Automated ambient condition responsive daytime running light system
AssigneeAutosmart Light Switches, Inc.
InventorsPatrick Mullins, Charles Benedict, Jay S. Tiedeberg
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AssigneeAutosmart Light Switches, Inc.
InventorsPatrick Mullins, Charles Benedict, Jay S. Tiedeberg
Estimating the term…
An automated daytime running light system for surface transport vehicles having headlights and taillights which includes a daytime running light control circuit which activates the highbeam filament of the headlights at a reduced power level whenever the vehicle ignition is ON and the starter motor OFF during daylight conditions. In one embodiment, the daytime running light control circuit activates the high beam filaments of the headlight at a reduced power level and also activates the parking lights to provide taillights whenever the vehicle ignition is ON and the starter motor OFF during daylight conditions. The system further includes a navigational lighting control circuit which is responsive to ambient condition sensor inputs such as low light level sensors, fog or moisture sensors, windshield wiper actuation sensors and the like, to de-activate the daytime running light control circuit and activate the vehicles headlights and taillights and other running lights at normal power levels as long as such sensors are activated or whenever the vehicle headlights are manually activated. The system may further include an emergency brake indicator circuit which turns off the daytime running light and navigational lighting control circuits, and the vehicle headlights and/or taillights controlled thereby, whenever the emergency brake is engaged and may further include an external shut-off circuit for turning off the daytime running light and navigational lighting control circuits, or portions thereof, when activated.
An automatic ambient condition controlled daytime running light system for transport vehicles having an emergency brake, navigation lights including headlights with high and low beam filaments and parking lights, a power supply, a headlight switch for turning ON and OFF the headlights and a parking light switch for turning ON and OFF the parking lights, an ignition switch and a starter motor switch, the system comprising, a DRL control circuit having a first input from the ignition and an output to a first switching means connected to the high beam filaments for supplying power thereto, means for connecting said first switching means to the source of power, an NL control circuit, a plurality of ambient condition senors, a second input for connecting the ignition switch and outputs from said ambient condition sensors to said NL control circuit, said NL control circuit having an output connected to a second switch means for supplying power to the navigational lights, and output means from said NL control circuit connected to said DRL control circuit for extinguishing power to said first switch means when said NL control circuit is activated by signals received from said second input.
A method for automatically controlling the lighting system for a transport vehicle depending upon time of day and ambient conditions wherein the transport vehicle has navigational lights including headlights with high and low beam filaments and parking lights, a power supply, a headlight switch for turning ON and OFF the headlights and a parking light switch for turning ON and OFF the parking lights, an ignition switch and a starter motor switch and a plurality of sensors for sensing various ambient conditions, and each of the sensors having an electrical output which is activated in response to an ambient condition being sensed, comprising the steps of:
A method for automatically controlling the lighting system for a transport vehicle depending upon time of day and ambient conditions wherein the transport vehicle has navigational lights including headlights with high and low beam filaments and parking lights, a power supply, a headlight switch for turning ON and OFF the headlights and a parking light switch for turning ON and OFF the parking lights, an ignition switch and a starter motor switch, a parking brake indicator electrical output, and a plurality of sensors for sensing various ambient conditions, and each of the sensors having an electrical output which is activated in response to an ambient condition being sensed comprising the steps of:
An automatic ambient condition controlled daytime running light system for transport vehicles having an emergency brake, navigation lights including headlights with high and low beam filaments and parking lights, a power supply, a headlight switch for turning ON and OFF the headlights and a parking light switch for turning ON and OFF the parking lights, an ignition switch and a starter motor switch, the system comprising, a DRL control circuit having a first input from the ignition and an output to a first switching means connected to the high beam filaments for supplying power thereto, means for connecting said first switching means to the source of power, an NL control circuit, a plurality of ambient condition senors, a second input for connecting the ignition switch and outputs from at least one of said ambient condition sensors to said NL control circuit, said NL control circuit having an output connected to a second switch means for supplying power to the navigational lights, and output means from said NL control circuit connected to said DRL control circuit for extinguishing power to said first switch means when said NL control circuit is activated by signals received from said second input.
An automatic ambient condition controlled daytime running light system for a transport vehicle having an emergency brake, navigation lights including headlights and parking lights, a power supply, a headlight switch for turning ON and OFF the headlights and a parking light switch for turning ON and OFF the parking lights, an ignition switch and a starter motor switch, the system comprising, a DRL control circuit having a first input from the ignition and an output to a first switching means connected to the headlights for supplying power thereto, means for connecting said first switching means to the source of power so as to supply power at a reduced level to said first switch means and thus to the headlights, an NL control circuit, at least one ambient condition sensor, a second input for connecting the ignition switch and outputs from said at least one ambient condition sensor to said NL control circuit, said NL control circuit having an output connected to a second switch means for supplying power to the navigational lights, and output means from said NL control circuit connected to said DRL control circuit for extinguishing power to said first switch means when said NL control circuit is activated by signals received from said second input.
A method for automatically controlling the lighting system for a transport vehicle depending upon time of day and ambient conditions wherein the transport vehicle has navigational lights including headlights and parking lights, a power supply, a parking brake, a headlight switch for turning ON and OFF the headlights and a parking light switch for turning ON and OFF the parking lights, an ignition switch, a starter motor switch and at least one sensor for sensing an ambient condition, and the at least one sensor having an electrical output which is activated in response to the ambient condition being sensed, comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.