EP0523903A2 - Appareil à feu clignotant - Google Patents

Appareil à feu clignotant Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0523903A2
EP0523903A2 EP92306258A EP92306258A EP0523903A2 EP 0523903 A2 EP0523903 A2 EP 0523903A2 EP 92306258 A EP92306258 A EP 92306258A EP 92306258 A EP92306258 A EP 92306258A EP 0523903 A2 EP0523903 A2 EP 0523903A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
circuit
rechargeable battery
solar panel
coupled
lamp
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP92306258A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0523903A3 (en
Inventor
Chaim Chacham
Roni Friedman
Uri Amir
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Interplex Solar Inc
Original Assignee
Interplex Solar Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from IL9875591A external-priority patent/IL98755A/en
Priority claimed from IL10040691A external-priority patent/IL100406A/en
Application filed by Interplex Solar Inc filed Critical Interplex Solar Inc
Publication of EP0523903A2 publication Critical patent/EP0523903A2/fr
Publication of EP0523903A3 publication Critical patent/EP0523903A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S9/00—Lighting devices with a built-in power supply; Systems employing lighting devices with a built-in power supply
    • F21S9/02—Lighting devices with a built-in power supply; Systems employing lighting devices with a built-in power supply the power supply being a battery or accumulator
    • F21S9/03—Lighting devices with a built-in power supply; Systems employing lighting devices with a built-in power supply the power supply being a battery or accumulator rechargeable by exposure to light
    • F21S9/037—Lighting devices with a built-in power supply; Systems employing lighting devices with a built-in power supply the power supply being a battery or accumulator rechargeable by exposure to light the solar unit and the lighting unit being located within or on the same housing
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V33/00—Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B5/00—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied
    • G08B5/22—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
    • G08B5/36—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources
    • G08B5/38—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources using flashing light

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an electrical flasher circuit and, in particular, to a miniature electrical flasher circuit suitable for use in standard reflecting roadstuds, in memorial symbols, and in standard roadside warning lamps.
  • Reflecting roadstuds of the type widely known under the Registered Trade Mark Catseye, and including self-illuminating LED flashers are known for mounting on the boundaries between adjacent traffic lanes or on sidewalks so as to reflect a vehicle's headlamps and thereby indicate to a driver the lane boundary.
  • reflecting roadstuds including an electrical flasher circuit operable from a small rechargeable battery which is charged via a solar panel fixed to a housing of the roadstud so as to recharge the battery during daylight hours.
  • the LED flashers improve the visibility of the roadstud, thereby increasing road safety.
  • a primary requirement of reflecting roadstuds of the kind described having integral LED flasher circuits therein is their compatibility with existing, conventional roadstuds which do not include the enhancement of flashing LEDs.
  • Conventional roadstuds are designed to be mounted in the road surface so as to protrude therefrom only a minimal distance, their protruding edges being rounded so that, in the event of a motor vehicle mounting the roadstud, no damage will be done to the tires of the vehicle or to the roadstud itself.
  • roadstuds typically have an overall depth not exceeding 18 mm.
  • Existing roadstuds including LED flasher circuits have not been able to conform to this standard height and have therefore included a deeper housing adapted to be sunk into the road surface.
  • the Japanese company Kyocera manufactures a curb flasher under the name Accless having an outer casing whose height above ground is 28 mm but which has an extended casing for sinking below the ground surface having a depth of 133 mm.
  • a pair of solar panels is mounted on an upper surface of the housing and coupled to a circuit enclosed within the lower housing and including a pair of rechargeable batteries which are recharged by the solar panel during daylight and provide electrical power to the flasher circuit at night.
  • a flashing light for mounting on a curb is manufactured under the trade mark Swareflex including therein an LED solar-powered flasher and a storage battery for storing electrical energy transformed by a solar cell.
  • the storage battery has a capacity of 14 days power consumption when fully charged. In order to become fully charged, fine weather (corresponding to intense ambient illumination) is required for a minimum of four days.
  • roadside warning lamps employing flashing lamps powered by a standard rechargeable car battery are known and are commonly used by road construction workers to alert drivers to the onset of hazardous conditions resulting from road works.
  • warning lamps usually conform to a standard physical dimension and light output which, in combination,-has so far militated against the battery being incorporated within the lamp housing itself and has required, instead, that the battery be provided as a completely separate unit.
  • an electrical flasher circuit comprising: a rechargeable battery, a solar panel coupled to the rechargeable battery, an oscillator circuit coupled to the rechargeable battery and to the solar panel producing an output voltage which oscillates at a predetermined frequency, and at least one lamp coupled to the oscillator circuit for flashing in response to the oscillating output voltage; whereby the solar panel provides sufficient power to energize the oscillator circuit and to recharge the rechargeable battery when at least a predetermined threshold of light acts on the solar panel; and the rechargeable battery alone energizes the oscillator circuit for at least a first predetermined time period in the absence of said light.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown schematically a circuit diagram of an LED flasher circuit designated generally as 10.
  • the flasher circuit 10 comprises an LM 3909 integrated LED flasher circuit 11 manufactured by National Semiconductor and having a nominal low voltage operation from just over 1 V to 6 V and a low current drain averaging under 0.5 mA.
  • a rechargeable battery 12 Connected to the integrated circuit 11, in accordance with the manufacturer's data specification, is a rechargeable battery 12 having a nominal voltage of 1.2 V and rated at 280 mAH.
  • the rechargeable battery 12 is trickle charged by a solar panel 13 having a nominal voltage of 3.6 V and rated at 55 mA, via a rectifier diode 14 which prevents current flowing from the rechargeable battery 12 to the solar panel 13.
  • the LED is A GaAlAs (gallium aluminum arsenide) high brightness component such as manufactured by the Toshiba Company of Japan under the product code TLRA120.
  • Such a device is operable from a drive current equal to 20 mA at a typical forward voltage of 1.8 V but can, in fact, operate at a drive current as low as 0.5 mA.
  • This feature is exploited in the particular construction employed in the preferred embodiment so as to permit the lower operating range of the LM 3909 integrated circuit 11 to be reduced below the manufacturer's specification. This allows the circuit to operate even when the voltage of the rechargeable battery 12 falls to as low as 0.8 V, below which voltage the circuit stops operating so that the rechargeable battery 12 can never completely discharge.
  • the rechargeable battery 12 does not participate in energizing the integrated circuit 11 and is maintained fully charged by the solar panel 13.
  • the rechargeable battery 12 On an average light intensity equivalent to 20 mA hr, the rechargeable battery 12 is rapidly recharged, achieving full charge within a time period of 2 hours and then has enough residual charge to permit continuous operation of the flashing circuit 10 for up to 20 days.
  • the oscillation frequency of the LED 15 may be raised above the critical frequency of fusion (approximately 25 Hz), so that any flicker of the LED 15 is undetectable by the human eye.
  • Fig. 2 shows a conventional type of reflecting roadstud including a housing 20 containing therein the flasher circuit 10 described above with reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings.
  • a solar panel 21 is mounted on an upper surface of the housing 20, a pair of LEDs 22 and 23 being provided on each of two opposing reflecting side walls 24 and 25 of the housing 20.
  • the solar panel 21 recharges an internal storage battery such that in the presence of sufficient ambient illumination, the solar panel 21 is alone responsible for providing power to the flasher circuit 10 (Fig. 1), any residual solar energy being used to trickle charge the rechargeable battery 12 and maintain it fully charged.
  • the LEDs 22 and 23 flash continuously so as to provide a visual warning to motorists and thus enhanced safety.
  • the overall height of the housing 20 protruding above a road surface is nominally 18 mm and the housing 20 is, in all respects, identical to that currently employed in standard roadstuds.
  • FIG. 3 to 5 there are shown various forms of memorial symbols including therein the flasher circuit 10 shown schematically in Fig. 1.
  • the memorial symbol 31 shown in Fig. 4 has a crucifix shaped housing 39 whilst the memorial symbol 32 shown in Fig. 5 has a housing 40 in the shape of a Star of David.
  • the flasher circuit operate above about 25 Hz so that the light will appear constant to an observer.
  • the housing may be of slim-line construction owing to the miniature dimensions of the flasher circuit 10 shown in Fig. 1.
  • the flasher circuit 110 comprises an LM555 integrated circuit timer 111 manufactured by National Semiconductor and having a nominal low voltage operation of 4.5 V and a low current drain averaging 3 mA.
  • a rechargeable battery 112 Connected to the integrated circuit timer 111, is a rechargeable battery 112 having a nominal voltage of 2.9 V and rated at 6 AH.
  • the rechargeable battery 112 is trickle charged by a solar panel 113 having a nominal voltage of 15 V and rated at 1A, via a rectifier diode 114 which prevents current flowing from the rechargeable battery 112 to the solar panel 113.
  • the timing of the integrated circuit timer 111 is controlled by a capacitor 115 in series with a diode-resistor network 116 comprising diodes 117 and 118 in series with resistors 119 and 120.
  • Diodes 117 and 118 are conventional germanium rectifier diodes, whilst the valves of the resistors 119 and 120 are respectively 2.5 M ⁇ and 0.5 M ⁇ .
  • the capacitor 115 has a valve of 0.66 ⁇ F and is connected to the junction of the two resistors 119 and 120.
  • An output 125 of the integrated circuit timer 111 is connected, via a resistor 126 to the base of a first bipolar junction transistor 127 whose emitter 128 is itself connected to the base of a second bipolar junction transistor 129.
  • the collector of the first bipolar junction transistor 127 is connected to a positive supply rail 130 and a 2.4 V, 330 mA lamp 131 is connected between the positive supply rail 130 and the collector of the second bipolar junction transistor 129.
  • the first bipolar junction transistor 127 functions as a switch which operates under control of the integrated circuit timer 111 for supplying current to the lamp 131 during the minor part of the duty cycle (16%) and is cut-off during the remainder of the duty cycle for preventing the supply of current to the lamp 131.
  • the second bipolar junction transistor 129 functions as an amplifier for providing enough current to drive the lamp 131.
  • a photoresistor 135 (constituting a light dependent resistor) in series with a current limiting resistor 136 is connected to the integrated circuit timer 111 so as to permit operation of the integrated circuit timer 111 only when the ambient light falls below a predetermined threshold.
  • operation of the roadside warning lamp (see Fig. 7) may be restricted to nighttime use only, thereby conserving the battery 112.
  • the oscillation frequency of the lamp 131 may be raised above the critical frequency of fusion, (approximately 25 Hz), so that any flicker of the lamp 131 is undetectable by the human eye.
  • Fig. 7 shows a roadside lamp 131 fitted within a housing 140 containing therein the flasher circuit 110 described above with reference to Fig. 6 of the drawings.
  • the rechargeable battery 112 and the lamp 131 are both fitted within the housing 140 and the solar panel 113 is mounted on an upper surface thereof.
  • a switch 141 fixed to the housing 140 permits the battery 112 to be disconnected from the flasher circuit 110, thereby conserving battery power.
  • Both the diameter and depth of the lamp 131 are nominally 21 cm and the lamp 131 may be, in all respects, identical to that currently employed in standard roadside warning lamps.
  • the miniaturization of the flasher circuit 110 permits the battery 112 to be of such dimension that it too can be accommodated within the housing 140. This, of course, is distinct from hitherto proposed roadside warning lamps of comparable light output which require much larger batteries which must be provided as a separate unit.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Traffic Control Systems (AREA)
  • Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)
EP9292306258A 1991-07-08 1992-07-08 Light flasher apparatus Withdrawn EP0523903A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IL98755 1991-07-08
IL9875591A IL98755A (en) 1991-07-08 1991-07-08 DEL electronic circuit flashing
IL10040691A IL100406A (en) 1991-12-18 1991-12-18 Electronic flasher circuit
IL100406 1991-12-18

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0523903A2 true EP0523903A2 (fr) 1993-01-20
EP0523903A3 EP0523903A3 (en) 1994-09-28

Family

ID=26322284

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP9292306258A Withdrawn EP0523903A3 (en) 1991-07-08 1992-07-08 Light flasher apparatus

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0523903A3 (fr)
TW (1) TW213991B (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2704673A1 (fr) * 1993-04-30 1994-11-04 Togni Jean Jacques Dispositif de mémorisation de monuments.
ES2107374A1 (es) * 1995-05-24 1997-11-16 Grupo De Pinturas Ind S A Señalizacion luminosa para calzadas.
WO2000054233A2 (fr) * 1999-03-06 2000-09-14 Electronic Solar Products Limited Dispositif de signalisation
ES2154087A1 (es) * 1995-11-06 2001-03-16 Emhart Inc Juego de cerradura.
GB2356037A (en) * 1999-11-03 2001-05-09 Page Aerospace Ltd A semiconductor light source
ES2160439A1 (es) * 1998-02-17 2001-11-01 Zamora Concepcion Sanguino Ornamento funerario autoluminoso.
GB2377010A (en) * 2001-06-26 2002-12-31 Geoffrey James Jones Indicator light
GB2423350A (en) * 2005-02-19 2006-08-23 George Joseph Nagle Solar powered monument light
US9695996B2 (en) 2013-03-12 2017-07-04 Inq-Energy, Inc. Solar-powered roadway delineator

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4563727A (en) * 1985-01-14 1986-01-07 Curiel Raymond F Self-charging solar battery
US4626852A (en) * 1984-02-01 1986-12-02 Pennwalt Corporation Buoy lantern system
US4686441A (en) * 1985-03-04 1987-08-11 Tor Petterson Photo electric charger device for low power electrical device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4626852A (en) * 1984-02-01 1986-12-02 Pennwalt Corporation Buoy lantern system
US4563727A (en) * 1985-01-14 1986-01-07 Curiel Raymond F Self-charging solar battery
US4686441A (en) * 1985-03-04 1987-08-11 Tor Petterson Photo electric charger device for low power electrical device

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2704673A1 (fr) * 1993-04-30 1994-11-04 Togni Jean Jacques Dispositif de mémorisation de monuments.
ES2107374A1 (es) * 1995-05-24 1997-11-16 Grupo De Pinturas Ind S A Señalizacion luminosa para calzadas.
ES2154087A1 (es) * 1995-11-06 2001-03-16 Emhart Inc Juego de cerradura.
ES2160439A1 (es) * 1998-02-17 2001-11-01 Zamora Concepcion Sanguino Ornamento funerario autoluminoso.
WO2000054233A3 (fr) * 1999-03-06 2001-01-25 Electronic Solar Products Ltd Dispositif de signalisation
WO2000054233A2 (fr) * 1999-03-06 2000-09-14 Electronic Solar Products Limited Dispositif de signalisation
GB2356037A (en) * 1999-11-03 2001-05-09 Page Aerospace Ltd A semiconductor light source
GB2390149A (en) * 1999-11-03 2003-12-31 Page Aerospace Ltd Control circuit that supplies current to LEDs to cause LEDS to emit light in sequence to provide constant output intensity
GB2356037B (en) * 1999-11-03 2004-03-31 Page Aerospace Ltd A semiconductor light source
GB2390149B (en) * 1999-11-03 2004-05-26 Page Aerospace Ltd A semiconductor light source
GB2377010A (en) * 2001-06-26 2002-12-31 Geoffrey James Jones Indicator light
GB2423350A (en) * 2005-02-19 2006-08-23 George Joseph Nagle Solar powered monument light
US9695996B2 (en) 2013-03-12 2017-07-04 Inq-Energy, Inc. Solar-powered roadway delineator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0523903A3 (en) 1994-09-28
TW213991B (fr) 1993-10-01

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