Method and apparatus for controlling auxiliary lighting using a vehicle electric plug

• US 10,155,468 B1
• Filed: 09/01/2017
• Issued: 12/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meyer Products LLC
• Original Assignee: Meyer Products LLC
• Inventors: Orazem, Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): Bousono, Orlando
• Application Number:
  US15/694,141
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0035 relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0088 Details of electrical connections B60Q1/305 takes precedence; electrical connection of the light source itself F21S41/192, F21S43/195
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0094 Arrangement of electronic circuits separated from the light source, e.g. mounting of housings for starter circuits for discharge lamps arrangements being part of the light source holder F21V17/06, F21S43/195
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/18 being additional front lights bracket mounted headlights B60Q1/0483
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/305 Indicating devices for towed vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/38 using immovably-mounted light sources, e.g. fixed flashing lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2800/20 Utility vehicles, e.g. for agriculture, construction work
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/023 for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 10/007 Mobile apparatus specially adapted for preparing or applying liquid or semi-liquid thawing material or spreading granular material on wintry roads
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 5/061 by scraper blades
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 5/063 by snow-plough blades tiltable for shock-absorbing purposes
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 5/12 Apparatus or implements specially adapted for breaking, disintegrating, or loosening layers of ice or hard snow with or without clearing or removing E01H5/10 takes precedence; Roughening ice or hard snow by means of tools by means of gritting materials E01H10/00; roughening or breaking-up pavements E01C23/08, E01C23/12
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 : Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 : via wireless transmission

Abstract

An auxiliary lighting system may operate with a controller that is electrically connectable to a vehicle'"'"'s electric plug. The controller may have a microprocessor that is programmed to perform at least one of these functions: (A) prevent a front facing auxiliary turn signal light from going into an ON condition when a brake on the vehicle has been activated; (B) operate auxiliary turn signal lights into alternating ON and OFF conditions that match the simultaneous ON and OFF conditions of the vehicle'"'"'s turn signals; and, (C) prevent the vehicle'"'"'s electronic control unit from detecting that the controller is electrically connected to the electric plug.

Claims

1. An auxiliary apparatus for use with an associated vehicle having:

a vehicle light that is designed to illuminate a ground surface in front of the vehicle; and

, an electric plug, the auxiliary apparatus comprising;

an auxiliary snow and/or ice removal implement that;

is removably mountable to the vehicle; and

, obscures light from the vehicle light when mounted to the vehicle;

an auxiliary lighting system that;

is for use with the auxiliary snow and/or ice removal implement; and

, comprises at least one auxiliary headlight designed to illuminate the ground surface in front of the vehicle; and

,

a controller that;

is electrically connectable to the electric plug and the auxiliary lighting system; and

, comprises a microprocessor that is programmed to perform at least one of the following function sets;

function set A;

(1) operate a front facing auxiliary turn signal light of the auxiliary lighting system into an ON condition when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle has a turn signal that is in an ON condition;

(2) operate the front facing auxiliary turn signal light into an OFF condition when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle'"'"'s turn signal is in an OFF condition; and

,

(3) operate to prevent the front facing auxiliary turn signal light from going into an ON condition when the electric plug indicates that;

(a) the vehicle'"'"'s turn signal is in an OFF condition; and

, (b) a brake on the vehicle has been activated;

function set B;

(1) operate a first auxiliary turn signal light of the auxiliary lighting system into an ON condition when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle has a first turn signal that is in an ON condition;

(2) operate the first auxiliary turn signal light into an OFF condition when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle'"'"'s first turn signal is in an OFF condition;

(3) operate a second auxiliary turn signal light of the auxiliary lighting system into an ON condition when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle has a second turn signal that is in an ON condition;

(4) operate the second auxiliary turn signal light into an OFF condition when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle'"'"'s second turn signal is in an OFF condition;

(5) operate to prevent the first auxiliary turn signal light from going into an ON condition when the electric plug indicates that;

(a) the vehicle'"'"'s first turn signal is in an OFF condition; and

, (b) a brake on the vehicle has been activated;

(6) operate to prevent the second auxiliary turn signal light from going into an ON condition when the electric plug indicates that;

(a) the vehicle'"'"'s second turn signal is in an OFF condition; and

, (b) a brake on the vehicle has been activated;

(7) operate the first and second auxiliary turn signal lights into ON and OFF conditions that match the ON and OFF conditions of the vehicle'"'"'s first and second turn signals when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle'"'"'s first and second turn signals are simultaneously alternating between ON and OFF conditions; and

,

function set C;

(1) operate at least one auxiliary light of the auxiliary lighting system based on an indication from the electric plug; and

,

(2) operate to prevent an electronic control unit on the vehicle from detecting that the controller is electrically connected to the electric plug.

2. The auxiliary apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the microprocessor is programmed to perform function sets A and B.

3. The auxiliary apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the microprocessor is programmed to perform function sets B and C.

4. The auxiliary apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the microprocessor is programmed to perform function sets A, B and C.

5. The auxiliary apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

auxiliary wiring that is;

(1) electrically hardwire connectable to the electric plug; and

, (2) electrically hardwire connectable to at least one of the auxiliary lighting system and the controller.

6. The auxiliary apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the microprocessor is programmed to perform function set C; and

,

the microprocessor is programmed to prevent the electronic control unit on the vehicle from detecting any amperage draw from the electric plug.

7. The auxiliary apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the microprocessor is programmed to perform function set C; and

,

the at least one auxiliary light of the auxiliary lighting system is powered from a source other than the electric plug.

8. An auxiliary apparatus for use with an associated vehicle having an electric plug, the auxiliary apparatus comprising:

an auxiliary implement that;

is removably mountable to the vehicle; and

, obscures light from at least one vehicle light designed to illuminate a ground surface in front of the vehicle when mounted to the vehicle;

an auxiliary lighting system for use with the auxiliary implement; and

,

a controller that;

is electrically connectable to the electric plug and, the auxiliary lighting system; and

, comprises a microprocessor that is programmed to perform at least one of the following function sets;

function set A;

(1) operate a front facing auxiliary turn signal light of the auxiliary lighting system into an ON condition when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle has a turn signal that is in an ON condition;

(2) operate the front facing auxiliary turn signal light into an OFF condition when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle'"'"'s turn signal is in an OFF condition; and

,

(3) operate to prevent the front facing auxiliary turn signal light from going into an ON condition when the electric plug indicates that;

(a) the vehicle'"'"'s turn signal is in an OFF condition; and

, (b) a brake on the vehicle has been activated;

function set B;

(1) operate a first auxiliary turn signal light of the auxiliary lighting system into an ON condition when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle has a first turn signal that is in an ON condition;

(2) operate the first auxiliary turn signal light into an OFF condition when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle'"'"'s first turn signal is in an OFF condition;

(3) operate a second auxiliary turn signal light of the auxiliary lighting system into an ON condition when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle has a second turn signal that is in an ON condition;

(4) operate the second auxiliary turn signal light into an OFF condition when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle'"'"'s second turn signal is in an OFF condition;

(5) operate to prevent the first auxiliary turn signal light from going into an ON condition when the electric plug indicates that;

(a) the vehicle'"'"'s first turn signal is in an OFF condition; and

, (b) a brake on the vehicle has been activated;

(6) operate to prevent the second auxiliary turn signal light from going into an ON condition when the electric plug indicates that;

(a) the vehicle'"'"'s second turn signal is in an OFF condition; and

, (b) a brake on the vehicle has been activated; and

,

(7) operate the first and second auxiliary turn signal lights into ON and OFF conditions that match the ON and OFF conditions of the vehicle'"'"'s first and second turn signals when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle'"'"'s first and second turn signals are simultaneously alternating between ON and OFF conditions; and

,

function set C;

(1) operate at least one auxiliary light of the auxiliary lighting system based on an indication from the electric plug; and

,

(2) operate to prevent an electronic control unit on the vehicle from detecting that the controller is electrically connected to the electric plug.

9. The auxiliary apparatus of claim 8 wherein:

the microprocessor is programmed to perform function sets A and B.

10. The auxiliary apparatus of claim 8 wherein:

the microprocessor is programmed to perform function sets B and C.

11. The auxiliary apparatus of claim 8 wherein:

the microprocessor is programmed to perform function sets A, B and C.

12. The auxiliary apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:

auxiliary wiring that is;

(1) electrically hardwire connectable to the electric plug; and

, (2) electrically hardwire connectable to at least one of the auxiliary lighting system and the controller.

13. The auxiliary apparatus of claim 8 wherein:

the auxiliary implement is a snowplow assembly.

14. The auxiliary apparatus of claim 8 wherein:

the auxiliary lighting system comprises at least one auxiliary headlight designed to illuminate the ground surface in front of the vehicle.

15. An auxiliary lighting system and controller for use with:

(A) an associated vehicle having;

a vehicle light that is designed to illuminate a ground surface in front of the vehicle; and

, an electric plug; and

, (B) an associated implement that obscures light from the vehicle light;

the auxiliary lighting system and controller comprising;

an auxiliary lighting system that;

is removably mountable to at least one of the vehicle and the implement; and

, comprises at least one auxiliary headlight designed to illuminate the ground surface in front of the vehicle; and

,

a controller that;

is electrically connectable to the electric plug and the auxiliary lighting system; and

, comprises a microprocessor that is programmed to perform at least one of the following function sets;

function set A;

(1) operate a front facing auxiliary turn signal light of the auxiliary lighting system into an ON condition when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle has a turn signal that is in an ON condition;

(2) operate the front facing auxiliary turn signal light into an OFF condition when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle'"'"'s turn signal is in an OFF condition; and

,

(3) operate to prevent the front facing auxiliary turn signal light from going into an ON condition when the electric plug indicates that;

(a) the vehicle'"'"'s turn signal is in an OFF condition; and

, (b) a brake on the vehicle has been activated;

function set B;

(1) operate a first auxiliary turn signal light of the auxiliary lighting system into an ON condition when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle has a first turn signal that is in an ON condition;

(2) operate the first auxiliary turn signal light into an OFF condition when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle'"'"'s first turn signal is in an OFF condition;

(3) operate a second auxiliary turn signal light of the auxiliary lighting system into an ON condition when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle has a second turn signal that is in an ON condition;

(4) operate the second auxiliary turn signal light into an OFF condition when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle'"'"'s second turn signal is in an OFF condition;

(5) operate to prevent the first auxiliary turn signal light from going into an ON condition when the electric plug indicates that;

(a) the vehicle'"'"'s first turn signal is in an OFF condition; and

, (b) a brake on the vehicle has been activated;

(6) operate to prevent the second auxiliary turn signal light from going into an ON condition when the electric plug indicates that;

(a) the vehicle'"'"'s second turn signal is in an OFF condition; and

, (b) a brake on the vehicle has been activated; and

,

(7) operate the first and second auxiliary turn signal lights into ON and OFF conditions that match the ON and OFF conditions of the vehicle'"'"'s first and second turn signals when the electric plug indicates that the vehicle'"'"'s first and second turn signals are simultaneously alternating between ON and OFF conditions; and

,

function set C;

(1) operate at least one auxiliary light of the auxiliary lighting system based on an indication from the electric plug; and

,

(2) operate to prevent an electronic control unit on the vehicle from detecting that the controller is electrically connected to the electric plug.

16. The auxiliary lighting system and controller of claim 15 wherein:

the microprocessor is programmed to perform function sets A and B.

17. The auxiliary lighting system and controller of claim 15 wherein:

the microprocessor is programmed to perform function sets B and C.

18. The auxiliary lighting system and controller of claim 15 wherein:

the microprocessor is programmed to perform function sets A, B and C.

19. The auxiliary lighting system and controller of claim 15 further comprising:

auxiliary wiring that is;

(1) electrically hardwire connectable to the electric plug; and

, (2) electrically hardwire connectable to at least one of the auxiliary lighting system and the controller.

20. The auxiliary lighting system and controller of claim 15 wherein:

the auxiliary lighting system comprises at least one auxiliary headlight designed to illuminate the ground surface in front of the vehicle.