Automated ambient condition responsive daytime running light system

• US 5,614,788 A
• Filed: 08/01/1995
• Issued: 03/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles E. Benedict
• Sponsoring Entity: Autosmart Light Switches, Inc.
• Inventors: Mullins, Patrick, Benedict, Charles, Tiedeberg, Jay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pascal, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): KINKEAD, ARNOLD M
• Time in patent office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.8, 307/10.1, 315/82, 315/77, 315/83, 340/458, 340/459
• US Class Current: 315/82
• 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 2300/312 Adverse weather
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/314 Ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/30 Daytime running lights [DRL], e.g. circuits or arrangements therefor

Abstract

An automated daytime running light system for surface transport vehicles having headlights and taillights which includes a daytime running light control circuit which activates the highbeam filament of the headlights at a reduced power level whenever the vehicle ignition is ON and the starter motor OFF during daylight conditions. In one embodiment, the daytime running light control circuit activates the high beam filaments of the headlight at a reduced power level and also activates the parking lights to provide taillights whenever the vehicle ignition is ON and the starter motor OFF during daylight conditions. The system further includes a navigational lighting control circuit which is responsive to ambient condition sensor inputs such as low light level sensors, fog or moisture sensors, windshield wiper actuation sensors and the like, to de-activate the daytime running light control circuit and activate the vehicles headlights and taillights and other running lights at normal power levels as long as such sensors are activated or whenever the vehicle headlights are manually activated. The system may further include an emergency brake indicator circuit which turns off the daytime running light and navigational lighting control circuits, and the vehicle headlights and/or taillights controlled thereby, whenever the emergency brake is engaged and may further include an external shut-off circuit for turning off the daytime running light and navigational lighting control circuits, or portions thereof, when activated.

Claims

1. An automatic ambient condition controlled daytime running light system for transport vehicles having an emergency brake, navigation lights including headlights with high and low beam filaments and parking lights, a power supply, a headlight switch for turning ON and OFF the headlights and a parking light switch for turning ON and OFF the parking lights, an ignition switch and a starter motor switch, the system comprising, a DRL control circuit having a first input from the ignition and an output to a first switching means connected to the high beam filaments for supplying power thereto, means for connecting said first switching means to the source of power, an NL control circuit, a plurality of ambient condition senors, a second input for connecting the ignition switch and outputs from said ambient condition sensors to said NL control circuit, said NL control circuit having an output connected to a second switch means for supplying power to the navigational lights, and output means from said NL control circuit connected to said DRL control circuit for extinguishing power to said first switch means when said NL control circuit is activated by signals received from said second input.

2. The light system of claim 1 including a first connector means for connecting said starter motor switch to said DRL control circuit and second connector means for connecting said starter motor switch to said NL control circuit whereby when said starter motor switch is in an ON condition, said outputs from said DRL control circuit and said NL control circuit will be FALSE whereby said first and second switches are deactivated.

3. The light system of claim 2 in which said output means from said NL control circuit connected to said DRL control circuit and said first connector means for connecting said starter motor switch to said DRL control circuit provide inputs to an OR gate having an output which is connected to said DRL control circuit.

4. The light system of claim 2 in which said DRL control circuit includes a power modulator means, said first switching means includes a MOSFET switch having a source connection to the high beam filaments and an input gate connection to an output gate of a first FET driver, said first FET driver having an input for receiving signals from said power modulator means whereby said first FET driver provides gate voltage at a periodic rate to said first MOSFET to thereby power the high beam filaments at a reduced voltage.

5. The light system of claim 4 including an external shut-off switch connected to said DRL control circuit whereby signals to said input to the first FET driver may be selectively terminated.

6. The light system of claim 4 in which said second switching means includes a second MOSFET switch having a source terminal connected to the output of the headlight switch and an input gate connected to the output gate of a second FET driver, said second switching means further including a third MOSFET switch having a source terminal connected to the output of the parking light switch and a gate terminal connected to the output gate of said second FET driver and said second FET driver having an input for receiving signals from said second input.

7. The light system of claim 6 in which each of said first and second FET drivers and said first, second and third MOSFET switches have drain connections and said drain connections being connected to the source of power.

8. The light system of claim 6 including a delay-OFF timer means connected between said input of said second FET driver and said second input whereby signals to said second FET driver may be controlled by said delay-OFF timer.

9. The light system of claim 8 including an external shut-off switch connected to said DRL control circuit and said NL control circuit whereby signals to said inputs of said first and second FET drivers may be selectively terminated.

10. The light system of claim 9 in which said external shut-off switch is connected between said power modulator means and said input of said first FET driver and between said delay-OFF timer and said input of said second FET driver.

11. The light system of claim 9 including a parking brake input means, said parking brake input means being activated when the transport vehicle emergency brakes are engaged, and means for connecting said parking brake input means to each of said first and second FET drivers whereby when said parking brake input means is in an ON condition, gate signals from said first and second FET drivers will be extinguished.

12. The light system of claim 4 in which said second switching means of said NL control circuit includes second and third MOSFET switches, said second MOSFET switch having a source terminal connected to the output of the headlight switch and a source terminal connected to the output of the parking light switch, said NL control circuit further including a second FET driver having an output gate connected to an input gate of said second MOSFET switch and having an input connected to said second input for connecting the ignition switch and the output from said ambient condition sensors, and a third FET driver having an output gate connected to an input gate of said third MOSFET switch and having an input connected to said second input for connecting the ignition switch and outputs from said ambient condition sensors to said NL control circuit.

13. The light system of claim 12 including connector means for connecting said input of said third FET driver to said first input.

14. The light system of claim 12 including a delay-OFF timer means mounted between said second input and each of said second and third FET driver inputs, said delay-OFF timer having an output, and means for connecting said output of said delay-OFF timer to said inputs of said second and third FET drivers.

15. The light system of claim 14 in which said means for connecting said output of said delay-OFF timer means includes a connector extending from said output to said input of said third FET driver, an AND gate means having an input for receiving said output from said delay-OFF timer means and a second input connected to an external shut-off switch, and said AND gate having an output connected to said input of said second FET driver, whereby when said external shut-off switch is in an OPEN position, signals to said input terminal of said second FET driver are terminated.

16. The light system of claim 15 in which each of said first and second and third FET drivers and said first, second and third MOSFET switches have drain connections, said drain connections being connected to the source of power.

17. The light system of claim 12 including an external shut-off switch connected to said DRL control circuit and said NL control circuit whereby signals to said inputs of said first, second and third FET drivers may be selectively terminated.

18. The light system of claim 12 including a parking brake input means, said parking brake input means being activated when the transport vehicle emergency brakes are engaged, and means for connecting said parking brake input means to each of said first, second and third FET drivers whereby when said parking brake indicator means is in an ON condition, gate signals from said first, second and third FET drivers will be extinguished.

19. The light system of claim 1 including a parking brake input means, said parking brake input means being activated when the transport vehicle emergency brakes are engaged, and means for connecting said parking brake input means to each of said DRL control circuit and said NL control circuit whereby when said parking brake input means is in an ON condition, said first and second switch means will be extinguished to thereby extinguish power to said high beam filament and said navigational lights.

20. The light system of claim 2 in which the high beam filaments, headlights and parking lights are activated in accordance with Truth Table, Table I.

21. The light system of claim 11 wherein the navigational lights including the high beam filaments, headlights and parking lights are activated in accordance with a Truth Table, Table III.

22. The light system of claim 13 in which the navigational lights including the high beam filaments, headlights and parking lights are activated in accordance with a Truth Table, Table II.

23. The light system of claim 13 in which the navigational lights including the high beam filaments, headlights and parking lights are activated in accordance with a Truth Table, Table IV.

24. A method for automatically controlling the lighting system for a transport vehicle depending upon time of day and ambient conditions wherein the transport vehicle has navigational lights including headlights with high and low beam filaments and parking lights, a power supply, a headlight switch for turning ON and OFF the headlights and a parking light switch for turning ON and OFF the parking lights, an ignition switch and a starter motor switch and a plurality of sensors for sensing various ambient conditions, and each of the sensors having an electrical output which is activated in response to an ambient condition being sensed, comprising the steps of:

a) during daylight hours powering the high beam filaments of the vehicle headlights at reduced power when the ignition switch is ON, the starter motor OFF, and the plurality of sensors outputs is in an ambient FALSE state;

b) automatically terminating power to the high beam filaments whenever one of the plurality of sensors senses a condition placing the output therefrom in a TRUE state with the ignition in an ON condition and the starter motor switch in an OFF condition and simultaneously supplying power to operate the navigational lights at a normal power level; and

c) automatically re-energizing the high beam filament at a reduced power level and extinguishing the navigational lights when all the sensors outputs are in a FALSE state and the ignition switch is in an ON condition, the starter motor switch is in an OFF condition and the headlight switch is in an OFF condition.

25. The method of claim 24 in which the navigational lights including the high beam filaments, headlights and parking lights are activated in accordance with Truth Table, Table I.

26. The method of claim 24 in which during daylight hours powering the parking lights when the ignition switch is ON and the starter motor is OFF.

27. The method of claim 26 in which the navigational lights including the high beam filaments, headlights and parking lights are activated in accordance with a Truth Table, Table II.

28. A method for automatically controlling the lighting system for a transport vehicle depending upon time of day and ambient conditions wherein the transport vehicle has navigational lights including headlights with high and low beam filaments and parking lights, a power supply, a headlight switch for turning ON and OFF the headlights and a parking light switch for turning ON and OFF the parking lights, an ignition switch and a starter motor switch, a parking brake indicator electrical output, and a plurality of sensors for sensing various ambient conditions, and each of the sensors having an electrical output which is activated in response to an ambient condition being sensed comprising the steps of:

a) during daylight hours powering the high beam filaments of the vehicle headlights at reduced power when the ignition switch is ON, the starter motor OFF, the parking brake indicator output in a FALSE state, and the plurality of sensors outputs in a FALSE state;

b) automatically terminating power to the high beam filaments whenever one of the plurality of sensors senses a condition placing the output therefrom in a TRUE state with the ignition in an ON condition and the starter motor switch in an OFF condition, the parking brake indicator output in a FALSE state, and simultaneously supplying power to operate the navigational lights at a normal power level; and

c) automatically re-energizing the high beam filament at a reduced power level and extinguishing the navigational lights when all the sensors outputs are in a FALSE state and the ignition switch is in an ON condition, the starter motor switch is in an OFF condition the parking brake indicator output in a false state, and the headlight switch is in an OFF condition.

29. The method of claim 28 in which the navigational lights including the high beam filaments, headlights and parking lights are activated in accordance with Truth Table, Table III.

30. An automatic ambient condition controlled daytime running light system for transport vehicles having an emergency brake, navigation lights including headlights with high and low beam filaments and parking lights, a power supply, a headlight switch for turning ON and OFF the headlights and a parking light switch for turning ON and OFF the parking lights, an ignition switch and a starter motor switch, the system comprising, a DRL control circuit having a first input from the ignition and an output to a first switching means connected to the high beam filaments for supplying power thereto, means for connecting said first switching means to the source of power, an NL control circuit, a plurality of ambient condition senors, a second input for connecting the ignition switch and outputs from at least one of said ambient condition sensors to said NL control circuit, said NL control circuit having an output connected to a second switch means for supplying power to the navigational lights, and output means from said NL control circuit connected to said DRL control circuit for extinguishing power to said first switch means when said NL control circuit is activated by signals received from said second input.

31. The light system of claim 30 including a parking brake input means, said parking brake input means being activated when the transport vehicle parking brake is engaged, and means for connecting said parking brake input means to each of said DRL control circuit and said NL control circuit whereby when said parking brake input means is in an ON condition, said first and second switch means will be extinguished to thereby extinguish power to said high beam filament and said navigational lights.

32. The light system of claim 30 including a first connector means for connecting said starter motor switch to said DRL control circuit and second connector means for connecting said starter motor switch to said NL control circuit whereby when said starter motor is in an ON condition, said outputs from said DRL control circuit and said NL control circuit will be FALSE whereby said first and second switches are deactivated.

33. An automatic ambient condition controlled daytime running light system for a transport vehicle having an emergency brake, navigation lights including headlights and parking lights, a power supply, a headlight switch for turning ON and OFF the headlights and a parking light switch for turning ON and OFF the parking lights, an ignition switch and a starter motor switch, the system comprising, a DRL control circuit having a first input from the ignition and an output to a first switching means connected to the headlights for supplying power thereto, means for connecting said first switching means to the source of power so as to supply power at a reduced level to said first switch means and thus to the headlights, an NL control circuit, at least one ambient condition sensor, a second input for connecting the ignition switch and outputs from said at least one ambient condition sensor to said NL control circuit, said NL control circuit having an output connected to a second switch means for supplying power to the navigational lights, and output means from said NL control circuit connected to said DRL control circuit for extinguishing power to said first switch means when said NL control circuit is activated by signals received from said second input.

34. The light system of claim 33 including a parking brake input means, said parking brake input means being activated when the transport vehicle parking brake is engaged, and means for connecting said parking brake input means to each of said DRL control circuit and said NL control circuit whereby when said parking brake input means is in an ON condition, said first and second switch means will be extinguished to thereby extinguish power to said DRL and NL control circuits.

35. The light system of claim 34 including a first connector means for connecting said starter motor switch to said DRL control circuit and second connector means for connecting said starter motor switch to said NL control circuit whereby when said starter motor is in an ON condition, said outputs from said DRL control circuit and said NL control circuit will be FALSE whereby said first and second switches are deactivated.

36. The light system of claim 33 including a first connector means for connecting said starter motor switch to said DRL control circuit and second connector means for connecting said starter motor switch to said NL control circuit whereby when said starter motor is in an ON condition, said outputs from said DRL control circuit and said NL control circuit will be FALSE whereby said first and second switches are deactivated.

37. A method for automatically controlling the lighting system for a transport vehicle depending upon time of day and ambient conditions wherein the transport vehicle has navigational lights including headlights and parking lights, a power supply, a parking brake, a headlight switch for turning ON and OFF the headlights and a parking light switch for turning ON and OFF the parking lights, an ignition switch, a starter motor switch and at least one sensor for sensing an ambient condition, and the at least one sensor having an electrical output which is activated in response to the ambient condition being sensed, comprising the steps of:

a) during daylight hours powering the vehicle headlights at reduced power when the ignition switch is ON, the starter motor OFF, and the at least one sensor output is in a FALSE state;

b) automatically terminating power at a reduced level to headlights whenever the at least one sensor senses the ambient condition placing the output therefrom in a TRUE state with the ignition in an ON condition and simultaneously supplying power to operate the navigational lights at a normal power level; and

c) automatically re-energizing the headlights at a reduced power level and extinguishing the navigational lights when said at least one sensor output is in a FALSE state and the ignition switch is in an ON condition, and the headlight switch is in an OFF condition.

38. The method of claim 37 including the additional step of automatically terminating power to the vehicle navigational lights when the parking brake is engaged.