WO2000050260A2

WO2000050260A2 - Automatic and semi-automatic low/high beam regulation and high/low beam regulation for motor vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2000050260A2
Application number: PCT/HR2000/000004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ante JOSIĆ
Original assignee: Josic Ante
Priority date: 1999-02-22
Filing date: 2000-02-21
Publication date: 2000-08-31
Also published as: AU2934100A; EP1194316A2; HRP990059A2; WO2000050260A3

Abstract

Present motor vehicles are equipped with the automatic register of the road condition (2), light signaling device or light and sound signaling device (3) and speedometer of the vehicle (4) which are all connected with the central automatic unit (1) which contains the module storing two fixed programs. While driving with headlights on, the central automatic unit is constantly fed with two variable information entries, which, at every moment of the drive, create systems together with fixed programs, whose results make foundations for constant and impeccable functioning of the automatic and semi-automatic low/high beam and high/low beam regulation system for the existing light system of motor vehicles of all types and kinds (ABR and SBR) and at the same time the maximum speed of the vehicle is determined.

Description

AUTOMATIC AND SEMI-AUTOMAΗC LOW/HIGH BEAM REGULAΗON AND HIGH/LOW BEAM REGULAΗON FOR THE EXISTING LIGHT SYSTEM IN MOTOR VEHICLES OF ALL TYPES AND KINDS (ABBR. ABR/SBR)

INVENTION DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, this invention refers to motor vehicles or more precisely to the light system in motor vehicles i e to the automatic and semi-automatic low/high beam and high/low beam regulation system for the existing light system in motor vehicles of all types and kinds ( ABR and SBR)

The existing headlight system in motor vehicles of all types and kinds could be described as follows

It is undoubtedly the key issue of active safety in motor vehicles It still disposes of 50-meter- long low beams and 100-meter-long high beams whose regulation is manual

After a thorough analysis of the existing headlight system in motor vehicles, the inventor concluded that as regards the traffic participants' safety and prevention of accidents, the following issues are absolutely unacceptable and tragic from the point of view of safety and technical design

- even today, no motor vehicle driver driving with low beams on has a way of knowing when the precise moment has come when manual low / high beam regulation should be performed,

- even today, no motor vehicle driver driving with low beams on has a way of knowing what is the maximum speed limit which their vehicle should not exceed in each known road condition ( dry road, wet road, snowy road, or icy road) when the existing 50 meter- long low beams are on,

- even today, no motor vehicle driver driving with high beams on has a way of knowing when the precise moment has come when manual high / low beam regulation should be performed,

- even today, no motor vehicle driver driving with high beams on has a way of knowing what is the maximum speed limit which their vehicle should not exceed in each known road condition ( dry road, wet road, snowy road or icy road) when the existing 100 meter-long high beams are on,

- even today drivers of all types of motor vehicles still cannot rely on any precise, accurately defined and indisputable guidance about those four most important safety elements present in the existing headlight systems. Moreover, regulations in force fail to regulate this issue which is of an utmost importance for the safety of all traffic participants. Apart from such disastrous safety condition of the present headlight system and a lack of significant regulations thereof, the following should also be stated regarding the low technical level of the whole issue

Motor vehicle drivers using the current headlight system, which is nowadays still found in most vehicles, are not liberated from manual low/high beam and high/low beam regulation even in sudden, dangerous and critical traffic situations which occur on a daily basis This results in the fact that drivers in such sudden, dangerous and critical situations first have to deal with manual low / high or high/low beam regulation, which is why they directly waste a significant segment of the precious time during which they could react properly and undertake all necessary actions required for an almost safe resolving of that situation, which consequently means avoiding completely unnecessary car accidents

Concerning this major problem of the current headlight system manipulation, it has to be emphasized that a large number of various analyses and research undertaken so far in that sense have undeniably, precisely and exactly shown that the direct loss of the time period that the driver in such a situation used for low /high beam and high/low beam manual regulation was the central and almost sole cause of a great number of those everyday, completely unnecessary traffic accidents because drivers are not concentrated on other actions which need to be undertaken at that short critical moment

In the previous paragraphs the inventor has pointed to the major problems in the present headlight system and its critical active safety elements which all lead to the following conclusion:

- the existing headlight system in motor vehicles is designed on a dangerously low safety and technical level and even its crucial safety elements lag behind all known state-of-the-art technical possibilities and solutions of our times,

- the existing headlight system in motor vehicles is today defined and manufactured in the way that it is a permanent daily threat and hazard to the traffic participants' safety,

- the current rules and regulations in force bear the exclusive responsibility for the current vehicle headlight system development because they do not define the framework or guidelines for its most important safety elements This has led to the fact that all past attempts to solve the safety issues in the headlight system development actually failed In accordance with the problems stated above, the aims of this invention are complex and the inventor had to divide them in two different steps

The first step spurred the inventor into finding good answers and solutions to all the above- mentioned safety elements in the existing headlight system in motor vehicles, i e into solving the tasks which are defined in the following way

1 to define the precise moment when a driver of a vehicle with low beams on has to perform manual low beam/high beam regulation ( or it will be done automatically) whenever the driver is moving in each known road condition (dry road, wet road, snowy road, or icy road)

2 to define the precise moment when a driver of a motor vehicle with high beams on has to perform manual high beam /low beam regulation ( or it will be initiated automatically) whenever the driver is moving in each known road condition (dry road, wet road, snowy road, or icy road)

3 to define definitely and precisely the maximum speed limit which a vehicle should not exceed in each known road condition ( dry road, wet road, snowy road, or icy road) whenever the existing 100 meter-long high beams are on

Furthermore, after solving the three tasks above, the inventor also set himself the task of drawing up the exact text which would be amended to the regulations in force which still regulate this issue

The second step in solving the problems underlying this invention refers to its technical part where the fourth task is set and is stated as follows

4 to finally design a simple and fully universal automatic low beam/high beam and high beam/low beam regulation for the existing headlight system of motor vehicles which will function constantly and impeccably and which may be installed in the existing headlight system of new and old motor vehicles of all types and kinds

In order to be able to find solutions to these tasks the inventor first had to carry out necessary research and analysis which pointed to the following conclusion

The current development of the headlight system offers no help in finding answers to the tasks stated above, nor do the regulations in force and their provisions The only help the inventor found was in the foundations of its previous invention called

"Automatic light system for motor vehicles of all types and kinds and light system management procedures", WO 00/50260 PCTtHROO/00004

4 for which the inventor was granted letters patent EP 0699559, US 5,798,91 1 and JP

2786833 in which he discovered and defined all laws of the light system of motor vehicles at every single moment of the drive and consequently in the driving process

These findings have also put forward a new scientific theory which points to a binding and firm connection between the headlight length and the stopping distance of the same vehicle Owing to that new theory, the inventor managed to define that the stopping distance of the vehicle is the only criterion for measuring and regulating the length of the headlight system of the vehicle in motion at every moment of the drive. This new theory resulted in the revolutionary safety ( which is called "Mario-formula" in honor of the initiator of the invention ) which precisely defines

MINIMUM LENGTH OF THE ILLUMINATED ROAD SECTION IN FRONT OF THE

VEHICLE = MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE which finally and definitely sets a unit, measure or a constant of varying lower limit defining the minimum length of the headlights illuminating the road in front of the vehicle and that

MAXIMUM (REQUIRED) LENGTH OF THE ILLUMINATED ROAD SECTION IN

FRONT OF THE VEHICLE = MAXIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE which finally and definitely sets a unit, measure or a constant of a varying upper limit defining the maximum length of the headlights illuminating the road in front of the vehicle

That first invention finally and definitely disputed the existence of any fixed headlight system in a vehicle, i e it refuted the need for any low or high beam system in a vehicle because all the previously stated laws proved that every motor vehicle needs to have different headlight illumination length during the drive As a result, it needs a varying and constantly different headlight length which means that there is simply no need whatsoever for any distinction between low or high beams.

Therefore, the invention described in the above-mentioned letters patent EP 0699559, US

5,798,911 and JP 2786833 does not accept low or high beams. It requires one initial fixed safety space illuminated in front of the vehicle, for which the inventor suggested 30 meters ( which is in accordance with an average stopping distance of the vehicles at the speed of 50 km/h on a dry road) while the other part of the headlight range varies and is regulated automatically

Apart form this shortest possible outline of the invention protected by EP 0699559, US

5,798,91 1 and JP 2786833, the inventor wishes to clear any further possible confusion between his old and new invention Therefore, it has to be said that his previous invention does not deal WO 00/50260 PCTtHROO/00004

5 with safety and technical aspects of low/high beams of the existing headlight system in motor vehicles whereas this new invention described herein focuses on these safety issues and technical aspects of the existing headlights To summarize, each of these inventions deals with different areas and different aims related to the light system of motor vehicles in the driving process

However, the inventor has realized that this previous invention of his, described in letters patent EP 0699559, US 5,798,911 and JP 2786833, complemented with other new discoveries, should present the only true foundation on the basis of which it is possible to find correct answers and solutions to the tasks set by the new invention discussed herein

That conclusion has led to a new and up to present unknown definition

"THE RIGHT AND PRECISE MOMENT WHEN A DRIVER OF A VEHICLE WITH LOW

BEAMS ON SHOULD UNDERTAKE LOW/HIGH BEAM REGULATION IS WHEN THE

STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE BECOMES LONGER THAN 50 METERS, i e

LONGER THAN THE LOW BEAM LENGTH "

This is defined finally and definitely with a new and up to present unknown formula

STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE LONGER THAN 50 METERS = HIGH

BEAMS

That finding has led to another new and up to present unknown formula

THE RIGHT AND PRECISE MOMENT WHEN A DRIVER OF A VEHICLE WITH HIGH

BEAMS ON SHOULD UNDERTAKE HIGH / LOW BEAM REGULATION IS WHEN

THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE BECOMES SHORTER THAN 50

METERS, i e SHORTER THAN THE LOW BEAM LENGTH "

STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE SHORTER THAN 50 METERS = LOW

BEAMS

In other words, a vehicle driver can and should during the drive, use the existing low beams until the moment when its stopping distance becomes longer than the length of its low breams, l e the driver can and should, while driving, use the existing high beams until the moment when its stopping distance becomes shorter than the length of its low beams

In connection with the above, it is necessary to point out that these two right and precise moments actually refer to one and the same length of the stopping distance of the vehicle of 50 meters, to which the vehicle approaches once from the rising values of the stopping distance and once from the decreasing values of the stopping distance WO 00/50260 PCTtHROO/00004

6 These two new definitions and formulas for the first time make it possible, to calculate in a simple and precise way for every motor vehicle, at which exact speed of the vehicle the stopping distance becomes shorter or longer than 50 meters i.e the distance of its low beams, when it moves in each of four known road conditions ( dry road, wet road, snowy road, icy road) providing the driver with the exact information about the moment when low beam/high beam or high beam/low beam regulation should be initiated

These two new formulas are solutions to the first two tasks set by this invention

In order to solve the third, extremely important safety task which requires determination of the maximum speed of a vehicle when it moves in each of four known road conditions (dry road, wet road, snowy road, icy road) when the vehicle driver uses the existing 100-meter-long high beams, the inventor first had to conclude the following

- the maximum speed, due to ever faster motor vehicles nowadays, is a critical safety issue for all traffic participants,

- that no precise, defined and indisputable answer to that important question exists at present,

- that all present attempts to solve that important safety issue in the existing headlight system have had no success

After these conclusions, the inventor realized that he could find the solutions to the third task in the same way he found solutions to the first two tasks Thus he put forward an unknown definition

"THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE OF 100 METERS DETERMINES ITS MAXIMUM SPEED AT WHICH IT CAN MOVE WITH THE EXISTING 100 METER- LONG HIGH BEAMS ON "

This can be finally and definitely formulated with a new and up to present unknown formula STOPPING DISTANCE OF 100 METERS = MAXIMUM SPEED OF THE VEHICLE This third new definition and formula made it possible for the inventor to carry out a research of great safety importance which has never been carried out before (nor it could have been without the definition above) with the aim to finally and precisely determine the relationship between 100-meter-long high beams and the maximum allowed speed limit for motor vehicles in Europe of 130 km/h

In order to carry out the research successfully, the inventor had to analyze the stopping distances of various types of motor vehicles moving on a dry road at the speed of 130 km h (dry road being the only condition that they can accelerate to the speed of 130 km/h on) and WO 00/50260 PCTtHROO/00004

7 then he compared their stopping distances with the range of their high beams which were defined at 100 meters

The results obtained in that very simple research were incredible, shocking and scaring for all traffic participants because they showed precisely and exactly that the stopping distance of almost all motor vehicles manufactured nowadays and moving on a dry road at the speed of

130 km/h, is longer or much longer than the length of their high beams defined at 100 meters

(Note only a very small number of motor vehicles manufactured today is excluded from this rule l e only those motor vehicles which are equipped with absolutely best possible brakes, like

Porsche for example, and which represent less than 1 % in the total of all motor vehicles manufactured a year, in other words, their number is completely insignificant )

Similarly, it means that

- the maximum allowed speed limit for motor vehicles in Europe of 130 km/h is a critical safety error because it is in no way adjusted with the existing 100 meter-long high beams in a vehicle,

- due to that, vehicles with high beams on should not move at their legally allowed speed limit of maximum 130 km/h,

- the worst and most tragic safety situation for all traffic participants is in Germany where motor vehicles move at great speeds, in highways even with no speed limits at all, using the existing headlight system of 100 meter-long high beams

In order to make these research results even more understandable and to perceive the totality of this disastrous everyday safety hazard for all traffic participants, one must add the following

- motor vehicles with the existing 1 OOmeter-long high beams may have a 100-meter-long section of the road in front of them illuminated only if their headlight systems are fully functional and precisely adjusted and if there is no change in the angle vehicle/road during the driving due to burdening with extra objects ( which is usually not the case in everyday traffic),

- extensive research of headlight system accuracy which have been carried out on a yearly basis in Germany proved precisely that almost 40% of motor vehicles of all types and kinds which are regularly in circulation have no accurately adjusted headlight system and

- the inventor used ideal measures or ideal manufacturing data for the research analysis concerning the stopping distance of various motor vehicles of all types and kinds These figures are obtained in factory tests which are carried out with only one driver, not burdening the vehicle with more persons or material objects, which in everyday circulation is often not the case because vehicles are burdened with more persons or material objects Due to that everyday, true and real stopping distances are even greater, thus making the stated results even less favorable The inventor did not include in his research other kinds of motor vehicles like buses, trucks, vans jeeps etc because their stopping distances at their maximum allowed speed limits in Europe are much greater, making once again the results obtained even less acceptable This last section actually concludes the inventor's attempt to solve the first three set tasks and they automatically lead to solving with no difficulty the fourth, last task In other words, the inventor's aim is to resolve the technical aspect of automatic low/high beam regulation and high/low beam regulation for the existing light system in motor vehicles of all types and kinds Nevertheless, at this point the inventor would like to suggest the exact text for amendment of the current regulations which are unfortunately still in force today With respect to the requirements of concision and simplicity of any regulation, the text shall include only two rules Rule l

WHEN A VEHICLE IS MOVING WITH BEAMS ON, LOW/HIGH BEAM REGULATION AND HIGH/LOW BEAM REGULATION SHOULD BE INITIATED AT THE EXACT MOMENT WHEN THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE BECOMES LONGER OR SHORTER THAN THE LENGTH OF ITS LOW BEAMS, which is finally defined with the following formulas

STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE LONGER THAN THE LENGTH OF ITS LOW BEAMS = HIGH BEAMS and

STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE SHORTER THAN THE LENGTH OF ITS LOW BEAMS = LOW BEAMS Rule 2

A VEHICLE SHOULD MOVE WITH HIGH BEAMS ON ONLY UP TO ITS PRECISELY DEFINED SPEED AT WHICH ITS STOPPING DISTANCE IS EQUAL TO THE LENGTH OF ITS HIGH BEAMS , which is also finally defined with the formula

STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH IS EQUAL TO THE LENGTH OF ITS HIGH BEAMS = MAXIMUM SPEED OF THE VEHICLE

In connection with the suggested amendments of the regulations currently in force regarding the headlight system manipulation for motor vehicles, an unconditional and simultaneous correction of the existing rules about the maximum speed limit in Europe should also be made Thereby we suggest

TO REDUCE THE PRESENT MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT OF VEHICLES AT 130

KM/H AND DO THE SAME WITH MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS FOR OTHER

VEHICLES ( BUSES, TRUCKS, VANS, JEEPS ) BECAUSE IT IS AN

IRREFUTABLE FACT THAT THEIR EXISTING 100-METER-LONG HIGH

BEAMS DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO MOVE AT THEIR PRESENT ALLOWED

MAXIMUM SPEEDS

( It is an absolute priority for German regulations to be modified because vehicles often move respecting no speed limits at all Since at such speeds their stopping distance is much longer than the length of their 100 meter-long high beams, their drivers with high beams on cannot, in almost any situation, stop their vehicle immediately, which directly puts them in an inevitable traffic hazard, frequently ending in most tragic way due to their excessive speeds )

This means

IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY THAT THESE TWO INTERCONNECTED

FACTORS - MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT AND HIGH BEAM LENGTH, WHICH

HAVE A VITAL ROLE IN SAFETY FOR ALL TRAFFIC PARTICIPANTS,

SHOULD ONCE AND FOR ALL BE ADJUSTED WITH ONE ANOTHER

This ends the outline of the problems underlying this invention, i e the solutions to the first three tasks accompanied with the proposal of the text which should be amended to the existing regulations

The second aim of this invention is its technical solution, which is related to the fourth task It requires a design of a simple and fully universal automatic low beam/high beam and high beam/low beam regulation system for the existing headlight system in motor vehicles of all types and kinds, which will function impeccably and constantly and which may be installed in the existing headlight system of old and new motor vehicles of all types and kinds

The technical aspect of the whole invention is very simple because it consists of only three parts

- central automatic unit

- automatic register of the road condition

- light signaling device or light and sound signaling device WO 0/50260 PCTtHROO/00004

10 Central automatic unit 1 is the technical heart of the whole automatic low beam/high beam and high beam/low beam regulation system in the existing headlight system of motor vehicles

It is small in size and it can be installed in any available place in the interior of the car It contains a module which stores necessary data about the vehicle For a completely universal character of this invention, the module should be designed in such a way that it could, if necessary, change the data about the vehicle so that it could be replaced as a whole

The module stores two fixed programs

The first fixed program consists of four fixed data entries about the vehicle, which represent its four precise speed values at which the length of its stopping distance equals precisely 50 meters which is the length of its low beams when the vehicle moves in every of the four known road conditions (dry road, wet road, snowy road or icy road )

The second fixed program consists of four fixed data entries about the vehicle which represent its four accurate speed values at which the length of its stopping distance equals precisely 100 meters, which is the length of its high beams when the vehicle moves in every of the four known road conditions (dry road, wet road, snowy road or icy road ) These speed values are in relation to this invention called maximum speed values

Automatic register of the road condition 2 is the second technical element of this invention It is placed in the center of the lower front part of the vehicle which is shown in figure 3 It constantly registers the current precise road condition ( dry road, wet road, snowy road or icy road ) in which the vehicle moves Its function is constant supply of the central automatic unit

1 with that first information entry

Light signaling device or light and sound signaling device 3 is the third element of the technical design of this invention It is installed in the interior of the vehicle, in a place which is constantly within the driver's scope of vision It provides the driver with necessary instructions which will be explained further in the text

The perfect functioning of these three main parts requires constant supplying of the central automatic unit with accurate, equally important, second information entry about the speed of the vehicle in every moment These constantly variable information entries can be obtained in two ways directly from the speedometer of the vehicle and an adequate adapter or via ABS signal from the brakes and an adequate adapter ( the latter case provides even greater information accuracy )

Therefore, automatic high / low beam regulation system for the existing motor vehicles of all types and kinds functions as described further in the text WO 00/50260 PCTtHROO/00004

1 1 As soon as the driver turns on the headlights in the vehicle, all mentioned technical elements of the whole system are simultaneously activated These parts are linked and they make up a completely separated, independent and closed circle

As soon as the speed of the vehicle with low beams on becomes bigger than the determined speed at which the length of its stopping distance equals the distance of 5o meters, when it moves in every of the four known road conditions ( dry road, wet road, snowy road or icy road ) and when that speed represents the suitable of the first four fixed information entries, the automatic central unit 1 initiates the automatic low beam/ high beam regulation

Or the other way round, as soon as the speed of the vehicle with high beams on becomes smaller than the determined speed at which the length of its stopping distance equals the distance of 5o meters, when it moves in every of the four known road conditions ( dry road, wet road, snowy road or icy road ) and when that speed represents the suitable of the first four fixed information entries, the automatic central unit 1 executes the automatic high beam/low beam regulation

These were the first two working cycles of the automatic low / high beam and high beam /low beam regulation system for the existing headlight system of the motor vehicle

Its third working cycle i.e. its last working cycle is related to the maximum speed of the moving vehicle with high beams on when it moves in each of the four known road conditions ( dry road, wet road, snowy road or icy road ) The invention offers two solutions here

According to the first solution, when the vehicle moving with high beams on reaches its maximum speed , in each of the four known road conditions ( dry road, wet road, snowy road or icy road) and which represents the suitable of the second four fixed data entries, all acceleration possibilities are simultaneously and automatically blocked so that the driver cannot increase the maximum speed even to the slightest extent, because that is not allowed by its current 100 meter-long high beams range

However, it is almost certain that this solution will probably not be accepted for a variety of reasons ( which mainly have nothing to do with the safety of all traffic participants)

Therefore, according to the second solution, the invention comprises one more segment and that is the light signaling device or light and sound signaling device 3 Naturally, it is advisable to install both kinds of signaling devices for greater safety

The driver driving with high beams on is accurately and in good time informed that the vehicle moving in every of the four known road conditions ( dry road, wet road, snowy road or icy road ) has reached the maximum speed which represents the suitable of other four fixed data entries about the precise moment when to start decelerating

It is important that for better safety of all traffic participants, these signaling devices should be linked with the system so that from the moment they are turned on ( i e at the precise moment when the driver should start decelerating from the maximum speed) they are incessantly active until the driver actually decelerates

This invention also provides a different solution for low / high beam and high beam/low beam regulation for the existing light system in motor vehicles, in the same way as described above but as semi-automatic According to the invention, the low / high beam or high beam/low beam regulation may be performed in the following way the driver is merely informed by means of the light signaling device or the light and sound signaling device 3 about the right and precise moment when the beam regulation should be executed, so that the driver can manually execute it themself

Certainly, even this semi-automatic headlight regulation system would definitely increase the safety and technical level of a motor vehicle Nevertheless, it has two major drawbacks in comparison with the automatic beam regulation

First of all, the driver is not liberated from manual low / high beam regulation or high / low beam regulation in dangerous and critical situations which may suddenly occur

Secondly, it requires the same quantity of parts for installation in comparison with the automatic regulation so that no costs are saved

The automatic and semi-automatic low / high beam regulation system represents from the technical point of view, a very simple, fully automatic multifunctional system of programs and information Therefore the name

Automatic and semi-automatic low/high beam regulation and high/low beam regulation system-. for the existing light system in motor vehicles of all types and kinds (abbr ABR/SBR i e automatic beam regulation and semiautomatic beam regulation)

The fully automatic multifunctional system of programs and information is shown in figure 9 It consists of two parts Its first or fixed part is made of two programs The first program represents the first four fixed data entries about the vehicle and the second program represents the other four fixed data entries about the vehicle The second or variable part contains constantly variable information the first information entry registers the current precise road condition the vehicle moves in ( dry road, wet road, snowy road or icy road) and the second information entry refers to the current precise speed the vehicle is moving at These fixed programs and varying information at every moment of the drive create systems on the basis of whose results automatic and semi-automatic low / high beam regulation or high / low beam regulation for the existing light system in motor vehicles of all types and kinds (abbr

ABR/SBR) functions smoothly This fully automatic multifunctional system of programs and information represents the only conceivable and at the same time feasible method for low / high beam regulation or high / low beam regulation in the existing light system in motor vehicles of all types and kinds also determining the maximum speed of the vehicle at every moment of the drive in a completely safe way

Finally, these systems

- are simple and fully universal, meaning that they can be installed in the existing headlight system of old and new motor vehicles of all types and kinds (motor vehicles already in use ) in the completely same form / shape

- the installation of these systems into the existing headlight system of a vehicle is not obstructed or prohibited by any of the current rules in force

The implementation of the automatic low / high beam and high / low beam regulation system for the existing light system in motor vehicles of all types and kinds (ABR) also features the following

- for the first time in history low/high beam regulation is performed automatically and in the right moment,

- for the first time in history high / low beam regulation is performed automatically and in the right moment,

- drivers are finally and for the first time in history, free from manual regulation low beam/high beam and high/low beam regulation,

- for the first time in history drivers are automatically hindered from using high beams in unnecessary situations, which has been so far one of the greatest hazards for the vehicles and traffic participants coming from the opposite direction,

- for the first time in history, drivers are aware up to which maximum speed they can accelerate in all four known road conditions (dry road, wet road, snowy road or icy road) when they use 100 meter-long high beams

Although ABR and SBR are fully universal, they can be installed in new motor vehicles so that the central automatic unit 1 does not constitute a special part in the system but it can be directly built in the speedometer of the vehicle 4 to make one single unit 7 with it, as shown in figures 7 and 8 WO 00/50260 PCTtHROO/00004

14 This concludes the second part or the technical solutions of the invention

In the end, we have to say that the driver while driving, even with a lot of concentration, simply cannot at the right and precise moment perform low / high beam and high / low beam regulation and then start immediately decreasing this maximum speed of the vehicle simply because it frequently happens that several or even all of the known road conditions may exchange in the process of driving ( dry road, wet road, snowy road or icy road) which implies that the low / high beam and high / low beam regulation should be performed at first four precise and different speed values of the vehicle ( figure 4), while high / low beam regulation at the other four different speed values ( figure 5) and that the maximum speed of the vehicle should immediately be decreased at the third four precise speed values (figure 6) This infers that all this should be performed at each of the three precise different speed values in all four known road conditions ( dry road, wet road, snowy road or icy road) which is absolutely impossible for the driver to do Therefore, the installation of automatic and semi-automatic low/high beam and high/low beam regulation system in the existing light system in motor vehicles of all types and kinds is the only possibility the driver has at their disposal for automatic performing of all necessary actions or the driver can regulate the beam range themself thus putting other people's lives in jeopardy

As long as there is a fixed headlight system in motor vehicles, consisting of fixed low beams and high beams (whether 50 or 100-metre-long or 60 and 120 meter-long) this invention presents the ultimate solution for low/high beam regulation and high/low beam regulation as well as for determining the maximum speed of the vehicle

In order to make the invention even more understandable, their figures are enclosed hereunder

Figure 1 -

The automatic low / high beam and high/low beam regulation system for the existing light system in motor vehicles of all types and kinds (ABR)

It clearly shows the interconnections among its constituent parts which are marked in the following way

1 - central automatic unit

2 - automatic register of the road condition

3 - light signaling device or light and sound signaling device

4 - speedometer

5 - headlights and their constant and impeccable functioning WO 00/50260 PCTtHROO/00004

15 Figure 2-

The semi-automatic low / high beam regulation and high/low beam regulation system for the existing light system in motor vehicles of all types and kinds (SBR) It clearly shows the interconnections of its constituent parts which are marked in the following way

1 - central automatic unit

2 - automatic register of the road condition

3 - light signaling device or light and sound signaling device

4 - speedometer

5 - headlights

6 - handle ( lever ) on the steering wheel for manual low / high beam and high / low beam regulation of the existing light system of a vehicle and their constant and impeccable functioning Figure 3 -

It shows the suggested position of the automatic register of the road condition 2

It clearly shows its position in the center of the lower frontal exterior part of the vehicle

Figure 4

It shows the functioning pattern of the low / high beam regulation system

Position A shows the vehicle in motion with low beams turned on with the stopping distance of the vehicle shorter than 50 meters At a particular moment due to accelerating, the vehicle reaches the speed at which the stopping distance of the vehicle becomes longer than 50 meters, i e. longer than the length of its low beams that is the precise moment when low beam/ high beam regulation should be performed Position B shows that the low beam/ high beam operation has been performed and that the driver in the continuation of the drive uses high beams

Figure 5-

It shows the functioning pattern of the high / low beam regulation system Position A shows the vehicle in motion with high beams turned on with the stopping distance of the vehicle longer than 50 meters At a particular moment due to decelerating, the vehicle reaches the speed at which the stopping distance of the vehicle becomes shorter than 50 meters, i e shorter than the length of its low beams: that is the precise moment when high beam/ low beam regulation should be performed

Position B shows that the high beam/ low beam operation has been performed and that the driver in the continuation of the drive uses low beams

Figure 6

It shows the vehicle in motion with high beams turned on when the driver accelerates up to the moment when the maximum speed is reached, i e. at which the stopping distance of the vehicle becomes equal to the length of its high beams that is the precise moment when the driver should immediately start decelerating

Figure 7 -

It shows the automatic low/high beam and high/low beam regulation system for the existing light system in motor vehicles of all types and kinds (ABR) at which the central automatic unit is integrated directly in the speedometer of the vehicle. It shows the interconnection between particular elements marked as follows

2 - automatic register of the road condition

3 - light signaling device or light and sound signaling device 7 - speedometer with built in automatic central unit

5 - headlights and their constant and impeccable functioning Figure 8-

It shows the semi-automatic low / high beam and high/low beam regulation system for the existing light system in motor vehicles of all types and kinds (SBR) at which the central automatic unit is integrated directly in the speedometer of the vehicle It shows the interconnection between particular elements marked as follows

2 - automatic register of the road condition 3 - light signaling device or light and sound signaling device

7 - speedometer with built in automatic central unit

5 - headlights

6 -handle ( lever ) on the steering wheel for manual low / high beam and high / low beam regulation of the existing light system of a vehicle and their constant and impeccable functioning

Figure 9 -

It shows the fully automatic multifunctional system of programs and information It consists of fixed programs ( first program and second program) and variable information ( the first information entry and the second information entry ) by means of which systems are created during the whole drive on the basis of whose results automatic and semi-automatic low / high beam regulation or high / low beam regulation for the existing light system in motor vehicles of all types and kinds function smoothly

Finally, the invention is not limited to the implementation versions stated here and modifications are possible The scope of the invention however is determined by the enclosed patent claims

Claims

WO 00/50260 PCTtHROO/00004

18 PATENT CLAIMS Automatic and semi-automatic low/high beam regulation and high/low beam regulation system for the existing light system in motor vehicles of all types and kinds, characterized by the following

- a driver of a vehicle with low beams on should perform low/high beam regulation at the right and precise moment when the stopping distance of the vehicle becomes longer than 50 meters, i e longer than the low beam length,

- a driver of a vehicle with high beams on should perform high / low beam regulation at the right and precise moment when the stopping distance of the vehicle becomes shorter than the low beam length Automatic and semi-automatic regulation system pursuant to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the maximum speed limit is determined for a vehicle moving with high beams on up to which it can move at the precise speed at which its stopping distance is equal to the length of its high beams Automatic and semi-automatic regulation system pursuant to claim 2 characterized by the fact that it comprises the automatic register of the road condition (2) for determining the precise road condition the vehicle is moving in where it distinguishes dry road, wet road, snowy road and icy road Automatic and semi-automatic beam regulation system pursuant to claim 3 characterized by the fact that it comprises a light signaling device or light and sound signaling device (3) which alerts the driver of the vehicle with beams on of the precise moment when manual low/high beam or high/low beam regulation should be performed or of the moment when the driver has to start decelerating from the maximum speed limit of the vehicle Automatic and semi-automatic regulation system pursuant to claim 4 characterized by the fact that it comprises the central automatic unit ( 1 ) which features the following a) it contains the module which stores

- the first fixed program consisting of four accurate speed values of the vehicle in motion at which the length of its stopping distance equals precisely the length of its low beams when the vehicle moves in every of the four known road conditions

- the second fixed program consisting of four accurate speed values of the vehicle in motion at which the length of its stopping distance equals precisely WO 00/50260 PCTtHROO/00004

19 the length of its high beams when the vehicle moves in every of the four known road conditions b) it is fed with

- the first variable information entry from the automatic register of the road condition (2) which shows the exact current road condition of the vehicle in motion and

- the second variable information entry directly from the speedometer of the vehicle (4) or from ABS signal from the brakes which shows the exact current road condition of the vehicle in motion c) it is a separate system element Automatic and semi-automatic regulation system pursuant to claim 5 characterized by the fact that from the technical point of view it is designed as a very simple, fully automatic multifunctional system of programs and information on the basis of whose results this automatic and semi-automatic low/high beam regulation and high/low beam regulation system for the existing light system in motor vehicles of all types and kinds functions determining the maximum speed of the vehicle Automatic and semi-automatic regulation system pursuant to claim 6 characterized by the fact that the central automatic unit (1) is built in the speedometer of the vehicle (4) and together they make one unit (7) Automatic and semi-automatic regulation system pursuant to claims 6 or 7 characterized by the fact that

- low/high beam or high / low beam regulation is executed automatically, and

- at the precise moment when a vehicle in motion with high beams on reaches its maximum speed, the driver is blocked from further accelerating Automatic and semi-automatic regulation system pursuant to claims 6 or 7 characterized by the fact that

- low/high beam or high / low beam regulation is executed automatically, and

- at the precise moment when a vehicle in motion with high beams on reaches its maximum speed, the driver is alarmed by an appropriate signal from the light signaling device or light and sound signaling device (3) to start decelerating immediately Automatic and semi-automatic regulation system pursuant to claims 6 or 7 characterized by the fact that - at the precise moment when low/high beam or high / low beam regulation must be performed in a vehicle in motion with high beams on by means of an appropriate light signaling device or light and sound signaling device (3) the driver is alarmed to perform manual beam regulation, and

- at the precise moment when a vehicle in motion with high beams on reaches its maximum speed, the driver is automatically blocked and prevented from further acceleration

11 Automatic and semi-automatic regulation system pursuant to claims 6 or 7 characterized by the fact that

- at the precise moment when low/high beam or high/low beam regulation should be initiated in a vehicle in motion with beams on by means of an appropriate signal from the light signaling device or light and sound signaling device (3) the driver is alarmed to perform manual beam regulation and

- at the precise moment when a vehicle in motion with high beams on reaches its maximum speed the driver is alarmed to start decelerating immediately by means of an appropriate signal from the light signaling device or light and sound signaling device (3)

12 Automatic and semi-automatic regulation system pursuant to claims 1-11 characterized by the fact that it is fully universal and that it may be installed directly in the existing headlight system of new and old motor vehicles of all types and kinds while this installation is in no way forbidden or obstructed by regulations in force for the headlight system in motor vehicles

13 Automatic and semi-automatic regulation system pursuant to claims 1-12 characterized by the fact that it is a true and only technical and safety foundation for amendment of the- current regulations which unfortunately still regulate the headlight system in motor vehicles, therefore, the suggested text goes as follows

Rule l

WHEN A VEHICLE IS MOVING WITH BEAMS ON, LOW/HIGH BEAM REGULATION

AND HIGH/LOW BEAM REGULATION SHOULD BE INITIATED AT THE EXACT

MOMENT WHEN THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE BECOMES LONGER

OR SHORTER THAN THE LENGTH OF ITS LOW BEAMS, which is finally defined with the following formulas STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE LONGER THAN THE LENGTH OF ITS

LOW BEAMS = HIGH BEAMS and

STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE SHORTER THAN THE LENGTH OF ITS

LOW BEAMS = LOW BEAMS

Rule 2

A VEHICLE SHOULD MOVE WITH HIGH BEAMS ON ONLY UP TO ITS PRECISELY

DEFINED SPEED AT WHICH ITS STOPPING DISTANCE IS EQUAL TO THE LENGTH

OF ITS HIGH BEAMS which is also finally defined with the formula

STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE EQUAL TO THE LENGTH OF ITS HIGH

BEAMS - MAXIMUM SPEED OF THE VEHICLE

14 Automatic and semi-automatic regulation system pursuant to claims 1-13 characterized by the fact that it is a true and only technical and safety foundation for amendment of the current regulations which unfortunately still regulate the maximum speed limits in motor vehicles of all types and kinds in Europe Therefore, the suggested text should be accordingly amended on the basis of the formula which states that

STOPPING DISTANCE OF 100 METERS = MAXIMUM SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. it was proved that stopping distances of almost all motor vehicles manufactured today moving at their maximum speed limit of 130 km/h in Europe on a dry road ( this speed can only be reached on a dry road) are longer or much longer than 100 meters, i e than their high beam length which means that vehicles with beams on cannot and must not drive at the maximum speed limit of 130 km/h because their existing 100 meter-long high beams do not allow them to move at their present allowed maximum speeds, therefore, in order to achieve substantial increase of safety and protection of all traffic participants, the current regulations should be amended by new suggested text concerning the present speed limits for motor vehicles of all types and kinds in Europe in the following way

TO REDUCE THE PRESENT MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT OF VEHICLES AT 130

KM/H AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND TO DO THE SAME WITH OTHER

MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS FOR OTHER VEHICLES / BUSES, TRUCKS, VANS,

JEEPS) BECAUSE IT IS AN IRREFUTABLE FACT THAT THEIR EXISTING 100 METER-LONG HIGH BEAMS DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO MOVE AT THEIR

PRESENT ALLOWED MAXIMUM SPEEDS, this means:

IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY THAT THESE TWO INTERCONNECTED

FACTORS - MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT AND HIGH BEAM LENGTH, WHICH

HAVE A VITAL ROLE IN SAFETY FOR ALL TRAFFIC PARTICIPANTS,

SHOULD ONCE AND FOR ALL BE ADJUSTED WITH ONE ANOTHER.