Self-dimming vehicle headlights

• US 9,313,862 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2012
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Levi G. Helton
• Original Assignee: Levi G. Helton
• Inventors: Helton, Levi G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens, Douglas W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cho, James H
• Application Number:
  US13/628,869
• Time in Patent Office: 1,293 Days
• Field of Search: 315 82- 83, 340901-904, 340/942, 340/439, 340/435, 340/436, 340/109, 340/169, 340/174, 340/425.5
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1423 Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic
• 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 2300/41 preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/42 oncoming vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/43 following vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/47 Direct command from other road users, i.e. the command for switching or changing the beam is sent by other vehicles or road devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/10 Retrofit arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/163 involving continuous checking
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

A system by which high beam lights on motor vehicles are automatically dimmed when a similarly equipped vehicle is approaching from an oncoming direction utilizes transmitted radio frequency (RF) signals between vehicles which operate at a preset range. Vehicles equipped with the system also comprise front, rear, and side vehicle sensors to differentiate RF signals transmitted from oncoming or trailing vehicles. A receiving antenna portion of the system picks up an RF signal, verifies there are no proximal side or trailing vehicles, and deactivates the high beam circuit for a preset period of time. All vehicles equipped with the system provide an RF signal having a digital identification code to prevent interference. The system is preferably introduced as a retrofit kit for installation upon existing vehicles; however, the system may also be incorporated on new vehicles.

Claims

1. A self-dimming vehicle headlight system, comprising:

an electronic control module adapted to be in electrical communication with a high beam light dimming portion of a wiring harness of a vehicle;

an internal transceiver in electrical communication with said electronic control module;

an antenna in electrical communication with said internal transceiver adapted to be removably mounted to said vehicle;

a front sensor in electrical communication with said electronic control module adapted to be mounted to a front of said vehicle;

at least one side sensor in electrical communication with said electronic control module adapted to be mounted to either side of said vehicle; and

,

a rear sensor in electrical communication with said electronic control module adapted to be mounted to a rear of said vehicle;

wherein said internal transceiver continuously transmits a signal through said antenna;

wherein said internal transceiver receives and transmits said signal as an RF signal over an approximate range of one-half mile; and

,

wherein a high beam headlight of a first vehicle equipped with said system is automatically dimmed when said internal transceiver receives a signal from a second vehicle equipped with said system and said rear and said at least one side sensor of said first vehicle do not detect a proximal vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said antenna comprises a magnetic base.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said antenna utilizes a uni-directional means of transmitting said signal.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said RF signal has a uniquely encoded digital identification code.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said front sensor, said at least one side sensor, and said rear sensor are each a microwave device.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power switch in electrical communication with said electronic control module adapted to be mounted to a dashboard of said vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said electronic control module dims said high beam headlights for a pre-determined period of time.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said pre-determined period of time is approximately thirty seconds.

9. A vehicle having a self-dimming vehicle headlight system, comprising:

an electronic control module in electrical communication with a high beam light dimming portion of a wiring harness of a vehicle;

an internal transceiver in electrical communication with said electronic control module;

an antenna in electrical communication with said internal transceiver removably mounted to said vehicle;

a front sensor in electrical communication with said electronic control module mounted to a front of said vehicle;

at least one side sensor in electrical communication with said electronic control module mounted to either side of said vehicle; and

,

a rear sensor in electrical communication with said electronic control module mounted to a rear of said vehicle;

wherein said internal transceiver continuously transmits a signal through said antenna;

wherein said internal transceiver receives and transmits said signal as an RF signal over an approximate range of one-half mile; and

,

wherein a high beam headlight of a first vehicle equipped with said system is automatically dimmed when said internal transceiver receives a signal from a second vehicle equipped with said system and said rear and said at least one side sensor of said first vehicle do not detect a proximal vehicle.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said antenna comprises a magnetic base.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said antenna utilizes a uni-directional means of transmitting said signal.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said RF signal has a uniquely encoded digital identification code.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein said front sensor, said at least one side sensor, and said rear sensor are each a microwave device.

14. The system of claim 9, further comprising a power switch in electrical communication with said electronic control module adapted to be mounted to a dashboard of said vehicle.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein said electronic control module dims said high beam headlights for a pre-determined period of time.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said pre-determined period of time is approximately thirty seconds.