HEADLIGHT FLASHING SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to lighting systems, and more particularly, to
headlight flashing systems in vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The headlight of vehicles, such as two-wheeled vehicles, generally includes a
low beam lighting element and a high beam lighting element. At any given instant of
time, any one of the low beam or the high beam lighting elements can be operated as per
the requirement using a dimmer switch. In many vehicles, the headlight operates on an
Alternating Current (AC) power supply. Vehicles are also provided with a passing switch
which includes a relay system (e.g., an electromagnetic relay system) to switch ON the
high beam lighting element, and generally this is achieved by operating the high beam
lighting element of the headlight on a Direct Current (DC) power supply.
[0003] In general scenarios, the relay system allows the headlight to operate on the
AC power supply when a headlight switch is in ON condition. Further, when the passing
switch is actuated, the relay system disconnects the headlight from the AC power supply
. and connects the headlight to the DC power supply to operate the high beam lighting
element of the headlight. However, such relay systems are costly and therefore their
usage adds cost to the overall lighting system of the vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0004] A headlight flashing system is disclosed. In an embodiment, the headlight
flashing system comprises a headlight unit, a direct current (DC) power source, an
alternating current (AC) power source and a passing switch. The headlight unit
comprises a low beam lighting element and a high beam lighting element. The passing
switch comprises an actuation means capable of being in a default position. The
actuation means is configured to assume an actuated position upon application of a user
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force and upon releasing the user force the actuation means is retracted to the default
position. In an embodiment, in the default position, the actuation means is configured to
connect the high beam lighting element to the AC power source. Further, in the actuated
position, the actuation means is configured to disconnect the high beam lighting element
from the AC power source and connect the high beam lighting element to the DC power
source.
[0005] In an embodiment, the passing switch comprises a housing, a cover plate, an
electrical contact plate and a biasing element. The housing comprises an electrical
contact node connected to the high beam lighting element. The cover plate comprises a
first contact node and a second contact node. The first contact node is connected to the
AC power source and the second contact node is connected to the high beam lighting
element. The electrical contact plate is mounted on the actuation means. The biasing
element is attached to the actuation means. The biasing element is adapted to move when
the actuation means is actuated by the user force. Further, the biasing element comprises
a DC contact node electrically connected to the DC power source. In an embodiment, in
the default position, the electrical contact plate makes an electrical contact with the first
contact node and the second contact node thereby making an electrical connection
between the AC power source and the high beam lighting element. Further, in the
actuated position, the biasing means is moved to disconnect the electrical contact plate
from the first contact node and the second contact node and the biasing means connects
the electrical contact node to the DC contact node, thereby connecting the high beam
lighting element to the DC power source.
[0006] In an embodiment the actuation means comprises a first end and a second
end. The first end hingedly mounted to the housing and the second end adapted to
receive the user force. In an embodiment, the actuation means compnses a lever
comprising a knob on which the user force is applied.
[0007] In an embodiment, the electrical contact nod~ is a dome shaped electrical
contact node.
[0008] In an embodiment,· the actuation means further comprises a torsion spring.
The torsion spring is positioned to retain the actuation means to the default position.
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Moreover; the actuated position is assumed by applying the user force on the actuation
means against a torsional spring force of the torsion spring.
[0009]
plate.
[001 0]
In an embodiment, the biasing element is an electrically conducting metallic
In an embodiment, the headlight flashing system further comprises one or
more power leads to connect the passing switch to the DC power source and the AC
power source.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention itself, together with further features and attended advantages,
will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed d~scription, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present
invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in
which:
[00 12] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a headlight flashing system, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] Figure 2 is a schematic view of a passing switch, where the passing switch is
in an open position (or a default position), according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] Figure 3 is a schematic view of the passing switch, where the passing switch
is in a closed position (or an actuated position), according to an embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0015] Figure 4 is an exploded v1ew of the passing switch, according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as being
drawn to scale. except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only exemplary in
nature.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative
forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawing
and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to
limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is
to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the
scope of the invention.
[0018] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that
comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps
but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup,
device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus
proceeded by "comprises ... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence
of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
[00 19] While the headlight flashing system has been described in the context of a
saddle riding type or a two-wheeled vehicle, however, this is not limited to the saddle
type riding vehicle or the two-wheeled vehicle, and the headlight flashing system and its
features thereof may be used in any other vehicle having a passing switch.
[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a headlight flashing system (100)
comprising a passing light switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The headlight flashing system ( 1 00} comprises a passing switch ( 1 06), a headlight unit
(108) including a low beam lighting element (114) and a high beam lighting element
(116), a DC power source (102), an AC power source (104) and one or more power leads
(110, 112). In an embodiment, the low beam lighting element (114) and the high beam
lighting element (116) are provided in form of separate lighting sources. In an
embodiment, there is provided an AC power lead (112) and a DC power lead (110)
connected to the passing switch (1 06). The passing switch (1 06) is adapted to establish
an electrical contact of the high beam lighting element (116) of the headlight unit (1 08)
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with either the AC power source (104) through the AC power. lead (112) or with the DC
power source (1 02) through the DC power lead (11 0).
[0021] In an embodiment, the DC power source (102) is a 12 Volt battery of the
vehicle. In an embodiment, the AC power source (104) is an Alternating Current
Generator (ACG) of the vehicle. As shown in Figure 1, the passing switch (1 06) is in a
default position, the passing switch (106) connects the AC power source (104) through
the dimmer switch (not shown in Figures) and headlight switch (not shown in Figures)
with the high beam lighting element (116) of the headlight unit (108). In an actuated
position of the passing switch (106), the passing switch (l06) is adapted to electrically
connect the DC power source (102) and the high. beam lighting element (116) of the
headlight unit (108) (connection shown as dotted lines in the circuitry illustrated in
Figure 1) to enable the high beam lighting element (116) of the headlight unit (1 08). In
an embodiment, the passing switch (106) is an auto-retracting switch. As the passing
switch (1 06) directly operates the high beam lighting element (116), therefore, the
headlight flashing system ( 1 00) does not need a separate device such as the relay system
for operation.
[0022] Various views of the passing switch (106) are herein described with reference
to Figures 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4, where Figure 2 depicts the passing switch (1 06) in an
open condition, where Figure 3 depicts the passing switch (106) in a closed condition
and where Figure 4 depicts the passing switch (1 06) in an .exploded view, according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0023] Referring jointly to Figures 2 ·to 4, the passing switch (1 06) comprises a
housing (204) having one or more electrical contact nodes for example an electrical
contact node (216), a cover plate (222) having electrical contact nodes, for example, a
first contact node (208) and a second contact node (21 0) (hereinafter also referred as the
electrical contact nodes (208) and (210) ), a biasing element (218), an· actuation means
(202), and one or more springs such as a torsion spring (220) for retaining the actuation
means (202) to a default position of the actuation means (202). In an embodiment, the
actuatio~ means (202) is a lever having a knob at one end. The actuation means (202) is
hingedly mounted to the housing (204) such as one end (e.g., a first end) is fixed to the
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housing (204) and the other end (e.g., a second end) for example the knob is adapted to
be pressed by a user. In an embodiment, the actuation means (202) is spring loaded
preferably by the torsion spring (220) such that the torsion spring (220) retains the
actuation means (202) to its default position and the user can actuate the passing switch
(106) by actuating the actuation means (202) against a torsional spring force of the
torsion spring (220). For example, a user force can be applied on the second end (e.g.,
knob) so that the actuation means (202) assumes the actuated position from the default
position. The actuation means (202) has an electrical contact plate (212) mounted
thereto. In an embodiment, the electrical contact plate (212) is spring loaded to the
actuation means (202) preferably by a helical spring (226). The biasing element (218) is
attached to the actuation means (202) and adapted to move when the actuation means
(202) is actuated by the user. In an embodiment, the biasing element (218) is an
electrically conducting metallic plate. Further, the biasing element (218) has a DC
contact node (214) electrically connected to one end of the DC power lead (11 0) i.e. the
DC contact node (214) is connected to the DC power source (102) through the DC power
lead (110).
[0024] The electrical contact node (216) of the passmg switch (1 06) which IS
connected to the high beam lighting element (116) of the headlight unit (108), 1s
provided on a portion of the housing (204) such that when the user actuates the actuation
means (202), the biasing element (218) is adapted to electrically connect the DC power
source (102) with the high beam lighting element (116) of the headlight unit (108). In an
embodiment, the electrical contact node (216) of the passing switch (106) is preferably a
dome shaped electrical contact node.
[0025] The cover plate (222) is adapted to cover the housing (204) from one side.
The cover plate (222) includes two electrical contact nodes one of which is connected to
the AC power source (104) of the vehicle using power leads (e.g. the AC power lead
(112)) and other is connected to the high beam lighting element (116) of the headlight
unit (108). In an embodiment, the cover plate (222) is adapted to cover the housing (204)
from the top side such that the electrical contact plate (212) of the actuation means (202)
make sliding contact with the two electrical contact nodes of the cover plate (222)
thereby completing the electrical circuit with the AC power source (104). In an
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embodiment, a spring loaded plunger (224) is provided on one side of the actuation
means (202) opposite to the cover plate (222) such that the spring loaded plunger (224)
forces the actuation means (202) towards the cover plate (222) and keeps the actuation
means (202) abutted against the cover plate (222) such that the electrical contact plate
(212) makes electrical contact with the electrical contact nodes (208) and (21 0). As the
cover plate (222) is adapted to cover the housing (204) from the top, therefore, there is
minimum chance of accumulation of dust or. such extraneous element on the two
electrical nodes provided on the cover plate (222).
[0026] As illustrate in Figures 1 to 4, in operation, when the actuation means (202) is
in the default position, the electrical contact plate (212) of the actuation means (202)
make an electrical contact with the two electrical contact nodes (208, 21 0) of the cover
plate (222) thereby making an electrical connection between the AC power source (104)
and the high beam lighting element (116) of the headlight unit (1 08). In an embodiment,
the passing switch (106) electrically connects the AC power source (104) and the high
beam lighting element (116) of the headlight unit (1 08) through a dimmer switch (not
shown in the Figures). The dimmer switch is able to operate either the high beam
lighting element ( 116) or the low beam lighting element ( 114) of the headlight unit ( 1 08)
at a time.
[0027] When user actuates the passing switch (106) through the actuation means
(202) (e.g., the actuation means (202) comes in the actuated position), the electrical
contact plate (212) of the biasing element (218) disconnects from the two electrical
contact nodes (208, 210) thereby slidably disconnecting from the AC power source
( 104 ), and makes an electrical contact with the electrical contact node (216) of. the
passing switch (1 06), which is electrically connected to the high beam lighting element
(116) of the headlight unit (1 08), to enable the high beam lighting element (116) of the
headlight unit (108). As the passing switch (106) is an auto-retracting switch, therefore,
the actuation means (202) returns to the default position such that the electrical contact
plate (212) makes a sliding electrical contact with the electrical contact nodes (21 0) and
(208) as soon as the user leaves the actuation means (202).
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[0028] . Various embodiments of present invention provide headlight flashing system
employing a passing switch which directly operates the high beam lighting element of
the headlight unit, thereby eliminating the need of any relay system connected to the
passing switch. Such design of headlight flashing systems saves in overall design cost .of
the headlight systems of the vehicles.
[0029] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features
of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that
many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without . departing from the .
principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention
or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the
disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive
matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A headlight flashing system, comprising:
a headlight unit comprising a low beam lighting element and a high beam lighting
element;
a direct current (DC) power source;
an alternating current (AC) power source; and
a passing switch comprising an actuation means capable of being in a default
position, the actuation means configured to assume an actuated position upon application
of a user force; and upon releasing the user force the actuation means is retracted to the
default position,
wherein in the default position, the actuation means is configured to connect the
high beam lighting element to the AC power source; and
wherein in the actuated position, the actuation means is configured to disconnect
the high beam lighting element from the AC power source and connect the high beam
lighting element to the DC power source.
2. The headlight flashing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the passing switch
compnses:
a housing comprising an electrical contact node connected to the high beam
lighting element;
a cover plate comprising a first contact node and a second contact node, the first
contact node connected to the AC power source and the second contact node connected
to the high beam lighting ele~ent;
an electrical contact plate mounted on the actuation means; and
a biasing element attached to the actuation means, the biasing element adapted to
move when the actuation means is actuated by the user force, the biasing element
comprising a DC contact node electrically connected to the DC pow~r source;
wherein in the default position, the electrical contact plate makes an electrical
contact with the first GOntact node and the second contact node thereby making an
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electrical connection between the AC power source and the high beam lighting element;
and
wherein in the actuated position, the biasing means is moved to disconnect the
electrical contact plate from the first contact node and the second contact node, and the
biasing means connects the electrical contact node to the DC contact node, thereby
connecting the high beam lighting element to the DC power source.
3. The headlight flashing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the actuation means
comprises a first end hingedly mounted to the housing and a second end adapted to
receive the user force.
4. The headlight flashing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the electrical
contact node is a dome shaped electrical contact node.
5. The headlight flashing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the actuation means
further comprises a torsion spring, the torsion spring positioned to retain the actuation
means to the default position, the actuated position is assumed by applying the user
force on the actuation means against a torsional spring force of the torsion spring.
6. The headlight flashing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the actuation means
comprises.a lever comprising a knob on which the user force is applied.
7. The headlight flashing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein·the biasing element
is an electrically conducting metallic plate.
8. The headlight flashing system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising one or
more power leads to connect the passing switch to the DC power source and the AC
power source.