Vehicle lighting control system
First Claim
1. Control system for controlling headlights and windshield wipers of a motor vehicle including an engine and an ignition switch for activating the engine comprising a headlight switch movable between off and on positions for activating the headlights in a full power mode, a windshield wiper switch movable between off and on positions turning the windshield wipers off and on, and control means responsive to movement of the windshield wiper switch from the off position to the on position thereby turning on the windshield wipers to activate the headlights in the full power mode regardless of the position of the headlight switch, said headlights being operable in both a reduced power daylight running mode and in said full power mode, said control means including first actuation means responsive to said ignition switch when both the headlight switch and the windshield wiper switches are in the off positions for activating the headlights in the reduced power daylight running mode, said control means including second actuation means responsive to movement of the windshield wiper switch from the off position to the on position for turning on the headlights in the full power mode.
19 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle lighting control system according to the present invention includes an electronic module connected to the vehicle lighting and windshield wiper systems which provides daytime running lamps (high beams at fifty percent power) during normal, daytime operation a full complement of vehicle lights including the running lights and low beam headlights at full power, when the wiper system is activated. The full complement of lights is deactivated by turning off the ignition switch or turning the wiper switch to the “OFF” position, turning the headlight switch to the “ON” position, and then turning the headlight switch to the “OFF” position. As such, the driver is prevented from inadvertently shutting off the full complement of lighting in a low visibility situation. The present invention also incorporates an automatic delay feature which allows the driver to wash the windshield in non-rain conditions without activating the full complement of lights. In the event the windshield wipers continue to operate past the thirty second time period, the system activates the full complement of lights.
-
Citations
11 Claims
- 1. Control system for controlling headlights and windshield wipers of a motor vehicle including an engine and an ignition switch for activating the engine comprising a headlight switch movable between off and on positions for activating the headlights in a full power mode, a windshield wiper switch movable between off and on positions turning the windshield wipers off and on, and control means responsive to movement of the windshield wiper switch from the off position to the on position thereby turning on the windshield wipers to activate the headlights in the full power mode regardless of the position of the headlight switch, said headlights being operable in both a reduced power daylight running mode and in said full power mode, said control means including first actuation means responsive to said ignition switch when both the headlight switch and the windshield wiper switches are in the off positions for activating the headlights in the reduced power daylight running mode, said control means including second actuation means responsive to movement of the windshield wiper switch from the off position to the on position for turning on the headlights in the full power mode.
- 9. Control system for controlling headlights and windshield wipers of a motor vehicle including an engine and an ignition switch for activating the engine, said headlights being operable in both a reduced power daylight running mode and a full power mode, comprising a headlight switch movable between off and on positions for activating the headlights in the full power mode, a windshield wiper switch movable between off and on positions turning the windshield wipers off and on, and control means including first actuation means responsive to operation of the ignition switch to start the vehicle for activating said headlights in the daytime running mode, second actuation means responsive to movement of the windshield wiper switch from the off position to the on position thereby turning on the windshield wipers to activate the headlights from the daytime running mode to the full power mode when the headlight switch is in the off position and latching means for latching said headlights in the full power mode after said windshield wiper switch is returned to the off position.
Specification