Flasher Vehicle Interface Module

• US 20140159890A1
• Filed: 12/03/2013
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UpFitters LLC
• Original Assignee: UpFitters LLC
• Inventors: Piersing, Amanda Marissa, Bracken, Roger Bodie
• Granted Patent: US 9,168,863 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/471
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/46 for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights or hazard lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/10 Retrofit arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A flasher interface module for a vehicle having factory or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) lights. The flasher interface module includes a plurality of input and output ports corresponding to the factory lights of the vehicle and a plurality of leads corresponding to each of the input and output ports. The flasher interface module is configured such that the input and output ports operate independently of the vehicle such that factory lights are independently controlled by the module.

Claims

1. A flasher interface module for a vehicle having factory lights, comprising:

a plurality of input and output ports corresponding to the factory lights of the vehicle; and

a plurality of leads corresponding to each of the input and output ports,

whereby the input and output ports of the module operate independently of the vehicle such that factory lights are controlled by the module.

2. The module of claim 1, further comprising a housing.

3. The module of claim 2, wherein the housing includes a base and a cover removably connected to the base.

4. The module of claim 1, wherein said module is capable of operating the factory lights in multiple different flash patterns.

5. The module of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of leads are a different color.

6. The module of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of leads are labeled with a different number.

7. The module of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of input ports corresponds equally to each of the plurality of output ports.

8. The module of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary circuit for powering an after-market lighting system installed in the vehicle.

9. The module of claim 1, further comprising an override feature that automatically shuts off the module when a high beam light on the vehicle is activated.

10. The module of claim 1, further comprising an override feature that automatically shuts off the module when a brake light on the vehicle is activated.

11. The module of claim 1, further comprising an override feature that automatically shuts off the module when a turn signal light on the vehicle is activated.

12. In a vehicle having a CAN system, a plurality of body control modules and a factory lighting system including headlights, tail lights and brake lights, the improvement comprising:

an interface module for operating the factory lighting system independently of the CAN system and each of the plurality of body control modules.

13. The improvement of claim 12, wherein the interface module further comprising an auxiliary circuit.

14. The improvement of claim 13, wherein the auxiliary circuit supplies power to an after-market light system installed on the vehicle independently of the CAN system and each of the plurality of body control modules.

15. The improvement of claim 12, wherein the interface module further comprises a housing, a plurality of input ports and output ports and a plurality of leads for connecting the plurality of input and output ports to the factory lighting system of the vehicle.

16. The improvement of claim 12, wherein the interface module includes a controller for receiving power.

17. The improvement of claim 12, wherein the interface module is configured to flash the headlights in high beam mode.

18. A method of installing a flasher interface module in a vehicle having factory lights to operate the factory lights independent of a CAN system and a plurality of body control modules, comprising:

unplugging a plug for the factory lights from the vehicle on both sides of the vehicle;

inserting a female plug from the module into the factory lights on both sides of the vehicle;

inserting a male plug from the module into the factory lights plug on both sides of the vehicle;

connecting the module to a proper body ground; and

connecting a control wire from the module to a controller.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising configuring the module to operate an after-market lighting system for the vehicle.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising installing a second flasher interface module in the vehicle.