Daytime headlight system

• US 5,955,842 A
• Filed: 10/30/1997
• Issued: 09/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey W. Dykes
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey W. Dykes
• Inventors: Dykes, Jeffrey W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Wilson
• Application Number:
  US08/961,503
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 315/82, 315/77, 307/9.1, 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 2400/30 Daytime running lights [DRL], e.g. circuits or arrangements therefor

Abstract

A daytime headlight system is provided including a pair of conventional headlights mounted on a front of a vehicle. Each headlight has a high beam light adapted to emit light with a first intensity upon the receipt of a predetermined voltage. A low beam light is adapted to emit light with a second intensity lower than the first intensity upon the receipt of the predetermined voltage. Also included is a vehicular electrical system having a low beam terminal adapted to supply the predetermined voltage upon the receipt of a low beam signal generated by a user controlled switch within a cab of the vehicle. Associated therewith is a high beam terminal adapted to supply the predetermined voltage upon the receipt of a high beam signal generated by the user controlled switch. An ignition switch provided to supply the predetermined voltage upon the insertion of a key within an associated key hole and rotation thereof. The ignition switch continues to supply the predetermined voltage only while the key is situated within the key hole. Next provided is a control mechanism to effect the emission of light from the high beam lights upon the receipt of the predetermined voltage from the ignition switch and the lack of receipt of the predetermined voltage from vehicular electrical system.

Claims

1. A daytime headlight system comprising, in combination:

a pair of headlights mounted on a front of a vehicle, each headlight having a high beam light adapted to emit light with a first intensity upon the receipt of a predetermined voltage and a low beam light adapted to emit light with a second intensity lower than the first intensity upon the receipt of the predetermined voltage;

a vehicular electrical system having a low beam terminal adapted to supply the predetermined voltage upon the receipt of a low beam signal generated by a user controlled switch within a cab of the vehicle and a high beam terminal adapted to supply the predetermined voltage upon the receipt of a high beam signal generated by the user controlled switch;

an ignition switch adapted to supply the predetermined voltage upon the insertion of a key within an associated key hole and rotation thereof, wherein the ignition switch continues to supply the predetermined voltage only while the key is situated within the key hole; and

relay means connected between the headlights, electrical system, and ignition switch, the relay means having a first mode of operation wherein the high beam lights are disconnected from the high beam terminal and further connected to the ignition switch in series for producing a light less than the first intensity only during the receipt of power from the ignition switch in combination with the lack of receipt of either beam signal by the vehicular electrical system, the relay means further having a second mode of operation wherein the high beam lights are disconnected from the ignition system and further connected to the high beam terminal in parallel for producing a light of the first intensity only during the receipt of the high beam signal by the vehicular electrical system.

2. A daytime headlight system comprising:

a pair of headlights mounted on a front of a vehicle, each headlight having a high beam light adapted to emit light with a first intensity upon the receipt of a predetermined voltage and a low beam light adapted to emit light with a second intensity lower than the first intensity upon the receipt of the predetermined voltage;

a vehicular electrical system having a low beam terminal adapted to supply the predetermined voltage upon the receipt of a low beam signal generated by a user controlled switch within a cab of the vehicle and a high beam terminal adapted to supply the predetermined voltage upon the receipt of a high beam signal generated by the user controlled switch;

an ignition switch adapted to supply the predetermined voltage upon the insertion of a key within an associated key hole and rotation thereof, wherein the ignition switch continues to supply the predetermined voltage only while the key is situated within the key hole;

control means connected between the headlights, electrical system, and ignition switch, the control means adapted to effect the emission of light from the high beam lights during the receipt of the predetermined voltage from the ignition switch and the lack of receipt of the predetermined voltage from the vehicular electrical system; and

wherein the control means has a first mode of operation wherein the high beam lights are disconnected from the high beam terminal for producing a light less than the first intensity only during the receipt of the predetermined voltage from the ignition switch in combination with the lack of receipt of either beam signal by the vehicular electrical system, the control means further having a second mode of operation wherein the high beam lights are connected to the high beam terminal for producing a light of the first intensity only during the receipt of the predetermined voltage from the vehicular electrical system.

3. A daytime headlight system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the control means effects the emission of a light from the high beam lights which is less than the first intensity upon the lack of receipt of the high beam signal by vehicular electrical system.

4. A daytime headlight system as set forth in claim 3 wherein the control means effects the generation of the light of less than the first intensity by connecting the high beam in series.