GB2060163A - Automatic control of vehicle lighting - Google Patents

Automatic control of vehicle lighting Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2060163A
GB2060163A GB7933633A GB7933633A GB2060163A GB 2060163 A GB2060163 A GB 2060163A GB 7933633 A GB7933633 A GB 7933633A GB 7933633 A GB7933633 A GB 7933633A GB 2060163 A GB2060163 A GB 2060163A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
light
vehicle
lighting
detecting means
vehicle lighting
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Withdrawn
Application number
GB7933633A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LENVIL JAMES SUPPLIES ELECTRON
Original Assignee
LENVIL JAMES SUPPLIES ELECTRON
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by LENVIL JAMES SUPPLIES ELECTRON filed Critical LENVIL JAMES SUPPLIES ELECTRON
Priority to GB7933633A priority Critical patent/GB2060163A/en
Publication of GB2060163A publication Critical patent/GB2060163A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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
    • B60Q1/1415—Dimming circuits
    • B60Q1/1423—Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic
    • 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
    • B60Q2300/00—Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
    • B60Q2300/30—Indexing codes relating to the vehicle environment
    • B60Q2300/31—Atmospheric conditions
    • B60Q2300/314—Ambient light
    • 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
    • B60Q2300/00—Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
    • B60Q2300/30—Indexing codes relating to the vehicle environment
    • B60Q2300/33—Driving situation
    • B60Q2300/332—Driving situation on city roads
    • B60Q2300/3321—Detection of streetlights

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)

Abstract

A detecting device is arranged to respond to the level of natural light having a wavelength in the range 3500 to 8000 ANGSTROM , and thereby to provide an electric signal for switching vehicle lighting on or off according to the ambient light prevailing at the time. A system is incorporated whereby the response to fluctuating light levels which may be caused by passage at normal speeds under street-lighting units or under trees spaced at intervals, is greatly reduced and unnecessary operation avoided. Filters used in the system also provide a degree of protection from radio- frequency interference. The detecting device is preferably mounted on a horizontal surface of the vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in automatic electric control devices This invention relates to automatic electronic control devices, for controlling lights on road or other vehicles, for automatically controlling lighting in accordance with ambient brightness.
Devices are known for automatically controlling lighting in accordance with ambient lighting conditions, where the effect is due to the ultraviolet light content of natural lighting only. It is desirable to have some sensitivity to visible light both natural and artificial.
The invention provides a vehicle lighting control apparatus automatically to control vehicle lighting in accordance with the level of sunlight comprising detecting means arranged to respond to light having wavelength in the range 3500 to 8000A but not to ultra-violet light, and a circuit means for providing an electric signal for switching a lighting means on or off according to the amount of light detected by said detecting means. A means is provided whereby the response to fluctuating light levels is greatly reduced and unnecessary operation avoided.
Fluctuation may be caused by passage at normal speeds under standard street-lighting units or under trees spaced at intervals causing variation of natural or artificial light.
Features and advantages of the invention will also appear from the following description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example, and the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagram partly in block form of an automatic control apparatus for vehicle lighting.
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the front of a motor car.
The embodiments of the invention to be described are based on the results of investigation, which indicates that the following requirements need to be met:- 1. Operation should be achieved by detecting the level of ambient natural and artificial light above the vehicle.
2. The apparatus should ignore the variations of light intensity by variations in the reflectivity of differing road surfaces.
3. The apparatus should ignore the variations of light intensity caused by passage of the vehicles under street lighting standards or trees.
4. The apparatus should ignore the presence of lighting at night due to the presence of passing vehicles.
5. The apparatus should not be affected in its operation by the presence of radio-frequency interference caused by vehicles.
The requirements are met in the embodiment of the invention to be described; this embodiment consists broadly of an automatic control apparatus, suitable for vehicle lighting, which functions to control the vehicle lighting in response to steady ambient light without being affected by the light of other vehicles, light reflected from road surfaces, light illumination produced when passing under street lighting or trees, and the presence or radio frequency interference. The apparatus employs a detector which responds to light in the range 3500 to 8000A. Referring to Figure 1, an automatic control apparatus for controlling vehicle lighting includes a detecting means 10 which is arranged to respond to the available steady light.The detecting means 10 is connected to a detection signal circuit 11 and circuit 11 is in turn connected to an electronic filter circuit 12, to which is connected a switching control means 13.
The vehicle lights indicated diagrammatically at 14 are controlled by the output of the switching means so that while steady light of an intensity exceeding a threshold level is incident on the detecting means 10, the signal circuit 11 generates a relatively iarge output signal, which causes the switching means to be kept open, so that the lighting 14 is not switched on. When the intensity of the light incident on the detecting means 10 falls lower than the threshold value, the output of the signal circuit decreases and the switching means closes causing the lighting 13 to be switched on. The light remains on until the incident light exceeds the threshold level, or until there is some other intervention.The detection circuit 1 2 has a degree of hysteresis included in it so that the threshold level with increasing illumination exceeds the threshold level with decreasing illumination.
The detecting means 10 is responsive to both steady and fluctuating levels of illumination, therefore an electronic filter 12 is included in the circuit so that the response to steady light is enhanced and reduced for fluctuating light. If, for example, a vehicle is travelling at a speed of 30 miles per hour along a road with lamp standards spaced 200 feet apart then the passing frequency generated at the detecting means will be 0.22 Hertz; the time constant of the electronic filter is arranged so that this frequency does not cause the switching means to operate. For a sudden change of incident light from maximum to minimum the switching means will not operate in a time period of less than 30 seconds. The circuits 11, 12 and 13 are supplied from a suitable power supply 1 5.
A further function of the electronic filter circuit is to reduce the sensitivity of the switching apparatus, so that switching does not occur due to the generation of radio-frequency interference by the vehicle, for example, by radiation from the spark ignition system of the vehicle or radiation due to spark generation in motor driven accessories.
The detection signal circuit 11 can take various forms but a conventional circuit is a Schmitt trigger, adapted to drive the electronic filter circuit.
The sensitivity may be adjusted so that the threshold may be adjusted to a pre-determined value of incident light on the detection means 10 when switching occurs. For the switching means 1 3 also, there are various devices that can be used, for example, electromagnetic relay, or a semi-conductor device such as a thyristor or triac.
Vehicle light 14 is to be taken as including, as appropriate, the head and tail lights number plate light, which may be on or should be put on during the hours of darkness.
Figure 2 shows a suitable position for mounting the detecting means on a horizontal surface of a motor car. Figure 2 is a side view of the front of a car 20. To control automatically the lights it is desirable to arranged the detector 22 so as to receive the light from above the vehicle and consequently be insensitive to light from the side from buildings or passing vehicles.
Various modifications are possible. For example, by arranging that two or more output signals occur at different threshold levels from the one detecting means, it is possible to switch the head lamps, side and tail lamps and number plate lamp to come on at different times. The level of the signal from the detecting means at which the vehicle lights are switched can be varied or controlled by any suitable means.

Claims (3)

1. A vehicle lighting control apparatus arranged automatically to control vehicle lighting in accordance with the level of ambient light comprising detecting means arranged to respond to light having a wavelength in the range 3500 to 8000A, and circuit means for providing that control is provided for incident steady light and not fluctuating light due to vehicle movement, and circuit means for providing an electric signal in response to a signal from said detecting means for switching a lighting means on and off according to the amount of visible light detected by said detecting means.
2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, installed on a road vehicle, wherein a detecting means if positioned on a horizontal surface of the vehicle so as to respond to the intensity of visible light falling on the vehicle.
3. An improved apparatus, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB7933633A 1979-09-28 1979-09-28 Automatic control of vehicle lighting Withdrawn GB2060163A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7933633A GB2060163A (en) 1979-09-28 1979-09-28 Automatic control of vehicle lighting

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7933633A GB2060163A (en) 1979-09-28 1979-09-28 Automatic control of vehicle lighting

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2060163A true GB2060163A (en) 1981-04-29

Family

ID=10508126

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB7933633A Withdrawn GB2060163A (en) 1979-09-28 1979-09-28 Automatic control of vehicle lighting

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2060163A (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2559282A1 (en) * 1984-02-02 1985-08-09 Honda Motor Co Ltd APPARATUS FOR THE AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF LANTERNS FOR A VEHICLE
FR2560353A1 (en) * 1984-02-29 1985-08-30 Peugeot Aciers Et Outillage Lighting device for a motor vehicle and optical unit including application thereof
GB2204946A (en) * 1987-05-18 1988-11-23 Stephen George Marland Automatic vehicle light switch
DE3808965A1 (en) * 1988-03-17 1988-12-01 Raimund Dr Rer Nat Oberschmid Combined device for warning of the onset of dusk and monitoring lights, in particular for vehicles
DE3927878C1 (en) * 1989-08-23 1991-01-10 Nicolaus Dipl.-Ing. 2358 Kaltenkirchen De Pohlmann Warning appts. for motor vehicle - has photoelectric sensor activating circuit at low light level if headlamps are off
GB2291183A (en) * 1994-06-30 1996-01-17 Meulen Albert Cornelis V D Automatic light up system for vehicles
EP0718609A1 (en) * 1994-12-23 1996-06-26 H.P.M. Industries Pty Limited Light sensor
DE19630216A1 (en) * 1996-07-26 1998-01-29 Daimler Benz Ag Vehicle with travel-situation-dependent headlamp control
WO2001071389A2 (en) * 2000-03-23 2001-09-27 Robert Bosch Gmbh Device for automatically switching lighting installations of motor vehicles

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2559282A1 (en) * 1984-02-02 1985-08-09 Honda Motor Co Ltd APPARATUS FOR THE AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF LANTERNS FOR A VEHICLE
GB2156515A (en) * 1984-02-02 1985-10-09 Honda Motor Co Ltd Apparatus for controlling the lights of a vehicle
FR2560353A1 (en) * 1984-02-29 1985-08-30 Peugeot Aciers Et Outillage Lighting device for a motor vehicle and optical unit including application thereof
GB2204946A (en) * 1987-05-18 1988-11-23 Stephen George Marland Automatic vehicle light switch
DE3808965A1 (en) * 1988-03-17 1988-12-01 Raimund Dr Rer Nat Oberschmid Combined device for warning of the onset of dusk and monitoring lights, in particular for vehicles
DE3927878C1 (en) * 1989-08-23 1991-01-10 Nicolaus Dipl.-Ing. 2358 Kaltenkirchen De Pohlmann Warning appts. for motor vehicle - has photoelectric sensor activating circuit at low light level if headlamps are off
GB2291183A (en) * 1994-06-30 1996-01-17 Meulen Albert Cornelis V D Automatic light up system for vehicles
EP0718609A1 (en) * 1994-12-23 1996-06-26 H.P.M. Industries Pty Limited Light sensor
US5990628A (en) * 1994-12-23 1999-11-23 H.P.M. Industries Pty Limited Light level sensor for detecting the level of incident light and discriminating between natural and artificial light
DE19630216A1 (en) * 1996-07-26 1998-01-29 Daimler Benz Ag Vehicle with travel-situation-dependent headlamp control
DE19630216C2 (en) * 1996-07-26 1998-05-20 Daimler Benz Ag Vehicle with lighting control depending on the driving situation
WO2001071389A2 (en) * 2000-03-23 2001-09-27 Robert Bosch Gmbh Device for automatically switching lighting installations of motor vehicles
WO2001071389A3 (en) * 2000-03-23 2002-05-23 Bosch Gmbh Robert Device for automatically switching lighting installations of motor vehicles

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Legal Events

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)