Flasher vehicle interface module

• US 9,776,558 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2015
• Issued: 10/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UpFitters LLC
• Original Assignee: UpFitters LLC
• Inventors: Piersing, Amanda Marissa, Bracken, Roger Bodie
• Primary Examiner(s): MCNALLY, KERRI L
• Application Number:
  US14/864,617
• Publication Number:
  US 20160023593A1
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 340471
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/46 for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights or hazard lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/10 Retrofit arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A flasher interface module for a vehicle having factory or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) lights. The flasher interface module includes a plurality of input and output ports corresponding to the factory lights of the vehicle and a plurality of leads corresponding to each of the input and output ports. The flasher interface module is configured such that the input and output ports operate independently of the vehicle such that factory lights are independently controlled by the module.

Claims

1. A flasher interface module for a vehicle having factory lights, comprising:

four input ports corresponding to a driver side shutter, driver side headlights, passenger side shutter and passenger side headlights and four output ports corresponding to the driver side shutter, driver side headlights, passenger side shutter and passenger side headlights;

two auxiliary outputs corresponding to ground and 12V power;

a plurality of leads corresponding to each of the input and output ports, whereby the input and output ports of the module operate independently of the vehicle such that factory lights are controlled by the module and whereby the flasher interface module receives power directly from a 12V DC power distribution port supplied by the vehicle'"'"'s manufacturer;

each of the output port leads extend to connect to factory headlights and shutters;

a single control wire connected to a customer supplied switch; and

a control to hold shutter motors open in the headlights and flashes them in high beam in various patterns.

2. The module of claim 1, further comprising a housing.

3. The module of claim 2, wherein the housing includes a base and a cover removably connected to the base.

4. The module of claim 1, wherein said module is capable of operating the factory lights in multiple different flash patterns.

5. The module of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of leads are a different color.

6. The module of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of leads are labeled with a different number.

7. The module of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of input ports corresponds equally to each of the plurality of output ports.

8. The module of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary circuit for powering an after-market lighting system installed in the vehicle.

9. The module of claim 1, further comprising an override feature that automatically shuts off the module when a high beam light on the vehicle is activated.

14. The module of claim 1, comprising a rear flasher interface module comprising five input ports corresponding to the driver side brake light, driver side parking lights, passenger side brake light, passenger side parking lights and a center panel;

five output ports corresponding to the driver side brake light, driver side parking lights, passenger side brake light, passenger side parking lights and the center panel.

10. A flasher interface module comprising a plurality of body control modules and a factory lighting system including headlights, tail lights and brake lights, the improvement comprising:

an interface module that operates the factory lighting system independently of a CAN system and each of the plurality of body control modules wherein the interface module comprises an auxiliary circuit whereby the flasher interface module receives power directly from a 12V DC power distribution port supplied by the vehicle'"'"'s manufacturer;

four input ports corresponding to a driver side shutter, driver side headlights, passenger side shutter and passenger side headlights and four output ports corresponding to the driver side shutter, driver side headlights, passenger side shutter and passenger side headlights;

two auxiliary outputs corresponding to ground and 12V power;

each port has a lead extending therefrom to connect to factory headlights and shutter; and

a control to hold shutter motors open in the headlights.

11. The improvement of claim 10, wherein the auxiliary circuit supplies power to an after-market light system installed on the vehicle independently of the CAN system and each of the plurality of body control modules.

12. The improvement of claim 10, wherein the interface module includes a controller for receiving power.

13. The improvement of claim 10, wherein the interface module is configured to flash the headlights in high beam mode.