Humidity responsible motor vehicle running lamps control circuit

• US 5,418,429 A
• Filed: 05/12/1994
• Issued: 05/23/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael H.T. Laman
• Original Assignee: Michael H.T. Laman
• Inventors: Laman, Michael H. T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Neyzari, Ali
• Application Number:
  US08/241,704
• Time in Patent Office: 376 Days
• Field of Search: 315/82, 315/156, 315/159, 315/77, 315/83, 315/80, 315/155, 307/10.8, 307/118, 307/10.1, 307/9.1, 362/80.1, 362/80, 362/83.3, 361/175
• 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 2300/312 Adverse weather
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/314 Ambient light

Abstract

An automatic control circuit for predetermined running lamps of a motor vehicle having an engine and a voltage source supplying a predetermined voltage comprising a first device to monitor performance of the engine; and a second device to detect humidity in air adjacent to the vehicle; the first device and the second device being coupled to each other in a given sequential order and between the voltage source and the predetermined running lamps to couple the predetermined voltage to the predetermined running lamps to turn ON the predetermined running lamps when the engine is running and the humidity exceeds a given humidity value and to turn OFF the predetermined running lamps when the engine is running and the humidity is below the given humidity value.

Claims

1. An automatic control circuit for predetermined running lamps including at least headlamps and tail lamps of a motor vehicle having an engine and a voltage source supplying a predetermined voltage comprising:

first means to monitor performance of said engine; and

second means to detect only humidity in air adjacent to said vehicle;

said first means and said second means being coupled to each other in a given sequential order and between said voltage source and said predetermined running lamps to couple said predetermined voltage to said predetermined running lamps to turn ON said predetermined running lamps when said engine is running and said humidity exceeds a given humidity value and to turn OFF said predetermined running lamps when said engine is running and said humidity is below said given humidity value.

2. A control circuit according to claim 1, wherein

said first means includes

an oil pressure switch that closes when oil pressure of said engine exceeds a given pressure value indicating that said engine is running.

3. A control circuit according to claim 2, wherein

said second means includes

a humidistat activated switch that closes when said humidity exceeds said given humidity value and opens when said humidity is below said given humidity value.

4. A control circuit according to claim 3, wherein

said humidistat activated switch is adjustable to accommodate different climate conditions.

5. A control circuit according to claim 1, wherein

said first means includes

a vacuum switch that closes when vacuum of said engine exceeds a given vacuum value indicating that said engine is running.

6. A control circuit according to claim 5, wherein

said second means includes

a humidistat activated switch that closes when said humidity exceeds said given humidity value and opens when said humidity is below said given humidity value.

7. A control circuit according to claim 6, wherein

said humidistat activated switch is adjustable to accommodate different climate conditions.

8. A control circuit according to claim 1, wherein

said first means includes

a tachometer responsive switch that closes when said engine exceeds a given value of revolutions per minute indicating that said engine is running.

9. A control circuit according to claim 8, wherein

said second means includes

a humidistat activated switch that closes when said humidity exceeds said given humidity value and opens when said humidity is below said given humidity value.

10. A control circuit according to claim 9, wherein

said humidistat activated switch is adjustable to accommodate different climate conditions.

11. A control circuit according to claim 1, wherein

said second means includes

a humidistat activated switch that closes when said humidity exceeds said given humidity value and opens when said humidity is below said given humidity value.

12. A control circuit according to claim 11, wherein

said humidistat activated switch is adjustable to accommodate different climate conditions.

13. An automatic control circuit for predetermined running lamps including at least headlamps and tail lamps of a motor vehicle having an engine and a voltage source supplying a predetermined voltage comprising:

a starter motor, ignition switch and ignition system for said engine coupled to said voltage source to start said engine, to maintain said engine in a running condition and to provide said predetermined voltage at an output thereof;

first means to monitor performance of said engine; and

second means to detect only humidity in air surrounding said vehicle;

said first means and said second means being coupled to each other in a given sequential order and between said predetermined running lamps and said output of said starter motor, ignition switch and ignition system to couple said predetermined voltage to said predetermined running lamps to turn ON said predetermined running lamps when said engine is running and said humidity exceeds a given humidity value and turns OFF said predetermined running lamps when said engine is running and said humidity is below said given humidity value.

14. A control circuit according to claim 13, wherein

said second means includes

a humidistat activated switch that closes when said humidity exceeds said given humidity value and opens when said humidity is below said given humidity value.

15. A control circuit according to claim 14, wherein

said humidistat activated switch is adjustable to accommodate different climate conditions.

16. A control circuit according to claim 13, wherein

said first means includes

an oil pressure switch that closes when oil pressure of said engine exceeds a given pressure value indicating that said engine is running;

and

said second means includes

a climate adjustable humidistat actuated switch that closes when said humidity exceeds said given humidity value.

17. A control circuit according to claim 13, wherein

said first means includes

a vacuum switch that closes when vacuum of said engine exceeds a given vacuum value indicating that said engine is running;

and

said second means includes

a climate adjustable humidistat actuated switch that closes when said humidity exceeds said given humidity value.

18. A control circuit according to claim 13, wherein

said first means includes

a tachometer responsive switch that closes when said engine exceeds a given value of revolutions per minute indicating said engine is running;

and

said second means includes

a climate adjustable humidistat actuated switch that closes when said humidity exceeds said given humidity value.

19. An automatic control circuit for predetermined running lamps including at least headlamps and tail lamps of a motor vehicle having an engine and a voltage source supplying a predetermined voltage comprising:

a humidistat activated switch coupled between said voltage source and said predetermined running lamps to couple said predetermined voltage to said predetermined running lamps to turn ON said predetermined running lamps when only humidity in air adjacent said vehicle exceeds a given value and said engine is running and to disconnect said predetermined voltage from said running lamps to turn OFF said predetermined running lamps when said humidity is below said given value and said engine is running.

20. A control circuit according to claim 19, wherein

said humidistat activated switch is adjustable to accommodate different climate conditions.