Vehicle windshield wiper/lighting activation system utilizing a timed delay startup and light retention feature

• US 5,449,974 A
• Filed: 09/13/1993
• Issued: 09/12/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dana H. Dunbar
• Original Assignee: Roger S. Dunbar
• Inventors: Dunbar, Roger S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benny
• Assistant Examiner(s): GAMBINO, DARUIS
• Application Number:
  US08/121,276
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 315/82, 315/83, 315/159, 315/360, 315/77, 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 2300/052 Switching delay, i.e. the beam is not switched or changed instantaneously upon occurrence of a condition change
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/312 Adverse weather

Abstract

A combination windshield wiper/vehicle lighting system in which the head, tail and parking lights can be automatically activated when the windshield wipers are activated. A time-delay on device within the system causes the vehicle lights to be delay activated a short time after the windshield wipers are activated. Further, the present system includes the ability to retain the lights on once the windshield wipers have been deactivated. Ordinary function of the windshield wipers and vehicle lights is not impeded by the system of the present invention.

Claims

1. In a vehicle having a windshield wiper system, a lighting system, and an electrical source for activating the windshield wiper system and the lighting system, wherein the windshield wiper system is connected in series to the lighting system and includes a windshield wiper on/off switch, the improvement comprising a system for automatically activating the lighting system when the windshield wiper on/off switch is activated, including a time-delay on device positioned in series between the windshield wiper on/off switch and the lighting system, wherein the time-delay on device is activated by the windshield wiper on/off switch to thereby initiate a time delay which expires upon the earlier of the deactivation of the windshield wiper on/off switch or the expiration of a preset time, and further wherein the lighting system is activated at the expiration of the preset time so that activation and deactivation of the windshield wiper on/off switch during the time delay does not affect the lighting system.

2. The system of claim 1 further providing means for automatically deactivating the lighting system when either the windshield wiper system is deactivated or the electrical source is deactivated.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a vehicle light on/off switch for independently activating the lighting system.

4. The system of claim 1 comprising a first electrical circuit for activating a minirelay, a second electrical circuit for connecting an electric current from the electrical source through the activated minirelay to a power relay, and a third electrical circuit for connecting an electric current from the electrical source through the power relay to the lighting system.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the power relay comprises at least one circuit-connecting armature.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the power relay comprises an electromagnetic coil for closing the armature when activated by an electric current.

7. The system of claim 6 including a double-pole single-throw (DPST) magnetic relay switch which provides a minimum of 15 amperes per outlet pole and a 30 ampere inlet conduit.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the power relay comprises a first headlight armature for connecting an electric current to the headlights and a second parking and taillight armature for connecting an electric current to the parking and taillights.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrical source is a vehicle battery.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the time-delay on device includes a resistance-capacitor (RC) timing circuit.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the time-delay on device includes a single-pole single-throw (SPST) magnetic relay switch.

12. The system of claim 1 comprising means to deactivate the lighting system, the means including the windshield wiper on/off switch.

13. The system of claim 1 comprising means to deactivate the lighting system when the windshield wiper on/off switch is closed, the means including an ignition switch for connecting the electrical source to the windshield wiper system.

14. The system of claim 1 further comprising means to continue the activation of the lighting system after the windshield wiper system has been manually deactivated.

15. The system of claim 14 further comprising means to manually deactivate the lighting system.

16. In a vehicle having a windshield wiper system, a lighting system, and an electrical source for activating the windshield wiper system and the lighting system, wherein the windshield wiper system is connected in series to the lighting system and includes a windshield wiper on/off switch, the improvement comprising a system for automatically activating the lighting system when the windshield wiper on/off switch is activated including:

a. a time-delay on device positioned in series between the windshield wiper on/off switch and the lighting system, the time-delay on device being activated by the windshield wiper on/off switch to thereby initiate a time delay which expires upon the earlier of the deactivation of the windshield wiper on/off switch and the expiration of a preset time, wherein the lighting system is activated at the expiration of the preset time so that activation and deactivation of the windshield wiper on/off switch during the time delay does not affect the lighting system,

b. latching means to continue the activation of the lighting system after the windshield wiper system has been manually deactivated, and

c. means to manually deactivate the lighting system.

17. A combination vehicle windshield wiper system and lighting system, wherein the system is activated by an electrical source, comprising:

a. a first circuit which activates a time-delay on device to initiate a time delay which expires upon the earlier of deactivation of the circuit and expiration of a preset time;

b. a second circuit which passes through the time-delay on device to a first minirelay after the expiration of the preset time, wherein the first minirelay activates armatures thereby creating a circuit between the electrical source and the lighting system;

c. a third circuit from the electrical source through the armatures to the lighting system, wherein the third circuit activates the lighting system; and

d. a second minirelay which maintains activation of the lighting system until purposely deactivated.