Automatic daytime running light system
First Claim
1. An automatic daytime running light system for a vehicle having an engine, an electric power source, a starter motor circuit for the engine, external running lights including headlights and parking lights, an ignition switch, the system being responsive to the ignition switch and starter motor circuit to automatically control the operation of the external running lights, the system comprising in combination:
- a first digital logic timer means having an input and outputs, circuit means connecting said input of said first digital logic timer means to the ignition switch for automatically controlling the operation of the external running lights to activate such lights in response to the ignition switch being ON; and
a first MOSFET output switching means, said circuit means connecting said switching means to the external running lights and to said digital logic timer means;
whereby said digital logic timer means and said MOSFET output switching provide a high level of reliability and safety to control the operation of the external running lights.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic daytime running light system for a vehicle having an engine, an electric power source, a starter motor circuit for the engine, external running lights including headlights and parking lights, and input switches for ignition circuit and the external running lights, the system being responsive to the input switches and starter motor circuit to automatically control the operation of the external running lights, and the system including digital logic timer circuit means for automatically controlling the operation of the external running lights, and MOSFET output switching devices, which thereby provide high reliability and safety, redundant circuitry to thereby provide a higher level of reliability and fail-safe operation of the system, and MOSFET fault current monitoring circuitry which monitors the drain to source fault currents of the MOSFET output switch means, whereby upon detection of fault currents, the digital logic timer controls a fault current indicator to provide an indication of a fault current condition.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An automatic daytime running light system for a vehicle having an engine, an electric power source, a starter motor circuit for the engine, external running lights including headlights and parking lights, an ignition switch, the system being responsive to the ignition switch and starter motor circuit to automatically control the operation of the external running lights, the system comprising in combination:
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a first digital logic timer means having an input and outputs, circuit means connecting said input of said first digital logic timer means to the ignition switch for automatically controlling the operation of the external running lights to activate such lights in response to the ignition switch being ON; and a first MOSFET output switching means, said circuit means connecting said switching means to the external running lights and to said digital logic timer means;
whereby said digital logic timer means and said MOSFET output switching provide a high level of reliability and safety to control the operation of the external running lights. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17)
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13. A method of operating an automatic daytime running light system for a motor vehicle having an engine, an electric power source, an ignition circuit, a starter motor circuit, and external running lights including headlights and parking lights, said method comprising the steps of:
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controlling the operation of the external running lights by automatically activating the external running lights in response to ignition circuit activation; providing in the system digital logic timer and electronic MOSFET output switching devices connected between the ignition circuit and the external running lights; automatically supplying power from the electric power source to and from the external running lights via the electronic MOSFET output switching device, and controlling the activation of the output switching device via the digital logic timer, thereby providing a high level of reliability and safety; monitoring the occurrence of drain to source fault currents of the electronic MOSFET output switching device; and indicating the occurrence of such fault currents via visual or audible indications. - View Dependent Claims (14, 18)
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19. An automatic daytime running light system for a vehicle having an engine, an electric power source, a starter motor circuit, external running lights including headlights and parking lights, an ignition switch, the system being responsive to the ignition switch and starter motor circuit to automatically control the operation of the external running lights, the system comprising:
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a first digital logic timer means having an input and output for automatically controlling the operation of the external running lights to activate such lights in response to the ignition switch being ON; a first MOSFET output switching means connected between the external running lights and to said output of said first digital logic timer means; a manual switch means connected between a ground and said input of said first digital logic timer means and being operable to disable the operation of the system and extinguish the external running lights;
whereby said first digital logic timer means and said first MOSFET output switching means are operable to control the external running lights unless said manual switch means is closed to ground. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. An automatic daytime running light system for a vehicle having an engine, an electric power source, a starter motor circuit, external running lights including headlights and parking lights, an ignition switch, the system being responsive to the ignition switch and starter motor circuit to automatically control the operation of the external running lights, the system comprising:
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first and second digital logic timer means having an input and output for automatically controlling the operation of the external running lights to activate such lights in response to the ignition switch being ON; first and second MOSFET output switching means connected between the external running lights and to said output of said first and second digital logic timer means, respectively; whereby said first digital logic timer means and said first MOSFET output switching means and said second digital logic timer means and said second MOSFET output switching means are both connected between said ignition switch and the external running lights for activating the external running lights in response to the ignition switch being ON. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification