US4408142A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for the control of the luminous flux from a main beam bulb in a motor vehicle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-05-20
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Granted: 1983-10-04
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Expires: 2001-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A device for causing the luminous flux from a main beam bulb (8) to fall gradually when the headlights are switched to dipped beam. The current to the dipped beam bulb is made to control a control circuit (6) which will gradually reduce the current supply to the main beam bulb (8). The control circuit incorporates an oscillator (65) which causes a counting chain (66a-66d) to advance. This activates a diode matrix (68) which is arranged so as to control the main beam bulb (8) via a shift register (69). The positioning of the diodes in the diode matrix will determine the shape of the dimming curve for the luminous flux.
Inventors
- 👤 Sven O. E. Wilje
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 03:08
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/14; B60Q1/1415
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A circuit providing a gradual decrease in the luminous flux emitted by a main beam headlamp in a motor vehicle upon the generation of a switching signal indicating a changeover from main beam to dimmed beam, comprising: an oscillator for generating output pulses; a counter for counting said output pulses upon the occurrence of said switching signal; means responsive to said counter for producing a headlamp control signal that varies over time to represent a gradual decrease in luminous flux according to a predetermined pattern; and an exciter responsive to said headlamp control signal for reducing the current in the main beam headlamp in accordance with said pattern.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A circuit providing a gradual decrease in the luminous flux emitted by a main beam headlamp in a motor vehicle upon the generation of a switching signal indicating a changeover from main beam to dimmed beam, comprising: an oscillator for generating output pulses; a counter for counting said output pulses upon the occurrence of said switching signal; means responsive to said counter for producing a headlamp control signal that varies over time to represent a gradual decrease in luminous flux according to a predetermined pattern; and an exciter responsive to said headlamp control signal for reducing the current in the main beam headlamp in accordance with said pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The circuit of claim 1 wherein said control signal producing means comprises a decoder producing output signals related to the contents of said counter, a diode matrix for receiving said output signals and producing corresponding information signals, and a shift register for receiving said information signals and generating said headlamp control signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The circuit of claim 1 further including means for resetting said counter to zero upon the generation of said switching signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The circuit of claim 1 further including means responsive to a signal indicating changeover from dimmed beam to main beam for maintaining said counter in a reset state for a predetermined time period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The circuit of claim 4 wherein said reset maintaining means includes a delay circuit that is activated by said changeover signal to generate a reset signal for said predetermined time period.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The circuit of claim 1, wherein said oscillator is activated by said switching signal to generate said output pulses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The circuit of claim 1 wherein said exciter includes a transistor connected in series with the main beam headlamp.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The circuit of claim 2 wherein the position of diodes in said diode matrix determines said predetermined pattern.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3784874A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-10-03 | 1987-04-04 | 1987-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-03 | 1991-04-04 | 1991-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-03 | 1995-04-04 | 1995-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |