Light-governed windshield wiper and headlight control system with provision for maintaining the headlights on with insufficient ambient light

• US 5,589,716 A
• Filed: 09/20/1995
• Issued: 12/31/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gyles B. Dailey
• Original Assignee: Gyles B. Dailey
• Inventors: Dailey, Gyles B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoop, Jr., William M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Elms, Richard T.
• Application Number:
  US08/531,321
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1, 307/10.8, 315/77, 315/82, 315/83, 361/160, 361/170, 361/173-177
• US Class Current: 307/10.8
• 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

A light-governed windshield wiper and headlight control system including a headlight switching mechanism and wiper switching mechanism. The wiper switching mechanism is coupled to windshield wipers and both switching mechanisms have a first orientation allowing direct current to flow from a power source and a second orientation for withholding direct current therefrom. A relay control mechanism is coupled between the wiper switching mechanism, headlight switching mechanism, power source, and headlights of an automobile. The relay control mechanism has a first orientation for allowing activation of the headlights via the headlight switching mechanism, and further has a second orientation actuated by the wiper switching mechanism for allowing coincident activation of the headlights and windshield wipers. Finally, a light-governed switch is coupled to the relay control mechanism allowing continued operation of the headlights despite deactivation of wiper switching mechanism when there is insufficient light.

Claims

1. A new and improved light-governed windshield wiper and headlight control system comprising, in combination:

a relay having a switching coil with a negative terminal thereof connected to ground and further including;

a first switching contact coupled to the headlights of the automobile and having a closed orientation when the switching coil is relaxed,

a second switching contact coupled to an ignition actuator device which supplies direct current from a power supply when closed, the second switching contact having an open orientation when the switching coil is relaxed, and

a third switching contact coupled between the headlights of an automobile and auxiliary power source which supplies direct current from said auxiliary power source, the third switching contact having an open orientation when the switching coil is relaxed;

a light-governed switching means coupled between the second switching contact of the relay and switching coil of the relay, the light-governed switching means having an open orientation when exposed to sufficient light thereby precluding current flow therebetween and further having a closed orientation when exposed to insufficient light thereby allowing continued excitation of the switching coil upon initial excitation thereof;

a single pole single throw headlight switch coupled between the first switching contact of the relay and power supply, the headlight switch having an open orientation for withholding current from the first switching contact of the relay, the headlight switch further having a closed orientation for allowing direct current to flow to the first switching contact of the relay thereby activating the headlights when switching coil is relaxed;

a double pole single throw wiper switch having a first wiper switch contact coupled between a wiper blades circuit and ignition actuator device and further comprising a second wiper switch contact coupled between the switching coil of the relay and the ignition actuator device, the wiper switch having an open orientation for withholding direct current, the wiper switch further having a closed orientation for allowing direct current to flow to the wiper blades circuit, switching coil of the relay, and second switching contact of the relay thereby activating the windshield wipers and headlights coincidently and further exciting the switching coil hence continuing activation of the headlights when the windshield wipers are deactivated and there is insufficient light.

2. A new and improved light-governed windshield wiper and headlight control system comprising:

a headlight switching means having a first orientation allowing direct current to flow from a power source and a second orientation for withholding direct current therefrom;

a wiper switching means coupled to a windshield wipers circuit having a first orientation allowing direct current to flow from a power source and a second orientation for withholding direct current therefrom;

a relay control means coupled between the headlight switching means, wiper switching means, power source, and headlights of an automobile, the relay control means having a first orientation for allowing activation of the headlights via the headlight switching means and further having a second orientation actuated by the wiper switching means for allowing coincident activation of the headlights and windshield wipers and further allowing continued operation of the headlights despite deactivation of wiper switching means; and

a light-governed switching means coupled to the relay control means and having a first orientation for allowing continued operation of the headlights despite deactivation of the headlights when there is insufficient light and further having a second orientation allowing the relay control means to return to the first orientation thereof upon deactivation of the wiper switching means;

wherein the wiper switching means comprises;

a double switch means having a first switch contact coupled between the windshield wipers circuit and power source and further comprising a second switch contact coupled between the relay control means and power source, the double switch means having an open orientation for withholding direct current, the double switch means further having a closed orientation for allowing direct current to flow to the windshield wipers circuit and relay control means thereby activating of the wipers and headlights coincidently.