US2186766A - Vehicle signal circuit - Google Patents
Vehicle signal circuit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US2186766A US2186766A US196925A US19692538A US2186766A US 2186766 A US2186766 A US 2186766A US 196925 A US196925 A US 196925A US 19692538 A US19692538 A US 19692538A US 2186766 A US2186766 A US 2186766A
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- switch
- lamps
- manual
- vehicle
- brushes
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
- B60Q1/34—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating change of drive direction
- B60Q1/38—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating change of drive direction using immovably-mounted light sources, e.g. fixed flashing lamps
- B60Q1/387—Mechanical temporisation
Definitions
- My invention relates to vehicle signal circuits, and more particularly to such a circuit wherein an automatic switch and a hand switch are utilized' to energize the same signalling indicators, the broad idea of such a combination being described and claimed in the Clarence B. Howard application for United States Letters Patent entitled Vehicle direction indicator, Serial No. 136,709, filed April 14., 1937, since matured into United States Patent No. 2,111,931, dated March 22, 1938.
- hand switch was also used to directly. energize the same circuits and indicators in parallel with the automatic switch.
- the automatic switch was made to hold in contact making position by the use of an electromagnet, and the hold was released by passage of current through a bucking coil creating a fluxin the opposite direction to that of the holding flux, thus releasing the hand switch upon passage of any current through the automatic switch.
- the present application deals with a signalling circuit utilizing an automatic switch and a hand switch, wherein the hand switch is mechanically held in circuit making position, and an electromagnet is used in the automatic switch circuit to release the mechanical hold.
- the hand switch is mechanically held in circuit making position
- an electromagnet is used in the automatic switch circuit to release the mechanical hold.
- two coils were uti-'-' lized, one in series with the hand switch for holding, and one in series with the automatic switch for releasing, whereas the'circuit of my invention herein to be described and claimed utilizes only a single coil inseries with the automatic switch for causing release.
- the main object of the present invention is to provide, with such a system utilizing only a single release coil, means for properly apportioning current through the hand switch and through the release coil and automatic switch when the indicators on the same side of the vehicle are being simultaneously energized by both switches.
- Fig. l which shows the 1 0 condition of one preferred circuit embodying my invention when a vehicle is proceeding straight ahead with no signal needed
- numeral represents the steering gear of an automobile.
- An extension shaft: 2 is attached thereto in any con- 15' venient'manner, this shaft rotating an automatic switch" disc 3 carrying a movable segment 4.
- Movable segment 4 is in constant contact with a common automatic brush 5, and spaced to right and left of movable segment 4 are right and left 2 signal circuit brushes 6 and l respectively.
- Contactsegment 4 is of insufficient length to bridge brushes 6 and i when in the central or straightahead position of steering gear I but when steering gear l is turned, will bridge common brush 5 with "either circuit brush 6 or 'i to signal a vehicle turn;
- Right and left signal brushes 6 and 'i are connected to right and left signal lamps 8 and 9 respectively, preferably two lamps showing to the front and rear of a vehicle.
- automatic brush 5 is connected through release coil lilvto vehicle battery ii, or similar source.
- manual common brush I1 is connected to source I! through abalancing resistor 20.
- handle 14 When handle 14 ismoved either to right or left, sector it moves and makes electrical connection between .56 manual common brush H and manual circuit brushes [8 or IS, in accordance with the movement of handle 14.
- Manual disc I2 is provided with a central notch 2
- Core 25, inside solenoid I0, is positioned to lift pawl 22, which is made of magnetic material, out of notches 2! or 24, as the case may be.
- balancing resistor 29 simply acts to reduce the current through the right hand lamps by a relatively small amount, and this resistor may be made equal or substantially equal to the resistance of solenoid if ⁇ , and thus there will be no difference in the brilliancy of the right or left lamps. It will be noticed that both lamps will be lit for a fraction of a second, just as long as necessary for the manual switch to return to central position. However, I have found that the lag in the filaments of the lamps is sufficient so that the observer cannot actually see that current is flowing through both lamps. In other words, the return time of the manual switch may be made so fast that the left hand lamps do not get up to brilliancy before the right hand lamps are extinguished.
- resistor 20 While I have shown resistor 20 as being inserted in series with the manual common brush l1, it is obvious that such a resistor may be placed at any point between the source II and the connection of the manual switch lateral brushes to lamps 8 and 9. In other words, I do not wish to be limited to the position of the resistor, and furthermore, I do not wish to be limited to any exact value of this resistor, this value depending not only on the resistance of release solenoid IB, but also upon the resistance which is inherently present in the circuits passing through the manual switch.
- right and left indicator circuits indicating devices in each of said circuits, a power source, a manual switch having a power brush and lateral brushes, each of said lateral brushes being connected to an indicator circuit, a manual member movable to two positions to selectively connect one of said lateral brushes to said power brush in each of said positions, resilient means for centralizing said manual member, means for holding said manual member in the selected position, electromagnetic means for releasing the hold of said holding means, an automatic switch having a central rush and a pair of lateral indicator brushes, each of said lateral indicator brushes being connected to an indicator circuit, an automatic member movable by turning of the steering gear of said vehicle for connecting one of said lateral indicator brushes to said central brush, in accordance with a vehicle turn made, said central brush in said automatic switch being connected to said power source through said electromagnetic means, and a resistor in series connection between said power brush in said hand switch and said power source.
- right and left indicator circuits indicating devices in each of said circuits, a power source, a manual switch having a power brush and lateral brushes, each of said lateral brushes being connected to an indicator circuit, a manual member movable to two positions to selectively connect one of said lateral brushes to said power brush in each of said positions, resilient means for centralizing said manual member, means for holding said manual member in the selected position, electromagnetic means for releasing the hold of said holding means, an automatic switch having a central brush and a pair of lateral indicator 1,
- each of said lateral indicator brushes being connected to an indicator circuit, an automatic member movable by turning of the steering gear of said vehicle for connecting one of said lateral indicator brushes to said central brush; in accordance with a vehicle turn made, said central brush in said automatic switch being connected to said power source through said electromagnetic means, and a resistor in series connection between said power brush in said hand switch and said power source, said resistor having a resistance value substantially approach ing the resistance value of said electromagnetic 5 means.
Description
Jan. 9, 1940. H. E. M ETCALF 2,186,766
v VEHICLE SIGNAL CIRCUIT Filed March 19, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 L 9 v .8 R
5 1 L 1 20 R 8' v /9 INVENTOR. HERBERT E. METCALF- H. E. METCALF VEHICLE SIGNAL CIRCUIT Filed March 19, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 AUTOMATIC SWITCH LEFT :1 L MANUAL SWITCH LEFT AUTOMATIC SWITCH 7 LEFT INVENTORT HERBERT E. ME TCALF.
A TTORNEYS.
Patented Jan. 9, 1940 UNITED STATES VEHICLE SIGNAL omooir Herbert E. Metcalfi Walnut Creek, Califi, as-
signor, by mesne assignments, to Signacator Systems, Inc, Oakland,'( 3' alif., ajcorporation of California Application Mareh19, 1938, serial No. 196,925 2 Claims. 01. 177-339) My invention relates to vehicle signal circuits, and more particularly to such a circuit wherein an automatic switch and a hand switch are utilized' to energize the same signalling indicators, the broad idea of such a combination being described and claimed in the Clarence B. Howard application for United States Letters Patent entitled Vehicle direction indicator, Serial No. 136,709, filed April 14., 1937, since matured into United States Patent No. 2,111,931, dated March 22, 1938.
In the Howard application cited above, an automatic switch attached to the steering gear of a vehicle energized right and left signalling circuits having signalling indicators therein. A
hand switch was also used to directly. energize the same circuits and indicators in parallel with the automatic switch. The automatic switch was made to hold in contact making position by the use of an electromagnet, and the hold was released by passage of current through a bucking coil creating a fluxin the opposite direction to that of the holding flux, thus releasing the hand switch upon passage of any current through the automatic switch.
The present application deals with a signalling circuit utilizing an automatic switch and a hand switch, wherein the hand switch is mechanically held in circuit making position, and an electromagnet is used in the automatic switch circuit to release the mechanical hold. In the prior application of Howard referred to, two coils were uti-'-' lized, one in series with the hand switch for holding, and one in series with the automatic switch for releasing, whereas the'circuit of my invention herein to be described and claimed utilizes only a single coil inseries with the automatic switch for causing release.
The main object of the present invention is to provide, with such a system utilizing only a single release coil, means for properly apportioning current through the hand switch and through the release coil and automatic switch when the indicators on the same side of the vehicle are being simultaneously energized by both switches.
Other objects of my invention will be apparent or will be specifically pointed out in the description forming a part of this specification, but I do not limit myself to the embodiment of the in- 5o vention herein described, asvarious forms may switches when no current is being passed through Referring directly to Fig. l, which shows the 1 0 condition of one preferred circuit embodying my invention when a vehicle is proceeding straight ahead with no signal needed, numeral represents the steering gear of an automobile. An extension shaft: 2 is attached thereto in any con- 15' venient'manner, this shaft rotating an automatic switch" disc 3 carrying a movable segment 4. Movable segment 4 is in constant contact with a common automatic brush 5, and spaced to right and left of movable segment 4 are right and left 2 signal circuit brushes 6 and l respectively. Contactsegment 4 is of insufficient length to bridge brushes 6 and i when in the central or straightahead position of steering gear I but when steering gear l is turned, will bridge common brush 5 with "either circuit brush 6 or 'i to signal a vehicle turn; Right and left signal brushes 6 and 'i are connected to right and left signal lamps 8 and 9 respectively, preferably two lamps showing to the front and rear of a vehicle. automatic brush 5 is connected through release coil lilvto vehicle battery ii, or similar source. Thus, it will be seen, with the circuit so far described, upon every turn away from the straightaway, vehicle lamps 8 and 9 will be energized I2 rotated by handle I 4 and centralized in central position by centering springs it. In this position a manual sector it, of conductive material, is in contact with a manual common brush i1. At each side of manual sector it are positioned manual circuit brushes l3 and i9 45 respectively, connected to lamps 8 and 9. Manual common brush I1 is connected to source I! through abalancing resistor 20. When handle 14 ismoved either to right or left, sector it moves and makes electrical connection between .56 manual common brush H and manual circuit brushes [8 or IS, in accordance with the movement of handle 14.
Manual disc I2 is provided with a central notch 2| into which is fitted a pawl 22 mounted on a Common pawl spring 23, and on both sides of central notch 2i are positioned lateral notches 24. Core 25, inside solenoid I0, is positioned to lift pawl 22, which is made of magnetic material, out of notches 2! or 24, as the case may be.
In operation, assuming that the vehicle is proceeding straight-ahead, no circuits will be energized by the automatic switch. If it is then desired to set up a right or left signal, handle 14 is moved to right or left, respectively, and pawl 22 will ride out of central notch 2| and come to rest in one of the lateral notches 24, and the manual switch will remain in contact making position, illuminating the lamps selected. Thereafter, when a vehicle turn is made, following the presetting of the signal, the automatic switch will make contact to either the right or left lamps, current will pass through solenoid Ill, magnetizing core 25, pulling pawl 22 out of notch 24, and the return spring IE will return the handle !4 to neutral position. This will happen irrespective of whether the automatic switch energizes the same lamps energized by the hand switch, or the opposite lamps.
However, the same condition does not exist under these two possibilities. Referring directly to Fig. 3, I have shown a condition where the automatic switch energizes the left hand lamps and the hand switch energizes the right hand lamps. Under these circumstances, presupposing balancing resistor 28 were not used, current equal to the consumption of the left lamps would invariably flow through solenoid i6, irrespective of current flowing through the right lamps via the hand switch. Under these circumstances, the pawl would pull out, and Fig. 3 shows the condition of the circuit immediately after the pawl has been pulled out of the notch and extended spring I5 is ready to pull the handle M- to central position.
Under these circumstances, however, balancing resistor 29 simply acts to reduce the current through the right hand lamps by a relatively small amount, and this resistor may be made equal or substantially equal to the resistance of solenoid if}, and thus there will be no difference in the brilliancy of the right or left lamps. It will be noticed that both lamps will be lit for a fraction of a second, just as long as necessary for the manual switch to return to central position. However, I have found that the lag in the filaments of the lamps is sufficient so that the observer cannot actually see that current is flowing through both lamps. In other words, the return time of the manual switch may be made so fast that the left hand lamps do not get up to brilliancy before the right hand lamps are extinguished.
A different condition exists, however, when both switches are simultaneously energizing the same lamps. This condition is shown in Fig. 2. Here, the automatic switch is shown energizing the left hand lamps, and the manual switch is also shown energizing the left hand lamps. Under normal circumstances, and viewing the diagram as if resistor 20 were left out and no other resistance substituted therefor, it will be seen that the path from source ll through the manual switch to the left hand lamps is a short around release coil iii, and if this were a complete short, release coil ill would not operate.
In actual practice, however, I have found that when these devices are used on the actual automotive vehicles, the length of cable plus the contact resistance of manual brushes IT, IS and l9, may be sufilcient to cause enough current to pass through solenoid ID to operate the release of pawl 22. However, I have found that when the leads are quite short, as in many special installations, the resistance drop through the manual switch may not be suflicient to cause an emphatic release. I therefore supply a balancing resistor 20, positioned in series with the manual common brush l1, thus dividing the current when the same lamps are being energized by both switches, so that under any and all circumstances there will always be sufiicient current passing through solenoid ID to cause efficient magnetization of core 25.
In actual practice, I have found it satisfactory to utilize a resistor 20 with a resistance of a value substantially equal to the D. C. resistance of solenoid l0, thus ignoring the inherent circuit resistance. Under such circumstances, I am always able to utilize a minimum of wire in solenoid l0, and I am able to ensure unfailing operation of the release latch.
While I have shown resistor 20 as being inserted in series with the manual common brush l1, it is obvious that such a resistor may be placed at any point between the source II and the connection of the manual switch lateral brushes to lamps 8 and 9. In other words, I do not wish to be limited to the position of the resistor, and furthermore, I do not wish to be limited to any exact value of this resistor, this value depending not only on the resistance of release solenoid IB, but also upon the resistance which is inherently present in the circuits passing through the manual switch.
Iv claim:
1. In a vehicle signalling system, right and left indicator circuits, indicating devices in each of said circuits, a power source, a manual switch having a power brush and lateral brushes, each of said lateral brushes being connected to an indicator circuit, a manual member movable to two positions to selectively connect one of said lateral brushes to said power brush in each of said positions, resilient means for centralizing said manual member, means for holding said manual member in the selected position, electromagnetic means for releasing the hold of said holding means, an automatic switch having a central rush and a pair of lateral indicator brushes, each of said lateral indicator brushes being connected to an indicator circuit, an automatic member movable by turning of the steering gear of said vehicle for connecting one of said lateral indicator brushes to said central brush, in accordance with a vehicle turn made, said central brush in said automatic switch being connected to said power source through said electromagnetic means, and a resistor in series connection between said power brush in said hand switch and said power source.
2. In a vehicle signalling system, right and left indicator circuits, indicating devices in each of said circuits, a power source, a manual switch having a power brush and lateral brushes, each of said lateral brushes being connected to an indicator circuit, a manual member movable to two positions to selectively connect one of said lateral brushes to said power brush in each of said positions, resilient means for centralizing said manual member, means for holding said manual member in the selected position, electromagnetic means for releasing the hold of said holding means, an automatic switch having a central brush and a pair of lateral indicator 1,
brushes, each of said lateral indicator brushes being connected to an indicator circuit, an automatic member movable by turning of the steering gear of said vehicle for connecting one of said lateral indicator brushes to said central brush; in accordance with a vehicle turn made, said central brush in said automatic switch being connected to said power source through said electromagnetic means, and a resistor in series connection between said power brush in said hand switch and said power source, said resistor having a resistance value substantially approach ing the resistance value of said electromagnetic 5 means.
HERBERT E. METCALF.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US196925A US2186766A (en) | 1938-03-19 | 1938-03-19 | Vehicle signal circuit |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US196925A US2186766A (en) | 1938-03-19 | 1938-03-19 | Vehicle signal circuit |
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US2186766A true US2186766A (en) | 1940-01-09 |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US196925A Expired - Lifetime US2186766A (en) | 1938-03-19 | 1938-03-19 | Vehicle signal circuit |
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Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2704360A (en) * | 1951-11-20 | 1955-03-15 | Frank A Werstein | Self-cancelling turn signal indicator |
US2824917A (en) * | 1955-03-11 | 1958-02-25 | Jesse R Hollins | Turn signalling arrangement |
US2907979A (en) * | 1954-12-30 | 1959-10-06 | Gen Motors Corp | Direction signal |
US3316533A (en) * | 1964-04-16 | 1967-04-25 | Gen Motors Corp | Vehicle turn signal system |
-
1938
- 1938-03-19 US US196925A patent/US2186766A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2704360A (en) * | 1951-11-20 | 1955-03-15 | Frank A Werstein | Self-cancelling turn signal indicator |
US2907979A (en) * | 1954-12-30 | 1959-10-06 | Gen Motors Corp | Direction signal |
US2824917A (en) * | 1955-03-11 | 1958-02-25 | Jesse R Hollins | Turn signalling arrangement |
US3316533A (en) * | 1964-04-16 | 1967-04-25 | Gen Motors Corp | Vehicle turn signal system |
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