Vehicle light control system for automotive vehicles

• US 4,713,584 A
• Filed: 03/19/1987
• Issued: 12/15/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pierre-Paul Jean
• Original Assignee: Pierre-Paul Jean
• Inventors: Jean, Pierre-Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/028,125
• Time in Patent Office: 271 Days
• Field of Search: 340/642, 307/10 LS, 315/82, 315/83
• US Class Current: 315/83
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1415 Dimming circuits

Abstract

A vehicle light control system for controlling the low beam of headlights of a vehicle. The system comprises a first and a second switching device with the first switching device being in a normally conductive state and the second device being in a normally non-conductive state. The first switching device is connected to the alternator of a vehicle to tap a supply voltage therefrom. The second conductive device is condition by the first conductive device and is also connected to a supply voltage to feed the low beams of the headlights when conditioned to do so by the first switching device. The headlight switch of the vehicle when switched on the high beams cuts off the first switching device and the supply voltage to the low beams. The supply voltage fed to the low beams is further reduced whereby not to subject the low beams to full intensity whereby to prolong their life span.

Claims

1. A vehicle light control system comprising a first and a second switching device, said first switching device being in a normally conductive state, said second switching device being in a normally non-conductive state, said first switching device having an input connection securable to a terminal of an alternator of said automobile vehicle, said alternator being connected to a car battery supply and providing a supply voltage when an engine of said vehicle is operated, said first switching device further having an output connection connected to said second switching device to change the operating state thereof when said supply voltage is present on said input connection, said second switching circuit having a low beam connection to which said car battery supply voltage is connected and fed to a low beam filament of headlights of said vehicle, said first switching device having a third connection securable to a vehicle headlight switch high beam position so that when said headlight switch is placed to said high beam position said first switching device is placed in a non-conductive state which in turn automatically places said second switching device in a non-conductive state to cut off said supply voltage to said low beam connection.

2. A vehicle light control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is further provided voltage reducing means connected to said low-beam connection to reduce said supply voltage to a reduced low beam supply voltage.

3. A vehicle light control system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said voltage reducing means is a Zener diode.

4. A vehicle light control system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said secondary lights include parking lights, side marker lights and a license plate light of said vehicle.

5. A vehicle light control system as claimed in claim 2 wherein there is further provided a secondary lighting connection connected to said low beam connection to connect said supply voltage to secondary lights of said vehicle.

6. A vehicle light control system as claimed in claim 5 wherein a vehicle secondary light switch is connected to said secondary light to feed an auxiliary supply voltage to said secondary lights when said supply voltage at said secondary lighting condition is not present, and a blocking diode to prevent said auxiliary supply voltage to feed said low beam filament connected to said secondary lighting connection.

7. A vehicle light control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second switching devices are first and second relays, respectively.

8. A vehicle light control system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first relay has a normally closed contact arm and a relay coil, said input connection thereof being connected to said contact arm, said output connection being connected to an engageable terminal of said contact arm, said vehicle headlight switch connecting a battery supply to said coil when placed in said headlight switch is placed in an operating position.

9. A vehicle light control system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said second relay has a normally open contact arm and a relay coil, said relay coil being connected to said engageable terminal of said first relay, said contact arm of said second relay being connected to said battery supply, said second relay contact arm having an engageable terminal to which is connected said low beam connection.