Abstract: A personal hygiene device has a drive unit, an energy storage, such as a rechargeable battery, a determination unit for repeatedly or constantly determining an energy storage level of the energy storage, and a control unit arranged for providing energy from the energy storage at the drive unit during an on state of the device and for gradually reducing the energy level from a nominal energy level to a first reduced energy level during a first energy level reduction time period when the determined energy storage level has fallen below a first energy storage level threshold but is above a second energy storage level threshold and for continuing provision of the first reduced energy level while the device stays in an on state and the determined energy storage level stays above the second energy storage level threshold.

Abstract: A bicycle control apparatus is basically provided with a first gear changing device, a second gear changing device, a power supply sensor and a gear shift controller. The first gear changing device has a plurality of first shifting positions. The second gear changing device has a plurality of second shifting positions. The power supply sensor detects a power level of a power supply that is configured to supply power to at least one of the first and second gear changing device. The gear shift controller is programmed to cooperatively control the first and second gear changing devices, the gear shift controller being further programmed to individually control the first and second gear changing devices when the power level detected by the power supply sensor is lower than a first power level.

Abstract: In a light-installed area where a plurality of lights are installed, a light managing system senses a moving object that enters the light-installed area and predicts an predicted stop position of the moving object based on record information on a channel of movement corresponding to identification information on the moving object. The light managing system calculates a predicted channel of movement of the moving object based on the predicted stop position, and selects lights to be driven based on the calculated predicted channel of movement. The light managing system turns on the selected lights.

Abstract: An electric power generation control device for a motor vehicle is provided which ensures a satisfactory regenerative effect without entailing flickering of or reduction in life of headlights even if the headlights are turned on at all times. The electric power generation control device lowers the power generation voltage of an alternator when the electricity storage amount of a battery is at or above a predetermined level. While lighting of a headlight bulb is detected, lowering of the power generation voltage is restrained if the state of sunlight is equivalent to nighttime, and the power generation voltage is allowed to be lowered if the sunlight state is equivalent to daytime.

Abstract: A lighting device of the type used as reading light in a vehicle. The lighting device comprises a single light-emitting diode and internal supply means adapted to generate a current to the single light-emitting diode. The internal supply means are connectable to an external power network. The device has an optical unit to recenter and focus the luminous flux emitted by the single light-emitting diode.

Abstract: A bicycle illumination apparatus is provided with a plurality of light sources and a controller. The light sources include at least one light-emitting diode that emits light in accordance with an electrical output of a generator. The controller is configured to selectively control an electrical connection between the power generator and the light sources in accordance with a rotating state of the generator.

Abstract: An operating element for a vehicle (1, 160) for operation of a function of vehicle (1, 160), especially by pressing on the operating element or touching the operating element, is designed in such a way that the operating element includes a front electrode (10, 21, 22, 31, 71, 91, 111) and a rear electrode (11, 32, 72), as well as a layer (12, 33, 73) arranged between the front electrode (10, 21, 22, 31, 71, 91, 111) and the rear electrode (11, 32, 72) having a dielectric elastomer.

Abstract: The invention concerns mainly the utilization of gravity, more specifically the weight of a vehicle and the rotation of the wheels that support the vehicle during its motion to produce an electric current within the wheels to be utilized by the vehicle's electrical requirements. The power generation would exist at all times during the motion of the vehicle and could greatly increase the range of electric and electric hybrid vehicles, as well as increasing the MPG of combustion vehicles by reducing the mechanical power consumption of the power generator (alternator) currently utilized to recharge the vehicle's battery. A similarity in all existing terrestrial vehicles which use contact with a surface as the medium and method of transportation is the existence of the weight of the vehicle which forces a pressure against that surface during the mobilization of the vehicle. This downward force contributes as an additional friction working against the efficiency of the locomotion of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric generator for a bicycle includes a housing for attaching to a bicycle frame, a rotary member rotatably received in the housing for engaging with an axle of the bicycle, a reduction gearing received in the housing and engaged with the rotary member, a motor received in the housing and having a pinion attached to a spindle and engaged with the reduction gearing for being driven by the reduction gearing and the rotary member and for generating an electric energy, a battery electrically coupled to the motor for receiving and storing the electric energy generated by the motor and for supplying the electric energy to energize a light device, or other electric facilities.

Abstract: An electric power generation control device for a motor vehicle is provided which ensures a satisfactory regenerative effect without entailing flickering of or reduction in life of headlights even if the headlights are turned on at all times. The electric power generation control device lowers the power generation voltage of an alternator when the electricity storage amount of a battery is at or above a predetermined level. While lighting of a headlight bulb is detected, lowering of the power generation voltage is restrained if the state of sunlight is equivalent to nighttime, and the power generation voltage is allowed to be lowered if the sunlight state is equivalent to daytime.

Abstract: The bicycle lighting system includes a primary lighting circuit and at least one electrically operated component connected in parallel to a rectifying circuit that receives electricity from a hub dynamo. The electrically operated component can be a supplemental lighting circuit, an electric transmission component and/or a tail lamp. The lighting system includes a rectifying circuit configured and arranged to rectify electricity generated by a hub dynamo. The primary lighting circuit has at least one first light emitting diode that is configured and arranged to always receive electricity outputted from the rectifying circuit.

Abstract: A bicycle power supply is configured to be charged by electrical power generated by a hub dynamo. The bicycle power supply has a plurality of accumulator elements, a connection switching part, a voltage detection part and a switch control part. The accumulator elements are disposed between first and second ends of the hub dynamo. The connection switching part switches between a first state and a second state, in which the accumulator elements are connected in series and parallel, respectively, to the hub dynamo. The voltage detection part detects the voltage supplied by the hub dynamo. The switch control part controls the connection switching part to establish the first state when the voltage detected by the voltage detection part is at or above a prescribed voltage, and controls the connection switching part to establish the second state when the prescribed voltage is not reached.

Abstract: A bicycle electric power device includes a dynamo, an electrical device, a power source and a switch. The electrical device is electrically connected to the dynamo. The power source is electrically connected to the dynamo in parallel with the electrical device and configured to chargeably connect to the dynamo. The switch is connected in series with the power source and configured to controllably connect the power source to the dynamo with the dynamo producing no power of its own such that with the switch closed the dynamo is charged by the power source and with the switch opened the dynamo provides boosted voltage to the bicycle electrical device.

Abstract: A lighting device of the type used as reading light in a vehicle. The lighting device comprises a single light-emitting diode and internal supply means adapted to generate a current to the single light-emitting diode. The internal supply means are connectable to an external power network. The device has an optical unit to recenter and focus the luminous flux emitted by the single light-emitting diode.

Abstract: A bicycle lighting device is configured to make possible the efficient illumination of an LED while controlling power loss between the generator and the LED. An LED unit has at least one LED. A protector circuit controls the flow of current to each LED according to the internal resistance of the generator and the constant voltage properties of the LED unit.

Abstract: A lighting system for a bicycle. A lamp and a beam are mounted to the bicycle. A generator is mounted to the beam such that the beam holds the generator in position to be frictionally driven by contact with a bicycle wheel. The generator provides a three-phase output voltage. A sensor monitors the generator and provides an output signal proportional to the speed of the bicycle. A first sensing circuit receives the output signal from the sensor and provides a first control signal when the output signal exceeds a first predetermined value. The first control signal is operative to change the output voltage from the three-phase output voltage to a single-phase output voltage to prevent damage to the system.

Abstract: In an illumination control apparatus which drives headlamps in a PWM mode and automatically lights them at low power in a vehicle when the DRL executing condition is held, failure in a PWM-drive switching device and break failure in the lamp are detected as well as the arrangement of control units is optimized and meeting models is facilitated. A relay which switches between lamps and a power source, a CPU which is connected to a CAN and drive-controls the relay for manual lighting, and an integrator circuit which integrates voltage of drive side terminals of the lamps are disposed in a main control unit. An FET which switches between the lamps and the power source, a CPU which drive-controls the FET for automatic lighting, and a power source connecting resister having a resistance value greater enough than that of the lamp that drive side terminals of the lamps are connected to the power source through an ignition switch contact of the vehicle are disposed in a DRL control unit.

Abstract: Half-bridge circuit, especially for connection of an electric motor in a vehicle, with a low side circuit element (1) with a control input (3, G1), a high side circuit element (2) with a control input (6, G2), in which the low side circuit element (1) and the high side circuit element (2) are connected in series between the voltage terminal and a ground terminal and an output (OUT) to control an electrical load is arranged between the high side circuit element and the low side circuit element, implemented according to the invention by integration in an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A power control circuit having an input for receiving power from a power source and an output for driving a bicycle electromotive unit comprises a storage unit; a first switching element disposed between the storage unit and the output; a voltage sensor that senses a voltage associated with the storage unit; and a switch control circuit operatively coupled to the voltage sensor and to the first switching element to disable the communication of power to the output when the voltage associated with the storage unit is less than a first reference voltage and to enable the communication of power to the output when the voltage associated with the storage unit is greater than the first reference voltage. After the switch control circuit enables the communication of power to the output, the switch control circuit may maintain the communication of power to the output when the voltage associated with the storage unit falls below the first reference voltage and is above a second reference voltage.

Abstract: The discharge lamp lighting device according to the present invention is provided with a high-voltage generating transformer which comprises a core, a secondary winding part disposed in a plurality of sections on the outside of the core, and a primary winding part disposed on the outside of the secondary winding part and in which a high-voltage side terminal of said secondary winding part is connected to a terminal of the core and a low-voltage side terminal of the secondary winding part is connected to a terminal of the primary winding part.

Abstract: An automotive external lighting system uses pulse width modulation to drive a single filament for turn signaling and park signaling purposes. A control circuit generates a variable brightness signal based on a predetermined brightness level, and an external lamp produces external illumination based on the brightness signal. A single wire is therefore able to electrically connect the control circuit to the external lamp. The control circuit includes a microcontroller for generating a pulse width modulated signal, and a high side driver for driving the lamp in response to the pulse width modulated signal. When the pulse width modulated signal has a duty cycle corresponding to a parking brightness level, the filament will produce less illumination than in the case of turn signaling.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for operating incandescent lamps with a high voltage source in a motor vehicle. The system includes at least one pulse width modulation circuit having an incandescent lamp electrically connected to a high voltage source. The system also includes a generator electrically connected to the at least one pulse width modulation circuit for generating a pulse width modulation signal to modulate a voltage of the high voltage source to a voltage rating of the incandescent lamp.

Abstract: A discharge lamp lighting device driven by an internal combustion engine is disclosed which is capable of lighting a discharge lamp without using a ballast constituted by a leakage transformer. The device includes a generator which is driven by the internal combustion engine and of which output characteristics exhibit drooping characteristics, so that an output voltage of the generator may be applied to a discharge lamp without using any ballast. Output characteristics of the generator are so set that an output voltage of the generator at a non-load state thereof may be higher than a break-down voltage of the discharge lamp, a shortcircuit current of the generator may have a level sufficient to restrict a discharge current of the discharge lamp just after starting of discharge thereof to an allowable level or below, and a voltage across the discharge lamp and a discharge current thereof at a steady state thereof each are kept within a rated range.

Abstract: A discharge lamp lighting device driven by an internal combustion engine is disclosed which is capable of lighting a discharge lamp without using a ballast constituted by a leakage transformer. The device includes a generator which is driven by the internal combustion engine and of which output characteristics exhibit drooping characteristics, so that an output voltage of the generator may be applied to a discharge lamp without using any ballast. Output characteristics of the generator are so set that an output voltage of the generator at a non-load state thereof may be higher than a break-down voltage of the discharge lamp, a short-circuit current of the generator may have a level sufficient to restrict a discharge current of the discharge lamp just after starting of discharge thereof to an allowable level or below, and a voltage across the discharge lamp and a discharge current thereof at a steady state thereof each are kept within a rated range.

Abstract: A circuit for use in providing high voltage power to a neon bulb positioned on the vehicle utilizing the vehicle DC battery as the power source. The circuit includes an invertor, a transformer, and a rectifier. The invertor receives low voltage DC from the vehicle battery, converts the low voltage DC to a low voltage AC drive voltage, and delivers the AC drive voltage to the transformer primary for conversion to a high voltage AC at the transformer secondary. The rectifier receives the high voltage AC from the transformer secondary, converts the high voltage AC to high voltage DC, and delivers the high voltage DC to the neon bulb. Since the power delivered to the neon tube is DC there is less need to shield the tube with respect to electro magnetic emissions and parasitic losses in the wire runs between the battery and the neon tube are significantly reduced.

Abstract: A lighting system, in particular for bicycles, which operates in accordance with the principle of a wind generator. The lighting system (1) is mounted at the front of the bicycle above the front wheel. A system comprising a dynamo (2), propeller (3), electrical circuit (6), battery (4) and lighting devices (5) which are adapted to each other permits the illumination of a tail light even when stationary. A voltage monitor and an overload protector are part of the circuit (6).

Abstract: An automatic daytime running light system for a vehicle having an engine, an electric power source, a starter motor circuit for the engine, external running lights including headlights and parking lights, and input switches for ignition circuit and the external running lights, the system being responsive to the input switches and starter motor circuit to automatically control the operation of the external running lights, and the system including digital logic timer circuit means for automatically controlling the operation of the external running lights, and MOSFET output switching devices, which thereby provide high reliability and safety, redundant circuitry to thereby provide a higher level of reliability and fail-safe operation of the system, and MOSFET fault current monitoring circuitry which monitors the drain to source fault currents of the MOSFET output switch means, whereby upon detection of fault currents, the digital logic timer controls a fault current indicator to provide an indication of a fault

Abstract: The bicycle light plant includes a front light and a rear light having a set rated voltage, which lights are connected via a current circuit to a dynamo. The current circuit includes a switching controller which lets the voltage of the dynamo pass uncontrolled if it is below the rated voltage of the bulbs and stabilizes the voltage upon reaching or exceeding, the rated value practically without losses onto voltage level corresponding to this rated value. Accordingly, overvoltage at the bulbs can be prevented. Possible excessive output is not taken from the dynamo or is used for charging of batteries.

Abstract: In order to permit the simultaneous variation of the illumination of a clock and the illumination of instruments included in an instrument panel of an automotive vehicle or the like, a single illumination control device is connected with the ignition switch and a lighting control switch in a manner that when the lighting switch is on, the voltage applied to the bulbs which illuminate the clock and the instrument panel are simultaneously controlled while the tail lamp bulbs are constantly energized to their normal level when only the ignition switch is on, current is fed to the clock illumination bulb. The resistance inherently provided by the plurality of bulbs used in the instrument panel and tail lamp assemblies prevents illumination of the same under such circumstances.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mobile emergency medical vehicle having a main transport engine and a medical equipment, supply and patient compartment or module, with such compartment having an independently operated electrical generating means powered by an auxiliary engine capable of providing all of the electrical power requirements of the compartment including exterior and interior electrical lighting, vacuum generating means, power outlet means, compartment air conditioning, heating and the like. The electrical generating means is capable of supplying both 115 volt AC and 12 volt DC power through a converter to the compartment. Switching means is provided to facilitate switching at least a portion of the 12 volt DC power requirements of the patient compartment including exterior and interior lighting and vacuum generating means to the electrical system of the main transport engine upon failure of the compartment electrical generating means or auxiliary engine for any reason.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mobile emergency medical vehicle having a main transport engine and a medical equipment, supply and patient compartment or module, with such compartment having an independently operated electrical generating means powered by an auxiliary engine capable of providing all of the electrical power requirements of the compartment including exterior and interior electrical lighting, vacuum generating means, power outlet means, compartment air conditioning, heating and the like. The electrical generating means is capable of supplying both 115 volt AC and 12 volt DC power through a converter to the compartment. Switching means is provided to facilitate switching at least a portion of the 12 volt DC power requirements of the patient compartment including exterior and interior lighting and vacuum generating means to the electrical system of the main transport engine upon failure of the compartment electrical generating means or auxiliary engine for any reason.

Abstract: A flash tube is provided for producing successive high intensity bursts of light, and a pulse producing device is provided for supplying a train of high voltage pulses for energizing repeatedly the flash tube. An impedance matching arrangement is provided and includes a first unidirectional device which couples the output of the alternator to the pulse producing device for energizing it periodically during half cycles of the alternating current output of the alternator. The arrangement also includes a second unidirectional device which the output of the alternator to an auxiliary lighting device to energize it during alternate half cycles of the alternator. As a result, the alternator supplies lower instantaneous current to both loads at a favorable operating characteristic of the source.

Abstract: A voltage regulating circuit for eliminating flicker in lights fed by an electric generator driven by an internal combustion engine comprises a transformer having an input connected in series with the output of the generator and with the lights, and a control winding connected in a control circuit. The control circuit comprises a resistor and a transistor or solid state switch for shorting the resistor except during the power strokes of the engine when the engine speed and hence the voltage of the generator are cyclically higher. The voltage at the output of the transformer is thereby reduced during the power strokes of the engine to a value substantially equal to the voltage during exhaust strokes, thereby eliminating visible flicker in the lights.

Abstract: In a device for emitting signal in driving vehicle, in which a miniature power generator is employed to produce an electric power for emitting said signal in such a manner, that the rotor of said miniature generator is rotated under the utilization of the rotation of the wheel of the vehicle by manipulating the miniature generator to tilt to the position, at which the rotary head of the miniature generator will contact with at least a portion of the wheel, the improvement, wherein the rotary head of the miniature generator is contacted onto a strip of rubber-like substance fixed on the side surface of tire of the wheel made of rubber-like substance, said strip covering at least a segment of the circle of the tire and projecting aside to permit contact with said rotary head of the miniature power generator.

Abstract: An installation for the automatic control of the light projection distance of motor vehicle headlights in dependence on the positional change of the vehicle body, in which in case of a positional change of the vehicle body toward one side when driving through a curve, an analogous control of the light projection distance of the headlight takes place in such a manner that, for example, with right-hand traffic and when driving through a right-hand curve, the light projection distance is decreased and vice versa is increased in a left-hand curve.

Abstract: To supply electrical power to small motor vehicles such as motorcycles, motor scooters, snow-mobiles and the like, which do not have a battery, to energize separate loads such as headlights and tail-lights, a permanent magnet field generator having a plurality of armature windings has loads, for example the main headlight connected, in series with a control switch, across all the armature power supply windings; one of those power supply windings has, additionally, the tail-light connected in series therewith, and in advance of the switch connection, so that upon burn-out of the main load (for example the headlight) no excess voltage peaks will develop which also destroy the other load, for example the tail-light.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for bicycle lighting systems including a dynamo having an output winding. Front and rear lamps connected in series across the winding. A tap divides the winding into two parts, the lamps each connecting to a corresponding winding part and interconnecting at a junction joint. An impedance is interposed between the tap and lamp junction point. The number of turns and resistances of the winding parts are of value such that the junction point and tap are at the same potential, establishing system equilibrium, under normal operating conditions, despite variation in dynamo voltage and lamp resistance with bicycle speed. The impedance may be provided as the inherent resistance of a further winding connecting the junction point and tap and compensating for a difference in winding part resistance and turns ratios required for equilibrium. A further impedance may be coupled across the rear lamp.

Abstract: A semi-conductor voltage regulator includes a dual transistor differential amplifier pair adapted to so as not to be damaged by reverse voltages during the application of either polarity of alternating current to the associated sensing network. The sensing network includes resistors, the value of which are selected to provide an offset current during one polarity of alternating current with respect to the other polarity. A diode is coupled with the differential amplifier transistor pair in order to protect those devices and the load from high, suddenly-applied or transient voltages generated externally or by internal switching within the regulator.