US3909661A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic control for automobile lights
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-07-22
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1994-07-22
Abstract
Abstract An electronic circuit is described which is adapted to be interconnected with conventional automobile lighting circuitry systems for automatically turning off lights of the automobile after a time delay if those lights have been inadvertently left on when the ignition switch is turned off.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E Grossenbacher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:31
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q9/00; B60Q9/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
323 words
In a control system for automobile lights including a storage battery having two terminals, one terminal being connected to ground, a plurality of lights, a manual light switch connected between the remaining battery terminal and said lights and an ignition switch connected between said battery and other electrical loads on said battery in said automobile, an electronic control circuit, comprising in combination, sensing circuitry means electrically connected to said ignition switch and said manual switch, producing a voltage output when said light switch is closed and said ignition switch is open including, a transistor having an emitter electrically connected to said lights, a base, and a collector, a resistor connected between said collector of said transistor and ground, a current switching means electrically connected between said ignition switch and said base of said transistor, for electrically preventing current flow at said base of said transistor when said ignition switch is closed and for electrically allowing current flow to ground at said base of said transistor when said ignition switch is opened, whereby said transistor electrically isolates said resistor when said ignition switch is closed and whereby, when said light switch is closed and said ignition switch is open, said transistor is conductive to provide a voltage potential across said resistor, said voltage potential across said resistor being the voltage output of said sensing circuitry means; delay circuitry means receiving said voltage output from said sensing circuitry means for providing voltage output after a time delay, a normally open electrically energized relay switching means connected in series between said manual light switch and said plurality of lights, driver circuitry means for energizing and closing said normally open relay when said manual light switch is closed and for deenergizing said relay responsive to the voltage output from said delay means to thereby interrupt a circuit between said battery and said plurality of lights when said light switch is closed and said ignition switch is open.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
323 words
In a control system for automobile lights including a storage battery having two terminals, one terminal being connected to ground, a plurality of lights, a manual light switch connected between the remaining battery terminal and said lights and an ignition switch connected between said battery and other electrical loads on said battery in said automobile, an electronic control circuit, comprising in combination, sensing circuitry means electrically connected to said ignition switch and said manual switch, producing a voltage output when said light switch is closed and said ignition switch is open including, a transistor having an emitter electrically connected to said lights, a base, and a collector, a resistor connected between said collector of said transistor and ground, a current switching means electrically connected between said ignition switch and said base of said transistor, for electrically preventing current flow at said base of said transistor when said ignition switch is closed and for electrically allowing current flow to ground at said base of said transistor when said ignition switch is opened, whereby said transistor electrically isolates said resistor when said ignition switch is closed and whereby, when said light switch is closed and said ignition switch is open, said transistor is conductive to provide a voltage potential across said resistor, said voltage potential across said resistor being the voltage output of said sensing circuitry means; delay circuitry means receiving said voltage output from said sensing circuitry means for providing voltage output after a time delay, a normally open electrically energized relay switching means connected in series between said manual light switch and said plurality of lights, driver circuitry means for energizing and closing said normally open relay when said manual light switch is closed and for deenergizing said relay responsive to the voltage output from said delay means to thereby interrupt a circuit between said battery and said plurality of lights when said light switch is closed and said ignition switch is open.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
The circuitry of claim 1 further defined in that said normally open electrically energized relay switching means includes an energizing coil having a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal being electrically connected to said manual light switch, said second terminal being electrically connected to said driver circuitry means, whereby an electrical current flowing from said first terminal to said second terminal energizes said coil and closes said relay, thereby completing a circuit between said battery, lights and ground.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
178 words
The circuitry of claim 1 further defined in that said driver circuitry means comprises, in combination, a silicon controlled switch having an anode electrically conNected both to said second terminal of said coil and to receive a voltage output of said delay circuitry means, a cathode electrically connected to ground and a gate connection, said silicon controlled switch having a conducting state and a non-conducting state whereby said silicon controlled switch completes an electrical circuit from said manual light switch through said energizing coil to ground when in a conducting state, a voltage pulse generating circuitry means connected between said manual light switch and ground for generating a voltage pulse output at said gate connection of said silicon controlled switch for switching said silicon controlled switch to a conducting state when said manual light switch is closed, whereby said silicon controlled switch changes to a nonconducting state upon receiving the voltage output of said delay circuitry means, thereby interrupting current flow energizing said coil, allowing said relay switch means to open, turning off said lights of said automobile.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
100 words
The circuitry of claim 3 further defined in that said current switching means comprises a first zener diode having a zener voltage value and having an anode electrically connected to said ignition switch and a cathode, a blocking diode having a cathode electrically connected to said cathode of said zener diode and an anode electrically connected to the base of said transistor, a second resistance connected between said anode of said zener diode and ground whereby when said ignition switch is open an electrical potential is impressed across said zener diode which exceeds said zener voltage of said zener diode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
The circuitry of claim 3 wherein said current switching means comprises a second transistor having an emitter electrically connected to said ignition switch and having a collector electrically connected to said base of said transistor, said base of said second transistor being unconnected, whereby an emitter base junction of said second transistor functions as a zener diode and a collector-base junction of said transistor functions as a blocking diode, a resistance electrically connected between said emitter of said second transistor and ground.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
292 words
The circuitry of claim 3 further defined in that said delay circuitry means comprises, in combination, two dividing resistances connected in series between said voltage output of said sensing circuitry means and ground, a third resistance and a capacitor electrically connected in series between said voltage output of said sensing circuitry means and ground in parallel with said dividing resistances, a programmable, uni-junction transistor having a program junction electrically connected between said dividing resistances, an anode electrically connected between said third resistance and said capacitor and a cathode electrically connected to ground, said prorammable uni-junction transistor having a conducting state when the voltage potential at said anode is greater than the voltage potential at said programmed junction, and a non-conducting state when said voltage potential at said anode is less than the voltage potential at said programmed junction, said programmable uni-junction transistor being initially in a nonconducting state, whereby the voltage output from said sensing circuitry means fully charges said capacitor, raising the voltage potential at the anode of said programmable uni-junction transistor for switching it to a conducting state when voltage potential across said capacitor reaches a threshold value, said threshold value being determined by the voltage divider ratio of said dividing resistances, and whereby a time delay is provided, said time delay being the time it takes said voltage potential to cross said capacitor to reach said threshold value, a commutating capacitor electrically connected between the respective anodes of said silicone controlled switch and said programmable uni-junction transistor, a voltage potential being impressed across said commUtating capacitor, for switching said silicon control switch to a nonconducting state when said programmable uni-junction transistor becomes conducting, said voltage potential across said commutating capacitor being the voltage output of said delay circuitry means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3818267A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |