Lighting switch assembly with internal daytime running light control circuit

• US 5,747,934 A
• Filed: 08/16/1996
• Issued: 05/05/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Niles Parts Co., Ltd. (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Niles Parts Co., Ltd. (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Harushige
• Primary Examiner(s): Pascal, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Application Number:
  US08/698,856
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 315/82, 315/83, 315/80, 315/77, 315/291, 315/307, 307/10.1, 307/10.8, 362/61, 362/802, 340/468, 340/469
• 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 1/1469 controlled by or attached to a single lever, e.g. steering column stalk switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/30 Daytime running lights [DRL], e.g. circuits or arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A lighting switch assembly with an internal daytime running light control circuit, comprising a printed circuit board 15 mounted to a lighting switch assembly A, and electric elements 16 soldered to the printed circuit board 15 to form a daytime running light control circuit. The electric elements 16 are connected to fixed contacts 20 through terminals 18. A voltage regulator and an ignition switch with an engine start contact are both connected to the lighting switch assembly A. This construction eliminates the need for wires to provide an electrical connection between a daytime running light control circuit and a lighting switch assembly and, thus, simplifies the wiring arrangement of the vehicle. The arrangement also reduces the total weight of wires connected to a headlamp and eliminates the step of mounting the daytime running light control circuit to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A lighting switch assembly with an internal daytime running light control circuit, comprising:

a base attached to a vehicle steering column;

a lighting switch assembly (A) having on-off switches (4,

     14) connected to a headlamp (1);

a printed circuit board (15) mounted to the lighting switch assembly (A);

electric elements (16) mounted to the printed circuit board (15) and adapted to form daytime running light control circuits (3,

     13), said electric elements (16) being directly connected to said on-off switches (4,

     14); and

means for releasably attaching said lighting switch assembly (A) to said base.

2. A lighting switch assembly with an internal daytime running light control circuit according to claim 1, further comprising a voltage regulator (5) connected to said lighting switch assembly (A) and adapted to produce a voltage as a vehicle engine is rotated.

3. A lighting switch assembly with an internal daytime running light control circuit according to claim 1, further comprising an ignition switch (7) having an engine start contact (7a) connected to said lighting switch assembly (A).

4. A lighting switch assembly with an internal daytime running light control circuit according to claim 1, further comprising an additional switch assembly.

5. A lighting switch assembly with an internal daytime running light control circuit according to claim 4, wherein said additional switch assembly is a turn indicator switch assembly.

6. A lighting switch assembly with an internal daytime running light control circuit according to claim 1, wherein said on-off switches have terminals, and said printed circuit board contacts said terminals to make an electrical connection between said printed circuit board and said terminals.

7. A lighting switch assembly with an internal daytime running light control circuit according to claim 1, further comprising a cover for said on-off switches, wherein said on-off switches have fixed contacts mounted on a switch block, and said switch cover is resiliently fit over the switch block.

8. A lighting assembly with an internal daytime running light control circuit, comprising:

a base attached to a vehicle steering column;

a headlamp (1);

a lighting switch assembly (A) having on-off switches (4,

     14) connected to said headlamp (1), said switch assembly further comprising a printed circuit board (15) having a plurality of electric elements (16) mounted thereto, said plurality of electric elements (16) comprising daytime running light control circuits (3,

     13), said electric elements (16) being directly connected to said on-off switches (4,

     14); and

means for releasably attaching said lighting switch assembly (A) to said base.

9. The lighting assembly according to claim 8, wherein said on-off switches (4, 14) comprise fixed contacts (20) and movable contacts (21), said fixed contacts being integrally formed with a plurality of terminals (18), and the direct connection between said electric elements (16) and said on-off switches (4, 14) comprising a soldered connection of said terminals (18) contacting an electrically conductive line of said printed circuit board (15).

10. A lighting assembly with an internal daytime running light control circuit according to claim 8, further comprising an additional switch assembly.

11. A lighting assembly with an internal daytime running light control circuit according to claim 10, wherein said additional switch assembly is a turn indicator switch assembly.

12. A lighting assembly with an internal daytime running light control circuit according to claim 8, wherein said on-off switches have terminals, and said printed circuit board contacts said terminals to make an electrical connection between said printed circuit board and said terminals.

13. A lighting assembly with an internal daytime running light control circuit according to claim 8, further comprising a cover for said on-off switches, wherein said on-off switches have fixed contacts mounted on a switch block, and said switch cover is resiliently fit over the switch block.