Technical Field The present invention relates to an automatic control device for a car light. More particularly, the present invention relates to an automatic control device for a car light wherein on/off drives of <BR> <BR> lights (i. e. , a headlamp, a tail lamp) mounted in the car are automatically controlled depending on the speed of the car and variation in the intensity of illumination without manipulating an existing combination switch.

Background Art Currently, the ratio of safety accidents of a car increases in proportion to geometric progression propagation of the car. In order to reduce such safety accidents, it is required to properly manipulate various lamps of the car such as a headlamp and a tail lamp.

In order to prevent a traffic accident, it is important to properly manipulate the headlamp and the tail lamp of the car because a driver can secure the front view and make the existence of his car known to a counterpart car through adequate manipulation of those lamps, while driving his car. It is, however, not well done due to a custom of a driver who is not accustomed to lighting of the lamps. In other words, most drivers are stingy with the lighting of the tail

lamp as well as the headlamp at sunset and/or sunrise or rarely manipulate those lamps. Due to this, there occurs a problem in careful driving.

The reason why most drivers are reluctant to manipulate the headlamp and the tail lamp is that they do not manipulate those lamps on purpose with ostentation of their driving skills and it is inconvenient for the drivers to manipulate the combination switch every time their cars enter places where the intensity of illumination abruptly varies such as a tunnel and an underground parking lot.

This makes the drivers difficult to determine things due to instant drop in eyesight at a time where the front view cannot be certainly determined (for example, at sunset or sunrise) and at the moment when the car enters the tunnel, etc. Accordingly, there is a problem in that it hinders careful driving.

In order to overcome this problem, there has recently been proposed a method in which the intensity of illumination around a car is detected while the car moves and a headlamp and a tail lamp of the car are driven depending on the sensed intensity of illumination.

In automatically controlling the headlamp and the tail lamp of the conventional car, there is a limit to a value that can be sensed by a sensor for sensing the intensity of illumination around the car.

For this reason, there is a problem in that a driver himself cannot freely adjust a time when the headlamp and the tail lamp are

manipulated through selection of the intensity of illumination.

Furthermore, if a headlamp that is currently being turned on is changed to a turn-off state while the car moves, the headlamp is turned off as soon as the intensity of illumination varies simply.

Therefore, if the intensity of illumination temporarily changes or the headlamp is instantly stopped, a process in which the headlamp is turned on and is turned off is repeatedly performed. This makes a driver inconvenient and irritated.

Disclosure of Invention Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic control device for a car light wherein a driver can freely select a time when a tail lamp and a headlamp are turned on/of through manipulation of a sensor, when the tail lamp and the headlamp sequentially are turned on and off depending on the start and stop of a car and the intensity of illumination around the car without manipulating a combination switch.

Furthermore, another object of the present, invention is to provide an automatic control device for a car light wherein a headlamp is turned off after a given time elapses from a time point where the intensity of illumination varies when the headlamp is changed from an on state to a turn-off state as the intensity of illumination varies.

Further another object of the present invention is to allow a headlamp and a tail lamp to be turned on/off differently depending on the speed of a car and atmospheric condition.

Still another object of the present invention is to prevent power of a battery from being discharged in such a way that the supply of power to a car is forcedly stopped if a key is pulled out from a key holder.

In order to accomplish the above objects, there is provided an automatic control device for a car light, wherein the control device secures a front view and makes the existence of its car known to a counterpart car while the car is driven, the control device comprising: a microprocessor for controlling an on-and-off operation of a headlamp and a tail lamp; an illumination sensor having a headlamp illumination sensor and a tail lamp illumination sensor, wherein the headlamp illumination sensor and the tail lamp illumination sensor are connected to the headlamp and the tail lamp, respectively, and are sequentially mounted downwardly at the pole of a handle to sense the intensity of illumination so that lighting time points of the headlamp and the tail lamp are determined by the intensity of illumination ; an illumination control switch that selects the intensity of illumination automatically or manually and controls the lighting time points of the headlamp and the tail lamp according to the intensity of illumination sensed by the illumination sensor; a

pulse sensing unit that senses a pulse generated from a speedometer depending on the start or stop of the car and applies the pulse signal to the microprocessor in order to turn on the headlamp or the tail lamp depending on whether the car is driven simultaneously and whether the illumination control switch is manipulated ; and anti-blinking compensation unit that controls the headlamp turned on depending on the intensity of illumination state and the speed of the car to keep turned on for a predetermined time even when the intensity of illumination is changed or the car is stopped and then to be turned off after the time elapses, wherein the control device for the car light is mounted at a given location within the car and is connected to wires and power supply lines for the headlamp and the tail lamp disposed in the car.

Brief Description of Drawings Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of an automatic control device for a car light according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention ; Fig. 2 shows the amount of illumination in an illumination sensor for sensing the intensity of illumination in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 shows that the headlamp is turned on/off by means of the anti-blinking compensation unit shown in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 shows a state where the abnormal weather indicator shown, in Fig. 1 is mounted in a front glass portion of a car according to the present invention ; Fig. 5 shows the turn-on states of the headlamp and tail lamp when a car having an automatic control device mounted in passes a tunnel or an underground traffic lane according to the present invention ; and Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the automatic control device for the car light according to the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention The present invention will now be described in detail in connection with preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of an automatic control device for a car light according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, the automatic control device includes a microprocessor 100 for controlling an on-and-off operation of car lights such as a headlamp 130 and a tail lamp 140; an illumination sensor 110 having a headlamp illumination sensor 110a and a tail lamp

illumination sensor 110b, wherein the headlamp illumination sensor 110a and the tail lamp illumination sensor 110b are connected to the headlamp 130 and the tail lamp 140, respectively, and sequentially mounted downwardly at the pole of a handle to sense the intensity of illumination (preferably, the tail lamp illumination sensor is located lower than the headlamp illumination sensor) so that lighting time points of the headlamp 130 and the tail lamp 140 are determined by the intensity of illumination ; an illumination control switch 112 that selects the intensity of illumination automatically or manually and controls the lighting time points of the headlamp 130 and the tail lamp 140 depending on the intensity of illumination sensed by the illumination sensor 110; a select switch 122 that controls a lamp driver 120 to select the headlamp 130 and/or the tail lamp 140; a pulse sensing unit 150 that senses a pulse generated from a speedometer (not shown) depending on the start or stop of the car and applies the pulse signal to the microprocessor 100 in order to turn on the headlamp 130 or the tail lamp 140 depending on whether the car is driven simultaneously and whether the illumination control switch 112 is manipulated ; and an anti-blinking compensation unit 160 that controls the headlamp 130 turned on depending on the intensity of illumination state and the speed of the car to keep turned on for a predetermined time even when the intensity of illumination is changed or the car is stopped and then to be turned off after the time elapses.

It has been described above that only the headlamp 130 and the tail lamp 140 are wired and turned on. It is, however, to be noted that a sensor for lighting a fog lamp or an assistant lamp may be provided, if needed.

Though not shown in the drawings, a display unit, for example, a light-emitting device (LED) for displaying a state where power is supplied, the fact that the headlamp 130 and/or the tail lamp 140 is selected by the select switch 122, etc. may be provided.

The illumination sensor 110 includes a cadmium sulfide (CDS) cell for sensing the intensity of illumination around the car. The illumination control switch 112A can control a maximum value of illumination that can be sensed by the illumination sensor 110 automatically or in a manual manner.

For instance, a method in which a given cap, etc. is covered on the plane of the illumination sensor 110 to control the amount of light applied to the surface of the CDS cell, as shown in Fig. 2, or a method in which the amount of illumination is sensed using one of the resistors as a variable resistor by use of properties that resistance across the illumination sensor 110 varies may be used. In the above, the illumination sensor 110 displays a maximum level of illumination, a medium level of illumination, a minimum level of illumination and a sensor-off state.

Moreover, the illumination control switch 112 serves to classify

the amount of illumination provided by the illumination sensor 110 into predetermined levels (for example, off, weak, medium and strong levels). In the level step, the on/off state controls the headlamp 130 to be turned on unconditionally regardless of the amount of illumination when the car starts.

In addition, the anti-blinking compensation unit 160 is connected to a power supply line, an accelerator pedal cable and a speedometer line.

Meanwhile, the headlamp 130 may be classified into a single lamp, a dual lamp and two pairs of a single lamp depending on a wiring mode.

Furthermore, a sensor 182 for sensing the intensity of illumination depending on weather and an abnormal weather indicator for displaying red, yellow and blue so that the sensor 182 can indicate a weather state are mounted in the front glass portion of the car, as shown in Fig. 4.

Reference numeral 170 indicates a start switch on/off sensor.

Also, though not shown in the drawings, a switch for selecting an automatic control device and a combination switch mounted in the car may be provided. Therefore, a driver can manipulate the tail lamp and the headlamp using the combination switch, or the tail lamp and the headlamp can be controlled automatically according to the present invention.

The operation of the automatic control device for the car lights

constructed above will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6.

In a state where the illumination sensor 110 is turned off by manipulation of the illumination control switch 112 (steps 200 to 202), if a driver starts his car and then steps on the accelerator pedal with the headlamp turned on, the pulse sensing unit 150 senses a pulse depending on the start of the car and the microprocessor 100 and the lamp driver 120 turn on the headlamp 130 (steps 204 to 208). At this time, it is preferred that the illumination control switch 112 is in an off state or at the lowest sensing level of illumination.

As such, once the car starts, the headlamp 130 keeps turned on.

Although the driver does not step on the accelerator pedal, the headlamp 130 keeps turned on by the sensed pulse (step 210). Although the car temporarily stops due to a traffic signal, etc. with the headlamp 130 turned on, the headlamp 130 is lighted for a predetermined time (for example, a minimum 30 to 60 seconds) by means of an anti-blinking compensation unit 160, which will be described later. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the on-and-off operation of the headlamp (steps 212 and 214).

At this time, if 30 to 60 seconds elapses in a state where the headlamp 130 is turned on after the car stops, the headlamp 130 is automatically turned off (step 218). If the car restarts, the process returns to step 206 wherein the lighting process of the headlamp 130 is performed. If the car restarts before the time elapses, the

headlamp 130 keeps turned on (step 222).

This will be described with reference to Fig. 3 in which the anti-blinking compensation unit is used to turn on/off the headlamp.

In a state where a compensation switch SW1 is connected to an accelerator cable or a carburetor (b), if the driver puts his foot on the accelerator pedal, the headlamp is turned on though the car does not move. Thus, the driver can easily secure a front view before the start.

On the contrary, if the driver releases the accelerator pedal and then steps on a break pedal while driving the car (a), a terminal (D is turned off, a terminal CD is turned on and the anti-blinking compensation unit 160 having a bimetal switch or a timer connected to a terminal : is driven. After being turned on for a predetermined time, the headlamp is put out.

As such, according to the present invention, the headlamp is turned on from the start step wherein the accelerator pedal is slightly stepped on. It is thus possible to prevent a safety accident by securing the front view, compared to a conventional car in which the headlamp is lighted only in a driving state.

Meanwhile, as described above, in a state where the illumination control switch 112 is in an off state, the headlamp 130 is turned on unconditionally as soon as the car starts. However, the headlamp 130 and the tail lamp 140 can be selectively turned on due to variation in

the intensity of illumination around the car. This will now be described.

At this time, it is preferred that the levels of the intensity of illumination for turning on the tail lamp 140 and the headlamp 130 are different. In other words, when the sun sets or the dusk gathers (approximately 25 to 30 LUX), the tail lamp 140 must be turned on. If it gets a little dark (approximately 10 to 20 LUX), the headlamp 130 must be turned on. This can be accomplished by sequentially installing the headlamp illumination sensor 110a and the tail lamp illumination sensor 110b in the downward direction of the handle.

The driver manipulates the illumination control switch 112 to set the lighting start point of the tail lamp 140 and the headlamp 130.

When the sun sets or at dusk, the tail lamp 140 is preferably turned on according to the illumination level of the illumination sensor 110.

When the tail lamp 140 becomes darker than the illumination level turned on, the illumination level is controlled so that the headlamp 130 is turned on.

This can be accomplished by a method wherein the top of the illumination sensor 110 is covered with an additional cap partially and a method wherein the amount of illumination is controlled by a variable resistor. It is usually preferred that the amount of illumination is controlled by manipulating the illumination control switch 112 using the variable resistor.

When the driver starts the car and the car moves in a state where the lighting start point of the tail lamp 140 and the headlamp 130 are set by the illumination control switch 112, if the amount of illumination set is lower than the level of illumination around the car, the headlamp 130 or the tail lamp 140 is not turned on unconditionally but keeps turned off depending on sensing of the intensity of illumination.

If the sun sets as described above while the car moves, while the tail lamp illumination sensor 110b continues to sense the intensity of illumination around the car, the lamp driver 120 that receives a control signal from the microprocessor 100 turns on the tail lamp 140 when the sensed intensity of illumination corresponds to a predetermined level of illumination.

Thereafter, if the sun sets completely and the intensity of illumination becomes more dark, the headlamp illumination sensor 110a turns on the headlamp 130 depending on the level of illumination and the predetermined level of illumination (step 224).

For example, it will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 5 in which it is assumed that the car passes through a tunnel or an underground traffic lane in the daytime.

Before the car enters the tunnel or the underground traffic lane, both the tail lamp and the headlamp are turned off. If the car enters the tunnel or the underground traffic lane (a point"A"), however,

the tail lamp illumination sensor 110b first senses variation in the level of illumination. If it is determined that the sensed level of illumination is darker than a predetermined level, the tail lamp illumination sensor 110b turns on the tail lamp 140. If the intensity of illumination within the tunnel that is lower than the level of illumination outside the tunnel and at the boundary of the tunnel is sensed, the headlamp 130 is turned on.

Therefore, the car that passes through the tunnel or the underground traffic lane can move while its tail lamp 140 and headlamp 130 are sequentially turned on (step 226).

Meanwhile, if the car gets out of the tunnel or the underground traffic lane (a point"B") (step 228), the tail lamp 140 is turned off (step 230) as the tail lamp illumination sensor 110b senses variation in the level of illumination. However, the headlamp 130 is turned off by the anti-blinking compensation unit 160 after the car moves at a given distance (1) with the headlamp turned on for 30 to 60 seconds after the car gets out of the tunnel completely (a point "C") (step 232).

If the headlamp 130 is turned on but the intensity of illumination is changed to an original intensity of illumination or a break pedal is stepped on with the headlamp 130 turned on, the headlamp 130 is not immediately turned off, but the anti-blinking compensation unit 160 controls the headlamp to keep turned on for a

predetermined time through a switching operation of a switch having a bimetal device or a timer. After the predetermined time elapses, the headlamp is turned off.

Meanwhile, as described above, the headlamp 130 and the tail lamp 140 can be driven as the car moves and the intensity of illumination varies. It is, however, to be noted that the headlamp 130 and the tail lamp 140 may be driven according to the speed of the car although the intensity of illumination varies depending on change in weather.

For this purpose, a sensor 182 for sensing the intensity of illumination depending on variation in weather at the front glass of the car is mounted at a given location. The sensor 182 and a speedometer (not shown) are connected to the microprocessor 100.

Furthermore, the speedometer mounted in a common freight car operates the headlamp 130 or the tail lamp 140 depending on the speed.

Therefore, in the event the car moves 60km/h, if there is no significant difficulty in securing the front view since weather is fine, only the tail lamp 140 may be turned on. If there is a difficulty in securing the front view due to snowy, rainy or foggy weather, the headlamp 130 is automatically turned on as the intensity of illumination around the car is sensed even if the car moves 60km/h.

In addition, the tail lamp 140 or the headlamp 130 is turned on due to variation in the intensity of illumination. If the driver

pulls out a key from a key holder inadvertently, the start switch on/off senor 170 recognizes that the key has been pulled out from the key holder and then controls the microprocessor 100 to forcedly shut the power provided to the car.

Meanwhile, it has been described that the tail lamp and/or the headlamp mounted in the car is automatically turned on/off. If a fog lamp or other assistant lamps are mounted in the car, however, sensors may be connected with wires corresponding to one another so that corresponding lamps can be automatically controlled. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to a motorcycle as well as a car.

Industrial Applicability According to the present invention as described above, when a car starts or stops and enters a tunnel, an underground traffic lane, <BR> etc. , a headlamp and a tail lamp mounted in the car can be sequentially turned on/off automatically depending on sensed intensity of illumination without manipulating a combination switch. Therefore, the present invention has an effect that it can promote a driver's convenience.

Furthermore, a driver can control the intensity of illumination being the degree of darkness manually or automatically. It is thus possible to freely select a lighting time point of the headlamp and the tail lamp while driving a car.

In addition, where it is required that a headlamp turned on based on the speed of a car or variation in the intensity of illumination be turned off according to the stop of the car or variation in the intensity of illumination while the car moves, the headlamp can be turned off after being turned on for a predetermined time. It is thus possible to reduce the flickering number of the headlamp and to prevent the headlamp from being turned on/off with fun.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.