Directional lamp daytime running light module, fog light system and vehicular turn signal control system

• US 7,619,511 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2004
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Raymond Kesterson
• Original Assignee: Raymond Kesterson
• Inventors: Kesterson, Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NWUGO, OJIAKO K
• Application Number:
  US10/595,457
• Publication Number:
  US 20070273495A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,854 Days
• Field of Search: 340/468, 340/469, 315/82, 315/83
• US Class Current: 340/468
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/20 Fog lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/28 for indicating front of vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/38 using immovably-mounted light sources, e.g. fixed flashing lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/486 for indicating that vehicle is in a parked state
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 11/007 the lighting devices indicating change of drive direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/30 Daytime running lights [DRL], e.g. circuits or arrangements therefor

Abstract

A vehicular light control system for controlling the illumination of a vehicle'"'"'s external directional/turn signaling and/or hazard warning lights, by controlling continuous illumination of pairs of the brightest signal filaments of either dual or single filament bulb designed vehicles, where such bulbs were previously flash only and underutilized. The system operates to control the brightest filaments when the operator wishes to draw attention to the vehicle for safety, or for visibility and utility purposes, without the same system negatively affecting normal operation of existing turn signal/hazard warning systems. The system automatically and manually controls the light output as desired by the vehicle operator, incorporates the vehicle'"'"'s internal turn signal bulb-out indication subsystem to continuously monitor the target bulbs for an open circuit/burn out event, and employs an automatic safety reconnect feature, a failsafe which reconnects all factory wiring with factory bulbs instantaneously with any accidental or intentional system power loss.

Claims

1. A vehicular light control system for controlling external vehicular directional signal lights, comprising:

a light intensity switch connecting a brightest output circuit of at least one directional signal light and a turn signal switch,

the light intensity switch connecting the brightest output circuit of the at least one directional signal light and a power supply,

at least one turn signal rerouting switch, wherein the turn signal rerouting switch is connected to said power supply and said light intensity switch

whereby the intensity of the at least one directional signal light is controlled between operational modes selected from the group consisting of signaling modes and visibility, utility, and safety modes.

2. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 1, wherein said light intensity switch further comprises a first signal routing device.

3. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 2, wherein the first signal routing device comprises a relay;

and wherein the relay includes

an energized state, wherein said brightest output circuit of said at least one directional signal light is connected to the power supply, and;

a non-energized state, wherein said brightest output circuit of said at least one directional signal light is connected to the turn signal switch.

4. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 1, wherein said power supply is an ignition-keyed power source.

5. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 1, wherein said turn signal rerouting switch further comprising a second signal routing device.

6. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 5, wherein said second signal routing device comprises a relay;

and wherein said relay includes

an energized state, wherein said brightest output circuit of at least one directional signal light is connected to said turn signal switch through said light intensity switch, and;

a non-energized state, wherein said brightest output circuit of at least one directional signal light is connected to said power supply through said light intensity switch.

7. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 1, further comprising at least one device for isolating a pulsed signal to energize said turn signal rerouting switch.

8. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 7, wherein said at least one device for an isolating pulsed signal is at least one first diode.

9. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 1 further comprising at least one device for storing an isolated pulsed signal to energize said turn signal rerouting switch.

10. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 9, wherein said at least one device for storing the isolated pulsed signal is at least one first capacitor.

11. A vehicular light control system for controlling external vehicular directional signal lights, comprising:

at least one light intensity switch connecting a brightest output circuit of at least one directional signal light and a turn signal switch, and

said at least one light intensity switch connecting the brightest output circuit of at least one directional signal light and a power supply,

an automatic override switch connected to a parking/headlight switch of a vehicle, said power supply and said light intensity switch, wherein said automatic override switch further controls operation of said light intensity switch;

whereby the intensity of at least one directional signal light is controlled between an output mode for signaling and an constant illumination output mode for safety and for utility.

12. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 11, wherein said at least one light intensity switch further comprises means for controlling electrical current and voltage routing.

13. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 12, wherein said means for controlling electrical current and voltage routing includes a relay;

and wherein said relay includes

an energized state, wherein said brightest output circuit of said at least one directional signal light is connected to said power supply, and;

a non-energized state, wherein said brightest output circuit of said at least one directional signal light is connected to said turn signal switch.

14. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 13, further comprising at least one said turn signal rerouting switch, wherein said turn signal rerouting switch is connected to said power supply and said light intensity switch, and wherein said turn signal rerouting switch is further connected to said turn signal switch and said directional signal light through said light intensity switch when said light intensity switch is in said energized state.

15. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 14, wherein said turn signal rerouting switch further comprises means for controlling electrical current and voltage routing.

16. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 15, wherein said means for controlling electrical current and voltage routing includes a relay;

and wherein said relay includes

an energized state, wherein said brightest output circuit of at least one directional signal light is connected to said turn signal switch through said light intensity switch, and;

a non-energized state, wherein said brightest output circuit of at least one directional signal light is connected to said power source through said light intensity switch.

17. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 11, wherein said power supply is a vehicular power source.

18. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 11, further comprising at least one means for converting a pulsed signal to a constant non pulsed signal to energize said turn signal rerouting switch.

19. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 18, wherein at least one means for converting a pulsed signal to a constant non pulsed signal comprises a first diode and a first capacitor, wherein the first diode and the first capacitor are connected to said turn signal rerouting switch and said turn signal switch.

20. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 11, further comprising a main module power switch connected with said light intensity switch and said power supply, the main module power switch further controlling operation of said light intensity switch.

21. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 11, further comprising an operational indicator connected to said light intensity switch, the operational indicator providing feedback corresponding to the operational state of said vehicular light control system.

22. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 21, further comprising a night operation latching switch and a night operation momentary switch, wherein the night operation latching switch is connected to the automatic override switch, to said parking/headlight switch, and to said night operation momentary switch;

said night operation momentary switch and said night operational latching switch further controlling operation of said light intensity switch.

23. A vehicular light control system for controlling pairs of external vehicular directional lights while allowing any onboard vehicular bulb-failure indication subsystems to continue to operate, comprising:

a first light intensity switch connecting the brightest output circuit of a first directional signal light and a first output of a turn signal switch, and a second light intensity switch connecting the brightest output circuit of a second directional signal light and a second output of said turn signal switch; and

the first intensity switch connecting the brightest output circuit of a first directional signal light and a power supply, and a second light intensity switch connecting the brightest output circuit of a second directional signal light and said power supply,

whereby the intensity of said first directional signal light and said second directional signal light are controlled between illumination output modes selected from the group consisting of pulse and flashing signaling modes and constant output safety and utility modes.

24. The vehicular light control system as described in claim 23, further comprising means to control dimmest output circuits of the first directional signal light and the second directional signal light from simultaneous operation with respect to the brightest output circuits of said directional lights, to control unnecessary heat in the areas surrounding said first directional signal light and said second directional signal light.