Patent ID: 8068961
Filing Date: 2011-11-29
Classification: B60Q,E01H

Abstract:
1. A headlight control system for controlling a first headlight of a vehicle having its lighting system connected to a first headlight on a snow plow having a snow plow blade, the first headlight of the vehicle being disconnected when the first headlight of the snow plow is connected to be operated by the lighting system of the vehicle, said headlight control system comprising: a blade position monitor which determines whether or not the snow plow blade is in a lowered position; a first headlight power sensor which senses whether or not the first headlight of the snow plow is being provided with power by the lighting system of the vehicle to illuminate the first headlight of the snow plow; a first vehicle headlight controller which automatically illuminates the first headlight of the vehicle when and only when the blade of the snow plow has been determined to be in a lowered position and electrical power is supplied to the first headlight of the snow plow by the lighting system of the vehicle to illuminate the first headlight of the snow plow, wherein the snow plow blade is operated by a hydraulic system having an electrically-operated hydraulic valve for lowering the snow plow blade which is controlled by an electrical signal supplied by a plow controller to the electrically-operated hydraulic valve on an electrical connection between the plow controller and the electrically-operated hydraulic valve for lowering the snow plow blade, and wherein said blade position monitor comprises: an electrical connection between said first vehicle headlight controller and the electrical connection between the plow controller and the electrically-operated hydraulic valve for lowering the snow plow blade, wherein the plow controller is a ground-switching plow controller that electrically connects the electrical connection between the plow controller and the electrically-operated hydraulic valve for lowering the snow plow blade to electrical ground to cause the electrically-operated hydraulic valve for lowering the snow plow blade to lower the snow plow blade; a first diode having an anode electrically connected to the electrically-operated hydraulic valve for lowering the snow plow blade, said first diode also having a cathode; and a second diode having an anode that is electrically connected to said cathode of said first diode and a cathode that is electrically connected to said plow controller; wherein said first vehicle headlight controller is connected to said cathode of said first diode and said anode of said second diode, isolating said first vehicle headlight controller from the plow controller and the electrically-operated hydraulic valve for lowering the snow plow blade.