Abstract:
New electrical circuits for controlling two-color side marker light systems on automotive vehicles are disclosed. There is a different control circuit for vehicles with OEM installed separate amber turn signal lights, OEM installed combination red directional, red brake lights, and OEM installed separate red turn signal lights. These circuits are designed to operate two-color side marker light systems in compliance with NHTSA Federal Motor Vehicle Standard No. 108. The side marker lights normally illuminate amber and turn red with the OEM brake lights. In the turn signal mode, the signaled side alternates between the OEM directional light color and off, while the non-signaled side is amber and will illuminate red with the brake light. A fourth new circuit for emergency vehicles will illuminate the marker lights red with the brake lights, or when switch activated will flash each side independently between two colors.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     (Not applicable) 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     (Not applicable) 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This instant invention relates to new and unique electrical/electronic circuits for controlling the operation of dual lamp, two colored marker lighting systems for motor vehicles. There have been automotive aftermarket two colored lighting systems available to the general public that do not have National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) approval, (herein after referred to as NHTSA), because they did not cooperate completely with vehicle original equipment manufactures (herein after referred to as OEM), required lighting according to NHTSA Federal Motor Vehicle Standard No. 108. These two colored lighting systems generally illuminate in yellow and red. The major problem with the present control systems according to the NHTSA Chief Counsel Frank Seales, Jr. (Dec. 23, 1998), is that when the secondary or after market two colored lighting system is in the directional light flashing mode and supposed to cooperate with the original equipment manufactures system, the illumination on one or both sides of the vehicle would alternately flash between the two colors, yellow and red, and according to NHTSA could confuse following vehicle drivers creating a safety hazard. 
     A first embodiment of this invention is for vehicles with separate yellow directional lights. This first embodiment of this invention will remedy the NHTSA identified design safety problem and allow a two colored side marker light to illuminate yellow in a normal mode, flash between yellow and off in a directional light mode, and illuminate red in unison with the vehicle brake lights. When the vehicle is signaling a turn with illumination on the signaled side flashing between yellow and off, the illumination on the opposite side will light steady yellow until and unless the vehicle brakes are applied, at which time it will illuminate red in unison with the vehicle brake light. 
     A second embodiment of this invention will remedy the NHTSA identified problem of the two colored side marker light in the directional signal mode alternately flashing yellow and red for vehicles with combination red stop, red directional lights. This second embodiment will cause the side marker light on the signaled side to flash alternately red and off, in unison with the vehicles flashing red directional light, while the side marker light on the opposite side will illuminate yellow unless or until the vehicle brakes are applied, at which time the opposite side, side marker light will illuminate red with the vehicle red brake light. 
     A third embodiment of this invention will remedy the NHTSA identified problem of the two colored side marker light in the directional signal mode alternately flashing yellow and red for vehicles with separate red directional lights. This third embodiment of this invention will power down the yellow light and illuminate or flash the red directional light on the signaled side in unison with the OEM red directional light. This will occur whether the brake signal is on or off. The opposite side lights will maintain a steady yellow illumination if and until the brake is applied. When the brake is switched on the opposite side yellow light will extinguish and the red side marker light will operate in unison with the OEM red brake light. 
     A fourth embodiment of a two colored side marker light control system is not related to the aforementioned NHTSA identified problem of side marker light confusion, but instead relates to side marker lights that cooperate with police, fire, ambulance, school bus, and department of transportation vehicle lighting systems. There are numerous commercially available flashers for controlling flashing lights on these vehicles but they are expensive and most versions have limited control options. The fourth embodiment of this invention overcomes these problems. In the normal mode the side marker lights are not illuminated. 
     The side marker lights on both sides of the vehicle illuminate red in unison with the OEM brake lights. When the side marker light system power switch is moved from the off to on position, the side marker lights on both sides of the vehicle will flash between two colors, blue and red for police vehicles, red and white for fire department vehicles, yellow and white for department of transportation vehicles and red and yellow for medical vehicles. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,225 issued to Currie on Mar. 21, 1995, Currie discloses in FIG. 6 a four relay control system that allows the side lights on both sides to illuminate normally yellow and flash between yellow and off on the signaled side. When the vehicle brakes are applied the operation of the yellow light on the signaled side changes from flashing between yellow and off to flashing between yellow and red. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,400, issued to Currie on Feb. 27, 1996, Currie discloses in FIG. 13 a four-relay system that illuminates both sides normally yellow, flashes between yellow and off on the signaled side, and changes to steady red when brakes are applied. If brakes are applied before a directional signal operates there will be no yellow directional flashing at all, and if brakes are applied after the directional starts flashing between yellow and off, the flashing will cease. In FIG. 14 Currie discloses a four-relay system that allows a rearward facing two-colored light system to illuminate red in low illumination power mode during no signal conditions, and illuminate red brightly when vehicle brakes are applied. This system will operate the lights on the directional light signaled side between dim red and yellow if the brakes are not applied, and between red and yellow if brakes are applied. In FIG. 15 a four relay circuit is disclosed that operates the yellow lights steady on in the no signal mode, changes to red when brake signal is applied, flashes between red and off when both brake and directional signals are applied, and flashes between yellow and off when the directional signal is applied with no brake signal. (Flashing light changes color from yellow to red as the brake pedal is moved). FIG. 16 discloses a two-relay system for vehicles with red brake/directionals that operates the yellow lamps steady on in the no signal condition, illuminates steady red when the brake signal is applied, and flashes between red and yellow on the signaled side when the directional signal is applied. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a first object of this invention to describe the means to produce three different electrical control circuits, each one of the three circuits designed to control a two-colored side marker light system on a vehicle with different OEM installed directional signal light options. 
     It is a second object of this invention that each of the three circuits controls the vehicle two-colored side marker light system in perfect cooperation with the vehicular OEM lighting system and in compliance with NHTSA Federal Motor Vehicle Standard No. 108. 
     It is a third object of this invention to describe the means to produce an electrical control circuit that will operate a two colored side marker light system in a first mode as added brake lights on both sides of the vehicle, and in a second mode as an emergency flashing system that will alternately flash a first colored light producing means on a first of said vehicle, followed by a second colored light producing means on a second side of said vehicle, and continue the flashing sequence at a fixed flash rate until the flashing circuit power is switched off. 
     The first three embodiments of this invention overcome an electrical design problem associated with after market automotive two color side marker lighting systems. This problem is identified and described in a letter of interpretation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108 by chief counsel Frank Seales Jr. of the NHTSA to Fiber Light Solutions, LLC on Dec. 23, 1998. The problem, as identified by counsel Seales, is that the sidelights on the directional signaled side of the vehicle flash alternately between the two colors red and yellow. The sidelights alternating between red and yellow is not in accord with Standard No. 108 and will tend to confuse other vehicle drivers creating a safety risk. In addition the fourth embodiment of this invention describes a new cost effective means for flashing two lights in an alternating mode of operation for use on emergency vehicles. 
     The first embodiment of this instant invention is designed for use on a motor vehicle that is equipped with an individual OEM amber or yellow light producing means used only as a directional signal light on at least the left rear and the right rear of the vehicle. Said first embodiment is comprised of a module with an electrical circuit containing six electrical diodes, four 12-vdc relays with a minimum of at least one normally closed contact each, two capacitors and four dc voltage regulators. Said module has electrical input connections from the vehicle brake system, the left and right directional signal system, park light system and from common or vehicle chassis ground. Said module has separate electrical voltage source outputs to the left and right sides of a vehicular two-color side marker light system. Said left side electrical voltage source outputs are comprised of an output to the left yellow light producing means and output to the left red light producing means. Said right side electrical voltage source outputs are comprised of an output to the right side yellow light producing means and the right side red light producing means. Individual vehicle electrical system common connections are also provided to said left and right sides for connection to said red and said yellow light producing means. 
     The second embodiment of this invention is designed for use on a motor vehicle that is equipped with an OEM red light producing means on at least the left rear and the right rear of the vehicle that functions both as a stoplight and as a directional light. Said second embodiment is comprised of a module with an electrical circuit containing two electrical diodes, two 12-vdc relays with a minimum of at least one normally closed contact each, two capacitors, and four dc voltage regulators. Said module has electrical input connections from the vehicle left and right brake/directional light circuits, park light circuit, and from the vehicle common or chassis ground. Said module has separate electrical voltage source outputs to the left and right sides of a vehicular two-color side marker light system. Said left side electrical voltage source outputs are comprised of an out put to the left yellow light producing means and the left red light producing means. Said right side electrical voltage source outputs are comprised of an output to the right side yellow light producing means and the red light producing means. Individual vehicle electrical system common or chassis ground connections are also provided to said left and right sides for connection to said red and said yellow light producing means. 
     The third embodiment of this invention is designed for use on a motor vehicle that is equipped with an OEM individual red light producing means used only as a directional signal light on at least the left rear and right rear of the vehicle. Said third embodiment is comprised of a module that contains an electrical circuit with eight electrical diodes, four 12 vdc electrical relays with a least a minimum of one normally closed contact each, four capacitors, and four dc voltage regulators. Said module has individual electrical input connections from the vehicle left and right directional light circuits, the vehicle brake circuit, the vehicle park light circuit, and common or chassis ground. Said module has separate electrical voltage source outputs to the left and right sides of a vehicular two-color side marker light system. Said left side electrical voltage source outputs are comprised of an output to the yellow light producing means and the red light producing means. Said right side electrical voltage source outputs are comprised of an output to the yellow light producing means and the red light producing means. Individual vehicle electrical system common or chassis ground connections are also provided to said left and right sides for connection to said red and said yellow light producing means. 
     The fourth embodiment of this invention is designed for use on emergency vehicles equipped with two color side marker lighting systems. Said fourth embodiment is comprised of a module that contains an electrical circuit with six electrical diodes, four 12 vdc electrical relays, two relays with form “C” contacts in each and two with at least a minimum of one normally closed contact each, two capacitors, and four dc voltage regulators. Said module has an electrical input connection from the vehicle brake circuit, a switch controlled input from the vehicle electrical system, and an input from the vehicle common or chassis ground. Said module has separate voltage source outputs to the left and right sides of a vehicular two-color side marker light system. Said left side electrical voltage source outputs are comprised of an output to the first colored light producing means and an output to the second colored light producing means. Individual vehicle electrical system common or chassis ground connections are also provided to said left and said right side colored light producing means. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows an electrical schematic or circuit diagram of a control circuit used to operate an after market two color side marker light system on a motor vehicle equipped with individual OEM rear left and right amber or yellow directional lights. 
     FIG. 2 shows an electrical schematic or circuit diagram of a control circuit used to operate an after market two color side marker light system on a motor vehicle equipped with individual OEM rear left and right combination red brake/red directional signal lights. 
     FIG. 3 shows an electrical schematic or circuit diagram of a control circuit used to operate an after market two color side marker light system on a motor vehicle equipped with individual OEM rear left and right red directional lights. 
     FIG. 4 shows an electrical schematic or circuit diagram of a control circuit used to operate an after market two color side marker light system that will cooperate with the vehicle brake system lights and operate as an emergency flashing signal. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 are drawings that depict electrical control circuits for automotive two-color side marker signal light systems. 
     In the FIG. 1 drawing the connection of electrical components to form a control circuit for controlling an automotive two-color side marker light system, in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Standard No. 108, for automotive vehicles with OEM installed separate amber directional lights is disclosed. During no input signal conditions, (the absence of directional light or brake light signal voltage to said circuit), park light voltage enters said circuit at P 156  and conducts through the normally closed contact of relay K 146  and voltage regulator Z  138  to power on the left side yellow light at D 130 . Simultaneously the park light voltage conducts from P 156 , through the normally closed contact of K 148  and voltage regulator Z 139  to power on the right side yellow light at D 133 . 
     When brake light voltage is applied at Rb 154  it conducts through the normally closed contact of relay K 145  to the junction of voltage regulator Z 137  and diode D 142 . Said brake light voltage conducts through D 142  to energize relay K 146  opening its&#39;normally dosed contact and removing park light voltage from Z 138  to extinguish the left side yellow light at D 130 . Said brake light voltage is also being applied to voltage regulator Z 137  to power on the left side red light at B 131 . Brake light voltage input at Rb 154  also conducts through the normally closed contact of relay K  147  to the junction of regulator Z 140  and diode D 143 . Said brake voltage conducts through regulator Z  140  to power the right side red light at B 134  and through diode D 143  to energize relay K 148 , opening its&#39; normally closed contact to remove park voltage from regulator Z 139  and extinguish the right side yellow light at D 133 . 
     When pulsating left directional voltage is connected at Ld 153  and conducts to the junction of diodes D 149  and D 150 , said pulsating directional voltage conducts through diode D 150  to energize relay K 145  and charge capacitor C  141 . The pulsating charges input to C 141  will hold relay K 145  energized between input voltage pulses because the capacitor charge cannot flow back through diode D 150  and must discharge though the coil of relay K 145 . The continuously energized relay K 145  will open its&#39;normally dosed contact removing brake voltage from diode D 142  and regulator Z 137 . No brake circuit power conducting from Rb 154  through regulator Z 137  will extinguish the left red light at B 131 . Said brake power removed from diode D  142  will remove brake circuit hold voltage from relay K 146 . Said relay K 146  will be energized in a pulsating manner by directional signal voltage from Ld 153  through diode D 149 , allowing park voltage P 156  to conduct through the pulsing contact of K 146 , through regulator Z 138  to the left side yellow light D 130 . 
     At this time the removal of brake voltage Rb 154  will not be recognized by the left side of the circuit because the normally closed contact of K 145  is being held open by pulsating directional voltage Ld 153 . Removal of brake voltage Rb 154  will stop electrical power from conducting through the normally closed contact of K 147  to the junction of diode D 143  and voltage regulator Z 140 . Relay K 148  will deenergize and park voltage P 156  will again conduct through the normally closed contact of relay K 148 , through voltage regulator Z 139  and reenergize the right side yellow light at D 133 . 
     Removal of the left directional voltage Ld 153  at this time will deenergize relay K 145  and relay K 146  will discontinue operating in a pulsing mode. Park voltage from P 156  will again conduct through the normally closed contact of K 146  and regulator Z 138  to power on the left yellow light at D 130 . 
     At this time with both left and right side yellow lights powered on and pulsating right directional voltage applied to said circuit at Rd 136 , said pulsating voltage conducts to the junction of D 151  and D 152 , through D 151  to charge capacitor C 144  and hold K 147  energized opening its&#39;normally closed contact preventing brake signal voltage from Rbl 54  from conducting through relay K 147  to regulator Z 140 . Said right side pulsating voltage conducts through diode D 152  to energize relay K 148  in a pulsing mode. The normally closed contact of K 148  will conduct the park voltage from P 156  to regulator Z 139  in a pulsing mode to electrically pulse the right side yellow light at D 133 . When right side directional voltage is removed from Rd 136  relay K 147  and K 148  will deenergize and park voltage from P 156  will conduct in a steady mode through the normally closed contact of K 148 , through regulator Z 139  to the right side yellow light at D 133 . 
     Note: The detailed description of the operation of the electrical circuits in the following three FIGS. 2,  3 , and  4  will be given using component designations. 
     In the FIG. 2 drawing the connection of electrical components to form a control circuit for controlling an automotive two-color side marker light system in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Standard No. 108, for automotive vehicles with OEM installed combination red brake, red directional lights is disclosed. During no input signal conditions, (the absence of directional light or brake light signal voltage to said circuit), park light voltage P 221  conducts through the normally closed, (herein after NC) contact of relay (herein after K), K 216  and through voltage regulator, (herein after Z), Z 210  to Y 225 , to illuminate the left side yellow light. P 221  also conducts through through the NC contact of K 217  and through Z 213  to Y 228 , to illuminate the right side yellow light. 
     When the vehicle brake circuit is switched on both the left brake D 220  and the right brake D 223  are connected to a steady vehicle power supply voltage. D 220  conducts through D 218  to charge capacitor, (herein after C), C 214  and operate K 216 . P 221  can no longer conduct through the NC contact of K 216  extinguishing the left side yellow light. D 220  is connected through Z 211  to B 226  to power on the left side red light. D 223  conducts through D 219  charging C 215  and operates K 217 . P 221  can no longer conduct through the NC contact of K 217  extinguishing the right side yellow light. D 223  conducts through Z 212  to power on the right side red light. 
     If the steady left brake voltage at D 220  changes to a pulsing left directional signal voltage, D 220  conducts through D 218  to charge C 214 . The electrical charge on C 214  cannot conduct back through D 218  and must discharge through the coil of K 216 . K 216  is held in an energized state holding its&#39;normally closed contact open preventing P 221  voltage from reaching Y 225  through Z 210  maintaining the left side yellow light off. The pulsing directional voltage of D 220  conducts through Z 211  to B 226  and powers on the left side red light in a pulsing or flashing mode. The right side brake voltage D 223  is still constant and maintains the right side red light B 229  in the energized state. 
     If vehicle brake voltage is removed at this time from D 223 , C 215  will completely discharge through K 217 , K 217  will deenergize and park voltage P 221  will again conduct through the NC contact of K 217 , through Z 213  to illuminate the right side yellow light at Y 228 . The left side red light at B 226  continues in the flashing mode until the pulsing voltage is removed from left input D 220 . 
     When the pulsing voltage is removed from D 220 , C 214  discharges through K 216 , the K 216  NC contact closes and P 221  is reconnected through Z 210  to Y 225  to illuminate the left side yellow light as the pulsing voltage is removed from Z 211  and B 226  switching off the left side red light. 
     If the right side input D 223  is switched to the pulsing directional signal mode, it conducts through D 219  to charge C 215  and operate K 217  opening its&#39; NC contact and preventing P 221  voltage from conducting to Z 213  switching off the right side yellow light at Y 228 . The right side pulsing voltage at D 223  is conducted through Z 212  to the right side red light at B 229 , causing said red light to flash in unison with the right side OEM red directional light of the vehicle. 
     Removal of right side pulsing voltage from D 223  will cause C 215  to discharge through K 217 , K 217  will deenergize and close its&#39; NC contact causing P 221  to conduct though said K 217  NC contact, through Z 213 , and energize the right side yellow light at Y 228 . 
     In the FIG. 3 drawing the connection of electrical components to form a control circuit for controlling an automotive two-color side marker light system, in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Standard No. 108, for automotive vehicles with OEM installed separate red directional lights is disclosed. During no signal input conditions, (the abscense of directional light or brake light signal voltage to said circuit), park light voltage enters said circuit at P 356  and conducts through the normally dosed contact of K 345 , through Z 337 , to B 331  to illuminate the left side yellow light. P 356  voltage also conducts through the normally closed contact of K  348 , through Z 340 , to B 334  to illuminate the right side yellow light. 
     Brake circuit voltage connected to Rb 354  first conducts through D 349 , charges C 341  and energizes K 345 . Second the Rb 354  voltage conducts through D 360 , charges C 344  and energizes K 348 . Third, the Rb 354  voltage conducts through the normally dosed contact of K 346 , and through Z 338  to D 330  to illuminate the left side red light. Fourth, the Rb 354  voltage conducts through the normally closed contact of K 347 , and through Z 339  to D 333  to illuminate the right side red light. 
     Pulsing left directional voltage applied at Ld 353  first conducts through D 359 , charges C 341 , and energizes K 345 . The discharge time constant of C 341  and the coil resistance of K 345  holds K 345  energized between applied voltage pulses of Ld 353 . Second said voltage Ld 353  conducts through D 358 , and through Z 338  to D 330  to illuminate said left side red light in a pulsing mode. Third, said Ld 353  voltage conducts through D 350 , charges C 342  and energizes K  346  with said C 342  discharge time constant holding K 346  energized between Rd 336  voltage pulses. Holding K 345  energized removes P 356  voltage from B 331  extinguishing the left side yellow light. Holding K 346  energized removes the constant brake voltage Rb 354  from D 330 , the left red light, so that the pulsing left directional voltage Ld 353  can be seen. 
     Removal of the left directional voltage Ld 353  causes K 346  to deenergize and removes Ld 353  pulsing voltage from D 330 , the left red light. K 345  remains energized because brake voltage Rb 354  is still applied. Rb 354  again conducts through the NC contact of K 346  and through Z 338  to illuminate the left side red light at D 330 . 
     Pulsing right directional voltage applied at Rd 336  first conducts through D 361 , charges C  344  and energizes K 348 . The discharge time constant of C 344  holds K 348  energized between the applied directional voltage pulses. Second said Rd 336  voltage conducts through D 351  and Z 339  to D 333  to illuminate said right side red light in a pulsing mode. Third said Rd 336  voltage conducts through D 343 , charges C 357  and energizes K 347  with said discharge time constant holding K 347  energized between Rd 336  voltage pulses. Holding K 348  energized removes P 356  voltage from B 334  extinguishing the right side yellow light. Holding K 347  energized removes constant brake voltage Rb 354  from D 333 , the right red light, so that the pulsing right directional voltage Rd 336  can be seen. 
     Removing brake voltage Rb 354  causes K 345  to deenergize and close its&#39;NC contact. P 356  voltage conducts through said contact and through Z 337  to illuminate the left side yellow light at B 331 . Loss of Rb 334  also deenergizes K 348  closing its&#39;NC contact conducting P 356  voltage through Z 340  to illuminate the right side yellow light at B 334 . 
     In the FIG. 4 drawing the connection of electrical components to form a control circuit for controlling an automotive two-color side marker light system in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Standard No. 108 is disclosed. During no signal input conditions to said circuit, (the absence of brake light signal voltage or switched vehicle system electrical power), no lights of said marker light system are illuminated. 
     Brake light signal voltage applied to B 484  is first conducted through D 474 , through the NC contact of K 469 , and through Z 463  to a left side first red light source at L 486 . Second said B 484  voltage conducts through D 475 , through the NC contact of K 470  and through Z 464  to a right side first red light source at R  487 . 
     Switched vehicle system dc electrical power B 489  is first conducted through electrical switch S 479  and through fuse F 478  to the coil of K 469 , the NC contact of K 469  breaks the electrical connection between B 484  and L 486 . Second, B 489  conducts to the coil of K 470  and opens the NC contact of K 470  breaking the electrical connection between B 484  and R 487 . Third, B 489  conducts through the NC contact of K 468 , through D 467 , and through series resistor R 483  to the junction of a parallel circuit comprised of R 482  in series with the coil of K 468 , which is in parallel with C 477 . Said combination of said electrical components creates a time delay between application of electrical power B 489  through the NC contact of K 468  to said components and the energizing of K 468 . When the voltage charge of C 477  reaches a sufficient value, K 468  will energize breaking the electrical charge path for C 477 . C 477  will discharge through the series path of R 482  and K 468  maintaining K 468  in the energized state until the discharge of C 477  voltage falls below the value required to maintain K 468  in the energized state. The NC contact of deenergized K 468  will reconnect B 489  to said combination of components. This charge, discharge cycle of C 477  and the associated energize and deenergize of K 468  will repeat so long as source voltage B 489  is maintained. A second left side illumination source at L 485  is connected through Z 462  to the junction of the NC contact of K 468  and D 466 . Said first red left side illumination source at L 468  is connected through Z 463  and D 466  to the NO contact of K 468 . The two said first and second left side illumination sources connected to the NC and NO contacts of K 468  will cycle their illumination on and off until S 479  is moved to the open condition. 
     The right side timing circuit comprised of K 471 , D 472 , D 473  R 480 , R 481  and C 476  is connected the same as the left side timing circuit with the same component values and operates in exactly the manner as described for the left side timing circuit to illuminate said first right side red illumination source at R 487  and a second right side illumination source at R 488 .