Battery and generator vehicle lighting system

• US 3,894,281 A
• Filed: 01/21/1974
• Issued: 07/08/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alan M. Bloomfield
• Original Assignee: Alan M. Bloomfield
• Inventors: Bloomfield, Alan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, J. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hickey, Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US05/434,997
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 322/1,32,29 240/7.55,7.6 315/76-79,87,88,89,129 307/9,16,28,38,39,66
• US Class Current: 322/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/015 using electrical power not supplied by the cycle motor generator, e.g. using batteries or piezo elements

Abstract

A vehicle lighting system utilizes both generating means and battery means for providing substantially constant lighting whether the vehicle is moving or halted. The system in addition to generating means, battery means and first and second light means, includes potential dividing means and solid state circuit means for electrically interconnecting these means. The system is operable with a vehicle member rotating at a velocity related to the speed of the vehicle. With the generating means placed in an operating mode with respect to the vehicle member, the first light means is energized upon the member rotating at a velocity above a predetermined velocity, whereas the second light means is energized by the battery means upon the vehicle member rotating at a velocity lower than the predetermined velocity. Additional light means can be included in the system to provide lighting of or at additional portions of the vehicle either with or without the substantially constant lighting feature.

Claims

1. A velocity responsive battery and generator lighting system for a vehicle having a member rotatable at a velocity related to the speed of the vehicle, comprising:

a. generating means for generating electricity mounted on said vehicle adjacent said member and selectively switchable between an operating mode and an inoperable mode with respect to said member, said generating means being operable in said operating mode to generate a first predetermined potential in response to said member rotating at a velocity above a predetermined velocity, b. first light means mounted on said vehicle and electrically connected with said Generating means, said first light means being energized in response to said generating means generating said first predetermined potential, c. potential dividing means operable with said generating means for generating a potential lower than said first predetermined potential and proportional to the rotational velocity of said member, d. second light means mounted on said vehicle operable to be energized at a second predetermined potential, e. battery means for protruding said second predetermined potential mounted on said vehicle, and f. solid state circuit means being free of moving parts for interconnecting said second light means, said battery means and said potential dividing means and including solid state switching means for controlling said second light means between unenergized and energized conditions and means responsive to the potential generated by said generating means with said potential dividing means for controlling said switching means, whereby said second light means is unenergized upon said member rotating at a velocity above said predetermined velocity and said second light means is energized by said battery means upon said member rotating at a velocity lower than said predetermined velocity.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said potential dividing means is operable with said generating means in its operating mode for generating a third predetermined potential in response to said member rotating a velocity above said predetermined velocity.

3. The system of claim 2, having third light means mounted on said vehicle and electrically connected with said potential dividing means and said generating means, said third light means being energized in response to said generating means in its operating mode generating said third predetermined potential with said potential dividing means.

4. The system of claim 3, having fourth light means mounted on said vehicle and connected in parallel with said second light means and being operable to be energized at said second predetermined potential, whereby said fourth light means is unenergized upon said member rotating at a velocity above said predetermined velocity and said fourth light means is energized by said battery means upon said member rotating at a velocity lower than said predetermined velocity.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said first and second light means are headlight means and said third and fourth light means are taillight means.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said circuit means comprises a first terminal connection to a terminal of said generating means in electrical connection with said first light means, said first terminal connection constituting one terminal of said potential dividing means;

a second terminal connection to another terminal of said potential dividing means;

solid state rectifier means, a first resistance and a capacitance connected in series between said first and second terminal connections;

a second resistance connected in parallel with said capacitance;

a plurality of solid state diodes connected in series with each other and together in parallel with said second resistance; and

a solid state transistor connected between said plurality of diodes, said second light means and said battery means;

said circuit means being operable to control the energization of the second light means in accordance with the potential generated between said first and second terminal connections in response to the belocity of rotation of the said rotating member.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said solid state transistor has its base connected to said plurality of solid state diodes, its emitter connected to said battery means, and its collector connected to said second light means, whereby said circuit means controls the energization of said second light means by said transistor and the second light means being unenergized upon said member rotating at a velocity above said predetermined velocity and by said transistor and the second light means beinG energized upon said member rotating at a velocity below said predetermined velocity.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein said potential dividing means comprises a center tap and said terminal of said generating means, and said center tap comprises said second terminal connection.

9. The system of claim 8, having third light means connected with said first and second terminal connections and being energized by the potential generated therebetween upon said member rotating at a velocity above said predetermined velocity.