Patent · US Expired

Automatic light control for automotive vehicles

US4376909A · kind A · utility

108Cited by
7References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 9, 1980
Grant dateMar 15, 1983
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 9, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60Q2300/314
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An automatic light control for automotive vehicles includes a relay connected to a power source by way of a main switch and an electronic switch, and a control circuit for on-off control of the electronic switch. In the control circuit, a brightness sensor produces a signal representing the ambient brightness which is compared with a predetermined reference signal by comparator means. The electronic switch is turned on or off in response to the difference in output of the comparator means to energize or deenergize the relay to thereby turn the vehicle lights on or off. The control may include two main light control circuits of identical configuration arranged in parallel, each of which serves as a back-up circuit for the other, and a monitor circuit adapted to issue an alarm when the two circuits produce unequal outputs.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.