WO1998052788A9 - Vehicle headlamp controller - Google Patents
Vehicle headlamp controllerInfo
- Publication number
- WO1998052788A9 WO1998052788A9 PCT/SG1998/000037 SG9800037W WO9852788A9 WO 1998052788 A9 WO1998052788 A9 WO 1998052788A9 SG 9800037 W SG9800037 W SG 9800037W WO 9852788 A9 WO9852788 A9 WO 9852788A9
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- controller
- headlamps
- sensor
- hystersis
- presetting
- Prior art date
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
-
- 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
- B60Q2300/337—Tunnels or bridges
Definitions
- This invention is a method and apparatus for controlling a vehicle's headlamps in respond to the ambient light levels.
- Some drivers may turn off the 'parking' lamps during dusk and may forget to switch on the headlamps when the sky gets darker due to high artificial lighting levels in cities, covered carparks and tunnels. Alternatively, they may not even switch on the headlamps while driving in covered carparks and tunnels during the day. These conditions are extremely dangerous for the pedestrians and the riders together with the occupants as the vehicles will be less visible under these conditions.
- An objective of this invention is to activate automatically the headlamps, taillamps and license plates and other associated lamps as soon as the ambient light level falls below a preset threshold level to make the vehicle more visible to other road users.
- Another objective of the present invention is to switch on or off the headlamps automatically according to the ambient lighting condition such as dawn or dusk.
- An additional objective of the present invention is to control with one optical sensor various lamps and lights of a vehicle in response to a variety of ambient conditions.
- Yet another object of this invention is describe a vehicle headlamp controller that can be manufactured economically, robustly and reliably and installed easily in a vehicle.
- This invention is an automatic controller for switching on and off the headlamps of a vehicle according to the ambient lighting conditions.
- the present invention when connected to the relay of the headlamps controls the headlamps accurately and intelligently under all conditions.
- the controller incorporates a filter and a voltage divider which in turn are connected to a comparator.
- the filter removes the alternating component of the output from the optical sensor caused by artificial lighting, while the voltage divider sets a preset threshold intelligently for the activation and deactivation of the headlamps in response to a variety of ambient conditions.
- the invention also switches off the car lamps when the engine is turned off. This will increase the life of the battery without the drivers having to remember to switch off and on the headlamps.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic of the vehicle headlamp controller of the present invention being connected to the relay of a vehicle's headlamps.
- This invention addresses the safety issues caused the carelessness and forgetfulness of some drivers who fail to turn on their car headlamps while driving in brightly lighted cities, during the dawn and dusk hours, covered carparks and tunnels where artificial lighting levels are high. This condition makes the vehicle less visible to other road users and pedestrian thus is highly dangerous for the drivers and their passengers as well as others, causing higher chances of accidents.
- This invention also prevents flat batteries caused by drivers who forget to switch off their headlamps after parking their vehicles, especially if they had switched on their headlamps while driving in a covered carpark or tunnel in the day. When the vehicle engine is switched off, this invention will automatically switches off the lights in which this invention is controlling.
- the vehicle headlamp controller of the present invention comprises a optical sensing means, a filter means, a hystersis means, a presetting means, and a switching means.
- the components of the present invention are coupled in parallel to the headlamp via a headlamp relay (not shown in figure).
- the optical sensing means comprises a sensor for sensing the ambient light level of the vehicle.
- the optical sensor is coupled to the comparator IC1 via the filter means.
- the output of the comparator turns on the transistor T2 via the resistor R5.
- the sensor detects when a preset threshold voltage is reached or the slightest change in voltage across the controller of the present invention in order to produce an output voltage to the comparator via the filter means.
- R3 and C2 forms the filter means of the present invention.
- the output from the light sensing means is provided as input the filter means and it filters the alternating voltage components of signals detected by the sensor under artificial lighting conditions.
- the filter means enables this invention to work reliably and with stability while the vehicle is driven in brightly artificial lighted areas such as tunnels and some covered carparks or driving under sudden changes in light intensity such as shadows from trees and building.
- the filter means and the hystersis means comprises the control unit referred to throughout the description of the present invention.
- the filer means is coupled to the presetting means of the present invention.
- the presetting means comprises the comparator IC1 and a voltage divider VR2 and R4 coupled to one of the two inputs of the comparator.
- the presetting means of the present invention prevents the user to preset the "turn on" voltage threshold lower than that of the "turn off” voltage threshold at junction J1.
- the presetting means thus prevents erroneous operation of this invention. It also facilitates the calibration of the controller of the present invention.
- the hystersis means of the present invention comprises a variable resistor VR1. This means is coupled to a relay contact S1 or any switching means.
- the hystersis means allows the user to adjust accurately the preset threshold level and is one of the novel features of the present invention.
- the interaction of the hystersis means will be elaborated below in connection with the detailed operation of the controller.
- the switching means of the present invention is coupled at its input to the hystersis means and the presetting means and at its output to the headlamp.
- the switching means comprises the relay (D2, S1 and S2), a transistor T2 and a resistor R5 respectively. Again, the function of the switching means will be explained in detail below together with the description of the operation of the controller.
- the junction J1 of the voltage divider VR2 and R4 provides a reference voltage for the comparator IC1.
- the hystersis means resistor VR1 is shorted by the relay contact S1 , this resistor is out of the circuit while the relay is de-energized.
- the voltage output of the sensor has a lower voltage.
- IC1 will have a high output to the switching means causing transistor T2 to conduct.
- the output of T2 energizes the relay, causing contacts S1 to open and S2 to switch on the car headlamp relay.
- the reference voltage at J1 is now lowered to the preset threshold value. This in turn requires a higher ambient light level to reaching the sensor before the output voltage of the sensor can be lowered than that of the voltage at J1.
- the comparator IC1 provides a low output and switches off the transistor T2. This de- energizes the relay causing contact S1 to short circuit and S2 to switch off the car's headlamp. The contact S1 will now short-circuit the resistor VR1 again, raising the voltage at junction J1. This condition necessitates the sensor to detect a lower light level before the comparator IC1 can have a high output again.
- This change of reference points forms an electronic ' Hystersis Means' which is accurately adjustable and repeatable by changing the resistance values VR1 and VR2.
- this invention can "turn on” the car headlamps at low ambient light levels but can only turn it off at higher ambient light levels than the "turn on” ambient light level. This allows a stable operation of this invention especially when the vehicle is driven under shadows at dusk as well as to prevent 'chattering' especially when the ambient light level approaches that of the preset value.
- the present invention uses a simple filter to remove the alternating voltage component from the output of the optical sensor to operate reliably under bright artificial lighting, and a method of using one comparator to detect two levels of ambient light accurately, fully presetable and with repeatability and reliability.
- FIG. 1 is shown to be a three wire device, it should be understood by one skilled in the art that the optical sensor can be a two wire device or a hybrid device etc.
- the output of the optical sensor need not be calibrated or linear as only two operation points on the voltage output curve are required and can be calibrated from the comparator. It is contemplated that many changes and modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as described.
- This invention can be used to control the high or low beams of a vehicle's headlamps by changing the calibration of the voltage divider to allow the present invention to detect changing ambient lighting conditions such as that of emerging from a dark road to a lighted area or visa versa.
- this invention can also be used to switch on garden lights automatically when the light levels drops to a certain value at dusk and switches it off again in the moming.
- the normal timers used to switch these lights are not ideal as the light levels at a certain time is very different between summer and winter. Ordinary light sensors will not work properly as shadows from trees or other plants may cast shadows on the sensors causing these devices to operate erratically. Chattering or flickering of the lamps will also occur as the light levels approaches the threshold level and can be damaging to the equipment and itself.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU75623/98A AU7562398A (en) | 1997-05-22 | 1998-05-22 | Vehicle headlamp controller |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
SG9701676-0 | 1997-05-22 | ||
SG9701676 | 1997-05-22 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1998052788A2 WO1998052788A2 (en) | 1998-11-26 |
WO1998052788A9 true WO1998052788A9 (en) | 1999-05-20 |
WO1998052788A3 WO1998052788A3 (en) | 1999-06-24 |
Family
ID=20429654
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/SG1998/000037 WO1998052788A2 (en) | 1997-05-22 | 1998-05-22 | Vehicle headlamp controller |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU7562398A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1998052788A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE10163356B4 (en) * | 2001-12-21 | 2012-02-02 | Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co. | Method and device for the automatic control of a lighting device of a vehicle |
CN112664917A (en) * | 2020-12-28 | 2021-04-16 | 江苏爱玛车业科技有限公司 | Intelligent automatic headlamp device for electric vehicle and implementation method thereof |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1529523A (en) * | 1977-10-24 | 1978-10-25 | Mcgowan J | Automatic vehicle lighting unit |
GB2064238B (en) * | 1979-11-21 | 1983-10-12 | Graham C J | Automatic switching unit for vehicle driving lights |
IT1168251B (en) * | 1980-12-19 | 1987-05-20 | Fazio Giuseppe Di | AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT SWITCHING DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES |
US4613791A (en) * | 1984-02-02 | 1986-09-23 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Automatic light control apparatus for vehicle |
DE3827983C1 (en) * | 1988-08-18 | 1990-02-01 | Hella Kg Hueck & Co, 4780 Lippstadt, De | |
US5182502A (en) * | 1991-05-06 | 1993-01-26 | Lectron Products, Inc. | Automatic headlamp dimmer |
DE4140647C2 (en) * | 1991-12-10 | 1996-09-12 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Display device with light sensor |
JP2633169B2 (en) * | 1992-11-19 | 1997-07-23 | 株式会社小糸製作所 | Cornering lamp system for vehicles |
WO1997010686A1 (en) * | 1995-09-15 | 1997-03-20 | Ashby Robert Howitt | Electrical power distribution switching means |
-
1998
- 1998-05-22 AU AU75623/98A patent/AU7562398A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-05-22 WO PCT/SG1998/000037 patent/WO1998052788A2/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU7562398A (en) | 1998-12-11 |
WO1998052788A3 (en) | 1999-06-24 |
WO1998052788A2 (en) | 1998-11-26 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US4236099A (en) | Automatic headlight system | |
US4665321A (en) | Automatic control system for automobile lights | |
US5187383A (en) | Headlight actuator associated with windsheild wiper actuation having delay circuits and daylight detection | |
US4435648A (en) | Automotive accessory control system | |
US20070008093A1 (en) | Automobile headlight high beam warning system | |
US4971405A (en) | Photoelectrically controlled corner light system for a vehicle | |
US4045769A (en) | Lighting systems for vehicles | |
US3037144A (en) | Automatic automobile lighting system | |
CN201571227U (en) | Automatic dimming controller of head lamp of motor vehicle | |
WO1998052788A9 (en) | Vehicle headlamp controller | |
CN2483253Y (en) | Controller for automobile light with dimming means | |
CN209833485U (en) | Automatic dimming control system for high beam and low beam lamps of automobile at night | |
US4956580A (en) | Automatic car lamps lighting controller | |
CN105799575A (en) | Automatic vehicle lamplight recognition control system and intelligent headlamp switching control method thereof | |
CN108040405B (en) | Automobile lamp light control method and device | |
CN1760775A (en) | Method for adjusting illumination distance of vehicle headlight in photoresponse type based on speed of vehicle | |
Kumar et al. | Automated brightness in automobiles | |
KR980001295A (en) | Intelligent headlight control device and method | |
CN220374392U (en) | Car light driving circuit, car light driving system and car | |
CA1258897A (en) | Automatic control system for automobile lights | |
KR200163930Y1 (en) | Tail lamp control device | |
KR0180312B1 (en) | Cut-off of power supply | |
US3538336A (en) | Photoelectric headlight switch responsive to ambient sight | |
CN111660922A (en) | Auxiliary lighting system of automobile and control method thereof | |
GB2308653A (en) | Automatic vehicle light activation system |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE GH GM GW HU ID IL IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT UA UG US UZ VN YU ZW |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW SD SZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN ML MR NE SN TD TG |
|
DFPE | Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101) | ||
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: C2 Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE GH GM GW HU ID IL IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT UA UG US UZ VN YU ZW |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: C2 Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW SD SZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN ML MR NE SN TD TG |
|
COP | Corrected version of pamphlet |
Free format text: PAGE 11, CLAIMS, REPLACED BY A NEW PAGE 11 |
|
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE GH GM GW HU ID IL IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT UA UG US UZ VN YU ZW |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW SD SZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN ML MR NE SN TD TG |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase in: |
Ref country code: JP Ref document number: 1998550304 Format of ref document f/p: F |
|
REG | Reference to national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: 8642 |
|
122 | Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase | ||
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase in: |
Ref country code: CA |