SWITCHING DEVICE

Abstract: A means for switching the headlights on vehicles such as automobiles between full beam and half beam. When the light is switched from half to full beam the half beam disappears. The present invention enables the half beam to remain even while the full-beam setting is on, by the use of preferably a diode in the current circuit for the light setting.

Description: Switching device The present invention relates to a means for switching between light settings on vehicles such as automobiles and the like. When driving after dark on trafficated roads, the driver must switch from full to half beam when meeting another vehicle. When full beam is switched on again, the half beam disappears. The object of the present invention is to provide a means enabling the half beam to remain even while the full beam is lit. This means that the light cone from both full and half beams will illuminate the road simultaneously, thus providing a stronger light. As well as extending different distances, the light cones for half beam and full beam also have different contours and thus supplement each other to provide - the best possible field of vision during night driving. According to the invention, this coordination of half and full beam is achieved by arranging current control such as a diode in the current circuit for the lighting system. The diode is preferably connected in the cable from the • current switch or in the light switch, a relay, or the bulb i the illumination means may be provided with a diode. The diode is connected in such a way that at half-beam setting only the filaments for half beam supply light, but at full-beam setting the filaments for both full beam and half beam supply light. As an alternative to the diode, current may be supplied to the resistance wires for half-beam setting by means of a current-conducting element such as a cable, while the full beam is also connected. The cable is preferably connected into the electrical system via the current switch or via the fuse box. The invention has been described above with reference to the light switch on transport means, preferably automobiles, but may of course also be used in other applications where the light setting may assume alternative positions. One prefered embodiment of the present invention is shown in the accompanying drawing in which Figures 1-5 show a switching device according to the invention in different perspectives The switching device 1 consists of a diode 2, for example 8327, 40HF40, and three flat plugs 3 in a plastic body 4. The device 1 is connectable in the bulb in the illumination means.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Means for switching between light settings on vehicles such as automobiles and the like, characterised in that current control is arranged in the current circuit for the light setting so that in a first position of the light setting current is supplied via a first resistance wire in an illumination means and in a second position of the light setting current is supplied both via said first resistance wire and via a second resistance wire in the illumination means. 2. Means according to claim 1, characterised in that the current control is effected by means of a diode. 3. Means according to claim 2, characterised in that the diode is connected in the cable from the current switch or in the light switch or is arranged in the bulb of the illumination means. 4. Means according to claim 1, characterised in that the current control is effected by a current-conducting element, such as a cable, which is connected into the electrical system, preferably via the current switch or via the fuse box for the electrical system.

Inventors: ROENNDAHL SYLVE, ROENNDAHL, SYLVE
Applicants: ROENNDAHL SYLVE, ROENNDAHL, SYLVE
Application year: 1985
Main classification: B60Q1
IPC codes: H01K1, H05B39