WO1998051535A1 - Systeme et procede de commande des feux d'un vehicule en reponse a l'actionnement de l'avertisseur sonore - Google Patents

Systeme et procede de commande des feux d'un vehicule en reponse a l'actionnement de l'avertisseur sonore Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998051535A1
WO1998051535A1 PCT/US1997/007283 US9707283W WO9851535A1 WO 1998051535 A1 WO1998051535 A1 WO 1998051535A1 US 9707283 W US9707283 W US 9707283W WO 9851535 A1 WO9851535 A1 WO 9851535A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
horn
actuation
vehicle
high beam
control circuit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/007283
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Robert E. Pollin
Original Assignee
Pollin Robert E
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 Pollin Robert E filed Critical Pollin Robert E
Priority to PCT/US1997/007283 priority Critical patent/WO1998051535A1/fr
Priority to AU31167/97A priority patent/AU3116797A/en
Publication of WO1998051535A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998051535A1/fr

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
    • B60Q1/143—Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
    • 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
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/46—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights or hazard lights
    • 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
    • B60Q2300/05—Special features for controlling or switching of the light beam
    • B60Q2300/052—Switching delay, i.e. the beam is not switched or changed instantaneously upon occurrence of a condition change
    • 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
    • B60Q2300/10—Indexing codes relating to particular vehicle conditions
    • B60Q2300/14—Other vehicle conditions

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus which is horn-actuated, to change external vehicle lights so that the lights are either dimmed or brightened in response to actuation of the vehicle horn, thereby providing a signal to hearing-impaired persons in the vicinity in response to horn actuation.
  • external vehicle lights can include headlights, taillights, running lights, parking lights, or other externally-mounted lights.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the prior art disclosed by the above-identified U.S. Patent No. 5,237,306.
  • a driver's switch 81 is provided to operate a signalling system, the switch 81 being in series with the headlight switch 74.
  • the timer 73 is in series with the switch 81.
  • An engine control unit (ECU) 78 is provided for controlling actuation of the rear signal hi beam element 59b.
  • ECU engine control unit
  • the engine control unit (ECU) 78 includes a timer and circuitry to prevent operation of the rear signalling light 51 (having lo and high beam elements 51a and 51b) if the vehicle's rear stop lights 79 or rear turn signal lights 80 are operating, to prevent simultaneous operation of the rear lights, and the ECU 78 operates similarly in prior art Fig. 1.
  • a flasher 75 is provided to the rear signal hi beam element 51b, as well as to a front headlight hi beam element 129. According to an embodiment of the above-identified U.S. Patent No .
  • the ECU 78 works in conjunction with a front headlight hi beam element 129 and low beam element 132.
  • a left headlight 133 and headlight switch 131 are used instead of a front signalling light 48 of other embodiments of the above- identified U.S. Patent No. 5,237,306, and the left high-beam headlight 129 is flashed to request a driver to dim or turn on their headlights.
  • the left high-beam headlight 129 is used with an existing low-beam headlight 132 for transmitting a flashing signaling beam 138.
  • the above-identified U.S. Patent No. 5,237,306 states that this arrangement shown in Fig. 1 can also be used together with actuation of a rear signalling light.
  • the present invention is directed to an arrangement to change external vehicle lights so that the lights are either dimmed or brightened in response to actuation of the vehicle horn, thereby providing a visual signal to persons in the vicinity is response to horn actuation. This is especially beneficial for hearing-impaired persons in the vicinity, who might not hear the horn actuation.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a visual signal that is actuated by a circuit that detects the sound output of the vehicle's horn.
  • a system which actuates a warning light visible outside a vehicle whenever the vehicle horn is actuated.
  • the sounding of the horn is detected and a circuit dims or brightens (for example) headlights, high beams, taillights, turn signals, running lights, parking lights, or a special light or lights provided for this purpose.
  • This system provides a significant traffic safety advance.
  • a driver In an emergency situation, with prior art technology, a driver generally honked the horn to get the attention of persons outside the car and make them aware of his presence.
  • a single press of the horn button activates not only an audible warning, but a contemporaneous visual warning.
  • the high beams flash several times as the horn honks, in response to a single press of the horn button.
  • This is particularly effective as an attention-getting mechanism at night, when a pedestrian or other driver is about to enter the driver's path.
  • the invention also has particular utility in warning hearing- impaired persons, and persons listening to loud music who as a result cannot hear the horn.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional circuit shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,237,306 for actuation of a high or low beam signal in response to a driver command;
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle horn and circuit actuated thereby according to the present invention;
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a switch usable with the present invention
  • Fig. 4 schematically depicts a beam control circuit for actuating a front headlight high beam according to the present invention
  • Fig. 5 schematically depicts a beam control circuit for actuating a front headlight low beam according to the present invention
  • Fig. 6 schematically depicts a beam control circuit for actuating a rear signal according to the present invention
  • Fig. 7 schematically depicts a beam control circuit for actuating any external signal on a vehicle according to the present invention
  • Fig. 8a shows vehicle installation of an audio sensor and control circuit for detecting horn actuation without a connection to the horn power circuit
  • Figure 8b is a block schematic diagram of the audio sensor and control circuit of Figure 8a.
  • the present invention relates generally to a system and method for actuating or deactuating externally visible vehicle lights in response to actuation of the vehicle horn.
  • the inventive system will be described with reference to several embodiments providing examples of possible implementations of the invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle horn and circuit actuated thereby according to the present invention.
  • a vehicle horn actuation pad H is shown which is mounted on a steering wheel S.
  • a steering shaft A supports the steering wheel S.
  • the circuit 11, 12 can be the same circuit as that which controls the vehicle horn itself, or it can be a completely separate, added circuit.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a switch usable with the present invention, where a completely separate, added circuit has been provided to control the actuation of the external vehicle lights.
  • a beam control circuit 20 is shown which includes a movable contact 26 connected for movement with the vehicle horn actuation pad H (not shown in Fig. 3), to close the circuit 11, 12.
  • the movable contact 26 is biased away from the closed position by a spring member 24 which urges the contact 26 away from a supporting portion 22 on the steering wheel (not shown in Fig. 3).
  • the beam control circuit 20 shown in Fig. 3 is one way to provide a control signal by closing of the circuit 11, 12, to actuate a high beam of a headlight and to simultaneously actuate the stoplights of the vehicle, for example by supplying the control signal to a lamp control circuit installed for that purpose.
  • the lamp control circuit for controlling an external light, headlights, and/or taillights may be of the type shown in the above-noted U.S. Patent No. 5,237,306, for example, or can be any other circuit for controlling external lights, taillights, and/or headlights of a vehicle.
  • the lights are controlled to blink once or a plurality of times, or in the case of headlights a high beam can be actuated to blink on either once or a plurality of times.
  • taillights or other external vehicle lights are controlled to blink either once or a plurality of times.
  • the duration of each blink may be varied as desired using a simple timer circuit. For example, a single blink may have a duration of 1-2 seconds in response to each horn actuation, regardless of the duration of horn actuation, or may last for the duration of horn actuation plus some time period (e.g. 1-2 seconds).
  • a timer is provided, such as that disclosed in the control circuit in U.S. Patent No. 5,237,306.
  • a plurality of blinks are preferably implemented with a shorter duration and duty cycle, such as two to three blinks per second.
  • lights such as the headlight high beams may blink alternately several times.
  • a series of several fast blinks or an unusual (i.e. alternating) blinking pattern as described herein can be advantageously used to clearly distinguish the intended visual warning function of this invention from the common practice of using headlights as a signal to proceed.
  • the beam control circuit 20 as shown in Fig. 3 can be used with a simpler circuit which does not have a timer, in which case the vehicle lights would be actuated only so long as the horn itself is actuated.
  • pressing the horn button actuates both the horn and the externally visible light or desired combination of lights, and releasing the horn button deactuates both the horn and the selected lights.
  • the control circuit is provided with two modes of operation: a first mode for use when the headlights are off or are on low beam, wherein the high beams are actuated one or more times; and a second mode for use when the high beams are actuated, wherein the high beams are lowered one or more times.
  • a beam control circuit 20 is shown in Fig. 3, any other types of switches are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.
  • known types of microswitches can be used, and other types of switches which can be used include light-actuated switches, voltage-actuated switches, capacitance-actuated switches, fluid- operated switches, and the like can all be used in the present invention.
  • the beam control circuit 20 shown in Fig. 3 can be used to supply power directly to the light to be actuated.
  • the circuit 11, 12 can provide voltage V B to an externally visible light, which can be mounted on the front, back, or sides of a vehicle.
  • Such lights can also include headlights, taillights, running lights, parking lights, or other vehicle- mounted lights. In this case, the vehicle lights would be actuated as long as the horn itself was being actuated.
  • Fig. 4 schematically depicts a beam control circuit 20 for actuating a front headlight high beam 40 according to the present invention.
  • the right headlight high beam would preferably also be actuated. Actuation of only one of the left and right headlight high beams is also contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.
  • Fig. 5 schematically depicts a beam control circuit 20 for actuating front headlight low beam 41 according to the present invention. This would be the case, for example, when the high beams are already on.
  • the right headlight low beam would preferably also be actuated. Actuation of only one of the left and right headlight low beams is also contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 schematically depicts a beam control circuit 20 for actuating a rear signal high beam or high level 42 (e.g., such as that corresponding to application of the brake lights), according to the present invention.
  • a rear signal high beam or high level 42 e.g., such as that corresponding to application of the brake lights
  • both the left and right rear signals would preferably also be actuated. Actuation of only one of the left and right rear signals is also contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.
  • Fig. 7 schematically depicts a beam control circuit 20 for actuating an external signal 43 on a vehicle according to the present invention.
  • Such external signal 43 can include any type of externally-mounted vehicle light, such as a rooftop light, an underbody-mounted light, a hood ornament light, a hood or trunk mounted light, a light mounted in the rear window such as a center-high-mount stop lamp, and so on.
  • Figures 8a and 8b show a circuit for actuating lights based on detecting horn actuation without a direct connection to the horn circuit.
  • a conventional vehicle horn circuit includes horn Button H, connected by wire 12 to horn relay 802, and by wire 11 to the vehicle battery 806.
  • Horn relay 802 is connected by wire 803 to horn 804. Actuating horn button H actuates relay 802 to supply voltage to sound horn 804.
  • FIG. 8a Also shown in Figure 8a is an add-on circuit suitable for retrofitting existing vehicles lacking the new horn-light combination safety feature provided by the present invention.
  • a novel audio sensor and control circuit 808 is provided and connected by wire 812 to battery 806 and by wire 809 to externally visible light 810.
  • Externally visible light 810 may be one or more lights intended to be visible from outside the vehicle, including headlights, taillights, running lights, parking lights, or other vehicle-mounted lights.
  • Figure 8b is a block schematic diagram of audio sensor and control circuit 808 of Figure 8a.
  • Circuit 808 includes a microphone 814, a threshold detector 816, control circuit 20, and relay 818.
  • Microphone 814 is placed near horn 804 (shown in Figure 8a) to detect actuation of horn 804.
  • Microphone 814 is connected to an input of threshold detector 816, which is connected to control circuit 20, which functions in the manner described above.
  • a lamp control output of control circuit 20 is connected to relay 818, which is connected to light or lights 810.
  • Relay 818 may be a conventional automotive lamp relay suitable for controlling the selected type of light or lights 810.
  • the output of control circuit 20 may be connected to an existing vehicle relay, such as the existing headlight relay, and relay 818 may then be omitted from circuit 808.
  • horn 804 In operation, when horn 804 is actuated, it produces a loud audible signal and in response, microphone 814 generates a relatively large output signal which is transmitted to threshold detector 816.
  • Threshold detector 816 is set to be relatively insensitive to input from the microphone, so that only a very loud, immediately proximate noise source like horn 804 (and not ambient noise) will actuate the circuit.
  • threshold detector 816 determines that the horn has been actuated, it transmits a signal to control circuit 20. Control circuit 20 treats this signal as an indication of horn actuation, and operates in the manner described above. Control circuit 20 may then produce a lamp-actuating output signal according to any of the methods described previously.
  • Control circuit 20 then selectively actuates relay 818 to control the externally visible light or lights 810.
  • the embodiment described in Figures 8a and 8b is particularly useful in retrofitting existing vehicles, because it can be added to existing circuits without modifying or cutting those circuits.
  • Circuit 808 can be enclosed in a small protective housing and mounted in the vehicle engine compartment next to horn 804.
  • Wires 809 can be connected (for example) to the headlights in parallel to the vehicle's headlight operating circuit, using connectors designed to be interposed between the headlight and the vehicle's headlight electrical connector.
  • Power wire 812 is connected to any convenient battery voltage connection in the engine compartment.
  • the vehicle referenced in the description above can be any type of vehicle, such as a truck, boat, automobile, aircraft, carriage, trolley, and the like.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)

Abstract

Suite à la commande d'un avertisseur sonore (804) d'un véhicule, les feux (810) du véhicule visibles à l'extérieur sont simultanément atténués ou intensifiés, ce qui produit un signal visible et audible combiné permettant d'attirer l'attention d'individus se trouvant sur le chemin du véhicule. Ces feux visibles à l'extérieur du véhicule peuvent comprendre des feux avant, des feux arrière, des feux de position et des feux de stationnement ou d'autres feux montés à l'extérieur.
PCT/US1997/007283 1997-05-16 1997-05-16 Systeme et procede de commande des feux d'un vehicule en reponse a l'actionnement de l'avertisseur sonore WO1998051535A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1997/007283 WO1998051535A1 (fr) 1997-05-16 1997-05-16 Systeme et procede de commande des feux d'un vehicule en reponse a l'actionnement de l'avertisseur sonore
AU31167/97A AU3116797A (en) 1997-05-16 1997-05-16 System and method for operating vehicle lights in response to horn actuation

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1997/007283 WO1998051535A1 (fr) 1997-05-16 1997-05-16 Systeme et procede de commande des feux d'un vehicule en reponse a l'actionnement de l'avertisseur sonore

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998051535A1 true WO1998051535A1 (fr) 1998-11-19

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PCT/US1997/007283 WO1998051535A1 (fr) 1997-05-16 1997-05-16 Systeme et procede de commande des feux d'un vehicule en reponse a l'actionnement de l'avertisseur sonore

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AU (1) AU3116797A (fr)
WO (1) WO1998051535A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000002175A1 (fr) * 1998-06-30 2000-01-13 Darrel Rowledge Systeme d'avertissement avance cooperatif conçu pour signaler des dangers routiers
FR2836103A1 (fr) * 2002-02-18 2003-08-22 Bosch Gmbh Robert Installation pour eviter les accidents d'un vehicule avec du gibier
CN110891350A (zh) * 2018-09-06 2020-03-17 刘磊 一种车灯控制器

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4208929A (en) * 1976-12-21 1980-06-24 Deere & Company Automatic electronic control for a power shift transmission
US5237306A (en) * 1991-12-13 1993-08-17 Robert Adell Signalling system for requesting a driver of a motor vehicle to dim or turn on his vehicle's headlights
US5423569A (en) * 1991-07-08 1995-06-13 United Technologies Automotive, Inc. Electric signalling in a supplemental passenger restraint system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4208929A (en) * 1976-12-21 1980-06-24 Deere & Company Automatic electronic control for a power shift transmission
US5423569A (en) * 1991-07-08 1995-06-13 United Technologies Automotive, Inc. Electric signalling in a supplemental passenger restraint system
US5237306A (en) * 1991-12-13 1993-08-17 Robert Adell Signalling system for requesting a driver of a motor vehicle to dim or turn on his vehicle's headlights

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000002175A1 (fr) * 1998-06-30 2000-01-13 Darrel Rowledge Systeme d'avertissement avance cooperatif conçu pour signaler des dangers routiers
FR2836103A1 (fr) * 2002-02-18 2003-08-22 Bosch Gmbh Robert Installation pour eviter les accidents d'un vehicule avec du gibier
CN110891350A (zh) * 2018-09-06 2020-03-17 刘磊 一种车灯控制器
CN110891350B (zh) * 2018-09-06 2023-09-01 刘磊 一种车用射灯控制器

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3116797A (en) 1998-12-08

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