DESC:This application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 201641010262, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to lighting systems in vehicles, and more particularly relates to daytime running lights in vehicles.

BACKGROUND
[002] Daytime running lights (DRLs) are a safety car lighting device, typically used for increasing the visibility of the vehicle during daytime, especially when the daylight is accompanied with fog or during dull overcast days. Mostly, the DRLs will be turned ON, when the vehicle is turned ON. It can also be used for enhancing the appearance of the vehicle. Typically, the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) or a dedicated controller present in the vehicle controls the operation of the DRLs. The ECU can automatically switch the DRLs off when either the dipped or main beam headlights are turned ON since it is regulatory requirement. However, this may require modifications in the ECU or the addition of an extra controller, which can add to complexity and costs.

OBJECTS
[003] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide methods and systems for controlling Daytime running lights (DRLs) in a vehicle, wherein the DRLs can be controlled without an additional controller or modifications to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[004] The embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[005] FIG. 1 depicts a system for controlling at least one DRL present in a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[006] FIGs. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d depict example electrical schematic diagrams of the system for controlling at least one DRL present in a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[007] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[008] The embodiments herein provide methods and systems for controlling at least one Daytime running light (DRL) present in a vehicle. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 2, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[009] FIG. 1 depicts a system for controlling at least one DRL present in a vehicle. The system 100 enables the DRL to be turned ON when the vehicle is running and the headlights/parking lights of the vehicle are turned OFF. The system 100 comprises of a first relay 101, a second relay 102, at least one DRL 103, an ignition system 104, a battery 105, and an alternator 106. In an embodiment herein, the vehicle can comprise of one DRL, wherein the DRL can be installed in a factory or can be installed outside the factory (either by an authorized or an unauthorized person). In an embodiment herein, the vehicle can comprise of a plurality of DRLs, wherein the DRLs can be installed in a factory or can be installed outside the factory (either by an authorized or an unauthorized person).
[0010] The first and second relays 101, 102 are normally closed relays. The first relay 101 and the second relay can be connected in series, between the ignition system 104 and the positive line of the DRL 103. The first relay 101 can monitor the vehicle running condition. The first relay 101 can be connected to the Warning lamp (WL) terminal of the alternator 106. The second relay 102 can monitor the status of the headlight/parking light, i.e. whether headlight/parking light switches is ON or OFF. The second relay 102 can be connected to the positive terminals of the parking light and the headlight of the vehicle.
[0011] The system 100 enables the DRLs 103 to be turned ON when the engine of the vehicle is in running condition and the headlight/parking light switches are in OFF condition. The system 100 enables the DRLs 103 to be turned OFF, when the engine of the vehicle is in non-running condition or when the engine of the vehicle is in running condition and the headlight/parking light switches are in ON condition.
[0012] In an embodiment herein, the system 100 can comprise of a fuse, wherein the fuse blows on detecting a short circuit in the system 100.
[0013] FIGs. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d depict example electrical schematic diagrams of the system. The positive line from the DRL 103 is connected to the ignition system 104 given through the first and second relays 101, 102. A first end of the coil terminal of the first relay 101 is connected to the ignition system 103 and the second end of the terminal is connected to the WL terminal of the alternator 106. A first end of the coil terminal of the second relay 102 is connected to the positive terminals of the parking light and the headlight assembly and the second end of the terminal is connected to the ground.
[0014] During engine off condition, the coil terminal of the first relay 101, which was connected to the WL terminal of the alternator 106, can get continuous ground from the WL terminal of the alternator 106. Hence, the DRL 103 will be OFF (as depicted in FIG. 2a). When the ignition system 104 is only ON without cranking, the first relay 101 can get energized and the first relay 101 will open the contact point, which will result in the supply to the DRL 103 being cut. Hence, the DRL 103 will be OFF (as depicted in FIG. 2b). When the ignition system 104 is cranked, the polarity of the WL terminal of the alternator 106 changes to positive, thus the first relay 101 will become normally closed and a charge from the battery 105 (via the ignition system 104) will pass through the second relay 102 to the DRL 103 and the DRL 103 is switched ON (as depicted in FIG. 2c). When the parking light or the headlight is turned ON, the second relay 102 will get energized (as one of the coil terminals is connected to the positive terminal of the parking light) and opens the contact points which will cut off the supply from the battery 105 to the DRL 103. So, the DRL 103 will be switched off (as depicted in FIG. 2d), when the headlight or the parking light is turned ON.
[0015] Embodiments herein do not require the ECU or any other controller for operating the DRLs in the vehicle. Based upon the foregoing description, it can be appreciated that the invention can be embodied with relatively few components and it is adaptable for installation both as original equipment in a new vehicle and for retrofit purposes in vehicles already in service.
[0016] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A system for controlling at least one Daytime Running Light (DRL) (103) in a vehicle, the system comprising a first relay (101) and a second relay (102) connected in series between an ignition system (104) and the at least one DRL (103), wherein
a first end of a coil terminal of the first relay (101) is connected to the ignition system (104);
a second end of the coil terminal of the first relay (101) is connected to a Warning Lamp (WL) terminal of an alternator (106);
a first end of a coil terminal of the second relay (102) is connected to at least one of a positive terminal of a parking light of the vehicle; and a positive terminal of a headlight of the vehicle; and
a second end of the coil terminal of the second relay (102) is connected to the ground.
2. The system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first relay (101) is a normally closed relay.
3. The system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second relay (102) is a normally closed relay.
4. The system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first relay (101) is configured for
keeping the DRL (103) OFF, when an engine in the vehicle is OFF, by getting continuous ground from the WL terminal of the alternator (106);
keeping the DRL (103) OFF, when the ignition system (104) is only ON without cranking, by opening a contact point in the first relay (101); and
turning the DRL (103) ON, when the ignition system (104) is cranked, by closing the first relay (101) using a positive polarity of the WL terminal of the alternator (106).
5. The system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second relay (102) is configured for turning off the DRL (103), on at least one of the parking light; and the headlight being turned ON, by cutting supply to the DRL (103) on opening contact points present in the second relay (102), wherein at least one of the positive terminal of the parking light of the vehicle; and the positive terminal of the headlight of the vehicle energizes the second relay (102).
6. The system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system further comprises of a fuse.
7. The system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system does not comprise of an Electronic Control Unit (ECU).