GB2153607A - Switching arrangement for vehicle lighting circuits - Google Patents
Switching arrangement for vehicle lighting circuits Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2153607A GB2153607A GB08502262A GB8502262A GB2153607A GB 2153607 A GB2153607 A GB 2153607A GB 08502262 A GB08502262 A GB 08502262A GB 8502262 A GB8502262 A GB 8502262A GB 2153607 A GB2153607 A GB 2153607A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- switch
- bistable
- switching means
- output
- operable
- 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- Withdrawn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
- B60Q11/00—Arrangement of monitoring devices for devices provided for in groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q9/00
- B60Q11/005—Arrangement of monitoring devices for devices provided for in groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q9/00 for lighting devices, e.g. indicating if lamps are burning or not
Abstract
A side and tail light circuit 21 can be selectively energized by means of a first manually operable bistable switching means 16,22. Closure of an ignition switch 12 operates an electrically operable switch 13 to connect the output of switch 16 to an input 24 of a second manually operable bistable switching means 23,29 which has outputs 25,26 respectively connected to the headlight main and dipped beam circuits 27,28. The second switching means may have an electrically operable bistable switch 23 the state of which is changed by a manually operable monostable switch 29 to switch between the main and dipped beams. The first switching means may similarly have a manually operable monostable switch 22 to control the state of an electrically operable bistable switch 16, or may have an electrically operable switching means (16a) controlled by a manually operable bistable switch (22a), (Figure 2). The electrically operable bistable switches may each have a relay controlled by a semiconductor bistable circuit. The bistable switch 23 may be such that its routes to its dipped beam wont energising state each time the ignition switch 12 is closed. A diode 32 allows the main beam to be flashed by switch 29 when the side/tail lights are off and also maintains headlight energisation during switching between main and dipped beams when the side/tail lights are on. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Switching arrangement
This invention relates to a switching arrangement primarily, but not exclusively, for controlling the lighting circuit of a road vehicle.
It is known to provide control over the lighting circuits of a road vehicle by means of a master lighting switch having three stable positions, namely an "off" position, a side/tail lights "on" position, and a side/tail and headlights position "on" position, the master control switch being operated in conjunction with a further manually operable switch having two stable positions, namely a headlight main beams "on" position and a headlight dipped beams "on" position. Many variants of this basic configuration are known, for example it is known to use, in place of the two position switch, a bistable switch wherein the operating member is monostable. It is also known to provide the two position switch with a third, unstable position, momentary selection of which flashes the headlights.
It is further known to include the ignition switch of the vehicle within the light switching arrangement in that irrespective of the position of the master control switch and the two position switch it may be necessary for the ignition switch to be closed before the headlights can be energised.
All of the known arrangements exhibit a high degree of mechanical complexity and while it is known to incorporate all of the lighting control switches into constructions operated by steering column mounted levers the known switching arrangements do not, by virtue of their mechanical complexity, lend themselves well to such lever operation.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a switching arrangement for controlling the lighting circuits of a road vehicle wherein the mechanical complexity of the known arrangements is minimised.
A switching arrangement according to the present invention comprises first and second manually operable bistable switch means, said second manually operable bistable switch means including a manually operable monostable switch and an electrically operable bistable switching means the operative state of which is changed by operation of said monostable switch, and the arrangement further including a further electrically operable switching means which, when rendered conductive, completes an electrical connection between an output of said first bistable switch means and the input of said electrically operable bistable switching means.
Conveniently said first bistable switch means comprises a manually operable monostable switch and an electrically operable bistable switching means controlled thereby, said output of said first bistable switch means being an output of the electrically operable bistable switching means thereof.
Alternatively said first bistable switch means comprises a manually operable bistable switch and an electrically operable switching means controlled thereby, said output of said first bistable switch means being an output of the electrically operable switching means thereof.
The invention further resides in a vehicle lighting system comprising a first manually operable bistable switch means wherein in a first operative state an input and an output of said means are interconnected and in the second operative state said output is isolated from said input, said input being connected to the vehicle battery and said output being connected to the vehicle side and tail light circuit so that in said first operative state of said first switch means said side and tail light circuit is energised, a second manually operable bistable switch means, said second switch means comprising an electrically operable bistable switching means in the first and second operative states respectively of which an input thereof is connected respectively to first and second outputs thereof, said first output of said second switching means being connected to the vehicle headlight main beam circuit, said second output of said second switching means being connected to the vehicle headlight dipped beam circuit, and said input of said second switching means being connected through a further electrically operable switching means to said output of said first bistable switch means, said further electrically operable switching means being rendered conductive by closure of the ignition switch of the vehicle, and said second manually operable switch means further including a manually operable monostable switch associated with said electrically operable bistable switching means and operable, when said ignition switch is closed, to switch said electrically operable bistable switching means between said first and second operative states.
Preferably said monostable switch of said second switch means is connected through a diode to said vehicle headlight main beam circuit whereby closure of said monostable switch, while said ignition switch is closed, energises said main beam circuit irrespective of the operative state of said electrically operable bistable switch means.
Desirably said electrically operable bistable switching means is so arranged that it is caused always to occupy its second operative state upon closure of the ignition switch.
Conveniently said first manually operable bistable switch means comprises a manually operable monostable switch and an electrically operable bistable switching means controlled thereby, said input and output of said first bistable switch means being an input and an output of the electrically operable bistable switching means thereof.
Alternatively said first manually operable bistable switch means comprises a manually operable bistable switch and an electrically operable switching means controlled thereby, said input and said output of said first bistable switch means being an input and an output of the electrically operable switching means thereof.
One example of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a circuit diagram of the switching ar rangement of a vehicle lighting system; and
Figure 2 is a scrap view of a modified part of
Figure 1.
Referring first to Figure 1 of the drawings, the vehicle battery 11 has its negative terminal earthed and there is a connection from the positive terminal of the battery 11 through the vehicle ignition switch 12 and the operating winding 14 of an electromagnetic relay 13 to earth. Thus closure of the ignition switch 12, in addition to serving the normal functions of permitting starting of the engine of the vehicle, causes closure of the contacts 15 of the relay 13.
The positive terminal of the battery 11 is also connected to the input terminal 17 of a first, electrically operable bistable switch 16. The bistable switch 16 includes first and second output terminals 18, 19, the output terminal 18 being electrically connected in use to the side and tail light circuit of the vehicle by way of a connector 21. The output terminal 19 of the switch 16 is not utilized.
The electrically operable bistable switch 16 includes a semi-conductor bistable arrangement for changing the operative state of the switch 16 between a first operative state in which the terminals 17, 18 are electrically connected, and a second operative state in which the terminals 17, 19 are electrically interconnected. A first monostable manually operable switch 22 connected between the positive terminal of the battery 11 and the semi-conductor arrangement of the switch 16 controls the switch 16, a first momentary closure of the switch 22 causing the switch 16 to change from one of its operative states to the other, and a second, subsequent momentary closure of the switch 22 causing the switch 16 to revert from said other to said one of its operative states.
It will be recognised that irrespective of the operative state of the ignition switch 12, when the bistable switch 16 is in its second operative state, that is to say with the terminals 17, 19 interconnected then the side and tail lights of the vehicle are not energised. Momentary closure of the switch 22 will change the switch 16 from its second operative state to its first operative state so interconnecting the terminals 17,18 and energising the side and tail lights of the vehicle.
A point on the output line of the output terminal 18, intermediate the terminal 18 and the connector 21 is connected through the contacts 15 of the relay 13 to the input terminal 24 of a second, electrically operable, bistable switch 23. The first and second output terminals 25, 26 of the bistable switch 23 are connected by way of respective connectors 27, 28 to the headlight main beam circuit and the headlight dipped beam circuit respectively of the vehicle.
The bistable switch 23 is extremely similar to the bistable switch 16 and its semi-conductor bistable arrangement is controlled by a manually operable monostable switch 29 connected between the semi-conductor bistable arrangement of the switch 23 and a point intermediate the ignition switch 12 and the relay winding 14. Thus the switch 23 cannot be operated to change its operative states unless the ignition switch 12 is closed. However, provided that the ignition switch 12 is closed then momentary closure of the switch 29 will change the operative state of the switch 23.The semi-conductor bistable arrangement of the switch 23 is so designed that when the semi-conductor arrangement is first energised, that is to say each time the ignition switch 12 is closed then the switch 23 will revert to its second operative state in which the terminal 24 is electrically connected to the terminal 26. Of course if the switch is already in its second operative state as the ignition switch 12 is closed then there is no effect and the switch 23 remains in its second operative state.
There is a direct connection 31 incorporating a diode 32, between the connector 27 and a point intermediate the switch 29 and the switch 23.
It will be recognised that the only possible electrical feed to the headlight circuits is dependent upon closure of the ignition switch 12. Thus when the ignition switch 12 is open operation of the switch 29 has no effect but operation of the switch 22 will change the operative state of the bistable switch 16 thus controlling energisation of the side and tail lights of the vehicle.
Upon closure of the ignition switch 12 the contacts 15 of the relay 13 close and power is supplied to the switch 29. The semi-conductor arrangement of the bistable switch 23 is also energised and thus the switch 23 will either already be in, or will revert to, its second operative state. If, notwithstanding closure of the ignition switch 12, the bistable switch 16 is in its second operative state then there will be no power supply to the input terminal 24 of the switch 23 and thus neither the headlight main beams, nor the headlight dipped beams will be energised. However, if the switch 16 is in its first operative state while the ignition switch 12 is closed then there will be a power connection to the input terminal 24 of the switch 23 through the contacts 15 of the relay.Since the switch 23 will automatically be in its second operative state then power will be supplied by way of the connector 28 to the headlight dipped beam circuit to energise the dipped beams of the headlights. In this situation if the switch 22 is operated then the bistable switch 16 will be caused to revert to its second operative state and both the side and tail light circuit and the headlight dipped beam circuit will be deenergised.
Assuming that the ignition switch is closed, and the switch 16 is in its first operative state, then momentary closure of the switch 29 will change the bistable switch 23 from its second operative state to its first operative state thus breaking the circuit to the headlight dipped beams, and instead making the circuit, by way of the connector 27, to the headlight main beam circuits to energise the main beams of the headlights.
The connection 31 incorporating the diode 32 serves a dual function. Assuming that the ignition switch 12 is closed then irrespective of the operative state of the first bistable switch 16 closure of the monostable switch 29 will energise the headlight main beams by way of the connection 31, diode 32 and connector 27. This provides a "headlight flash" facility since the headlight main beam circuits will only remain energised while the switch 29 remains closed. Since the switch 29, like the switch 22, is a manually operable monostable switch then it will only remain closed while the operator holds it in a closed condition.
In addition to providing the "headlight flash" facility the connection 31 ensures that the headlights are not extinguished during changeover of the switch 23 from its second operative state to its first operative state or vice versa. The switch 23 will change its operative states more quickly than an operator can manually close, and then permit to open, the switch 29 and thus while the change in operative state of the switch 23 is actually occurring the switch 29 will be closed and the headlight main beam circuit will be energised notwithstanding the fact that the switch 23 is actually in the process of changing its operative states.It will be recognised therefore that during a change in operative state of the switch 23, irrespective of whether it is a change from the first to the second, or from the second to the first operative state, the headlight main beam filaments will be energised during the change by virtue of the switch 29 being closed.
While the drawing, and the foregoing description, show the electrically operable, bistable switches 16 and 23 as electromagnetically operated, semi-conductor controlled switches, it is to be understood that any convenient form of electrically operated bistable switching means could be utilized. For example it is envisaged that the electromagnetic and mechanical parts of the switches 16, 23 could be replaced by semi-conductor switching arrangements possibly formed as parts of the same semi-conductor chips as their respective bistable arrangements. Furthermore the relay 13 could if desired be replaced by an electrically operated semi-conductor switching arrangement.
The switches 22, 29 lend themselves very readily to an extremely simple and convenient lever mounted arrangement. It is usual practice to provide lever operated switches, and lever mounted switches adjacent the steering column of a road vehicle. Thus the switch 29 can be mounted adjacent the steering column of a road vehicle, and can be operated by a lever protruding radially outwardly from the steering column. For example, movement of the lever towards the driver may be effected manually, and against the action of a spring. At the limit of travel towards the driver of the vehicle the switch 29 is closed, and upon release of the lever the spring return of the lever opens the switch 29. The switch 22 can be a very simple push button switch mounted in the free end of the lever of the switch 29.Thus control of switching the lights of the vehicle on and off is achieved by simple depression of the push button of the switch in the end of the lever, and control over main and dipped beams of the headlights of the vehicle is controlled by movement of the lever itself. With the ignition switch open the headlights cannot be energised but the side/tail lights can be switched on and off, whereas with the ignition switch closed the side/tail lights cannot be energised alone but will always be energised in conjunction with either the headlight main beams or the headlight dipped beams. Thus lighting control is effected by a switching arrangement, the mechanical aspects of which are extremely simple and convenient.It will further be recognised that since the connections to the switches 22 and 29 do not carry the energising currents for the lighting circuits, then the connections to the switches 22 and 29 can be made through fine leads of very low current carrying capacity further simplifying the mechanical construction and assembly of the switches 22, 29.
In one practical embodiment the operating lever of the switch 29 is moulded in a glass reinforced plastics material and houses the switch 22 in its free end. The lever is hollow, and thus the fine connecting wires for the switch 22 can pass readily along the length of the lever of the switch 29. At the free end of the operating lever part of the wall section thereof is formed as a separate cover element attached to the remainder of the lever. The separate cover element is secured to the remainder of the lever after positioning of the switch 22, and defines with the remainder of the lever an aperture through which the operating member of the switch 22 protrudes. Furthermore, the cover element does not need to be inherently strong, since the remainder of the lever, being formed from a glass reinforced plastics material provides the necessary strength.Thus since the cover element does not need to be formed from glass reinforced plastics material it can be moulded from a material more suited than is g.r.p. to two-shot moulding techniques so that the cover.element can be moulded with translucent legends or symbols incorporated therein. If desired the lever may, in addition to the switch 22, incorporate a light source whereby the legends in the cover element are illuminated from within the lever.
It will be recognised that by virtue of the simplicity of the mechanical arrangement the designer is unlikely to need to compromise the aesthetic considerations of the design of the lever in order to accommodate the mechanical requirements.
In a modification of the arrangements described above the manually operable monostable switch 22 and the bistable switch mechanism 16 are replaced respectively by a manually operable bistable switch 22a (Figure 2) and a relay 16a controlled by the switch 22a. As is apparent from Figure 2, manual movement of the switch 22a from its stable open position to its stable closed position completes a circuit through the winding of the relay 16a to earth thus energising the relay and moving the bridging contact of the relay to bridge terminals 17 and 18. The operation is thus similar to that described above. The physical structure of the switches 22a, 29 can be as described above noting that a more positive action is required of the operating member of switch 22a since it must operate a bistable, rather than a monostable, switching mechanism.
Claims (10)
1. A switching arrangement comprising first and, said second manually operable bistable switch means said second manually operable bistable switch means including a manually operable monostable switch and an electrically operable bistable switching means the operative state of which is changed by operation of said monostable switch, and the arrangement further including a further electrically operable switching means which, when rendered conductive, completes an electrical connection between an output of said first bistable switch means and the input of said electrically operable bistable switching means.
2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first bistable switch means comprises a manually operable monostable switch and an electrically operable bistable switching means controlled thereby, said output of said first bistable switch means being an output of the electrically operable bistable switching means thereof.
3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first, bistable switch means comprises a manually operable bistable switch and an electrically operable switching means controlled thereby, said output of said first bistable switch means being an output of the electrically operable switching means thereof.
4. A vehicle lighting system comprising, a first manually operable bistable switch means wherein in a first operative state an input and an output of said means are interconnected and in the second operative state said output is isolated from said input, said input being connected to the vehicle battery and said output being connected to the vehicle side and tail light circuit so that in said first operative state of said first switch means said side and tail light circuit is energised, a second manually operable bistable switch means, said second switch means comprising an electrically operable bistable switching means in the first and second operative states respectively of which an input thereof is connected respectively to first and second outputs thereof, said first output of said second switching means being connected to the vehicle headlight main beam circuit, said second output of said second switching means being connected to the vehicle headlight dipped beam circuit, and said input of said second switching means being connected through a further electrically operable switching means to said output of said first bistable switch means, said further electrically operable switching means being rendered conductive by closure of the ignition switch of the vehicle, and said second manually operable switch means further including a manually operable monostable switch associated with said electrically operable bistable switching means and operable, when said ignition switch is closed, to switch said electrically operable bistable switching means between said first and second operative states.
5. A system as claim in Claim 4 wherein said second monostable switch of said monostable switch means is connected through a diode to said vehicle headlight main beam circuit whereby closure of said monostable switch, while said ignition switch is closed, energises said main beam circuit irrespective of the operative state of said electrically operable bistable switching means.
6. A system as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein said electrically operable bistable switching means is so arranged that it is caused always to occupy its second operative state upon closure of the ignition switch.
7. A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first manually operable bistable switch means comprises a manually operable monostable switch and an electrically operable bistable switching means controlled thereby, said input and output of said first bistable switch means being an input and an output of the electrically operable bistable switching means thereof.
8. A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first manually operable bistable switch means comprises a manually operable bistable switch and an electrically operable switching means controlled thereby, said input and said output of said first bistable switch means being an input and an output of the electrically operable switching means thereof.
9. A switching arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
10. A switching arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB848403353A GB8403353D0 (en) | 1984-02-08 | 1984-02-08 | Switching arrangement |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8502262D0 GB8502262D0 (en) | 1985-02-27 |
| GB2153607A true GB2153607A (en) | 1985-08-21 |
Family
ID=10556294
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB848403353A Pending GB8403353D0 (en) | 1984-02-08 | 1984-02-08 | Switching arrangement |
| GB08502262A Withdrawn GB2153607A (en) | 1984-02-08 | 1985-01-30 | Switching arrangement for vehicle lighting circuits |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB848403353A Pending GB8403353D0 (en) | 1984-02-08 | 1984-02-08 | Switching arrangement |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB8403353D0 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1411752A2 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-04-21 | Aleardo Torri | Device for automatic switching-on of a vehicle headlamps |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB915605A (en) * | 1960-02-19 | 1963-01-16 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Improvements in or relating to switching systems for the electric lighting installation of mechanically propelled vehicles |
| GB1604280A (en) * | 1977-05-14 | 1981-12-09 | Rau Swf Autozubehoer | Circuits for vehicle direction indicator lamps |
-
1984
- 1984-02-08 GB GB848403353A patent/GB8403353D0/en active Pending
-
1985
- 1985-01-30 GB GB08502262A patent/GB2153607A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB915605A (en) * | 1960-02-19 | 1963-01-16 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Improvements in or relating to switching systems for the electric lighting installation of mechanically propelled vehicles |
| GB1604280A (en) * | 1977-05-14 | 1981-12-09 | Rau Swf Autozubehoer | Circuits for vehicle direction indicator lamps |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1411752A2 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-04-21 | Aleardo Torri | Device for automatic switching-on of a vehicle headlamps |
| EP1411752A3 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-12-22 | Aleardo Torri | Device for automatic switching-on of a vehicle headlamps |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB8502262D0 (en) | 1985-02-27 |
| GB8403353D0 (en) | 1984-03-14 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |