Abstract:
A vehicular lighting control system for controlling the illumination of a vehicle&#39;s external directional/turn signaling and/or hazard lighting, by controlling continuous illumination of pairs of the brightest filaments of single or dual filament bulb designed vehicles. The system controls to operate the brightest filaments when the operator wishes to draw attention to the vehicle for safety, or for visibility purposes, without the same system negatively affecting normal operation of existing turn signal/hazard warning systems. The system automatically and manually controls the light output as desired by the vehicle operator, incorporates the vehicle&#39;s internal turn signal bulb-failure indication subsystem to continuously monitor the target bulbs for any failure event, and employs a dynamic safety reconnect feature, an attribute which reconnects factory wiring with factory bulbs instantaneously with any signaling or hazards activation. The device employs a zero-system current drain, actual dual bulb activation/current consumption notwithstanding, for minimum environmental impact/maximum fuel conservation.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This non-provisional patent application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/690,044, which was filed on Oct. 21, 2003, and claims priority from PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US04/34535, which was filed on Oct. 20, 2004 and designated the United States, each of which are relied upon and incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is a multiple application device that relates to automotive directional lamp arrangements, more commonly known as turn signal lamps, and more particularly to a module/system for generating high-intensity daytime running lights (DRLs) on a vehicle utilizing existing front directional/turn signal lamps, yet still retaining a vehicle&#39;s internal turn signal bulb-failure detection system, when present. Additionally, the utilization of this device in rear lamp motorcycle safety applications deems that the present invention is a general-purpose vehicular turn signal control system.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     It is relatively well known and somewhat accepted on a global scale that automobiles that possess some form of lights illuminated during daytime operation provide a safer means of transportation than vehicles operating during the day with no lights at all. Hundreds of thousands of buses, both school and mass transit types, currently travel with their headlights on at all times to improve their collision avoidance characteristics with respect to other vehicles, and thereby increasing vehicle occupant safety. Additionally, millions of people drive with their headlights on every day, choosing to do so as a defensive safety precaution. It is a matter of fact that the governments of seven nations have made it mandatory for some form of daytime running lights on automobiles to be continuously lit whenever the vehicle is in operation, either as lights dedicated to that function, or for the headlights of that vehicle itself to be activated during daytime vehicle operation. Numerous foreign studies spanning more than a quarter of a century have statistically proven either single digit or double-digit percentage improvements in the reduction of multi-vehicle daytime accidents through the use of some form of daytime running lights, even if this is as simple as mandatory legislated headlights being illuminated during the daytime. In addition, studies have also shown that when accident reports are analyzed specifically with respect to head-on, front corner, and especially left turn collisions occurring between vehicles during daytime hours, a statistical reduction of accidents occurs in study groups of vehicles with daytime running lights compared with control groups of similar vehicles not equipped with this collision avoidance feature. In a comparison between rental car vehicles having daytime running lights and those not having daytime running lights, it has been shown that the costs of collision repairs for vehicles with DRLs are almost 70% lower than the collision repair bills of vehicles without DRLs. If it is presumed that these collisions were ‘unavoidable’, then these results indicate that daytime running lights aid drivers in the mechanism of observing emergency multi-vehicle situations sooner, and therefore reacting faster to such situations. Faster reaction on the other driver&#39;s part leads to less damage inflicted upon the daytime running light equipped vehicles, specifically applying their brakes sooner or turning away more quickly, thereby lessening impact damage during such an unavoidable collision. These results point to the fact that this type of vehicular collision avoidance day lighting system, at a minimum, significantly reduces the severity of the impact of daytime multi-vehicle collisions, as gauged by the reductions of repair costs of vehicles equipped with the safety lighting devices when compared to vehicles without such devices.  
         [0004]     The science and logic behind how daytime running lights help with collision avoidance is that having lights illuminated during daytime hours makes a vehicle much more conspicuous. The more conspicuous a vehicle is reduces the chances of that vehicle being involved in a daytime multi-vehicle accident. This is because the earlier a vehicle operator detects another vehicle on the road and can estimate its speed and distance, the less likely that the vehicle operator will be involved in a crash with that other vehicle. This type of collision avoidance system further reduces the chances of being in a multi-vehicle accident at dusk, dawn, and on overcast days—times when environmental visibility is low. Some sources estimate that just under half of all multi-vehicle accidents occur because of perception and recognition errors. Therefore, the presence of daytime running lights on a vehicle simply improves human daytime vehicle detection, with respect to how other vehicle operators visually notice the DRL-equipped vehicle during driving. This same logic is why many states have mandated that a vehicle&#39;s headlights must be illuminated during rainy weather.  
         [0005]     The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”), a department of the U.S. Department of Transportation, wrote a battery of daytime running light laws for U.S. roadways in 1993, but did not require daytime running light usage by law for cars sold in the US. One event that helped spur such laws was that Canada began requiring daytime running lights as mandatory on all vehicles sold within its borders starting Dec. 1, 1989. NHTSA says any voluntary DRL systems integrated into vehicles by the auto manufacturers selling in the U.S. should follow the guidelines below: 1) any such system should switch on automatically when the vehicle cranks during daytime hours, and should switch off when the vehicle is turned off; 2) DRLs must switch off when the parking or headlights come on; 3) eligible bulbs on the front of a vehicle that are to be used as DRLs are a) headlights, b) directional/turn signal lamps, or c) lights dedicated to DRL usage only; 4) fog lights and parking lights are not permitted to be used as DRLs, as the former is deemed too bright, causing glare; and the latter is deemed to be too dim to be effective during bright daytime hours; 5) low beam headlights can be used for DRL at full output, or ‘as is’; 6) if high beam headlights are to be used as DRLs, they must have a decreased output equaling 80% of normal brightness or less, to reduce or limit glare; 7) since DRLs themselves are not mandatory, service centers and shops may add switches to factory DRL systems to turn them on or off, but may not modify such DRLs as to change their output with respect to brightness.  
         [0006]     Vehicular lighting laws, some based on standards dating back more than 30 years, also govern how turn signals and other vehicle lighting should function. Basically, in regular automobiles, turn signal bulb failure indication should occur to alert the vehicle operator via the dashboard indicator that a turn signal bulb has burned out. Such bulb failure indication is deemed as essential feedback to the vehicle operator, but is not required or practical on vehicles that tow trailers or other vehicles. Such turn signal bulb failure indication is typically accomplished by the turn signal dashboard indicator system flashing faster than normal when the turn signal switch is activated. This ‘fast flashing’ mode registers on whichever side of the vehicle that the bulb failure has occurred. Another mode of bulb failure indication permissible is turn signals not flashing at all, with either a no flash—constant on or no flash—constant off operation. Light coming from the front turn signals of a vehicle must be amber, but light emitted from front parking lights may be either white or amber. Additionally, output of turn signal lamps should be two and one half to three times that of parking lamps in order to provide high contrast between both light sources at night.  
         [0007]     Over the years various designs for DRL systems have utilized the automobile headlights almost exclusively. The present invention disclosed herein focuses on using the amber directional/turn signal lamps of a vehicle as the output device of the DRL system, rather than using white headlights. Advantages to such a directional lamp DRL system as described in the present invention, when compared to daytime headlight usage or headlight driven DRL systems, are: 1) Lower comparative energy consumption, 2) Lower comparative replacement bulb costs, 3) Higher environmental contrasting amber light DRL output when compared to white light output DRL systems, and 4) Resultant lower comparative lifetime vehicle emissions of pollutants via reduced relative fuel consumption.  
         [0008]     White output headlight driven DRL systems waste energy when contrasted to such an invention of the present disclosure, as directional bulbs simply draw less current or amperage than headlight bulbs, yet still have a relatively high light output. Since headlights are high current devices singularly, and headlights plus external resistance consume energy cumulatively, a reduction of the gas mileage of a vehicle is the net effect of daytime headlight operation and/or headlight driven DRL systems. From an engineering standpoint, energy is not free for such safety lighting, and does not come from the vehicle battery, as many people believe. The cost for any DRL energy is fuel, gasoline or diesel, spent by a 15 to 20% efficient engine that supplies shaft work via an alternator belt to a 25% efficient alternator. A lower electrical current consuming DRL device saves money over time when compared to a higher electrical current consuming headlight driven factory or aftermarket DRL system. Saved fuel from a turn signal driven DRL system over a headlight driven DRL system also means lower overall carbon dioxide and other emissions entering into the atmosphere, incremental and significant when looking at a vehicle&#39;s 10 to 20 year lifecycle. Even more savings and lower emissions are incurred when the present invention is contrasted to driving with headlights on during the day.  
         [0009]     Directional lamps in the front of a motor vehicle are required to be amber in output when the vehicle is sold new to its first U.S. owner. A DRL system on a vehicle that uses these directional lamps is distinctly different in appearance from a vehicle that utilizes headlamps for the same effect. This visual difference between an amber high output DRL system and a white output DRL system is interesting in that the more economical system offers a significant output advantage. White DRLs are not as visually noticeable during ‘white’ daytime hours, when contrasted with amber output DRL turn signal driven systems. Since a vehicle&#39;s daytime operating environment is a white daylight-flushed world, the present invention yields a distinctive high intensity amber DRL output from any vehicle&#39;s built in factory lighting arrangements that is more attention grabbing and noticeable than any equivalent white output DRL system operating on the headlights of an identical vehicle. The present invention adds DRLs to all vehicles with a brilliant and more distinct amber output, a color of light which humans both notice and see very well. Of all the colors in the visible spectrum, amber (or yellow) is the most visible to the human eye. Not only does this make it the most conspicuous in all types of lighting conditions, it can also be seen from the farthest distance. Since traffic signals must be seen from a distance, yellow/amber is a natural choice for these signals. It is also a fact that most all of modern society has been conditioned throughout the 20th century to interpret amber or yellow lighting as ‘caution!’ Hence, this is part of the reason that amber lamps and amber lenses are employed in the front turn signal lighting systems of vehicles in general. Four way intersections are sometimes marked on the highway with flashing caution lights that are yellow, and traffic signals utilize a yellow caution staging period while turning from green to red. Flashing yellow also alerts automotive vehicle operators to roadway problems, construction activities, slow moving vehicles, roadway maintenance equipment, and vehicles on the roadside in need of repair. At the time of this writing, several studies have proven photometrically and comparatively that amber turn signal DRLs are far superior to white light types visibly, and that they also counteract a ‘latitude effect’, where white light&#39;s effectiveness is proven to diminish as a vehicle approaches the Earth&#39;s equator geographically.  
         [0010]     This same system of the present invention also offers a ‘consumable’ part costs savings over headlight driven DRL or daytime headlight operation. Such a system of the present device employs bulbs already built into the vehicle which cost about ¼ to ⅕ as much as headlight bulbs, making such a system economical from a bulb replacement—vehicle maintenance viewpoint. For any DRL system, the bulbs cannot last forever, and any bulbs employed are therefore viewed as a consumable. These directional lamp bulbs are comparatively robust, as these same exact type of bulbs are also employed as a vehicle&#39;s rear brake light bulbs and are engaged in a much more heavy-duty service condition when utilized in that location.  
         [0011]     The current device can be installed in such a manner to automatically switch off any factory headlight driven DRL system during this same device&#39;s activation and operation, leaving the factory system in waiting, as a backup system. The result is that the lower consumption system of the present invention will alternately power down the higher consumption factory-installed system when present invention is activated, offering incremental but real fuel savings by reducing overall holistic electrical DRL system consumption for the life of the vehicle.  
         [0012]     There is concern in the automotive world that motorcycles are at an ever-increasing disadvantage on the roadway, as more and more automobiles gain ‘white light output’ headlight-driven DRL systems. Motorcycles, which have been equipped with headlight driven DRLs for years, no longer distinctly stand out in traffic as they once did. Also, a supplemental brake light application of the present invention with respect to motorcycles is shown, helping to increase the safety of such two wheel vehicles making them more visible to other drivers on the roadway in braking or stopping situations.  
         [0013]     A low current consuming, high intensity amber output directional lamp DRL system with universal installation applications and no vehicle age limits, ranging from existing semi-tractor trailers, buses, and fleet vehicles, to personal and recreational-use private vehicles, could be highly beneficial to automotive safety in general. Additional advantages might be realized in terms of fleet liability and insurance coverage with respect to medium and large corporations, should these fleets be equipped with the present invention. And finally, a system incorporating a vehicle&#39;s own internal bulb-failure indication systems, to monitor bulb ‘burn out’ with respect to turn signal bulbs themselves, is highly beneficial. Since the present invention uses the vehicle&#39;s internal bulb-failure safety system, when present, to monitor the turn signal/new DRL bulbs for ‘burn out’ failure. The bottom line effect is that the overall safety of the system as a whole is increased.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     The present invention provides a daytime running light module for controlling the illumination of conventional domestic and imported vehicle directional turn signal lamps, primarily in the front of a vehicle, and not only limited to conventional incandescent turn signal bulb/lamp assemblies, but also including right-hand and left-hand vehicular light emitting diode (LED) turn signal lamps, or turn signal lamps consisting of two or more individual LEDs arrayed in such a fashion as to form a unified turn signal LED lamp assembly or unit. The daytime running light module/system includes a pair of single pole switches that are to be interconnected between the vehicular directional lights and a power source to control the light emitted from the directional lights of the vehicle. That is, the module operates to control pairs of bulbs when the brightest filament of a two-filament signal bulb or the bright filament of one filament signal bulb system is illuminated, so that the brighter filaments or bulbs will be illuminated when the operator wishes to draw attention to the vehicle for safety purposes. The module automatically controls the light output of the turn signal bulbs. This DRL lighting is to be turned off automatically by the vehicle&#39;s main headlight switch, when the main vehicular headlight switch is actuated into either one of its two vehicular illumination modes, namely the parking light position or the headlight plus parking light position. Because any U.S. vehicle&#39;s front directional lamps are expectedly amber in output, as required by law, employment of such bulbs as daytime running lights yields a distinctive high intensity amber output that is more noticeable than white output DRLs in a white daylight-flushed world. The present invention is designed to allow the vehicle&#39;s internal turn signal bulb-failure indication system to monitor these same bulbs for bulb failure due to burn out. These same directional lamp bulbs are highly efficient, allowing the present invention to offer comparative fuel economy savings over that of the more common headlight driven DRL systems. Compared to a vehicle with its headlights on, the present invention is very frugal with respect to electrical current consumption, and is the most electrically conservative when compared to this author&#39;s previous designs. This design employs a dynamic safety reconnect feature which reconnects factory signal wiring with factory signal bulbs instantaneously with any hazard lighting or signaling activation, and such is a failsafe that is designed into the module at the module&#39;s most basic operational level. The present invention also has multiple motorcycle applications as a turn signal control system, front and rear, making the motorcycles safer by making them more visible on the roadways during both driving and stopping conditions. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     A daytime running light module and system embodying the features of the present invention is depicted in the accompanying drawings which form a portion of this disclosure and wherein:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of a connection of the front parking lights/turn signal lights and headlights of a conventional domestic vehicle of the prior art;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing of one embodiment of the daytime running light module of the present invention, incorporating the vehicle&#39;s internal bulb-failure indication safety system;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing of a connection of the front light emitting diode LED parking lights/turn signal lights and headlights of a conventional vehicle of the prior art;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a schematic drawing of another embodiment of the daytime running light module of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a schematic drawing of a connection of parking lights/turn signal lights, brake light and headlights of some motorcycles of the prior art;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the daytime running light module of the present invention employed as a vehicular turn signal control system for additional auxiliary rear brake lights, integrated into a motorcycle for increased safety;  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0022]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a conventional connection between a power source  12  and sets of automotive lights  11 ,  14 , and  16  commonly found in most typical motor vehicles is illustrated. The power source  12  is a conventional vehicular power source, such as a 12-volt battery. The set of lights includes one pair of headlights  11 , and a pair of front vehicular signal lights  14 ,  16  having dual filament bulbs. Traditional domestic and many newer import vehicle designs include a pair of front dual filament vehicular signal lights  14 ,  16  that are considered the front parking/turning lights. These front vehicular signal lights  14 ,  16  are typically integrated into the vehicle generally at the front right corner and the front left corner of the vehicle. The position of the front vehicular signal lights  14 ,  16  allow the operator to provide visible signals in traffic to other vehicles in close proximity to same vehicle concerning the operator&#39;s directional intentions in operation of that vehicle. For example, the right front vehicle light  14  is visible on the right side of the vehicle, and the left front vehicle light  16  is visible on the left side of the vehicle, as seen from facing the front of that same vehicle.  
         [0023]     The first vehicular signal light  14  corresponds to the right side of the vehicle, and includes filaments  14   a  and  14   b . The second vehicular signal light  16  corresponds to the left side of the vehicle, and includes filaments  16   a  and  16   b . Each filament  14   a ,  14   b ,  16   a , and  16   b  of the respective bulbs  14 ,  16  has a unique brightness corresponding to either a low intensity light or a high intensity light. In particular, the respective first filaments  14   a ,  16   a  have a brighter illumination than the second filaments  14   b ,  16   b  since the first filaments are conventionally used as turn signal directional lights, and the respective second filaments  14   b ,  16   b  having a softer illumination than the first filaments  14   a ,  16   a  since the second filaments are conventionally used as parking lights. The energized turn signal filament in a conventional dual filament vehicle bulb is characteristically designed to be approximately three times as bright as an energized parking light filament of that same bulb. Consequently, the flashing turn signal light has a high contrast, greater than the energized parking light during night operation of a vehicle. This is necessary during nighttime vehicle operation, since in the case of the dual filament bulb both light sources are emitting light from the same relative location and the same lamp housing.  
         [0024]     Continuing to view  FIG. 1 , the power source  12  is connected to the headlights  11  and second dim filaments  14   b ,  16   b  of the vehicular signal lights  14 ,  16  via a parking/headlight switch  18  of such vehicle. That is, the parking/headlight switch  18  of the vehicle will determine when the headlights  11  and the dim filaments  14   b ,  16   b  are connected to the power source  12 . On the other hand, the power source  12  is connected to the first bright filaments  14   a ,  16   a  of the vehicular signal lights  14 ,  16  via a turn signal switch  20 , an ignition key switch  13 , and a bulb-failure indication flasher  21 . The negative connectors of lights  11 ,  14 ,  16  are grounded at vehicle chassis ground  25 .  
         [0025]     The ignition key switch  13  is the same that typically starts the engine of the vehicle. With respect to the power source  12 , the first bright filaments  14   a ,  16   a  of the vehicular signal lights  14 ,  16 , will only connect to voltage if the ignition key switch  13  of the vehicle is energized, or in an “on” position (i.e., when the ignition key of the vehicle is in the “run” position).  
         [0026]     The first filament  14   a ,  16   a  of each vehicular signal light  14 ,  16  is connected to the turn signal switch  20  via a respective turn signal connector  19   a ,  19   b , while the second filament  14   b ,  16   b  of each vehicular signal light  14 ,  16  is connected to the conventional parking/headlight switch  18  via a respective parking light connector  17   a ,  17   b . The turn signal switch  20  is a single pole, double throw switch that has a center “off” or rest position. The turn signal switch  20  may complete the circuit at turn signal connector  20   a  for a right directional signal, or may complete the circuit at turn signal connector  20   b  for a left directional signal, as desired by the vehicle operator. The parking/headlight switch  18  is a single pole, double throw switch with an “off” or rest position. In operation, when the parking/headlight switch  18  is closed to either a parking light only position  18   a  or a headlight-plus-parking light position  18   b , the parking/headlight switch  18  will connect the second filaments  14   b  and  16   b  with the power source  12  such that the second filament  14   b ,  16   b  will be energized. Also, when the turn signal switch  20  is activated for a right direction turn through connector  20   a , the first filament  14   a  of the right vehicular signal light  14  is connected with the power source  12 , through the bulb-failure indication flasher  21  and ignition key switch  13 , such that the first filament  14   a  will be alternately energized and de-energized, in a pulsing on/off fashion. Similarly, when the turn-signal switch  20  is activated for a left directional turn through connector  20   b , the first filament  16   a  of the vehicular signal light  16  is connected with the power source  12  through bulb-failure indication flasher  21  and ignition key switch  13  such that the first filament  16   a  will be alternately energized and de-energized, in a pulsing on/off fashion. The bulb-failure indication flasher  21  generates the alternating on/off flashing voltage sent to the first filament  14   a  when the turn signal switch  20  is actuated to indicate a right turn directional signal, and the bulb-failure indication flasher  21  generates an identical but redirected alternating on/off flashing voltage to the first filament  16   a  when the turn signal switch  20  is actuated to indicate a left turn directional signal.  
         [0027]     The bulb-failure indication flasher  21  is considered a variable load device, and accomplishes the on/off flashing 12-volt output due to its electrical current or load carrying and subsequent load transferring capabilities. The primary conventional flasher design has only two contacts, one contact is connected to the power source  12  through the ignition key switch  13 , while the other contact will not initiate “flashing” without current being drawn from the output connector of the bulb-failure indication flasher  21 , via connection to the input of the turn signal switch  20 , and connecting to either right turn connector  20   a  or left turn connector  20   b . Some modern electronic bulb-failure indication flashers have a third terminal, which simply supplies a 12-volt ground connection to the flasher. Without any resistive load for the bulb-failure indication flasher  21  to draw current from or “sense”, the bulb-failure indication flasher  21  will not flash at all. As the current flow rate out of the flasher  21  changes, the rate of flash of a conventional flasher usually also changes. Typically, when both front and rear turn signal bulbs on one side of a vehicle are functional and not burned out, the flash rate is typically one second on, and one second off, and then repeating. If one bulb burns out, this bulb becomes open circuit with respect to circuit continuity, and the bulb-failure indication flasher  21  typically goes into a fast-flash mode, to indicate to the vehicle operator that a bulb has burned out. This bulb-failure indication flasher  21  “senses” less current being drawn from it than its normal load of two bulbs per vehicle side, and this triggers the bulb-failure indication characteristics from the same flasher on whichever side of the vehicle the bulb-failure event occurs. Bulb-failure indication can actually be accomplished by three modes of operation; fast-flash, constant on, or constant off, as signaled to the vehicle operator by the right or left directional indicators at the dashboard of the vehicle.  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention of the daytime running module  22  is illustrated. The daytime running module  22  is electrically connected between the vehicular signal lights  14 ,  16  and the turn signal connectors  19   a ,  19   b , and is also connected to the parking light connector  17   a , to vehicular power source  12 , and to vehicle chassis ground  27 . As a result, the daytime running light module  22  controls the intensity of the light produced by the vehicular signal lights  14 ,  16 . In particular, the daytime running light module  22  includes a pair of light intensity switches  30 ,  50  that are interconnected between the front vehicular directional lights  14 ,  16  and the power source  12 , controlling the light emitted from the vehicular signal lights  14 ,  16  during various times and conditions of operation of same vehicle.  
         [0029]     Each light intensity switch  30 ,  50  preferably comprises a relay, and more specifically a single pole, double throw relay. The first light intensity switch  30  is connected between the first vehicular signal light  14  and the right hand connector  20   a  of turn signal switch  20 . Likewise, the second light intensity switch  50  is connected between the second vehicular signal light  16  and the left hand connector  20   b  of turn signal switch  20 . Also, each light intensity switch  30 ,  50  has an electromagnetic coil  30   a ,  50   a , with one end of each coil connected to ground  27 . Energizing the electromagnetic coil  30   a ,  50   a  causes the respective light intensity switch  30 ,  50  to energize and switch one set of internal moving contacts, subsequently connected to relay terminals. Such contacts ‘relay’ or switch continuity between terminals conventionally described as “common”, “normally closed”, and “normally open”. The switch sets  30   b ,  50   b  typically connect the “common” terminals to matching “normally closed” terminals when the corresponding switch is not energized. When a voltage trigger is applied and maintained at the electromagnetic coil  30   a ,  50   a  of the corresponding light intensity switch  30 ,  50 , the switch&#39;s electromagnetic coils are energized, and a steel plate attached to the switch contacts are magnetically drawn to said electromagnetic coil  30   a ,  50   a , causing the contacts to move toward the electromagnetic coil due to magnetic attraction forces. These internal contacts move or ‘close’ with the coil energizing action, and subsequently connect a “common” terminal to a corresponding “normally open” terminal when the respective switch coil is energized. When the electromagnetic coil  30   a ,  50   a  de-energizes, the contacts are spring loaded to relax and move back to their original ‘at rest’ positions, causing the switching contacts to cycle back to their relaxed “normally closed” switching connections. Stated another way, the moving contact switching is characterized such that switched contacts that were closed in the relay&#39;s relaxed state are now open during the relay&#39;s energized state, and switched contacts that were open in the relay&#39;s relaxed state are now closed during the relay&#39;s energized state.  
         [0030]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the first light intensity switch  30  is a single pole, double throw switch such that is able to make and/or break a connection between the first vehicular signal light  14  and the right turn connector  20   a  of the directional turn signal switch  20 . Connections between the front lights  14 ,  16  and the light intensity/routing switches  30 ,  50  of the DRL module  22  are made using either a three-strand, 18-gauge shielded cable  23 , or a two-strand, 18 gauge shielded cable  24 . The daytime running module  22  is connected to the parking/headlight switch  18  via parking light connector  17   a  and parking light input connector  36 . The first light intensity switch  30  is connected to the right turn connector  20   a  of the turn signal switch  20  through turn signal input connector  32  and turn signal connector  19   a , and first light intensity switch  30  is also connected to the first brighter filament  14   a  through turn signal output connector  34 .  
         [0031]     When the first light intensity switch  30  is not energized (i.e., turned “off”), the first light intensity switch  30  connects the power source  12  to the first brighter filament  14   a  in the following manner: through ignition key switch  13  and module fuse  15 , then through the main power circuit connector  70  and the “normally closed” switched contact set  30   b  of first light intensity switch  30 , then through circuit connector  33  to turn signal output connector  34 . As a result, when first light intensity switch  30  is not energized, the first brighter filament  14   a , which is connected to turn signal output connector  34 , will be constantly powered “on” as long as the ignition key switch  13  is energized, and the first light intensity switch  30  remains non-energized (i.e. stays “off”). Note that the module  22  is considered ‘on’ when ignition key switch  13  is switched ‘on’, and subsequently main power circuit connector  70  is energized.  
         [0032]     When the first light intensity switch  30  is energized (i.e., turned “on”), the right turn connector  20   a  of the turn signal switch  20  is connected to the first brighter light filament  14   a  in the following manner: through turn signal connector  19   a  and turn signal input connector  32 , then through circuit path connector  35  and through the “normally open” switched contact set  30   b  of energized first light intensity switch  30 , and finally through circuit connector  33  and turn signal output connector  34 . Hence, right vehicle light  14  is reconnected to its former vehicle factory connections while the first light intensity switch  30  is energized. Note that there is conventionally a right rear bulb with a turn signal filament (rear bulbs not shown) wired in parallel with the front signal bulb. The bulb-failure indication flasher  21  also sees the resistive load of the rear turn signal (brighter) filament in parallel with the first brighter filament  14   a  when turn signal switch  20  is actuated to signal a right turn and when the first light intensity switch  30  is energized (i.e. is ‘on’). In this manner the typical twin bulb type bulb-failure indication flasher  21  will correctly “sense” the combined bulb current load of the normal front and normal rear right turn signal filaments, causing normal right turn signal operation, provided neither of the vehicle&#39;s right bulb filaments are open circuit or “blown”. Should only one right bulb draw current from bulb-failure indication flasher  21  when right turn signaling is activated, the bulb-failure indication flasher  21  will “sense” an incorrect (less than normal) current load being drawn from it, such that the bulb-failure indication flasher  21  triggers bulb-failure indication internally and changes its rate of flashing to indicate a bulb-failure condition has occurred.  
         [0033]     Still looking to the first light intensity switch  30 , both the electromagnetic coil  30   a  and the “normally open” contact of switched contact set  30   b  is connected to the circuit connector  35  through the signal routing diode  43 . Additionally, the connection to the electromagnetic coil  30   a  also has a connection to the positive end of signal routing capacitor  45 , and also through circuit connector  42 . The negative end of signal routing capacitor  45  is connected to ground  27 , as is the other end of electromagnetic coil  30   a . When the turn signal switch  20  is actuated to indicate a right directional signal by completing the circuit at connector  20   a , the turn signal input connector  32  connects pulsed right turn signal input (or “signal”) to the electromagnetic coil  30   a  of first light intensity switch  30  via circuit connector  35 . The right turn signal pulsed output from turn signal switch  20  causes the first light intensity switch  30  to initially energize; thus disconnecting the “normally closed” connection of contact set  30   b  between the power source  12  via main circuit power connector  70 , and the turn signal output connector  34  via circuit connector  33 , whereas the turn signal output connector  34  is connected to first brighter filament  14   a . The signal routing capacitor  45  acts as a storage battery, storing up voltage to keep the electromagnetic coil  30   a  constantly energized, and both remains charged and recharges with each positive pulse of the right turn signal pulsed output. Signal routing capacitor  45  is sized to keep first light intensity switch  30  energized as long as the turn signal is on. When the right hand pulsed signal disappears and reappears one second later (which is typical when the turn signal switch  20  is actuated for a right hand turn), the stored energy in the signal routing capacitor  45  discharges positive voltage towards the coil to keep the electromagnetic coil  30   a  constantly energized until the next positive pulse appears. Also, the signal routing diode  43  acts as a one-way current valve and operates to keep the signal routing capacitor  45  from discharging its stored energy backwards towards circuit connector  35 . When right pulsed signal is present, the electromagnetic coil  30   a  of first light intensity switch  30  stays energized due to the storage effect of the capacitor  45 , instead of pulsing on and off in unison with the pulsed signal. Energized first light intensity switch  30  then routes turn signal output from circuit connector  35  through its “normally open” contacts  30   b  (now “closed”) of first light intensity switch  30  to first bright filament  14   a  via circuit connector  33  and through turn signal output connector  34 . The bulb-failure indication flasher  21  then internally alternates between opening and closing a connection between the ignition key switch  13  and the turn signal switch contact  20   b  of turn signal switch  20 . Thus, the first brighter filament  14   a  is on, then pulses off, then on, and then repeats while the turn signal switch  20  is energized or “on”. This “rerouting” of the output from the bulb-failure indication flasher  21  back to the first bright filament  14   a  while the right turn signal is in operation allows for bulb-failure indication, as provided by the bulb-failure indication flasher  21  to be functionally maintained as long as the left turn signal is in operation. Stated another way, rerouting of the right turn signal output of the vehicle back to the first bright turn signal filament  14   a  when the first light intensity switch  30  is actuated for a right turn allows the vehicle&#39;s existing bulb-failure indication flasher  21  to monitor for any right side open circuit or “burned out” bulb occurrences. Additionally, the vehicle&#39;s rear right turn signal bulb filament (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) is also fed signal from bulb-failure indication flasher  21  through its normal connections (not shown), and operates to signal a right turn in unison with first bright filament  14   a  in the front of same vehicle.  
         [0034]     When the actuated turn signal switch  20  turns off, which is typical when a turn is complete and the steering wheel cancels the connection at turn signal switch  20 , the signal routing capacitor  45  no longer receives pulsed signal, and can no longer remain constantly charged. In about ½ of 1 second or less, the capacitor  45  discharges its stored energy completely to the electromagnetic coil  30   a . The first light intensity switch  30  no longer remains energized, and when it relaxes it reconnects first bright filament  14   a  to power source  12  via ignition key switch  13 , through module fuse  15 , main power circuit connector  70 , and through the “normally closed” switched contact set  30   b  of first light intensity switch  30 , as previously detailed above. This reconnection again allows for daytime running light operation by first bright filament  14   a , which now is again powered “on” in DRL operational mode after the right turn signal operation is over, provided the main module power connector  70  is still energized, which is the condition for the module  22  to be “on”.  
         [0035]     Likewise, the second light intensity switch  50  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  is a single pole, double throw switch such that is able to make and/or break a connection between the second vehicular signal light  16  and the left turn signal connector  20   b  of the directional turn-signal switch  20 . The second light intensity switch  50  is connected to the left turn connector  20   b  of the turn signal switch  20  through turn signal input connector  52  and turn signal connector  19   b , and second light intensity switch  50  is also connected to the second brighter filament  16   a  through turn signal output connector  54 . When the second light intensity switch  50  is not energized (i.e., turned “off”), the second light intensity switch  50  connects the power source  12  to the second brighter filament  16   a  in the following manner: through ignition key switch  13  and module fuse  15 , then through the main power circuit connector  70  and the “normally closed” switched contact set  50   b  of second light intensity switch  50 , then through circuit connector  53  to turn signal output connector  54 . As a result, when second light intensity switch  50  is not energized, the second brighter filament  16   a , which is connected to turn signal output connector  54 , will be constantly powered “on” as long as the ignition key switch  13  is energized, and the second light intensity switch  50  remains non-energized (i.e. stays “off”). Again, the module  22  is considered ‘on’ when ignition key switch  13  is switched ‘on’, and subsequently main power circuit connector  70  is energized.  
         [0036]     When the second light intensity switch  50  is energized (i.e., turned “on”), the left turn connector  20   b  of the turn signal switch  20  is connected to the second brighter light filament  16   a  in the following manner: through turn signal connector  19   b  and turn signal input connector  52 , then through circuit path connector  55  and through the “normally open” switched contact set  50   b  of energized second light intensity switch  50 , and finally through circuit connector  53  and turn signal output connector  54 . Hence, left vehicle light  16  is reconnected to its former vehicle factory connections while the second light intensity switch  50  is energized. Note that there is conventionally a left rear bulb with a turn signal bulb filament (rear bulbs not shown) wired in parallel with the front signal bulb. As before, the bulb-failure indication flasher  21  also sees the resistive load of the rear turn signal (brighter) filament in parallel with the first brighter filament  16   a  when turn signal switch  20  is actuated to signal a left turn and when the second light intensity switch  50  is energized (i.e. is ‘on’). In this manner the typical twin bulb type bulb-failure indication flasher  21  will correctly “sense” the combined bulb current load of the normal front and normal rear right turn signal filaments, causing normal left turn signal operation, provided neither of the vehicle&#39;s right bulb filaments are open circuit or “blown”. Should only one left bulb draw current from bulb-failure indication flasher  21  when left turn signaling is activated, the bulb-failure indication flasher  21  will “sense” an incorrect (less than normal) current load being drawn from it, such that the bulb-failure indication flasher  21  triggers bulb-failure indication internally and changes its rate of flashing to indicate a bulb-failure condition has occurred.  
         [0037]     Still looking to the second light intensity switch  50 , both the electromagnetic coil  50   a  and the “normally open” contact of switched contact set  50   b  is connected to the circuit connector  55  through the signal routing diode  63 . Additionally, the connection to the electromagnetic coil  50   a  also has a connection to the positive end of signal routing capacitor  65 , and also through circuit connector  62 . The negative end of signal routing capacitor  65  is connected to ground  27 , as is the other end of electromagnetic coil  50   a . When the turn signal switch  20  is actuated to indicate a left directional signal by completing the circuit at connector  20   b , the turn signal input connector  52  connects pulsed left turn signal input (or “signal”) to the electromagnetic coil  50   a  of second light intensity switch  50  via circuit connector  55 . The left turn signal pulsed output from turn signal switch  20  causes the second light intensity switch  50  to initially energize; thus disconnecting the “normally closed” connection of contact set  50   b  between the power source  12  via main circuit power connector  70 , and the turn signal output connector  54  via circuit connector  53 , whereas the turn signal output connector  54  is connected to second brighter filament  16   a . The signal routing capacitor  65  acts as a storage battery, storing up voltage to keep the electromagnetic coil  50   a  constantly energized, and both remains charged and recharges with each positive pulse of the left turn signal pulsed output. Signal routing capacitor  65  is sized to keep second light intensity switch  50  energized as long as the turn signal is on. When the left hand pulsed signal disappears and reappears one second later (which is typical when the turn signal switch  20  is actuated for a left hand turn), the stored energy in the signal routing capacitor  65  discharges positive voltage towards the coil to keep the electromagnetic coil  50   a  constantly energized until the next positive pulse appears. Also, the signal routing diode  63  acts as a one-way current valve and operates to keep the signal routing capacitor  65  from discharging its stored energy backwards towards circuit connector  55 . When left pulsed signal is present, the electromagnetic coil  50   a  of second light intensity switch  50  stays energized due to the storage effect of the capacitor  65 , instead of pulsing on and off in unison with the pulsed signal. Energized second light intensity switch  50  then routes turn signal output from circuit connector  55  through its “normally open” contacts  50   b  (now “closed”) of second light intensity switch  50  to second bright filament  16   a  via circuit connector  55  and through turn signal output connector  54 . The bulb-failure indication flasher  21  then internally alternates between opening and closing a connection between the ignition key switch  13  and the turn signal switch contact  20   b  of turn signal switch  20 . Thus, the second brighter filament  16   a  is on, then pulses off, then on, and then repeats while the turn signal switch  20  is energized or “on”. This “rerouting” of the output from the bulb-failure indication flasher  21  back to the second bright filament  16   a  while the left turn signal is in operation allows for bulb-failure indication, as provided by the bulb-failure indication flasher  21  to be functionally maintained as long as the left turn signal is in operation. Stated another way, rerouting of the left turn signal output of the vehicle back to the second bright turn signal filament  16   a  when the second light intensity switch  50  is actuated for a left turn allows the vehicle&#39;s existing bulb-failure indication flasher  21  to monitor for any left side open circuit or “burned out” bulb occurrences. Additionally, the vehicle&#39;s rear left turn signal bulb filament (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) is also fed signal from bulb-failure indication flasher  21  through its normal connections (not shown), and operates to signal a left turn in unison with second bright filament  16   a  in the front of same vehicle.  
         [0038]     When the actuated turn signal switch  20  turns off, which is typical when a turn is complete and the steering wheel cancels the connection at turn signal switch  20 , the signal routing capacitor  65  no longer receives pulsed signal, and can no longer remain constantly charged. In about ½ of 1 second or less, the capacitor  65  discharges its stored energy completely to the electromagnetic coil  30   a . The second light intensity switch  50  no longer remains energized, and when it relaxes it reconnects second bright filament  16   a  to power source  12  via ignition key switch  13 , through module fuse  15 , main power circuit connector  70 , and through the “normally closed” switched contact set  50   b  of second light intensity switch  50 , as previously detailed above. This reconnection again allows for daytime running light operation by second bright filament  16   a , which now is again powered “on” in DRL operational mode after the right turn signal operation is over, provided the main module power connector  70  is still energized, which is the condition for the module  22  to be “on”.  
         [0039]     As parking light or headlight switch operation is required to defeat the DRL module&#39;s daytime functions as per US federal code, voltage from the parking/headlight switch  18  being activated in either position subsequently interacts with the module in the following manner: parking light voltage travels through parking light connector  17   a , to parking light input connector  36 , then through circuit connector  39 , and then through both parking light diodes  46  and  66 . Parking light diode  46  connects to the electromagnetic coil  30   a  of first light intensity switch  30  via circuit connector  42 , and similarly parking light diode  66  connects to the electromagnetic coil  50   a  of second light intensity switch  50  via circuit connector  62 . When the parking lights are turned on, voltage passing through the preceding connections outlined above cause both first and second light intensity switches  30 ,  50  to energize and stay energized for as long as the parking lights remain energized, causing the DRL bulb-feed voltage traveling to both first and second bright filaments  14   a ,  16   a  to be interrupted and allowing the normal turn signal connections to be reestablished, as previously outlined via the comparison and contrast of the first and second light intensity switches  30 ,  50  being either energized or relaxed. It is important to note that the parking light diodes  46 ,  66  act as one-way power valves to prevent any turn signal pulsed voltages that might pass through signal routing diode  43  or signal routing diode  63  from back feeding into the parking light circuit via parking light input connector  36  from circuit connector  39 . Conversely, the signal routing diodes  43 ,  63  also keep parking light voltages from back feeding into the turn signal circuits. When the vehicle&#39;s parking light voltage is switched off, both first and second light intensity switches  30 ,  50  subsequently relax and to again allow DRL operation to return, provided the ignition key switch  13  is still switched ‘on’.  
         [0040]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , prior art is shown where a left front vehicular LED (light emitting diode) lamp  26  and a right front vehicular LED lamp  28  have replaced conventional turn signal bulbs  14 ,  16 . These assemblies are becoming all the more common, and each typically consist of two or more individual LEDs that have been arrayed together to form a composite device that acts as a single lamp output device with both a lower output brightness for parking light functioning, and a higher output brightness for turn signaling functioning. These types of lamp assemblies can possess exceptional brightness and are almost always highly energy efficient.  
         [0041]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention of the daytime running module  22  is illustrated. The daytime running module  22  is electrically connected between the left and right front vehicular LED lamps  26 ,  28  and the turn signal connectors  19   a ,  19   b , and is also connected to the parking light connector  17   a , to vehicular power source  12 , and to vehicle chassis ground  27 . As a result, the daytime running light module  22  controls the intensity of the light produced by the front vehicular LED lamps  26 ,  28 . Also shown in  FIG. 4 , a main module power switch  90  may be included as an option in the present invention to allow the user to control the operation of the first and second light intensity switches  30 ,  50 . In particular, the main module power switch  90  is preferably a conventional single pole, single throw switch, with an “off” or rest position, that connects between the ignition key switch  13  and the main power circuit connector  70 , which in turn feeds DRL voltage to left and right front vehicular LED lamps  26 ,  28  when the ignition key switch  13  is ‘on’ and the parking/headlight switch  18  is ‘off’.  
         [0042]      FIG. 4  of the present invention optionally includes an operational indicator  95 , such as a one positive voltage input, one color light emitting diode. The operational indicator  95  provides feedback or notice to the user concerning presence of DRL voltage or subsequent operational state of the daytime running light module  22 . The operational indicator  95  includes one dropping resistor  98 , and has a negative terminal that is connected to ground  27 .  
         [0043]     This invention also has several interesting applications with respect to motorcycles.  FIG. 5  shows a wiring configuration of a typical motorcycle of the prior art. Motorcycles have had daytime running lights for years, as usually a single headlight bulb or filament  7   a  is wired to come “on” automatically as the ignition switch is turned “on”, as well as a single parking lamp filament  9   b  that also is simultaneously illuminated in the rear of the motorcycle. Turn signal lamps  3 ,  5  are in many cases single filament as shown, and are identical in front and in rear of same vehicle (two pair exist, but only one pair are shown in  FIG. 5 ). Motorcycles typically possess a single brake/parking light  9  in the rear, which is typically a dual filament bulb. They also possess a front wheel brake light switch  6  and a rear wheel brake light switch  8 , either of which sends signal to the first bright filament  9   a  of brake/parking light  9  when one or both of the brakes are applied. The first dimmer filament  9   b  is the rear parking light filament for same vehicle.  
         [0044]     Now, considering turn signal lamps  3 ,  5  to be the rear turn signal lamps instead of the front, and noting that both sets of lights are identical in function and design on many motorcycles,  FIG. 16  shows the basic module now integrated into the rear turn signal system of a motorcycle  1  ( 1   b  is rear view) to cause the amber rear turn signals  3 ,  5  to become auxiliary rear brake lights for increased visibility and safety during stopping. The module shown in  FIG. 6  is the basic module from  FIG. 2 , but devoid of any night operation functionality components. In this application main power input, through module fuse  15  is connected via external circuit connector  16  to main brake light circuit connector  2 . In this application, every time the red brake light of the motorcycle is actuated via either front brake light switch  6  or rear brake light switch  8 , the module  22  energizes, causing the rear turn signal bulbs  3 ,  5  to also illuminate in amber simultaneously with the brake light  9 , operating to draw more attention to same vehicle during stopping or while stopped. Stated differently, the amber rear turn signals now additionally function as brake lights in unison with the factory brake light for added visibility by other drivers. Rear turn signals continue to function as normal, both during stopping and non-stopping conditions. The present invention is now employed as a supplemental brake light/turn signal control system, enhancing the factory brake light system in the rear of the motorcycle as seen by others in traffic situations. Some motorcycles already have similar functioning built in (for rear and front applications), or their manufacturers offer kits to add this feature (mainly the rear feature) to existing vehicles.  
         [0045]     It should further be noted that while the present invention discloses the use of relay switches, the switches of the present design could be replaced with electronic switching, such as solid-state relays or their equivalent, and including switching transistors and microprocessors. As designed, relay switching is more robust and less subject to semi-conductor or programming failures. Also, microprocessors, such as the PIC chip, an EEPROM, or a BASIC stamp, could be programmed and utilized to duplicate the diode/capacitor effect on the light intensity switch functioning, holding the light intensity relay energized via pulsed signal until the turn signal event is over. The present diode/capacitor methodology is also more robust and reliable, will theoretically last longer environmentally than the highly reliable relay switching itself, and is also less subject to component failure and requires no EEPROM-type programming.  
         [0046]     Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful DIRECTIONAL LAMP DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE AND VEHICULAR TURN SIGNAL CONTROL SYSTEM, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.