Automatic headlight system

• US 4,236,099 A
• Filed: 03/05/1979
• Issued: 11/25/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Irving Rosenblum
• Original Assignee: Irving Rosenblum
• Inventors: Rosenblum, Irving
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieberman, Eli
• Assistant Examiner(s): Roberts, Charles F.
• Time in patent office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 315/82, 315/83, 315/155, 315/156
• US Class Current: 315/83
• 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 2300/052 Switching delay, i.e. the beam is not switched or changed instantaneously upon occurrence of a condition change
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/21 Manual control
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/312 Adverse weather
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/314 Ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/338 Overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/42 oncoming vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/08 electrically driven conjoint control of windscreen wiper motor and liquid supply of windscreen washer B60S1/482; conjoint control of windscreen wiper motor and means for cleaning parts o parts other than windscreens or front windows B60S1/56, B60S1/58, B60S1/606

Abstract

There is disclosed an automatic light system for a moving vehicle wherein there is provided an on/off control feature responsive to ambient light conditions and responsive to the activation of windshield wipers. Included in the on/off control feature is electronics for a built in delay to delay changes in the on/off condition of the headlights caused by sudden or gradual darkness, sudden or gradual light, and the starting of the vehicle. The automatic light system includes a high/low beam control feature which is responsive to oncoming or passing cars.

Claims

1. An automatic light system for controlling the light emission of a vehicle headlight, comprising:

light sensor means disposed within the darkened engine compartment of said vehicle to receive ambient light,

control means for automatically turning on or off the headlight in response to detected light level signals from said light sensor means when said light level signals are within predetermined light level ranges,

delay means for preventing the turning on or off of the headlight if the detected light level signals do not stay within the predetermined light level ranges for a predetermined period of time,

polarity switching means connected between said vehicle headlight and the poles of an electric power source, for selectively switching the polarity of the voltage applied by said power source to said headlight,

whereby on and off control of the headlight is accomplished without being affected by momentary, sudden darkness or light and additional battery drain during vehicle starting is prevented.

2. In the apparatus of claim 1,

means for turning on the headlight when windshield wipers of the vehicle are turned on,

means for turning off the headlight when the windshield wipers are turned off if ambient light conditions do not require the headlight to be on.

3. In the apparatus of claim 2,

a dimmer light sensor disposed to receive light from oncoming or passing cars,

low and high beam control means for automatically dimming the headlight in response to other vehicles.

4. In the apparatus of claim 3,

means for selectively delaying the turning off of the headlights for a predetermined period of time after the ignition of the vehicle is turned off, whereby there lighting is provided for the period of time after leaving the vehicle.

5. In the apparatus claim 4,

automatic override means for manually operating the headlight independently.

6. In the apparatus of claim 3,

a transparent plate mounted on the front of the headlight,

said dimmer light sensor being attached to said transparent plate.