Lighting system for motor-driven vehicle

• US 5,220,245 A
• Filed: 11/25/1991
• Issued: 06/15/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Honda, Satoshi, Tamaki, Kenji
• Primary Examiner(s): LaRoche, Eugene R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DINH, SON T
• Application Number:
  US07/797,070
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 315/77, 315/79, 315/82, 315/83, 307/10.8
• US Class Current: 315/82
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/143 combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/116 Vehicle at a stop
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/30 Daytime running lights [DRL], e.g. circuits or arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/001 Alarm devices when the motor is stopped and the lights are on

Abstract

A lighting system for a motor driven vehicle having a headlight for connection to a power source and a lighting switch operatively connected to the headlight for selectively supplying power thereto. A first detector member for detecting the on and off positions of the lighting switch and for generating a signal responsive thereto. A second detector member for detecting a stopped state and movement of the vehicle and for generating a signal responsive thereto. A converter operatively connected to the headlight and for connection to a power source for selectively adjusting the voltage supplied to the headlight in accordance with signals generated by the first and second detector members for dimming the headlight when the lighting switch is in an off position and during a stopped state of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A lighting system for a motor driven vehicle having a headlight adapted to be connected to a power source and a lighting switch operatively connected to said headlight for selectively supplying power thereto the improvement being characterized by:

a first detector means for detecting on and off positions of the lighting switch and for generating a signal responsive thereto;

a second detector means for detecting a stopped state and movement of the vehicle and for generating a signal responsive thereto; and

a converter operatively connected to said headlight and adapted to be connected to a power source for selectively adjusting the voltage supplied to said headlight in accordance with signals generated by said first and second detector means for dimming the headlight when said lighting switch is in an off position and the vehicle is stationary;

said light switch is in an off position and the vehicle is moving; and

when said lighting switch is in an on position and during a stopped state of said vehicle.

2. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle is an electrically operated vehicle and said converter conserves electricity when said lighting switch is in an off position and during a stopped state of said vehicle.

3. The lighting system according to claim 1, and further including a taillight operatively connected to said lighting switch and said converter and being adapted to be connected to a power source, said converter selectively adjusting the voltage supplied to said taillight in accordance with signals generated by said first and second detector means for dimming the taillight when said lighting switch is in an off position and the vehicle is stationary;

said light switch is in an off position and the vehicle is moving; and

when said lighting switch is in an on position and during a stopped state of said vehicle.

4. The lighting system according to claim 1, and further including a meter light operatively connected to said lighting switch and said converter and being adapted to be connected to a power source, said converter selectively adjusting the voltage supplied to said meter light in accordance with signals generated by said first and second detector means for dimming the meter light when said lighting switch is in an on position and during a stopped state of said vehicle.

5. The lighting system according to claim 1, and further including an interlock switch being operatively connected to said lighting switch for interlocking said interlock switch to be in an on position when said lighting switch is in an on position and for interlocking said interlock switch to be in an off position when said lighting switch is in an off position.

6. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said headlight is maintained in an on condition with low voltage being supplied thereto during daylight conditions and when said vehicle is in a stopped condition and said headlight is maintained in on condition with high voltage being supplied thereto when said lighting switch is in an on position and said vehicle is moving.

7. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said taillight is maintained in an on condition with low voltage being supplied thereto during daylight conditions and when said vehicle is in a stopped condition and said taillight is maintained in on condition with high voltage being supplied thereto when said lighting switch is in an on position and said vehicle is moving.