Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems – Special application – Vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
2003-03-17
2004-03-30
Clinger, James (Department: 2821)
Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
Special application
Vehicle
C315S084000, C307S010800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06713967
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to vehicular lighting control schemes, and in particular, to an interior lighting control system for an automobile.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional methods for controlling interior vehicle lighting systems generally include either two switching power feeds and one ground connection to multiple lamp assemblies, or two switching ground connections and one power feed to multiple lamp assemblies. In either case, there are a minimum of three circuits required per lamp assembly to achieve the desired functionality. Essentially, interior vehicle lights need to function in a manner that allows the interior lamps to be controlled at the lamp assembly using a lamp switch, and also separately when a door is open or the interior dome switch is turned on.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a lamp assembly has first and second input terminals, adapted to be coupled to an electric power source, a lighting element having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first terminal, a dual position manual switch coupled between the second end of the element and the second terminal, and a diode coupled between the second end of the element and the second terminal. This arrangement allows the lamp assembly to illuminate the lighting element either via the manual switch or automatically by selecting an appropriate polarity of the potential appearing across the first and second terminals. In addition, the lamp assembly circuit of the present invention reduces the number of circuits required to perform the desired functions which results in substantial cost savings per vehicle.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4638174 (1987-01-01), Bier
patent: 4739224 (1988-04-01), Geerlings
patent: 4866345 (1989-09-01), Kataoka
patent: 5047688 (1991-09-01), Alten
patent: 5583382 (1996-12-01), Wagner
patent: 5604407 (1997-02-01), Andres et al.
patent: 5831389 (1998-11-01), Kawashima et al.
Gaynier John M
Gronowski Lisa A
Machak Joseph G.
Alemu Ephrem
Bacon, Jr. Edwin W.
Clinger James
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
LandOfFree
Vehicular lighting control system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Vehicular lighting control system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Vehicular lighting control system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3280022