where events causing activation of configurations are same
EP1323579A3 (en) * 2001-12-24 2009-08-26 Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. Method for testing a lighting device automatic control and testing device

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB430864A (en) * 1934-05-10 1935-06-26 Weston Electrical Instr Corp Improvements in illumination control devices
GB1026264A (en) * 1963-06-26 1966-04-14 Georges Schick Apparatus for the automatic control of the headlights of a vehicle
GB1447260A (en) * 1972-09-16 1976-08-25 Faller Ag Gebr Lighting systems for vehicles
GB1529523A (en) * 1977-10-24 1978-10-25 Mcgowan J Automatic vehicle lighting unit
GB2156515A (en) * 1984-02-02 1985-10-09 Honda Motor Co Ltd Apparatus for controlling the lights of a vehicle
GB2237106A (en) * 1989-07-10 1991-04-24 Brendan James Price Vehicle light management system
GB2314620A (en) * 1996-06-26 1998-01-07 Dean Paul Morris Vehicle light intensity monitor
US5909172A (en) * 1997-07-25 1999-06-01 Ashford; Steven Auto light sensor system

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB430864A (en) * 1934-05-10 1935-06-26 Weston Electrical Instr Corp Improvements in illumination control devices
GB1026264A (en) * 1963-06-26 1966-04-14 Georges Schick Apparatus for the automatic control of the headlights of a vehicle
GB1447260A (en) * 1972-09-16 1976-08-25 Faller Ag Gebr Lighting systems for vehicles
GB1529523A (en) * 1977-10-24 1978-10-25 Mcgowan J Automatic vehicle lighting unit
GB2156515A (en) * 1984-02-02 1985-10-09 Honda Motor Co Ltd Apparatus for controlling the lights of a vehicle
GB2237106A (en) * 1989-07-10 1991-04-24 Brendan James Price Vehicle light management system
GB2314620A (en) * 1996-06-26 1998-01-07 Dean Paul Morris Vehicle light intensity monitor
US5909172A (en) * 1997-07-25 1999-06-01 Ashford; Steven Auto light sensor system

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1323579A3 (en) * 2001-12-24 2009-08-26 Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. Method for testing a lighting device automatic control and testing device
FR2861022A1 (en) * 2003-10-21 2005-04-22 Renault Sa Motor vehicle, has driver compartment and display unit adopting, in response to events, steering and display configurations selected from set of respective configurations, where events causing activation of configurations are same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0000698D0 (en) 2000-03-08

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)