An electronically controlled lighting system for automotive vehicles providing a selective light non-visible to counter traffic drivers

Abstract: An electronically controlled lighting system allowing vehicles travelling in opposite directions to use their lights on a time sharing basis, alternately in mutually exclusive, interleaved and equidistant time slots. Thus, the two light beams of vehicles travelling in opposite directions are separated in time and hence non-visible to counter traffic drivers. The time slots are short and sufficiently frequent so the viewers experience a continuous light. The vehicles are equipped with special lamps generating intermittent light and the drivers are equipped with an ocular arrangement allowing the driver to see his own light emitted in a given set of time slots and preventing him from seeing the light emitted in a different set of time slots by counter traffic lamps. An electronic device provided with an oscillator clock maintains a precise time slot definition and controls timely operation of the system. The oscillator clocks of all vehicles are synchronized with a master clock. Consequently, the system allows drivers to use high beam lights also at meetings without dazzling the counter traffic drivers and the counter traffic light is completely invisible to them. Thus, the system increases driving comfort and security.

Description: The invention concerns an electronically controlled lighting system for automotive vehicles, such as automobiles, autobuses, trucks, etc., providing a selective light, non-visible (hence non-dazzling) to drivers of vehicles equipped with the system and travelling in opposite directions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION At the present state of art, for driving at night hours the vehicles are equipped with a lighting system consisting of reflector lamps having two positions, the so called low beam and high beam lights. The high beam lights provide good visibility at far distances and are essentially used on motorways where the speed of cars is relatively high. The high beam lights produce, however, a high degree of dazzling effect. Therefore, at meetings of counter traffic and in populated areas the drivers must switch over from high beam to low beam lights in order to avoid dazzling drivers travelling in opposite direction. The low beam lights provide indeed lesser degree of dazzling effect, but the visibility is less good and of shorter range. Still, the low beam lights are not completely free of the dazzling effect. Thus, the present art of lighting for automotive vehicles produces dazzling when driving at night hours, aspecially when used in the high beam position. This results in discomfort, ocular problems, irritations and driving difficulties which may in the worst case even cause accidents. In the past, several patents have been filed defining various lighting systems for automobiles with the aim to reduce the glare effect. One of them, the patent application DE 391 961 2 A1, published on 3.1.91 defines a lighting system wherein vehicles travelling in opposite directions use alternately their respective lights. It suggests each vehicle to be equipped with stroboscopic lamps, a liquid cristal screen and an electronic device. The use of lights is mutually coordinated by counter traffic vehicles by means of the electronic device. For the purpose of synchronization the electronic device is equipped with a radio receiver for coordination at larger distances and with a photo-sensitive receiver for coordination at short distances by means of lights from the counter traffic vehicle. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The invention disclosed here is defined in claim 1 and eliminates completely the dazzling effect as it provides a light which is completely invisible to drivers of vehicles travelling, in opposite directions. Further embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. According to claim 1 of the invention, drivers of vehicles travelling in opposite directions use their respective lights on a time sharing basis. The lights are used alternately, in different, equidistant and mutually exclusive, interleaved time slots. Thus, for instance if time is divided into equidistant and consecutively numbered time slots, say t0,t1,t2,t3 ... etc., the vehicles travelling in one direction (e.g. A; Fig.1) emit their light and the drivers of these vehicles view the light only in say the even-numbered time slots t0,t2,t4, ... etc., while vehicles travelling in the opposite direction (B; Fig.1) emit their light and drivers of these vehicles see the light only in the odd-numbered set of time slots,t1,t3,t5, .... etc. Thus, the light beams generated by the respective vehicles travelling in opposite directions are separated in time. The vehicles are equipped with a lamp arrangement emitting intermittent light in the scheduled set of time slots and the drivers are equipped with an ocular arrangement which enables them to see the light emitted in their own vehicle and preventing them from seeing the light emitted by the counter traffic vehicles. The length of the time slots is sufficiently short and so the frequency of the lighting periods is sufficiently high, such that the respective drivers experience a continuous light. According to further embodiments of the invention, an electronic device provided with a microprocessor and an oscillator clock controls the precise time slot generation and timely operation of the ocular arrangement and of the lamp arrangement emitting intermittent light. For proper operation of the lighting system the oscillator clocks in all vehicles are synchronized with a master clock. In order to prevent counter traffic vehicles to operate in the same set of time slots the electronic device has an arrangement allowing the drivers to switch the operation of their equipment from the even-numbered set of time slots to the odd-numbered set of time slots and "vice versa". Fig.1 depicts the principle of time being divided into equidistant time slots and the principle of alternate use of lights by vehicles travelling in opposite directions. Thus, the invention provides excellent visibility to each driver but the light emitted by the counter traffic vehicles is completely invisible to the respective drivers travelling in opposite directions. The invention disclosed here can be used in many applications, such as automobiles, autobuses, motorcycles, boats, trains, helicopters, etc. The invention results in obvious advantages. It allows drivers of vehicles to use the high beam lights, also at meeting counter traffic without dazzling drivers travelling in the opposite direction and without being dazzled by counter traffic lights. Consequently, the system provides perfect visibility at far distances and at close range, improves driving comfort and reduces the risk for ocular problems and accidents. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig.1 is a schematic showing the principle of time being divided into equidistant time slots and the principle of alternate use of lights on time sharing basis by vehicles travelling in opposite directions. Fig.2 is a schematic showing the elements of the equipment unit required for each vehicle. Fig.3 is a schematic showing the principle used to synchronize the operation of the lighting systems in all vehicles with a timing signal broadcasted from a master clock. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS There are several ways to carry out the invention. Fig. 2 depicts one possible way of building the system and shows the equipment unit required for each vehicle. The equipment unit in this case consists of special reflector lamps (1) generating intermittent light; a special binocular (8) to be used by the driver; an alectronic device (12) for the control of timely operation of the lamps and of the binocular. The reflector lamps (1) have a special design. The bulb (5) is still located in the focal point of the parabolic reflector (2), but is separated from the reflector by a solid screen (3). The screen is provided with a window (4) through which the bulb (5) emits light towards the reflector (2). In front of the window (4) there is a movable flap (6), which is operated by a relay (7) alternately closing and opening the window (4). In this way the reflector lamp (1) generates an intermittent light. Similarly, the binocular (8), to be used by the driver of the vehicle, has a special design. It has windows (9), through which the driver of the vehicle views, and flaps (10) operated by relays (11) alternately closing and opening the windows (9) and hence the driver's view. The electronic device (12) comprises a preprogrammed microprocessor (13); an oscillator clock (14); relay drives (15); power ON/OFF switch (20); SLEEP/OPERATION switch (23); time slot set selection switch (16); inlet for reception of synchronization signal (17); outlet for transmission of synchronization signal (18); synchronization demand switch (19); pre-tuned antenna (21) and associated receiver (22) for reception of synchronization timing signal, centrally broadcasted from a master clock. The microprocessor (13) includes a program of commands for activation of the relay drives (15), which in turn operate the relays (7) and (11). Using the oscillator clock (14) the microprocessor (13) maintains a precise time slot definition and controls that the flaps (6) and (10) close the windows (4) and (9) at the same time and open them at the same time and that this occurs in the scheduled set of time slots. The vehicle provided with the equipment unit generates light and its driver views the light in the "open" state only. During the "closed" period the driver does not see the light which may be generated by a counter traffic vehicle equipped with the same lighting system but operating in a different set of time slots. The frequency of the "open" periods is sufficiently high (ca 50 Hz), such that the viewers see a continuous light. The electronic device (12) is provided with a switch (16) enabling the driver to switch the operation of his equipment unit from the even-numbered set of time slots to the odd-numbered set of time slots and "vice versa". In fact, using the switch (16) the driver has the choice either to view the counter traffic light or not. It must also be noted that drivers will in all circumstances see the light emitted by lamps which are not connected to the system. Thus, position (parking) lights of vehicles can be made visible, which is good from the security point of view. For accurate operation of the lighting system the oscillator clock (14) of the equipment units in all vehicles must be synchronized. The microprocessor (13) includes a program routine to receive the synchronization signal over the inlet (17) and to perform synchronization of the oscillator clock (14) with a master clock. The synchronization is preferably done with the timing signal derived from the atomic clock at the German National Bureau of Standards. The signal is broadcasted from Frankfurt (24) and can be received in practically all parts of Europe. In this case the timing signal is received over a pretuned antenna (21) and associated receiver (22) which is connected to the inlet (17). The synchronization is in this case done with a certain frequency and automatically on a continuous basis without any intervention from the driver of the vehicle beeing necessary. As an additional feature, the microprocessor (13) has also a program routine transmitting with certain frequency a synchronization signal to the outlet (18). This signal can be used to synchronize oscillator clocks in other electronic devices. In this case the device to be synchronized must pick up the signal over its inlet (17) and the synchronization must be requested by activating its switch (19). The electronic device is also equipped with a power ON/OFF switch (20) and a SLEEP/OPERATION switch (23). The latter gives the driver of the vehicle the choice to put the system in OPERATION or into a SLEEP state once the power is ON and whenever convenient, for reduced power consumption. In Fig.2 only one reflector lamp is shown. The electronic device (12), however, can drive and control several lamps at the same time. As an alternative, a stroboscopic type of flash tube providing intermittent light can be used instead of the reflector lamp (1). In that case the frequency and the timing of flashes is determined by the microprocessor (13) and operated by an appropriate drive. The invention is principally applicable to high beam lights and hence to driving on rural roads and on motorways at higher speeds when the visibility of further reach is of importance and high beam light is required. The invention, however, can be used in the high beam as well as in the low beam positions. Thus, in populated areas, cities, villages and communities the vehicles will be using the invention in the low beam position and those who do not have access to the invention will experience the light in the same way as the present state of art light. Two prototype units of the invention have been built in accordance with the description above. All tests have been completed and have fully confirmed the operational objectives and expectations of the system.

Claims: An electronically controlled lighting system for automotive vehicles providing means used by at least a first driver and a second driver of respectively at least a first vehicle (A) and a second vehicle (B) travelling in opposite directions to use their respective lights on time sharing basis, alternately in different, mutually exclusive, and equidistant time slots (t0, t1, t2, t3, etc) corresponding to a frequency of light periods, such that the first vehicle (A) traveling in one direction emit its light and the first driver of the first vehicle view this light only in, for example, the even-numbered set of time slots (t0, t2, etc) while the second vehicle (B) travelling in the opposite direction emit its light and the second driver of the second vehicle view this light only in, for example, the odd- numbered set of time slots (t1, t3, etc), such that the two light beams of the first vehicle and the second vehicle traveling in opposite directions are in separated time slots; wherein the length of the time slots is maintained sufficiently short and so the frequency of the light periods is sufficiently high, such that each of the drivers of the vehicles experiences a continuous light emitted by his own vehicle only and do not see the light emitted by the vehicle travelling in the opposite direction (Fig.1); the system including an equipment unit installed in each vehicle, comprising a special lamp arrangement (1), a special ocular arrangement for the driver of the vehicle (8), an electronic device (12), wherein the special lamp arrangement (1) alternately turns on and off the light, providing in this way an intermittent light, and the ocular arrangement alternately enabling the driver's view when the light in his vehicle is turned on and obstructing his view when the light in his vehicle is turned off; said electronic device (12) being provided with an oscillator clock (14) for the control of the precise time slot definition, and the timely operation of the lamp arrangement and of the ocular arrangement, such that the driver's view is opened and the light is turned on in the same set of time slots; and characterized in that the electronic device (12) has a feature (16) enabling the drivers of the vehicles to change the operation of the equipment unit from the even-numbered set of time slots to the odd-numbered set of time slots, and "vice versa"; and the oscillator clock (14) of the electronic device is synchronized in all vehicles, as frequently as required, with a central master clock (24), such that the equipment units in all vehicles continuously operate using the same time slot definition. A lighting system as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the lamp arrangement consists of a reflector lamp (1), composed of a parabolic reflector (2), a light emitting bulb (5) placed in the focus of the reflector (2) and a screen arrangement (3) provided with a window (4) and placed between the bulb (5) and the reflector (2), such that the light is emitted through the window (4) towards the reflector (2); and wherein the screen arrangement(3) is provided with a relay (7) which is controlled by the electronic device (12) and which operates the flap (6) alternately closing and opening the window (4), such that the reflector lamp (1) produces an intermittent light in the set of time slots as determined by the electronic device (12). A lighting system as defined in claim 2, characterized in that the ocular arrangement consists of a binocular (8) provided with windows (9) for viewing, and relays (11) which are controlled by the electronic device (12) and which operate the flaps (10) alternately closing and opening the windows (9) for viewing in the set of time slots as determined by the electronic device (12). A lighting system as defined in claim 3, characterized in that the electronic device (12) comprises, a preprogrammed microprocessor (13); an oscillator clock (14); relay drives (15); a power ON/OFF switch (20); a device OPERATION/SLEEP switch (23); a time slot set selection switch (16); a synchronization demand switch (19); an inlet (17) to the microprocessor (13) for the reception of synchronization timing signal; an outlet (18) from the microprocessor (13) for the transmission of synchronization timing signal; wherein the microprocessor (13) is provided with a program routine defining precisely the time schedule for the even-numbered time slots and for the odd-numbered time slots and the time schedule for commands to be sent to the respective relay drives (15) for timely operation of the light generating lamps (1) and the binocular (8) and comprises program routines for the reception and execution of operational commands to be activated by the driver of the vehicle by means of the switches (16,19,20,23); and wherein the said time slot set selection switch (16) gives the driver of the vehicle the choice, to operate the equipment unit either in the even-numbered set of time slots or in the odd-numbered set of time slots (Fig. 1) and the said device OPERATION/SLEEP switch (23) gives the driver of the vehicle the choice, once the power switch (20) is on, either to put the equipment unit in operation or into a sleep state for reduced power consumption; said microprocessor (13) being provided with a program routine for the reception of timing signal from the master clock through the inlet (17) and further has a program routine for the synchronization of the oscillator clock (14) with the master clock; and wherein the electronic device (12), is transmitting with a certain frequency, a synchronization signal through the outlet (18) for the purpose of synchronizing oscillator clocks (14) of equipment units in other vehicles, in which case the synchronization must be requested using the switch (19) of the electronic device to be synchronized. A lighting system as defined in claim 4, characterized in that the special reflector lamp (Fig.2) is replaced by a stroboscopic type of flash tube providing an intermittent light in the set of time slots as determined by the electronic device (12). A lighting system as defined in claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the oscillator clock (14) of the electronic device (12) is synchronized with the central timing signal broadcasted from Frankfurt (24) by the German National Bureau of Standards, in which case the timing signal is received by the microprocessor (13) over a pretuned antenna (21) and associated receiver (22) connected to the inlet (17) of the electronic device (12). A lighting system as defined in claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the oscillator clock (14) of the electronic device (12) is synchronized by means of a central timing signal transmitted over satellite, in which case the timing signal is received by the microprocessor (13) over a special satellite antenna (25) and associated receiver (26) connected to the inlet (17) of the electronic device (12). A lighting system as defined in claims 1 to 7, characterized in that its application extends to vehicles, such as automobiles, autobuses, trucks, trains, motorcycles, boats and helicopters.

Inventors: SZYBICKI EDMUND, SZYBICKI, EDMUND
Applicants: SZYBICKI EDMUND, SZYBICKI, EDMUND
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B60Q1
IPC codes: B60Q1, F21S8