CA1339600C - Electric light for the interior of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Electric light for the interior of a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number
CA1339600C
CA1339600C CA000599529A CA599529A CA1339600C CA 1339600 C CA1339600 C CA 1339600C CA 000599529 A CA000599529 A CA 000599529A CA 599529 A CA599529 A CA 599529A CA 1339600 C CA1339600 C CA 1339600C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
door
interior
opening
vehicle
electrical light
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA000599529A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Wolfgang Priesemuth
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BCS Automotive Interface Solutions GmbH
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1339600C publication Critical patent/CA1339600C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60QARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q3/00Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
    • B60Q3/80Circuits; Control arrangements

Abstract

An electric light, especially for illuminating the interior of a motor vehicle. The light includes a sensor that is at least electrically connected with the light and that, without a switch, senses the opening of at least one door that leads to the interior of the vehicle. After the opening of the door has been detected, a signal is delivered to a switching mechanism that turns on the electric light for a predetermined and possibly selectable period of time.

Description

1339~00 Background of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric light, especially for illuminating the interior of a motor vehicle.
Lights for illuminating the interior of a motor vehicle are usually activated by so-called door contact switches, and in particular generally when the vehicle door is opened. The activation of the light via the illumination of the interior is terminated when the door is again closed, for example after a person leaves the interior of the vehicle or after the person has entered the interior of the vehicle. The heretofore known manner of activating the interior light, as well as the door contact switch normally used for this purpose, have several drawbacks. On the one hand, for example when a person has taken his seat within the interior of the vehicle, the light is switched off after the door has been closed because normally the door switch is again shut off. On the other hand, to date door contact switches represent a mechanically and functionally problematic component for use in motor vehicles. One reason for this is that the door contact switch must be installed in a region of the door opening of a motor vehicle that requires great tolerance precision during manufacture, so 1 - ~L

1~3~60~

that during installation the door contact switch must either be precisely adjusted, or door contact switches must be provided that have an extremely long stroke in order to surmount the large variations in dimension.
As previously mentioned, all electric lights of this type have the drawback that just when a person has opened the door in darkness, taken his seat within the vehicle, and has closed the door, the light is again automatically switched off by the door switch and no light is available, for example, for insertion of the ignition key into the ignition.
For this purpose, up to now it has always been necessary to illuminate the interior of the vehicle with the electric light via a second switch that is separate from the door contact switch; subsequently, in order to again turn off the light, this parallel switch must be switched off.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electric light that requires no separate door contact switch for turning the light on, that can be installed with simple means and can be manufactured in an economical manner, and that makes it possible for light to be available to a person that has entered the vehicle, at least long enough to undertake the necessary steps for starting the vehicle.
Brief Description of the Drawing This object, and other objects and advantages of the present invention, will appear more clearly from the following specification in conjunction with the accompany schematic drawing, which is a perspective and partially broken away view illustrating one exemplary embodiment of the inventive arrangement.
Summary of the Invention The electric light of the present invention is characterized primarily by a sensor that is at least electrically connected with the light and that, without a door switch, senses or detects at least the opening of at least one door that leads to the interior of the vehicle and subsequently delivers a signal to a switching mechanism that then turns on the electric light for a predetermined and possibly selectable period of time.
The advantage of the inventive light is essentially that the previously customary complicated door contact switch can be eliminated, which also has a further advantage, namely the elimination of a separate cost for assembly and installation. The switched-on illumination after closing of the door for a predetermined period of i339600 time has the advantage that, for example, a person utilizing the vehicle has sufficient time to insert his key into the ignition while the interior of the vehicle is illuminated, and to start the vehicle, or such person also has enough time in order during the illuminated state of the interior of the vehicle, for example, to buckle up his seat belt or to insert or remove articles from the glove compartment, etc.
Pursuant to the present invention, it is similarly no longer necessary to separately switch off the electric light, since this light automatically goes off after the prescribed period of time.
Pursuant to one advantageous specific embodiment of the present invention, the switching mechanism includes at least an electrical current pulse relay, the retention time of which can be set in conformity with the desired period of time that the light is to remain switched on. A time control switch via a current pulse relay for the temporary illumination of the vehicle interior after activation by the sensor is a very economical variation for constructing a time delay switch.
However, other electronic solutions are also possible in place of the current pulse relay. For example, it is possible to have an integrated 13~00 switching network that is embodied as a counter switch, or a monostable or single-shot multivibrator (mono-flop) that can be embodied in the form of an integrated switching network or can be formed by individual electronic components.
The sensor for detecting that the door of the vehicle is being opened can be disposed either directly in the electric light, i.e. by simply being a component of the electric light, or can be positioned at some suitable location somewhere in the interior of the vehicle and can then be connected via electric lines to the light.
Pursuant to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the sensor detects a change of the ambient pressure relative to the location at which it is secured in the interior of the vehicle.
It is known that when the door of the vehicle is opened, and even if the window to the interior of the vehicle is not completely closed, a partial vacuum results, whereas when the door is closed, with the other conditions being the same, an overpressure results. The sensor can be embodied in such a way that it reacts either to a partial vacuum or to an overpressure, or can be set in such a way that it responds in general to a change in pressure.
In this connection, the sensor body is 13~g~~~

preferably formed by a pressure box that is provided with a suitable membrane or diaphragm that cooperates with a switch, so that when the membrane responds, the switch is closed and the electric light is turned on for a predetermined period of time.
Pursuant to a further advantageous specific embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is formed by a device that is similar to a microphone.
This embodiment is particularly suitable where a highly sensitive sensor for detecting the opening or closing of the door is required.
Circumstances are also conceivable where neither a sensor that responds to pressure changes in the interior of a vehicle nor a sensor that responds to noise can be provided, for example if during operation of the motor vehicle significant pressure changes can be expected in the interior of the vehicle, or if the noise level in the interior of the vehicle is so great that a microphone-type device could not be used for activating the electric light. Where such problems arise, it can be advantageous to provide in the interior of the vehicle an alternating field that is generated by a transmitter, and the detuning of which, for example due to opening of the door and/or the entry or exit 1339~~~

of a person into or out of the interior of the vehicle, is detected by the sensor. In this situation, the sensor is generally part of an electrical or electronic circuitry that generates the alternating field.
The alternating field is preferably a high frequency field, an ultrasonic field, or a microwave field.
Pursuant to a further specific embodiment of the present invention, there is preferably provided in the interior of the vehicle a transmitter for generating ultraviolet radiation, with the sensor detecting a disruption of the ultraviolet radiation at least when the door is opened. The disruption delivers to the switching mechanism a signal that is electronically suitable for switching and that in the manner previously described switches on the electric light for a predetermined period of time.
Further specific features of the present ~0 invention will be described in detail subsequently.
Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring now to the drawing in detail, disposed in the interior 13 of a motor vehicle 11, which can be a passenger car, a truck, or any other type of motor vehicle, is at least one electric light 10; this light 10 is electrically connected 133g600 to a sensor. The sensor can be disposed directly in the electric light, so that no separate sensor components have to be provided, which in turn has the advantage of reducing the manufacturing costs of such a light 10 relative to the manufacturing costs of a separate light and a separate sensor, and of eliminating costs for the installation of the electric lines between the light and a sensor.
When the door 12 is opened, whereby this door can be any door that permits access of a person to the interior of the motor vehicle, the non-illustrated sensor, depending upon the construction thereof, either detects a partial vacuum or overpressure that results when the door 12 is opened or closed, or detects a noise, in which case the sensor is embodied as a microphone-type device. As a consequence of the detection of the opening of the door, a signal is delivered to a switching mechanism, which can be an electrical, electro-mechanical, or an electronic switching mechanism.As a result, the switching mechanism turns on the electric light, for illumination of the interior of the motor vehicle, for a predetermined period of time. In principle, this period of time can be of such a short duration that to the person that has entered the interior 13 of the vehicle, it appears 13'.~96QQ

as if the illumination of the interior has ceased with the closure of the door 12; in other words, the predetermined period of time could also be set to the short period of time that normally elapses between the opening of a door 12, the seating of a person in the interior 13 of the motor vehicle 11, and the subse~uent closing of the door 12.
However, the period of time can also be set in such a way that the light remains switched on for, for example, ten seconds after the door 12 has again been closed after the person has entered the vehicle.
It is also possible to provide for a manual switching-on of the electric light 10, in addition to the inventive switching-on, by an additional manual switch or the like that is essentially connected in parallel with the switch arrangement of the present invention.
Furthermore, it is also possible to use the electric light 10, for example, not only for the space available in the motor vehicle for people, but also as a light to illuminate the vehicle trunk 14 or the engine compartment 15, etc., whereby, for example, the light could be switched on when the trunk lid or the hood are opened.
The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to the specific disclosure of the specification and drawing, but also encompasses any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. An electrical light especially for illuminating the interior of a motor vehicle, comprising:
a sensor means for sensing an opening of a door leading to the interior of said vehicle, wherein said sensor means is sensitive for a change of a contactless measurable parameter which accompanies said opening of said door and is adapted to emit a signal on opening of said door;
a switching means adapted to receive said signal from said sensor means when sensing an opening of said door and switching on said electrical light for a predetermined period of time.
2. An electrical light according to claim 1, in which said switching means includes at least one electrical current pulse relay, the retention time of which can be set in conformity with a desired period of time for said electricallight to be turned on.
3. An electrical light according to claim 1, in which said sensor means is of a type that detects changes in ambient pressure which accompanies an opening of said door.
4. An electrical light according to claim 3, in which said sensor means includes a sensor body that is provided with a diaphragm.
5. An electrical light according to claim 3, in which said sensor means is a microphone type device.
6. An electrical light according to claim 1, which includes, in said interior of said vehicle, a transmitter for generating a alternating field, the detuning of which accompanies an opening of said door and is detected by said sensor means during an opening of said door.
7. An electrical light according to claim 6, in which said alternating field is a high frequency field.
8. An electrical light according to claim 6, in which said alternating field is an ultrasonic field.
9. An electrical light according to claim 6, in which said alternating field is a microwave field.
10. An electrical light according to claim 1, which includes, in the interior of said vehicle, a transmitter for generating an ultraviolet radiation, with said sensor means detecting a disruption of said ultraviolet radiation accompanying an opening of said door.
CA000599529A 1988-05-18 1989-05-12 Electric light for the interior of a motor vehicle Expired - Fee Related CA1339600C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DEP3816908.8 1988-05-18
DE3816908 1988-05-18
DE3820829A DE3820829A1 (en) 1988-05-18 1988-06-21 ELECTRIC INTERIOR LIGHT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
DEP3820829.6 1988-06-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1339600C true CA1339600C (en) 1997-12-23

Family

ID=25868212

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000599529A Expired - Fee Related CA1339600C (en) 1988-05-18 1989-05-12 Electric light for the interior of a motor vehicle

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US5130901A (en)
EP (1) EP0342345B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1018170B (en)
BR (1) BR8902303A (en)
CA (1) CA1339600C (en)
DE (2) DE3820829A1 (en)

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US5599086A (en) * 1995-06-06 1997-02-04 Ford Motor Company Vehicle track lighting system
KR20010013851A (en) 1997-06-17 2001-02-26 뵈링어 쿤스트스토프테크니크 게엠베하 Inside lighting circuit for a vehicle
DE19725397A1 (en) * 1997-06-17 1999-01-21 Schmidt Detlef Dipl Ing Fh Interior lighting circuit for automobile
US6249089B1 (en) 1998-10-09 2001-06-19 Frederick Bruwer Intelligent electrical device comprising microchip
US6984900B1 (en) * 1998-10-09 2006-01-10 Azoteq (Pty) Ltd. Intelligent electrical switch
US6179453B1 (en) * 1999-10-29 2001-01-30 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Selective zonal courtesy lamps for automotive vehicle
US6338517B1 (en) 2000-01-20 2002-01-15 Lear Corporation Overhead console for a vehicle
US6536928B1 (en) * 2000-03-03 2003-03-25 Lear Corporation Multi-colored vehicle interior lighting
WO2001097379A2 (en) * 2000-06-13 2001-12-20 Azoteq (Pty) Ltd Intelligent switch for connecting power to a load
US6669260B2 (en) 2001-05-01 2003-12-30 Johnson Controls Technology Company Modular system for a vehicle
EP1328141B1 (en) * 2002-01-12 2010-11-10 odelo GmbH Assembly having a conductor from flexible material and method for manufacturing such an assembly
US6921118B2 (en) 2002-04-22 2005-07-26 Johnson Controls Technology Company Sliding and nesting console system
JP2005537172A (en) 2002-08-27 2005-12-08 ジョンソン コントロールズ テクノロジー カンパニー Overhead system for vehicles
FR2935650B1 (en) * 2008-09-11 2011-05-06 Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa DEVICE FOR LIGHTING A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE
DE102009048323A1 (en) 2009-10-05 2011-04-07 Conti Temic Microelectronic Gmbh Driver assistance system for a motor vehicle with a camera for detecting lane markings
JP6220356B2 (en) * 2015-01-23 2017-10-25 矢崎総業株式会社 Car interior lighting system
DE102016000243A1 (en) 2016-01-12 2017-07-13 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. Leather hydrophobization process and leather produced therewith
DE102020132833A1 (en) * 2020-12-09 2022-06-09 Ledvance Gmbh Lighting device, system with lighting devices and method for operating the system

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US3636514A (en) * 1969-12-03 1972-01-18 Louis M Burgess Method of conducting nocturnal policing inspections by controlling interior lights of buildings
DE2111288C3 (en) * 1971-03-10 1974-02-28 Siemens Ag, 1000 Berlin U. 8000 Muenchen Device for displaying the switched-on state of a consumer, in particular the exterior lighting, on a motor vehicle
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1018170B (en) 1992-09-09
US5130901A (en) 1992-07-14
DE3820829A1 (en) 1989-12-07
EP0342345A2 (en) 1989-11-23
EP0342345A3 (en) 1990-08-16
CN1037683A (en) 1989-12-06
DE3820829C2 (en) 1990-05-03
EP0342345B1 (en) 1994-01-05
BR8902303A (en) 1990-01-09
DE58906616D1 (en) 1994-02-17

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Legal Events

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MKLA Lapsed
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Effective date: 20031223