The main elements and the principle of operation of the vehicle lighting system
Car device,  Vehicle electrical equipment

The main elements and the principle of operation of the vehicle lighting system

It is safe to operate the car in the evening and at night, as well as in poor visibility, allows the complex of lighting devices installed on each vehicle. The lighting and light signaling system allows you to illuminate the road in front of you, warn other drivers about the execution of maneuvers, inform about the dimensions of the vehicle. To ensure maximum safety on the road, all elements of the lighting system must be in good working order.

What is a car lighting and light alarm system

A modern car includes a whole range of lighting devices, which together make up the lighting system. Its main tasks include:

  • lighting of the roadway and shoulder;
  • additional road lighting in fog, rain, snow;
  • informing other drivers about the maneuvers being performed;
  • braking warning;
  • informing about the dimensions of the machine;
  • warning about a breakdown, as a result of which the car creates an obstacle on the carriageway;
  • ensuring the readability of the registration plate in the evening and at night;
  • interior lighting, engine compartment and trunk.

The main elements of the system

All elements of a lighting system can be divided into two main categories:

  • external;
  • internal.

External elements

The exterior optics of the vehicle provide illumination of the road and inform other drivers. These devices include:

  • headlights of low and high beam;
  • fog lights;
  • turn signals;
  • rear headlights;
  • parking lights;
  • license plate lights.

Headlights

The headlights of modern cars consist of a whole complex of elements:

  • low and high beam;
  • daytime running lights;
  • side lights.

Most often they are located in a single housing. Also, turn signals are installed in the headlights of many cars.

Any car is equipped with two headlights, which are located symmetrically on the right and left parts of the body.

The main task of the headlights is to illuminate the road in front of the car, as well as inform the drivers of oncoming vehicles about the approach of the car and its dimensions.

In the evening and at night, the dipped beam is used to illuminate the road. Due to the asymmetry of the light beams, it additionally provides illumination of the roadside. Provided that the headlights are correctly adjusted, such a light does not cause discomfort to drivers of oncoming vehicles.

The high beam is more intense. Its use helps to snatch a large area of ​​the roadway from the darkness. However, the use of the main beam is permissible only in the absence of oncoming traffic. Otherwise, the headlights will dazzle other drivers.

parking lights

In order for other drivers to assess the dimensions of the car, parking lights are provided in the lighting system. They are also used at the time of stopping or parking the car. The dimensions are located in both the front and rear headlights.

Turn signals

Turn signals are the main warning tool for a maneuver. They are used when turning and making a U-turn, changing lanes or overtaking, pulling over to the side of the road and then starting to move.

These elements can be installed both in the front and rear lights, and separately from them. Often, duplicate devices are located on the side elements of the body and rear-view mirrors. All of them have a rich yellow-orange color and work synchronously in a blinking mode. Cars for the American market have red turn signals.

Turn signals also act as an alarm. When you press the corresponding button in the car, all available turn lamps on both sides of the body simultaneously start their work.

Daytime running lights (DRL)

Daytime running lights have appeared in the car lighting system relatively recently, so not every vehicle has them. DRLs differ from the dimensions in more intense light.

According to the Traffic Regulations, drivers are required to turn on daytime running lights while driving in the city during daylight hours. If there is no DRL on the car, it is allowed to use the dipped beam during the day.

Fog lights (PTF)

This type of automotive optics is used in poor visibility conditions: during fog, rain or snow. The wide beam with a truncated part does not reflect from precipitation and does not dazzle the driver while driving. At the same time, PTFs provide sufficient illumination of the roadway.

Fog lights are installed not only on the front, but also on the rear of the body. However, these lighting elements are not mandatory, therefore, on many models of the vehicle, the PTF may be absent altogether.

Rear headlights

Car rear lights are also installed in pairs on the car and include several elements. The simplest options for taillights consist of a brake light and side lights. In many models, the unit also includes turn signals and a reversing light, less often rear fog lights.

The main element of the lighting system in the rear is the brake lights, which inform when the vehicle is braking or slowing down. For greater reliability, the elements can be duplicated on the spoiler or on the rear window of the vehicle.

Also equally important are the reversing lights. They act as lighting and warn other drivers when the car starts moving backwards.

Internal elements of the lighting system

Internal elements are responsible for lighting in the passenger compartment and trunk of the vehicle. The system includes:

  • lamps in the passenger compartment;
  • trunk lighting;
  • dashboard lighting lamps;
  • lamp in the glove box;
  • side lights in the doors.

Lighting for the interior, trunk and under the hood (if equipped) provides additional driver comfort in the dark.

The dashboard illumination is necessary for easier reading of information when driving in the dark.

Side lights in the doors are necessary to inform other road users about changes in the dimensions of the car when the door is open.

How the lighting system is controlled

The driver controls all lighting devices from the vehicle interior using special switches.

The inclusion of low and high beam, fog lights and dimensions in most car models is carried out using the steering column switch or a button on the instrument panel:

Also, a switch, located on the left side under the steering wheel, provides a change of low and high beam in the headlights.

If there are foglights, an additional section can be installed on the switch, which regulates the turning on and off of the PTF. It can also be controlled using a separate key.

The combination switch is also used to activate the right and left turn signals. But at the same time, the alarm is activated using a separate button located on the dashboard.

Many elements of the lighting system light up automatically when certain actions are taken by the driver:

Automatic lighting control systems

As automotive technology advances, additional automatic lighting control functions are also being introduced:

All of these systems are automatically regulated based on data read by special sensors when the traffic and traffic conditions change.

The complex of elements included in the vehicle lighting system is designed to ensure the safety of the driver, his passengers and other drivers. Driving a car in the evening and at night is unacceptable without lighting fixtures. Constantly improving, the lighting system provides the necessary comfort and safety during evening and night trips, as well as when moving in poor visibility conditions.

One comment

  • Itai

    Hello to the distinguished forum
    I am a student doing work on the adaptive lighting system in the car and I wanted to know the faults and the relevant solutions to the problems?
    Thanks

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