FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mechanical add-on device for a motor
vehicle and more particularly to a headlight indicator which will provide an
automatically actuated visual proof indicating the status of the headlight of the motor
vehicle clearly visible on the screen of the vehicle information display instrument of
the motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The statements in this section merely provide background information related
to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s).
Generally, the two wheelers are equipped with atleast one vehicle information
display instrument to inform the riders and the passengers about various information
and communication related to the motor vehicles. In particular, the display on the
vehicle information display instruments can visually represent vehicle data pertaining
to the operation. With the recent development of the vehicle information display
instruments, the functions of these devices are also maturing to achieve the
satisfaction of the users. For instance, recent vehicle information display instruments
are also equipped with speed alarm, colored visible indicators, and the like in addition
to showing the speed of the two wheelers.
However, during special cases such as when automobile headlights are used
during the day, for safety or because of inclement weather, the operator may have no
visible indication, at a position visible to the operator, that the lights are on, and so
park the vehicle leaving the main switch on. The problem is especially acute after the
driver leaves the vehicle with the headlights on especially in the daytime, for instance
after emerging to daylight fi"om underground parking garages or in light daylight
sprinkles or in light fog. This leads to a reluctant start of the vehicle due to the
drained battery of the vehicle as a result of the prolonged lighting of the headlight
during daytime. This may lead to serious questions on the safety of the rider and
passengers, if any. Additionally, if the operator requires checking the status of the
headlight, he may have to lean forward to place his hand in front of the headlight for
a visual indication of the headlight. It is evident that tiiis habit causes the operator to
move into a position not contemplated in the design of the motorcycle and one which
is awkward if not hazardous.
Conventionally, in case the headlights are accidently on, the luxurious
automobiles are provided with audible chiming and buzzer warning when the driver's
door is opened. This chime would warn the operator of the headlight left on upon
driver exit from the vehicle. However, such audible warning actuator was placed
either on the roof of the vehicle or near the door of the vehicle, hence out of the reach
of the visibility of the operator. Moreover, such mechanism advocates the usage of a
chiming circuit which if fails may knock down the benefit of informing the operator
about unnecessary glow of headlight, especially during day time.
Hence, there is an urgent need of an automatically actuated visual proof
indicator which can be installed at a position clearly visible to the operator without
losing the basic requirements of reliability, easy assembling, less cost, customers'
satisfaction and the like.
BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
The present subject matter relates to an automatic headlight ON indicator in a
vehicle information display instrument of vehicle that includes a battery powered
high beam switch which when switched on actuate a headlight positioned at the front
of the vehicle and parallelly a light emitting diode provided as a beam indicator in the
vehicle information display instrument. The vehicle is provided with a photodiode
positioned on the vehicle information display instrument to sense the daylight. The
vehicle information display instrument is also provided with a microcontroller with
an electric circuit structure to receive the signals generated from the circuit attached
to the photodiode. Further, the electric circuit structure is also equipped with plurality
of transistors provided subsequent to the ports of microcontroller to act as switch for
respectively actuating visual or audible indicator indicating the status of the headlight
of the vehicle. The structure is uniquely provided with a smart switch provided on the
vehicle information display instrument to manually switch OFF the warning indicator
by pressing the smart switch for few seconds.
An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle information display
instrument located between the handle bars of the two wheelers.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a headlight assembly
with a light holder, a main reflector mounted to the light holder, a light housing
connected to the light holder and/or a back cover, and a front glass cover located next
to the light housing.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a provide the vehicle
with a battery powered headlamp switch provided for actuating the headlight
positioned at the front of the motor cycle as well as a beam (high and low) indicator
of the headlight evident on the vehicle information display instrument.
Another object of the present invention is to provide the circuit for glowing
the light emitting diode with transistors, capacitors, and diodes.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electric circuit
structure with a photodiode to sense the daylight.
Another object of the present invention is to position the photodiode on the
vehicle information display instruments.
Another object of the present invention is to provide the warning indicator of
headlight status in terms of visible LED and/or audible buzzer.
Another object of the present invention is to provide the electric circuit
structure with a smart switch to manually switch off the headlight ON indicator
including warning LED and the audible buzzer.
Another object of the present invention is to manually disable the headlight
ON warning indicator by pressing the smart switch for few seconds.
Yet another object of the present invention is to integrate the smart switch
with the RESET switch by providing an add-on in the RESET switch.
Yet another object of the present invention is to automatically enable the
smart switch on restarting the ignition switch.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The summary narrated above and the following detailed description of the
invention can be understood with the drawings appended to this claim. The
illustrations provide the details of the invention. However, it should be understood
that the invention is not limited to the arrangements shown. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 shows perspective views of the motor vehicle in an embodiment of the present
subject matter.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a headlight assembly of the motor vehicle in an
embodiment of the present subject matter.
FIG. 3 shows an electric circuit structure governing the automatically actuated visual
proof indicating the status of the headlight of the motor vehicle in an embodiment of
the present subject matter.
FIG. 4 shows an electric circuit structure provided with a smart switch in the motor
vehicle in an embodiment of the present subject matter.
FIG. 5 shows a front view of the vehicle information display device provided with a
photodiode and a light emitting warning diode in an embodiment of the present
subject matter.
FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the vehicle information display device provided with a
buzzer in an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments of the present subject matter are described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present subject matter is not
limited to these embodiments which are only provided to explain more clearly the
present subject matter to the ordinarily skilled in the art of the present disclosure. In
the accompanying drawings, like reference alphabets and numerals are used to
indicate like components.
The present invention relates to an automatically actuated visual proof
indicating the status of the headlight of the motor vehicle clearly visible on the screen
of the vehicle information display instrument of the motor vehicle. The following
description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present
disclosure, application, or uses. The present invention will hereinafter be described in
detail below as applied to a motor cycle 100. However, the principles of the present
invention are also applicable to other vehicles 100. Upward and lower directions (see
the upward and lower directions indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1) will be described
with respect to directions as seated by the rider on the motorcycle 100.
FIG. 1 illustrates a two wheeler 100 that may include a fiiel tank and an
engine mounted ahead of a rider's seat on a frame and two relatively large sized
wheels on which the frame rides. The structure is necessarily provided with a pair of
left and right front fork members rotatably supported by a head pipe on the front end
of the vehicle fiame. The steering of the two wheelers 100 is possible via a front
wheel which is moimted on the front fork member whereas the rear wheel (drive
wheel) is at the rear end. FIG. 1 shows a handlebar 102 secured to an upper portion
of the front fork member, and the front and rear portion of the handle bar 102 is
covered with a handle cover which is fiirther divided into forward and backward
portions. The two wheeler 100 is fiirther provided with the intelligent vehicle
information display instrument 104 (as shown in FIG. 2) (also known as a
speedometer) located between the handle bars 102 of the two wheeler 100. The
vehicle information display instrument 104 may be viewable by the rider of the motor
cycle 100 when the rider is seated in the seat and operating the vehicle 100. The
vehicle information display instrument 104 may be disposed generally in front of the
rider so that the rider can inspect or view a variety of information that form part of
the vehicle information display instrument 104, which information may indicate an
operating condition or conditions of the vehicle. The vehicle information display
instrument 104 may be provided with audio/visvial warning indicators comprising
information such as speed, the fuel level, telephone, bluetooth, rpm of the engine, tell
tale symbols, turn signal indicator, hazard warning indicator and / or other indicators.
FIG. 1 further shows a headlight provided, as an attachment to the top middle of the
handlebar of the motor cycle, to light the road ahead.
In an embodiment of the present subject matter, FIG. 2 discloses the headlight
200 assembly provided with a light holder 202, a main reflector 204 mounted to the
light holder 202, a light housing 206 connected to the light holder 202 and/or a back
cover 206, and a front glass cover 208 located next to the light housing. In an
embodiment of the present subject matter, the front glass cover 208 is actually a lens
provided to scatter the light generated from the light housing 206 connected to the
light holder 202. The light housing 206 is preferably provided with a bulb of suitable
power according to the electronic structure required for the functioning of the
headlight assembly 200.
FIG. 3 discloses an electronic circuit structure 300 provided to govern the
operation of automatic visual proof indication of the status of the headlight 200 of the
motor vehicle 100, in an embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 3 explains a
battery powered headlight switch 302 provided for actuating the headlight 200
positioned at the front of the motor cycle 100 as well as a beam (high and low)
indicator 304 of the headlight 200 evident on the vehicle information display
instrument as shown in FIG. 1. The beam is evident by the glow of a prominent LED
(not shown) visible in the vehicle information display instrument 104 to the rider. The
LED is governed by a diode D, plurality of resistors R, capacitors C, zener diode, and
the like. In a preferred embodiment of the present subject matter, the electronic
circuit structure 300 is provided with a photodiode 502, as shown in FIG. 5. The
photodiode 502 has to be located at a position that is adjacent to the electronic circuit
structure 300 of the headlight 200 and is exposed to the sunlight. In an embodiment
of the present subject matter, the photodiode 502 is placed on the vehicle information
display instrument 104 so that the photodiode 502 can easily sense the daylight. In an
embodiment of the present subject matter, the electronic circuit structure 300 is
intelligently provided with a microcontroller 504 that receives the signals from the
circuit governing the photodiode 502 to subsequently transmit the same to plurality of
transistors TR (via respective ports PPGO and PPGl) that act as switches to actuate
the light emitting diode 506 (hereinafter referred as LED as shown in FIG. 5) and an
audible buzzer 602 (as shown in FIG. 6) (both acting as warning indicator) on
receiving the signals of the presence of sunlight via the photodiode 502. The
electronic circuit structure 300 is equipped with current resistors to control the flow
of excessive current to the LED in order to avoid any possibility of LED failure. In an
embodiment of the present subject matter, the electronic circuit structure 300 may be
precautionally structured with a zener diode Z to diminish the excessive flow of
leakage current into the circuit that may affect the normal fimction of the LED. In a
unique embodiment of the present subject matter, the LED may be replaced or
additionally provided with an alarm or an audible or visible signal indicating means
to call to the drivers' attention that he has left the headlight switch 302 on after the
ignition switch is turned ON. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the
buzzer may be positioned at a position at which the acoustic intensity of the buzzer
may be audible to the rider. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the beam
switch is always ON irrespective of the day or night time.
In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the electronic circuit structure
300 is further provided with a smart switch 402 to manually stop the alarm or any
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visible signal indicating means provided to indicate the status of the headlight 200 of
the motor vehicle 100. The rider can operate the smart switch 402 by continuously
pressing the same for approximately five seconds in an embodiment of the present
subject matter. The time for the manually pressing the smart switch 402 can be
customized (by the microcontroller 504) according to the user's need. The smart
switch 402 is advantageous with the fact that the rider may require to intentionally
keep the headlight 200 on, such as travelling on the wrong side or indicating any
hazard, even in the daylight. The said smart switch 402 is positioned in the electronic
circuit structure 300 shown in FIG. 4 to meet those requirements. In an embodiment
of the present subject matter, the said smart switch 402 may be integrated with a
RESET switch by providing an add-on in the microcontroller 504. In another
embodiment of the present subject matter, the smart switch 402 becomes re-active
once the ignition switch is restarted.
The present subject matter is operable importantly during daytime when the
rider forgets to switch OFF the headlight 200 of the motor cycle 100, after night or
may be after coming out of dark basement parking. Considering the headlight switch
302 as ON during daytime, the electronic circuit structure 300 (primarily comprising
the photodiode 502), automatically gets actuated as the photodiode 502 reads the
presence of the sim light. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the diode
D, after sensing the presence of the sunlight, actuate the transistor TR provided
adjacent to the diode. The transistor, on actuation, empowers the LED provided on
the display instrument vehicle information 104. The LED on receiving the required
voltage glows indicating the glovving status of the headlight 200 during daytime. In
another embodiment of the present subject matter, the LED may be replaced by an
alarm, hooter, and the like so that the rider may listen the warning status of the
headlight 200. In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the electronic
circuit structure 300 may be provided with the alarm in addition to the LED so that
the rider can see as well as listen the warning on the display instrument vehicle
information 104 of the motor cycle 100. However, there may be instances when the
rider would want the headlight 200 to keep glowing even during the day time, such as
but not restricted to indicating any hazard to other vehicles and individuals. In that
case, the electronic circuit structure 300 is provided with the smart switch 402 which
can be manually switched OFF by the operator if he wants the headlight 200 to keep
glowing during daytime.
The present subject matter facilitates an advanced and automatic warning
signaling system to the operator about the glowing of headlight of the vehicle during
daytime. The aforesaid provision advantageously discourages personal check (such as
leaning forward or placing the hand) in front of the headlight. It rather provides a
reliable and more user friendly approach to know the status of the headlight.
Additionally, the present subject matter decreases the chances of draining of battery
in case of unintentionally leaving the headlight switch ON. Moreover, such provision
in speedometer reduces any additional requirements of extra circuits and the devices.
Furthermore, the present subject matter provides the smart switch which the operator
can intelligently switch OFF if he requires the headlight to keep glowing even in the
daytime. In other words, the invention truly targets the basic requirements in vehicle
information display instruments such as reliability, easy assembling, less cost,
customers' satisfaction and the like.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to
the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept
thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the
appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all variations,
substitutions and changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency
of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

WE CLAIM:
1. An automatic headlight indicator in a vehicle information display instrument
104 of vehicle 100 comprising:
a battery powered highlight switch 302 which when switched on actuate a
headlight 200 positioned at the front of the vehicle 100 and parallelly a light
emitting diode provided as a beam indicator 304 in the vehicle information
display instrument 104;
a photodiode 502 positioned on the vehicle information display instrument
104 to sense the daylight;
a microcontroller 504 provided with an electric circuit structure 300 to receive
the signals generated from the circuit attached to the photodiode 502;
plurality of transistors provided subsequent to the ports of microcontroller 504
to act as switch for respectively actuating visual 506 or audible indicator 602
indicating the status of the headlight 200 of the vehicle 100;
a smart switch 402 provided on the vehicle information display instrument
104 to manually switch OFF the warning indicator by pressing the smart
switch 104 for few seconds.
2. The automatic headlight ON indicator in a vehicle information display
instrument 104 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the assembly surroimding the
headlight include a light holder, a main reflector, a back cover and a front
glass cover.
3. The automatic headlight ON indicator in a vehicle information display
instrument 104 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the LED governing the beam
comprises of diode, resistor, and capacitor.
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4. The automatic headlight ON indicator in a vehicle informatfon display
instrument 104 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photodiode 502 may be
located at a position exposed to the sunlight.
5. The automatic headlight ON indicator in a vehicle information display
instrument 104 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit structure
300 is equipped with current resistors to control the flow of excessive current
to the LED in order to avoid any possibility of LED failure.
6. The automatic headlight ON indicator in a vehicle information display
instrument 104 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smart switch 402 may be
integrated with a RESET switch by providing an add-on in the
microcontroller 504.
7. The automatic headlight ON indicator in a vehicle information display
instrument 104 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smart switch 402 is pressed
for a minimum of five seconds to manually stop its fimction.
8. The automatic headlight ON indicator in a vehicle information display
instrument 104 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the timer for pressing the smart
switch 402 may be adjusted by microcontroller 504.
9. The automatic headlight ON indicator in a vehicle information display
instrument 104 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smart switch 402 becomes
re-active once the ignition switch is restarted.
10. The automatic headlight ON indfcator in a vehicle information display
instrument 104 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buzzer 602 may be
positioned at a position at which the intensity of the buzzer may be audible to
the rider.