US3733515A - Lighting systems for road vehicles - Google Patents

Lighting systems for road vehicles Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3733515A
US3733515A US00157449A US3733515DA US3733515A US 3733515 A US3733515 A US 3733515A US 00157449 A US00157449 A US 00157449A US 3733515D A US3733515D A US 3733515DA US 3733515 A US3733515 A US 3733515A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
filament
contact
winding
terminal
switch
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00157449A
Inventor
E Parkes
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3733515A publication Critical patent/US3733515A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • 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
    • B60Q11/002—Emergency driving lights in the event of failure of the principal lighting circuit

Definitions

  • a system comprises in combination first and second terminals for connection to a source of current, a supply line connected to the first terminal through the vehicle lighting switch, a twoposition dip switch having a movable contact, connected to the second terminal, the dip switch serving in one position to complete a circuit from the second terminal to the supply line through a current sensing element which operates a changeover contact which in one position completes a first circuit connecting the supply line to the second terminal through a main beam filament, and in its other position completes a second circuit connecting the supply line to the second tenninal through a dipped beam filament.
  • the accompanying drawing is a circuit diagram illustrating one example of the invention.
  • a road vehicle includes a battery 11 having its negative terminal earthed, and its positive terminal connected to the movable contact 12 of a lighting switch.
  • the battery is charged in the usual way by a generator driven by the engine, the output of the generator being controlled by a conventional voltage regulator.
  • the lighting switch is movable from the off position shown to a first operative position in which it completes a circuit to a contact 13 connected to the side and tail lamps of the vehicle, and a second position in which it still completes the circuit to the contact 13, but also completes a circuit to a contact 14 to operate the vehicle headlamps in a manner to be described.
  • the system further includes a dip switch having a movable contact 15 which is earthed and which in the main beam and dipped beam positions of the switch engages contacts 16 and 17 respectively.
  • the contact 16 is connected to the terminal 14 through a main beam warning lamp 18, whilst the contact 17 is connected to the terminal 14 through the winding 19 of a relay having four contacts 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d. All four of these contacts are shown in the position they assume when the winding 19 is not energized.
  • the contact 19a is connected to the terminal 14 through the winding 21 of a relay, and is movable between the position shown in which it engages a contact 23, and a second position in which it engages a contact 24.
  • the contact 19d is connected to the terminal 14 through the winding 22 of a further relay, and is movable from engagement with a terminal 25 into engagement with a contact 26.
  • the contacts 23 and 25 are connected through fuses 27 and 32 respectively to one side of each of the main beam filaments 28 and 33 of the vehicle headlamps, whilst the contacts 24 and 26 are connected through fuses 29 and 34 respectively to one side of each of the dipped beam filaments 31 and 35.
  • the other sides of all four filaments 28, 31, 33 and 35 are earthed.
  • the contacts 24 and 23 are interconnected through a resistor 41 in series with a normally closed contact 21a operable by the winding 21, whilst the contacts 25 and 26 are interconnected through a resistor 42 and a normally closed contact 22a operable by the winding 22.
  • the system further includes four warning lamps 36, 37, 38 and 39.
  • the contacts 19b and 19c are interconnected and earthed, and when the winding 19 is not energized, the contacts 19b and 19c are in the position shown where they connect the terminals 24 and 26 respectively to earth by way of the lamps 36 and 38.
  • the contacts 19b and 13c connect the terminals 23 and 25 to earth through the lamps 37 and 39 respectively.
  • their respective filaments 31, 28, 35, 33 are operating satisfactorily, insufficient current flows through the filaments 36, 37, 38, 39 to illuminate them.
  • the lamp 18 is illuminated to indicate that the main beam is energized.
  • Current flows from the terminal 14 by way of the winding 21, contacts 19a and 23 and the fuse 27 to energize the filament 28 and the winding 21, so that the contact 21a is open.
  • the filament 33 is illuminated at the same time as the filament 28, and the winding 22 is energized to hold the contact 22a open.
  • the filament 33 fails, then the filament 35 is brought into operation at reduced intensity, and the lamp 38 is illuminated.
  • the dip switch 15 When the dip switch 15 is operated, so that it engages the contact 17, the lamp 18 is extinguished and the winding 19 is energized.
  • the contacts 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d move to their alternative positions, and the dipped beam filaments 31 and 35 are energized.
  • the filament 31 fails with the circuit in the dipped beam condition, then the filament 28 is energized at reduced intensity, and the lamp 37 is illuminated. Similarly, failure of the filament 35 results in illumination of the filament 33, at reduced intensity and illumination of the warning lamp 39.
  • a lighting system for a road vehicle having a dipped beam headlamp filament and a main beam headlamp filament comprising a battery having a live terminal and a grounded terminal, switch means for selecting the clipped beam filament or the main beam filament, said switch means comprising first and second fixed contacts and a movable contact, a circuit connecting said first fixed contact to ground through said dipped beam filament, a circuit connecting said second fixed contact to ground through said main beam filament, a series circuit connecting said movable contact to the live terminal of said battery, said series circuit including a relay winding and a lighting switch on the vehicle, and a circuit interconnecting the fixed contacts of said switch means and including in series a resistor and a normally closed contact operable by said relay winding.

Landscapes

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

Abstract

A vehicle lighting system has a dip switch which is connected to the vehicle battery through the vehicle lighting switch, and which operates a current sensing element. This current sensing element controls a changeover contact which in one position energizes the main beam filament and in the other position energizes the dip beam filament. The system incorporates devices for energizing an alternative headlamp if the selected headlamp filament fails.

Description

Unite ttes atet 11 1 Parkes 1 May 15, 1973 1541 LIGHTING SYSTEMS FOR ROAD 3,479,557 ll/l969 Schultz ..3l5/83 VEHICLES 2,023,954 12 1935 Hagar et al... ....315 83 2,100,695 11 I937 L k .315 83 [761 memo Eric Bernard Park, 25 Langleys 2 172 903 9l1939 Chzrgihg ms/s; .x Road Selly Brmmgham 2,223,251 11 1940 Hack ..3l5/83 gland 2,907,920 10 1959 Mellvaine ..315/83 [22] Filed: June 28, 1971 Primary ExaminerRoy Lake [21] Appl' 157449 Assistant Examiner lames B. Mullins Attorney-Holman & Stern [30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 27, 1970 Great Britain ..31,286/70 [57] ABSTRACT A vehicle lighting system has a dip switch which is [52] US. Cl ..3l5/83 ted to the vehicle battery through the vehicle [51] Int. Cl. ..B60q 1/14 lighting switch, and which operates a current Sensing [58] Field of Search ..315/82, 83 element This current Sensing element controls a Chan geover contact which in one position energizes the [56] References C'ted main beam filament and in the other position ener- UNITED STATES PATENTS gizes the dip beam filament/The system incorporates devices for energizing an alternative headlamp if the 3,532,929 10/1970 Schultz ..315/83 Selected headlamp filament fails 2,540,410 2/1951 Wagner ..3l5/83 1 Claim, 1 Drawing Figure 29 Zia 1 LHGHTING SYSTEMS FOR ROAD CLES This invention relates to lighting systems for road vehicles.
A system according to the invention comprises in combination first and second terminals for connection to a source of current, a supply line connected to the first terminal through the vehicle lighting switch, a twoposition dip switch having a movable contact, connected to the second terminal, the dip switch serving in one position to complete a circuit from the second terminal to the supply line through a current sensing element which operates a changeover contact which in one position completes a first circuit connecting the supply line to the second terminal through a main beam filament, and in its other position completes a second circuit connecting the supply line to the second tenninal through a dipped beam filament.
The accompanying drawing is a circuit diagram illustrating one example of the invention.
Referring to the drawing a road vehicle includes a battery 11 having its negative terminal earthed, and its positive terminal connected to the movable contact 12 of a lighting switch. The battery is charged in the usual way by a generator driven by the engine, the output of the generator being controlled by a conventional voltage regulator. The lighting switch is movable from the off position shown to a first operative position in which it completes a circuit to a contact 13 connected to the side and tail lamps of the vehicle, and a second position in which it still completes the circuit to the contact 13, but also completes a circuit to a contact 14 to operate the vehicle headlamps in a manner to be described.
The system further includes a dip switch having a movable contact 15 which is earthed and which in the main beam and dipped beam positions of the switch engages contacts 16 and 17 respectively. The contact 16 is connected to the terminal 14 through a main beam warning lamp 18, whilst the contact 17 is connected to the terminal 14 through the winding 19 of a relay having four contacts 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d. All four of these contacts are shown in the position they assume when the winding 19 is not energized.
The contact 19a is connected to the terminal 14 through the winding 21 of a relay, and is movable between the position shown in which it engages a contact 23, and a second position in which it engages a contact 24. The contact 19d is connected to the terminal 14 through the winding 22 of a further relay, and is movable from engagement with a terminal 25 into engagement with a contact 26. The contacts 23 and 25 are connected through fuses 27 and 32 respectively to one side of each of the main beam filaments 28 and 33 of the vehicle headlamps, whilst the contacts 24 and 26 are connected through fuses 29 and 34 respectively to one side of each of the dipped beam filaments 31 and 35. The other sides of all four filaments 28, 31, 33 and 35 are earthed. The contacts 24 and 23 are interconnected through a resistor 41 in series with a normally closed contact 21a operable by the winding 21, whilst the contacts 25 and 26 are interconnected through a resistor 42 and a normally closed contact 22a operable by the winding 22.
The system further includes four warning lamps 36, 37, 38 and 39. The contacts 19b and 19c are interconnected and earthed, and when the winding 19 is not energized, the contacts 19b and 19c are in the position shown where they connect the terminals 24 and 26 respectively to earth by way of the lamps 36 and 38. When the winding 19 is energized, the contacts 19b and 13c connect the terminals 23 and 25 to earth through the lamps 37 and 39 respectively. When their respective filaments 31, 28, 35, 33 are operating satisfactorily, insufficient current flows through the filaments 36, 37, 38, 39 to illuminate them.
Assuming that the system is operating satisfactorily, and that the switch 15 is in the position shown, then when the contact 12 is moved into engagement with the contact 14, the lamp 18 is illuminated to indicate that the main beam is energized. Current flows from the terminal 14 by way of the winding 21, contacts 19a and 23 and the fuse 27 to energize the filament 28 and the winding 21, so that the contact 21a is open. There is an initial flow of current through the contact 21a and resistor 41 and thence by way of the fuse 29 to the filament 31, but this current only lasts for a short while whilst the winding 21 operates to open the contact 21a, and does not illuminate the filament 31. The filament 33 is illuminated at the same time as the filament 28, and the winding 22 is energized to hold the contact 22a open.
If either of the filaments 28, 33 fail while the circuit is in the condition shown in the drawing, then, assuming for example that the filament 28 fails, the circuit to the winding 21 is broken, and the contact 21a closes, so that the filament 31 is energized at reduced intensity by way of the winding 21, contact 23, contact 21a and resistor 41, so as to replace the filament 28. The current flowing through the winding 21 is insufficient to open the contact 21a, which therefore remains closed. The driver is given an indication that the filament 28 has failed by illumination of the lamp 36.
If the filament 33 fails, then the filament 35 is brought into operation at reduced intensity, and the lamp 38 is illuminated.
When the dip switch 15 is operated, so that it engages the contact 17, the lamp 18 is extinguished and the winding 19 is energized. The contacts 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d move to their alternative positions, and the dipped beam filaments 31 and 35 are energized.
If the filament 31 fails with the circuit in the dipped beam condition, then the filament 28 is energized at reduced intensity, and the lamp 37 is illuminated. Similarly, failure of the filament 35 results in illumination of the filament 33, at reduced intensity and illumination of the warning lamp 39.
I claim:
1. A lighting system for a road vehicle having a dipped beam headlamp filament and a main beam headlamp filament, comprising a battery having a live terminal and a grounded terminal, switch means for selecting the clipped beam filament or the main beam filament, said switch means comprising first and second fixed contacts and a movable contact, a circuit connecting said first fixed contact to ground through said dipped beam filament, a circuit connecting said second fixed contact to ground through said main beam filament, a series circuit connecting said movable contact to the live terminal of said battery, said series circuit including a relay winding and a lighting switch on the vehicle, and a circuit interconnecting the fixed contacts of said switch means and including in series a resistor and a normally closed contact operable by said relay winding.

Claims (1)

1. A lighting system for a road vehicle having a dipped beam headlamp filament and a main beam headlamp filament, comprising a battery having a live terminal and a grounded terminal, switch means for selecting the dipped beam filament or the main beam filament, said switch means comprising first and second fixed contacts and a movable contact, a circuit connecting said first fixed contact to ground through said dipped beam filament, a circuit connecting said second fixed contact to ground through said main beam filament, a series circuit connecting said movable contact to the live terminal of said battery, said series circuit including a relay winding and a lighting switch on the vehicle, and a circuit interconnecting the fixed contacts of said switch means and including in series a resistor and a normally closed contact operable bY said relay winding.
US00157449A 1970-06-27 1971-06-28 Lighting systems for road vehicles Expired - Lifetime US3733515A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB3128670 1970-06-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3733515A true US3733515A (en) 1973-05-15

Family

ID=10320872

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00157449A Expired - Lifetime US3733515A (en) 1970-06-27 1971-06-28 Lighting systems for road vehicles

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3733515A (en)
AU (1) AU3012971A (en)
DE (1) DE2131781A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2099964A5 (en)
GB (1) GB1342571A (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3825797A (en) * 1971-11-25 1974-07-23 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Timing holding device for head lamp circuit
US4104560A (en) * 1974-08-21 1978-08-01 Nippondenso Co., Ltd. Lighting system for a motor vehicle
US4213075A (en) * 1978-07-24 1980-07-15 Ericson William A Safety circuit for electrical loads
US4613846A (en) * 1983-06-06 1986-09-23 Groves Gerald M Light system for trucks
US6154122A (en) * 1999-01-29 2000-11-28 M. P. Menze Research & Development Snowplow diagnostic system
US6323759B1 (en) 1999-01-29 2001-11-27 M. P. Menze Research Development Inc. Snowplow diagnostic system

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2023954A (en) * 1934-05-09 1935-12-10 V J Demarco Dr Electric lighting system for automobiles
US2100695A (en) * 1934-08-15 1937-11-30 Lackey John William Automatic safety lighting system
US2172903A (en) * 1937-09-24 1939-09-12 Paul M Charping Electric lighting system
US2223251A (en) * 1939-05-16 1940-11-26 Harry W Hack Automotive electric lighting system
US2540410A (en) * 1948-09-24 1951-02-06 John R Wagner Automobile lighting signal system
US2907920A (en) * 1955-01-24 1959-10-06 Oran T Mcilvaine Headlight dimmer circuit
US3479557A (en) * 1968-12-31 1969-11-18 Rudd Schultz Automotive headlamp safety system with the alternate substitution of filament
US3532929A (en) * 1969-09-16 1970-10-06 Rudd Schultz Automotive headlight safety system with alternate substitution of filament

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2023954A (en) * 1934-05-09 1935-12-10 V J Demarco Dr Electric lighting system for automobiles
US2100695A (en) * 1934-08-15 1937-11-30 Lackey John William Automatic safety lighting system
US2172903A (en) * 1937-09-24 1939-09-12 Paul M Charping Electric lighting system
US2223251A (en) * 1939-05-16 1940-11-26 Harry W Hack Automotive electric lighting system
US2540410A (en) * 1948-09-24 1951-02-06 John R Wagner Automobile lighting signal system
US2907920A (en) * 1955-01-24 1959-10-06 Oran T Mcilvaine Headlight dimmer circuit
US3479557A (en) * 1968-12-31 1969-11-18 Rudd Schultz Automotive headlamp safety system with the alternate substitution of filament
US3532929A (en) * 1969-09-16 1970-10-06 Rudd Schultz Automotive headlight safety system with alternate substitution of filament

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3825797A (en) * 1971-11-25 1974-07-23 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Timing holding device for head lamp circuit
US4104560A (en) * 1974-08-21 1978-08-01 Nippondenso Co., Ltd. Lighting system for a motor vehicle
US4213075A (en) * 1978-07-24 1980-07-15 Ericson William A Safety circuit for electrical loads
US4613846A (en) * 1983-06-06 1986-09-23 Groves Gerald M Light system for trucks
US6154122A (en) * 1999-01-29 2000-11-28 M. P. Menze Research & Development Snowplow diagnostic system
US6323759B1 (en) 1999-01-29 2001-11-27 M. P. Menze Research Development Inc. Snowplow diagnostic system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1342571A (en) 1974-01-03
FR2099964A5 (en) 1972-03-17
DE2131781A1 (en) 1972-01-05
AU3012971A (en) 1972-12-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3040207A (en) Variable intensity automotive vehicle lighting and signalling system
US2486599A (en) Lighting circuit condition indicator
US2172903A (en) Electric lighting system
US3733515A (en) Lighting systems for road vehicles
US3244934A (en) Vehicle signal system with control of its light intensity
US3349280A (en) Signal lamp for dual intensity circuits and the like
US3305695A (en) Vehicle headlight signal system
US3723721A (en) Lighting system for motor vehicles
US2150900A (en) Automatic control for vehicle headlights
US2562274A (en) Switch for directional and clearance lamps
US3798460A (en) Apparatus for decreasing the intensity of car signal lamps
US3148306A (en) Dual brightness stop and turn signal system
US5170097A (en) Intermittent windshield wiper and headlight control
US1938828A (en) Lighting system for automotive vehicles
US3659267A (en) Lighting systems for road vehicles
US3277442A (en) Signal brightness control
US3638068A (en) Dual intensity signal lamp
US3609681A (en) Control circuit for alternately flashing automobile headlamps
US2731584A (en) Vehicle illumination system
US2932814A (en) Blinking device for motor vehicles
US3206723A (en) Vehicle dual intensity warning signal circuit
US2540410A (en) Automobile lighting signal system
US1945528A (en) Lighting system for automotive vehicles
US3316441A (en) Fog light system which overrides dimmer resistor for turn indicator lights
US3470531A (en) Sequential flasher system