GB2246429A - Automatic vehicle light switching system - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic vehicle lighting system which operates a vehicles main headlamps (2) automatically in low levels of environmental light is designed to be incorporated into existing vehicle lighting systems and circuits. A light dependent resistor (1) in series with a relay (3) is exposed to environmental light as much as is possible. This could be in a recess in the bumper or bonnet of a vehicle (between the windscreen wipers) or centrally on the dashboard. As the environmental light level falls, the light dependent resistor conducts less current. Eventually relay (3) falls and the lights (2) are energised through contact (3E). The single pole switch (8) is intended to allow the driver to have the main lighting of a vehicle off whilst running the vehicle's engine at night. <IMAGE>

Description

AUTOMATIC VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM.

This invention relates to the Automatic operation of a vehicles main lighting.

All motor vehicles ,from mopeds to articulated lorries have a manually operated lighting system for use when envoironmental light levels are reduced sufficiently enough to warrant their use.

Howver, manually operated systems are only useful when drivers are paying attention to their driving envoironment.

Drivers are often negligent in using their vehicle lighting when light levels are greatly reduced.

According to the present system of vehicle lighting, the system is operated by means of 2 nanually operated switch, usually mounted on the vehicle facia or steering column. This manual switch allows the driver to decide at what level of darkness to use the vehicle lighting .That is to say ,the safety aspect of a vehicles lighting is left solely to the discretion of the driver.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1; Illustrates the circuit diagram of the Automatic Vehicle Lighting System.

(Some of the diagram shows simplified elements of parts of existing vehicle lighting wiring.) Referring to the accompanying drawing ,the light dependent resistor,l, is mounted in a place exposed to envoironmental light as much as is possible. The 12v Relay,3, is to be placed in a protective box or encased protectively so as to prevent damage by engine oil or dirt.

There is a fuse panel in every vehicle which houses the main lighting fuse,6, for the main headlamps,2.

When a vehicle engine is started by means of the ignition switch,5, current flows from the battery,4, to the lighting fuse,6. Current then flows to the manual lighting switch ,7. In normal circumstances with a normal manual lighting system current would be unable to flow any further until the manual switch,7, is operated. When the manual lighting switch is operated current could then flow via path 7a of the switch to the main headlamps 2, thus illuminating them.

This is dependent upon the driver deciding to utilise the manual lighting switch,7, and until a driver did so the main headlamps would remain off, even in total darkness.(This is because current cannot flow via path 7a until the manual lighting switch is used).

The Automatic Vehicle Lighting System comes into operation once the ignition switch,5, is used, but will only allow the main headlamps to be illuminated when light levels are low enough to warrant their use.

This is by means of a light dependent resistor within the circuit of components.

As in normal manual lighting ,the current will flow as far as the manual lighting switch,7, upon the use of the ignition switch,5.

From the normally closed side of the switch,7, that is to say point 7b, the automatic circuit begins and carries current to the la side of the light dependent resistor,l, via route,i, and to the 3c contact of the 12v relay,3, via route iii. The current will flow to these two points as soon as the ignition switch is turned/used.

The light dependent resistor,l, will only allow current to flow through itself when bright light levels are apparent.

Therefore in good levels of light, current flows through the light dependent resistor,l, down route ii to the 3a side of the coil of the relay,3. The 3b side of the relay coil is connected to the chassis of the vehicle ,which is the battery negative, thereby energising the coil of the relay.Thus ,in good light levels the coil of the relay, 3, is energised.

When the coil of the relay is energised, the 3c point of the relay,the switching contact, makes contact with the point 3d of the relay. Thus current can flow no further than point 3d when good light levels are apparent, as the coil is energised.

When poor light levels persist, there will be no current allowed to flow through the light dependent resistor,l, and this causes the coil of the relay 3, to become deenergised. This in turn causes the point 3c of the relay to now switch and make contact with point 3e of the relay.

Current can now flow via route iv to the main headlamps thus illuminating them, and also to the indicating lamp, 9, and the single pole switch (normally closed),8.

Components 8 and 9 are intended to be mounted on the facia of a vehicle.

The switch,8, is intended to enable the driver of a vehicle to have control over the Automatic circuit,and to be able to switch it off when neccessary.

The indicator ,9, enables the driver to visually know that the main headlamps are on or off. That is to say: When the indicator 9 is illuminated, the main headlamps will also be illuminated.

When the indicator 9 is not illuminated, the main headlamps will also not be illuminated.

(The indicator 9 will also work when operating normal manual lighting, and will give a driver visual knowledge of the operation of headlamps in that situation also).

Claims (1)

1. An Automatic Vehicle Lighting System whereby a vehicles main lighting is operated automatically in poor levels of envoironmental light, and is controlled and directly dependent upon a light sensitive and operating electronic component within the circuit/system.