GB2039176A - Supplying vehicle road lights and window wipers - Google Patents
Supplying vehicle road lights and window wipers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2039176A GB2039176A GB7942364A GB7942364A GB2039176A GB 2039176 A GB2039176 A GB 2039176A GB 7942364 A GB7942364 A GB 7942364A GB 7942364 A GB7942364 A GB 7942364A GB 2039176 A GB2039176 A GB 2039176A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- switch
- wiper
- output terminal
- input terminal
- road light
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
- B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
- B60Q1/14—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means
- B60Q1/1407—General lighting circuits comprising dimming circuits
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
Abstract
A motor vehicle has electrical circuitry such that road lights are illuminated when the window wiper is used. An output terminal (10b) of a road light switch (10) connected for delivering power to headlights (6, 7) is connected also, via a diode (8), to an output terminal (3b) of a switch (3) which supplies power to a wiper motor (5), so that when power is supplied to the wiper motor through the switch (3) power is also supplied through the switch (3), diode (8) and terminal (10b) to the main or dipped headlights. The diode (8) prevents operations of the wiper motor (5) when power is supplied to the headlights through the switch (10). The circuit may also be arranged so that energising the wipers at a slow rate turns on sidelights, while use of the wipers at a fast rate turns on the headlights. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Motor vehicle road light and window wiper operation
The present invention relates to motor vehicle road light and window wiper operation.
Motor vehicles commonly have road lights, for example sidelights, or dipped headlights (with rear sidelights), or main beam headlights, and also have window wipers, to provide good visibility for drivers.
It is advisable to use road lights in conditions of reduced visibility caused by adverse weather conditions such as rain or snow, even in daylight.
The use of window wipers in rain or snow is generally necessary; a driver would not normally fail to use the window wipers in such weather conditions.
According to the present invention there is provided a motor vehicle having road lights and a window wiper, with electrical circuitry operable so that the road lights are illuminated when the window wiper is used.
In vehicles embodying this invention it can thus be ensured that road lights, for example sidelights or headlights (dipped or main beam), are turned on in weather conditions necessitating the use of window wipers.
Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figures 1 and 2 are schematic wiring diagrams illustrating circuit arrangements employed in respective embodiments of this invention; and
Figure 3 is a schematic block wiring diagram illustrating a further circuit arrangement employed in another embodiment of this invention.
The circuit arrangement of Fig. 1 includes a vehicle battery 1, fuses 2a and 2b, a window wiper switch 3, a dip switch 4, a window wiper motor 5, vehicle headlights 6 and 7, a diode 8 and a vehicle road light switch 1 0.
The battery 1 is connected to an input terminal 1 0a of the switch 10 which has output terminal 1 0b and 1 0c. The switch 10 is selectively switchable between an "off" position, in which the input terminal 1 0a is isolated, a "headlight" position, in which input. terminal 1 0a is connected to output terminal lOb, in which the switch 10 is shown, and a "sidelight" position, in which input terminal 1 0a is connected to output terminal 1 Oc. It will be understood that when the switch 10 is in the "headlight" position either main beam or dipped beam headlight illumination can be selected by means of dip switch 4, and when the switch 10 is in the "sidelight" position only sidelights are illuminated normally, with the headlights off.
Output terminal 1 0b of light switch 10 is connected through a fuse 2a to an input terminal 4a of the dip switch 4. The dip switch 4 is selectively switchable between a first position, in which it is shown, in which the input terminal 4a is connected to an output terminal 4b, whereby when switch 10 is in the headlight position power from battery 1 is supplied through switch 4 to provide dipped beam illumination of the headlights 6 and 7, and a second position in which the input terminal 4a is connected to an output terminal 4c, whereby when switch 10 is in the headlight position power from battery 1 is supplied through switch 4 to provide main beam illumination of the headlights 6 and 7.
It will be appreciated that rear sidelights may be connected to be illuminated when either dipped beam headlight illumination or main beam headlight illumination is selected.
The battery 1 is also connected to an input terminal 3a of the window wiper switch 3, shown in an "off" position. The wiper switch 3 is selectively switchable to an "on" position in which the input terminal 3a is connected to an output terminal 3b, whereby power is supplied from battery 1 to wiper motor 5 through fuse 2b, to drive vehicle window wipers (not shown).
Diode 8 provides a connection between output terminal 3b and the battery end of fuse 2a, that is to say output terminal 1 0b of road light switch 10, so that when switch 3 is in the "on" position and the window wipers are driven, electric current is also supplied from battery 1, through switch 3 and diode 8, to provide either dipped beam or main beam illumination of the headlights 6 and 7 (depending on the position of switch 4) even when switch 10 is in the sidelight position or in the off position. The headlights are thus turned on when the window wipers are used, even though the vehicle light switch 10 is "off" or in the sidelight position.It will be understood that diode 8 prevents flow of electrical current from battery 1 and output terminal 1 0b to wiper motor 5 when headlights are selected independently of wiper operation by placing the vehicle light switch
10 in its "headlight" position.
In Fig. 2, items similar to those illustrated in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals.
In Fig. 2, wiper switch 3 and diode 8 of
Fig. 1 are replaced by a modified wiper switch 9. The wiper switch 9 has an input terminal 9a, connected for receiving electrical power from the battery 1, and output terminals 9b and 9c, connected respectively to wiper motor 5, and to the battery end of fuse 2a and output terminal 1 0b of switch 1 0. The switch 9 is selectively switchable between an "off" position, in which it is shown, when the output terminals 9b and 9c are electrically isolated from input terminal 9a and from one another, and an "on" position when terminals 9b and 9c are both connected to terminal 9a so that power from battery 1 is supplied through switch 9 to wiper motor 5 and to headlights 6 and 7 through fuse 2a and switch 4.When switch 9 is in the "off" position contact between the battery end of fuse 2a (output terminal 1 0b) and wiper motor 5 is physically broken so that flow of current from output terminal 1 0b to wiper motor 5 is prevented when headlights are selected by placing the vehicle light switch 10 in its "headlight" position.
It will be appreciated that, as is usual, when headlights are selected rear vehicle roadlights can also be illuminated.
In the circuits of Figs. 1 and 2 the arrangement is such that the headlights and wiper motor are protected by their own, suitably rated, fuses 2a and 2b at all times.
The circuit arrangement of Fig. 3 includes a wiper switch 11, a window wiper motor 12, a vehicle road light switch 1 3 and diodes 14 and 15.
Wiper switch 11 has a "live" input terminal 1 lea for receiving electrical power, for example from the vehicle battery (not shown) and has first and second output terminals 1 b and 11 c respectively, connected to respective input terminals 1 2a and 1 2b of the window wiper motor 12.The wiper switch 11 is selectively switchable between an "off" position, in which window wiper motor 12 is not supplied with power, a "slow speed" position, in which live input terminal 1 a is connected to first output terminal 11 b to supply power from output terminal 1 b to input terminal 1 2a of wiper motor 1 2 to drive the wiper motor at a slow speed, and a "fast speed" position, in which live input terminal 1 a is connected to second output terminal 11 c, to supply power from output terminal 1 c to input terminal 1 2b of wiper motor 1 2 to drive the wiper motor at a fast speed.
The vehicle road light switch 1 3 has a live input terminal 1 3a, for example connected to the vehicle battery (not shown) and has first and second output terminals 1 3b and 1 3c.
The road light switch 1 3 is selectively switchable between an "off" position in which power is not supplied to vehicle road lights through the switch, a "sidelight" position, in which input terminal 1 3a is connected to output terminal 1 3b to supply power from output terminal 1 3b to front and rear sidelights of the vehicle, and a "dip switch" position in which input terminal 1 3a is connected to output terminal 1 3c to supply power from output terminal 1 3c to an input terminal of a headlight dip switch (not shown) so that either dipped beam or main beam can be illuminated.
Diode 14 connects "slow speed" output terminal 11 b of wiper switch 11 to sidelight output terminal 1 3b of roadlight switch 13, and diode 1 5 connects "fast speed" output terminal 1 1c of wiper switch 11 to dip switch output terminal 1 3c of road light switch 1 3.
Thus, when "slow speed" window wiper operation is selected at the wiper switch the vehicle sidelights are automatically lit, and when "fast speed" window wiper operation is selected at the wiper switch the dip switch is automatically supplied with power for headlight illumination.
The diodes 14 and 1 5 prevent current flowing from vehicle road light switch 1 3 to wiper motor 1 2 when the vehicle lights are used independently of wiper operation.
The supplies to the sidelights, the dip switch and wiper motor 12, are suitably fused, as is schematically indicated by fuses 22.
It will be appreciated that the road light switches, dip switches and wiper switches shown in the Figures may be incorporated in more complicated switching arrangements, for example the common arrangements in which road light switches, wiper switches, indicator switches etc. are arranged to be actuated by "stalks" provided on the steering column.
The window wipers controlled by the wiper switches shown in the Figures will usually be front windscreen wipers, but it may be useful if sidelights are illuminated when a rear window wiper (if provided) is operated.
In addition to single speed window wipers and two-speed (slow and fast) wipers, wipers having additional "single wipe" and/or "intermittent wipe" functions are known. It will be readily apparent that it can be provided in accordance with this invention, that road lights are illuminated when any available wiper function is selected, and that it can alternatively be provided that road lights are illuminated only when certain wiper functions are selected.
According also to this invention there is provided a method of modifying a motor vehicle having road lights and a window wiper connected to electrical circuitry for switching them on independently, the method comprising modifying the electrical circuitry so that it is operable to illuminate the road lights when the wiper is switched on.
The method may comprise inserting a modified wiper switch, for example as shown in
Fig. 2, or inserting a diode.
Claims (11)
1. A motor vehicle having road lights and a window wiper, with electrical circuitry operable so that the road lights are illuminated when the window wiper is used.
2. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical circuitry includes a road light switch having an input terminal connected for receiving electrical power and an output terminal connected for delivering electrical power to vehicle headlights, which road light switch is selectively operable to connect the input terminal and the output terminal thereof, a wiper switch having an input terminal connected for receiving electrical power and an output terminal connected to an electrical wiper motor arranged for driving the window wiper, which wiper switch is selectively operable to connect the input terminal thereof to the output terminal thereof, and a diode connected between the output terminal of the wiper switch and the output terminal of the road light switch, so that when the wiper switch input terminal is connected to the wiper switch output terminal electrical current can be delivered to the said vehicle headlights through the wiper switch and the diode, the diode serving to prevent delivery of electrical current from the output terminal of the road light switch to the wiper motor.
3. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical circuitry includes a road light switch having an input terminal connected for receiving electrical power and an output terminal connected for delivering electrical power to vehicle headlights, which road light switch is selectively operable to connect the input terminal thereof to the output terminal thereof, and a wiper switch having an input terminal connected for receiving electrical power and first and second output terminals connected respectively to an electrical wiper motor arranged for driving the window wiper and to the output terminal of the road light switch, which wiper switch is selectively operable either to connect the input terminal thereof to both first and second output terminals thereof, or to electrically isolate the first and second output terminals thereof from the input terminal thereof and from one another.
4. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the said output terminal of the road light switch is connected to an input terminal of a dip switch having respective output terminals for delivering electrical power to dipped headlights and for delivering electrical power to main beam headlights, the dip switch being selectively operable to connect its input terminal with either of its output terminals, for selectively delivering electrical power to dipped and main beam headlights.
5. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 4, having a first fuse connected between the said output terminal of the road light switch and the input terminal of the dip switch, and a second fuse connected between the said electrical wiper motor and the wiper switch.
6. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the road light switch has a further output terminal, electrically isolated from the said output terminal of the road light switch, which switch is selectively operable to connect the input terminal thereof to the further output terminal, and which further output terminal is connected for delivering electrical power to vehicle sidelights only.
7. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical circuitry includes a road light switch having an input terminal connected for receiving electrical power and first and second output terminals connected respectively for delivering electrical power to sidelights (front and rear) of the vehicle and for delivering electrical power to headlights (with rear sidelights) of the vehicle, the road light switch being selectively operable to connect either of the first and second output terminals to the input terminal, a wiper switch having an input terminal connected for receiving electrical power and first and second output terminals connected respectively to slow speed and fast speed operating terminals of an electrical wiper motor arranged for driving the window wiper, the wiper switch being selectively operable to connect either of the first and second output terminals thereof to the input terminal thereof, a first diode connected between the first output terminal of the road light switch and the first output terminal of the wiper switch so that when the wiper switch is operated to connect the input terminal thereof to the first output terminal thereof electrical current can be delivered to the sidelights, through the wiper switch and the first diode, which first diode prevents delivery of electrical current from the first output terminal of the road light switch to the wiper motor, and a second diode connected between the second output terminal of the road light switch and the second output terminal of the wiper switch so that when the wiper switch is operated to connect the input terminal thereof to the second output terminal thereof electrical current can be delivered to the headlights (with rear sidelights), which second diode prevents delivery of electrical current from the second output terminal of the road light switch to the wiper motor.
8. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the said second output terminal of the road light switch is connected to an input terminal of a dip switch having respective output terminals for delivering electrical power to dipped headlights and for delivering electrical power to main beam headlights, the dip switch being selectively operable to connect its input terminal with either of its output terminals, for selectively delivering electrical power to dipped and main beam headlights.
9. A motor vehicle having road lights and an electrically driven window wiper, with electrical circuitry substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.
10. A motor vehicle having road lights and an electrically driven window wiper with electrical circuitry substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.
11. A method of modifying a motor vehicle having road lights and a window wiper connected to electrical circuitry for switching them on independently, the method compris ing modifying the electrical circuitry so that it is operable to illuminate the road lights when the wiper is switched on.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB7942364A GB2039176A (en) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-12-07 | Supplying vehicle road lights and window wipers |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB7847831 | 1978-12-08 | ||
| GB7942364A GB2039176A (en) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-12-07 | Supplying vehicle road lights and window wipers |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2039176A true GB2039176A (en) | 1980-07-30 |
Family
ID=26269902
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB7942364A Withdrawn GB2039176A (en) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-12-07 | Supplying vehicle road lights and window wipers |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2039176A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2130030A (en) * | 1982-11-08 | 1984-05-23 | Peter John Bennison | Switching unit for vehicles |
| GB2293504A (en) * | 1994-09-16 | 1996-03-27 | Kevin Bell | Vehicle lighting control responsive to windscreen wiper operation |
-
1979
- 1979-12-07 GB GB7942364A patent/GB2039176A/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2130030A (en) * | 1982-11-08 | 1984-05-23 | Peter John Bennison | Switching unit for vehicles |
| GB2293504A (en) * | 1994-09-16 | 1996-03-27 | Kevin Bell | Vehicle lighting control responsive to windscreen wiper operation |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US5374852A (en) | Motor vehicle headlight activation apparatus for inclement weather conditions | |
| USRE34886E (en) | Electrical system for vehicle daytime running lights | |
| US5491383A (en) | Motor vehicle light controlling device | |
| US4985660A (en) | Vehicle windshield wiper light circuit | |
| US3824405A (en) | Automatic wiper and light control | |
| US2944188A (en) | Automatic light controlled headlamp means | |
| US4057742A (en) | Vehicle light switch apparatus | |
| US4841199A (en) | Electrical system for vehicle daytime running lights | |
| US5028908A (en) | Control circuit for vehicle taillights | |
| GB2039176A (en) | Supplying vehicle road lights and window wipers | |
| US5170097A (en) | Intermittent windshield wiper and headlight control | |
| US5449974A (en) | Vehicle windshield wiper/lighting activation system utilizing a timed delay startup and light retention feature | |
| US4786843A (en) | Vehicle illumination control circuit | |
| US4678925A (en) | Dashboard lighting adjustment for a motor vehicle | |
| US4890038A (en) | Power supply circuit for automotive headlamp with combinational switch | |
| EP0199779B1 (en) | Switching device | |
| US3316441A (en) | Fog light system which overrides dimmer resistor for turn indicator lights | |
| US4934769A (en) | Power supply circuit for automotive headlamp | |
| US6456195B1 (en) | Vehicle lighting control system | |
| US5900698A (en) | Full beam discharge headlight with two power levels | |
| KR100246883B1 (en) | Fog lamp lighting system for car | |
| US8251558B1 (en) | Headlamp system and kit providing on-road and off-road illumination | |
| KR200223581Y1 (en) | Headlamp drive units in vehicles with auxiliary lamps | |
| KR200151555Y1 (en) | A device for automatically adjusting the height of head lamp | |
| CA1303664C (en) | Vehicle lamp system |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |