Sidelighting arrangement and method

• US 5,428,512 A
• Filed: 06/18/1993
• Issued: 06/27/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alexander A. Mouzas
• Original Assignee: Alexander A. Mouzas
• Inventors: Mouzas, Alexander A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US08/080,656
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 362/61, 362/80, 362/82, 362/83, 362/83.3, 362/251, 362/276, 362/802, 362/36
• US Class Current: 362/466
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/12 due to steering position
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/18 being additional front lights bracket mounted headlights B60Q1/0483
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/24 for lighting other areas than only the way ahead
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/122 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/142 Turn signal actuation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

An improved sidelighting arrangement, device and method of controlling sidelight illumination of a motor vehicle during cornering employing two sets of side lamps, one for each side of the vehicle. The sidelighting arrangement apparatus includes a steering wheel angle sensor mounted on the column of the steering wheel for detecting a change in steering angle, a turn indicator sensor for detecting actuation of the turn indicator, a microprocessor for outputting an electrical signal to selectively illuminate a set of side lamps mounted on the side of the vehicle for controlling illumination of the sidelights during cornering of the motor vehicle responsive to the steering wheel in actuation of the turn signal for improved visibility for the operator of the vehicle and for improved safety of operation thereof by providing notice to other drivers of the cornering condition of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A sidelighting arrangement for selectively projecting illumination on a side of a motor vehicle, in combination with a turn indicator apparatus comprising:

a) the turn indicator apparatus comprises a turn lever configured to move between a right turn angle position to a left turn angle connected to sensing means

b) power control for energizing the sidelight arrangement means comprising an electrical power source

c) the sensing means comprises a turn indicator sensor for detecting actuation and direction of the turn lever by an operator;

d) sidelight means for laterally projecting a section of illumination toward a selected area adjacent the side of the body of the vehicle on the side corresponding to the direction in which the vehicle is turning comprising two sets of sidelights each, mounted on opposite sides of the motor vehicle and each set comprising;

i) light emitting means for emitting rays of light in a wide arc in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the vehicle body comprising lamp elements contained in a housing including mounting means;

ii) a first side-lamp driver circuit means for energizing one or more lamp elements mounted of a first side of the vehicle;

iii) a second side-lamp driver circuit means for energizing one or more lamp elements mounted on a second side of the vehicle;

e) vehicle mounting means for mounting the light emitting means in selected locations on a selected side of the body of the motor vehicle.

f) a microprocessor means for activating the side light means connected to the turn indicator sensor and the electrical power source for receiving input as to the turn angle of the turn lever connected to the first side-lamp driver circuit means and to the second side-lamp driver circuit means for manually turning on the sidelight means on the side of the vehicle corresponding to the direction in which the steering wheel is turned and automatically turning them off when the turn lever is returned to a neutral position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sidelight means comprises a plurality of lamp devices with at least one lamp device comprising:

i) a housing means for containing a lamp for providing a light source;

ii) the light source contained in the housing seen having a wide angle beam of light;

iii) lens means for controlling the beam of light emitted by the light source;

iv) attachment means for selectively mounting the housing on a selected mounting device on a selected side position on a motor vehicle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first sidelamp driver circuit means is adapted for use on a tractor trailer and comprises at least one left trailer light and at least one left cab light.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second sidelight means is adapted for use on a tractor trailer and comprises at least one right trailer light and at least one right corner cab light.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensing means comprises a fixed sensing device mounted on the a fixed steering column and movable sensing means mounted on the turn lever.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the micro processor means is connected to a power source and connected to the sensing means for receiving input from the sensing means.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the turn lever is mounted on a steering mechanism for directing the motor vehicle and for turning comprising a steering wheel.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic control device includes electronic control means for outputting an electrical signal corresponding to the:

i) angle of the turn lever and;

ii) angle of the turn indicator on the basis of the turn lever angle input from said turn indicator; and

iii) power control means for converting the control signal output from said electronic control means into a power output wherein the power control means comprises means for controlling the illumination of the side lights during cornering of the motor vehicle responsive to the actuation of the turn signal.

9. A sidelighting arrangement for controlling illumination projecting laterally from sidelights mounted on the side of a vehicle in the direction in which the steering wheel of the vehicle is turned and automatically turning them off when the wheel returns to a neutral position comprising:

a) sidelight means for laterally projecting a section of illumination toward a selected area adjacent the side of the body of the vehicle on the side corresponding to the direction in which the vehicle is turning comprising two sets of sidelights each, mounted on opposite sides of the motor vehicle and each set comprising;

i) light emitting means for emitting rays of light in a wide arc in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the vehicle body comprising lamp elements contained in a housing including mounting means;

ii) a first side-lamp driver circuit means for energizing one or more lamp elements mounted on a first side of the vehicle;

iii) a second side-lamp driver circuit means for energizing one or more lamp elements mounted on a second side of the vehicle and;

b) a first sidelighting circuit for lighting the first side of a vehicle and a second sidelighting circuit for lighting the second side of the vehicle;

c) sensing means for sensing the amount and direction in which a steering wheel is turned;

d) steering wheel means comprising a fixed steering wheel column and a movable steering wheel mounted on an annular hub;

e) sensing means comprising a fixed sensing device mounted on the fixed steering column and movable sensing means mounted on the movable annular hub of the steering wheel comprising a plurality of "Hall Effect" sensors;

f) a microprocessor means connected to a power source comprising a sidelight control device connected to the sensing means for receiving input as to the direction and amount the steering wheel is directedly connected to a power source and connected to the first sidelight apparatus and connected to the second sidelight apparatus for automatically turning on the set of side lights apparatus corresponding to the direction in which the steering wheel is turned and automatically turning them off when the steering wheel returns to neutral.

10. The arrangement of claim 9 wherein the sensing means comprises a fixed sensing device mounted on the a fixed steering column and movable sensing means mounted on the movable annular hub of the steering wheel comprising of a plurality of "Hall Effect" sensors.

11. The arrangement of claim 9 wherein the steering means comprises a fixed steering wheel column and a movable steering wheel rotatable about the axis of the steering wheel column mounted on an annular hub.

12. The arrangement of claim 9 wherein the steering wheel means comprises a turning indicating sensor for detecting the actuation of the turn indicator mounted on the steering wheel.

13. The arrangement of claim 9 wherein the sidelight control device provides electronic control for outputting an electrical signal corresponding to the:

i) angle of the steering wheel and;

ii) angle of the turn indicator on the basis of the steering wheel angle input from said steering wheel angle sensor and the input from the turn indicator sensor, and;

iii) power control means for converting the control signal output from said electronic control means into a power output wherein the power control means comprises means for controlling the illumination of the side lights during cornering of the motor vehicle responsive to the steering wheel in actuation of the turn signal.

14. The arrangement of claim 9 wherein the power control means comprises means for controlling the illumination of the side lights during cornering of the motor vehicle responsive to the combination of steering wheel and actuation of the turn signal.

15. A method of laterally projecting illumination from the side of a vehicle and automatically turning on sidelights of the vehicle on the side corresponding to the direction in which the steering wheel of the vehicle is being turned and a neutral position comprising the steps of:

a) providing a sidelighting arrangement for laterally projecting a section of illumination toward a selected area adjacent the side of the body of the vehicle on the side corresponding to the direction in which the vehicle is turning comprising two sets of sidelights each, mounted on opposite sides of the motor vehicle and each set comprising;

i) light emitting means for emitting rays of light in a wide arc in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the vehicle body comprising lamp elements contained in a housing including mounting means;

ii) a first side-lamp driver circuit means for energizing one or more lamp elements mounted on a first side of the vehicle;

iii) a second side-lamp driver circuit means for energizing one or more lamp elements mounted on a second side of the vehicle;

b) powering on the sidelight control device;

c) establishing initial conditions for the control device;

d) setting steering wheel rotation counters LEFT and RIGHT;

e) providing that the sidelight control device enters the scan sensor mode;

f) positioning the steering wheel in the neutral or "straight ahead" position; and

g) initiating a turn, in particular a left turn, rotating the steering wheel counter-clockwise causing the magnet to pass by sensors #3 then #4, when the control unit senses the magnet at switch #4, having been last detected by switch #3, the control device acknowledges the initiation of a left turn by incrementing the left turn counter and when the control unit recognizes a left hand turn by incrementing the left turn counter, it immediately resumes processing;

h) the operation of right hand turns is exactly opposite from that of left hand turns;

the right turn counter is incremented when the magnet is detected at switches #3 or #1 with the previous detection switch being #4 or #1 respectively; and

when the control unit recognizes a right hand turn by incrementing the right turn counter, it immediately resumes processing;

i) when the magnet is not detected at all, the control device continues scanning the sensors until the magnet is detected; and

when the control device does not detect the magnet at any of the switch positions, the negative decision holds true, so switch scanning resumes;

j) implementing the decision as to turn on one of the side-lights;

the amount of left rotation by comparing to the amount of right rotation and if they balance processing resumes back whereby the counters are returned in zero and all lights are turned off;

when the resulting difference is negative, then the wheel has been turned more clockwise than counter-clockwise and a right hand turn is in progress so the right hand light is turned on;

however, if the difference is positive, indicating more counter-clockwise than clockwise turning of the steering wheel, then a lift hand turn is in or still in progress so the right side lights are turned on;

wherein after updating the lights, the control device resumes operation.