ES2326908T3 - EMERGENCY INDICATOR. - Google Patents

Abstract

Emergency indicator (5) for signalling emergency situations comprising an electronic circuit (70) arranged to signal emergency situations through intermittent light signals and a light-weight shell (20) shaped so as to contain the electronic circuit (70) and to render the indicator (5) impermeable to water and apt to be self floating.

Description

Emergency Indicator

Technical field

The present invention relates, in general, to an emergency indicator that is mounted, for example, on belts and / or life jackets to signal situations of emergency, such as the presence of shipwrecked people such as consequence of a shipwreck.

In particular, the present invention relates to an emergency indicator that complies with the standards of the "LSA Code" of "IMO Resolution MSC 48 (66)" and "IMO Resolution 81 (70)", also being in compliance with the "European Union Directive on Maritime Equipment or MED"(" EU Directive on Marine Equipment or MED ").

Prior art

Emergency indicators (indicators) are know in the art, in particular light indicators Flashing for people who have been shipwrecked at sea.

Such indicators are mounted on belts or in life jackets and have the main function of allowing location of people who have fallen into the water or of people who They have disappeared in the sea.

In particular, such indicators comprise a electronic circuit suitable to guarantee one or more of the following features:

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to the minus 24 hours of operating autonomy;

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light emission greater than 0.75 cd after 8 hours of operation;

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effective light intensity greater than 0.75 cd;

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light emission in a hemisphere full;

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automatic ignition in contact with the sea water;

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flash frequency greater than 50 flashes per minute;

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on and off or off manuals;

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operating temperature between -20ºC and + 65ºC.

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A first problem of the known indicators is that, in general, the electronic circuit is sealed or made impervious to moisture or water infiltration by use of impregnating resins, for example epoxy resins, that make such indicators, as a whole, become particularly heavy preventing them from floating on their own.

This makes indicators ineffective known in emergency situations if they got rid of the life jacket to which they are hooked.

A second problem lies in the fact that such indicators normally comprise an incandescent lamp which, as it is known, emits a yellow light that, not being completely white, is less visible than a completely light white

From US 5,921,656 it is known an emergency light that can be used in rescue or in tasks of emergency.

The known emergency light comprises a light strobe and an electronic circuit to control the strobe light activation.

In order to save energy consumption, the circuit comprises an energy saving circuit system that allows the use of alkaline batteries instead of batteries mercury and a sensor that prevents the activation of light strobe during the day.

In particular, the savings circuit system energy causes the voltage discharge of the alkaline batteries look similar to the discharge rate more Slow mercury batteries.

A problem of the prior art lies in the fact that the proposed circuit system is not arranged directly to save energy consumption.

It has been discovered that such problems cause the use of known indicators is neither safe nor very effective, especially in emergency situations where require such safety and effectiveness, for example, in the form of flotation of such indicators even if detach from the vest and / or in the form of a light completely white that, therefore, can be easily seen in the distance and / or in form of a long autonomy of operation.

Description of the invention

The object of the present invention is a emergency indicator for lifebelts or vests Lifeguard suitable to solve the mentioned problems of the prior art

An object of this type is achieved by a emergency indicator that presents the exposed characteristics in the subsequent claims; such claims are a integral part of the teachings of the present invention.

According to one of the characteristics of this invention, the emergency indicator comprises a coating ready to protect the electronic circuit against water and moisture infiltration and is suitable to ensure, for example, the flotation of the indicator even if, in situations emergency, detach from the life jacket that is hooked.

According to another feature of the present invention, the indicator comprises a help light that includes, in particular, a white light LED.

According to an additional feature of the present invention, the indicator comprises an electronic circuit suitable to optimize the consumption of electrical energy during the functioning.

According to yet another feature of the present invention, the indicator comprises an extremely switch Easy to operate to manually activate and deactivate the operation of the indicator itself.

Brief description of the drawings

These and other features of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, provided to mode of non-limiting examples with reference to the drawings Attachments, in which:

fig. 1 shows an emergency indicator according to the invention;

fig. 2 shows a logical diagram of a electronic circuit that can be used in the indicator emergencies of fig. one; Y

fig. 3 schematically shows a switch manual that can be used in e! emergency indicator of the fig. one.

Best way to carry out the invention

With reference to fig. 1, an indicator 5 of emergencies (indicator) according to the present invention comprises a body 20 (coating) suitable to house a circuit 70 electronic adapted to generate distress signals, as is will describe in detail later.

In the preferred embodiment, a device 61 sensor (fig. 1, fig. 2), of a known type, is connected to the body 20 and electronic circuit 70 through a cable 60, said sensor device 61 being arranged to allow automatic activation of electronic circuit 70 if the same sensor  61 is submerged, for example, in seawater or if it gets wet.

Obviously, in other embodiments, sensor 61 and the corresponding cable 60 can be omitted.

An activation switch 40 (switch) arranged to allow manual activation of circuit 70 electronic is connected, in the preferred embodiment, to the body and to electronic circuit 70.

In other embodiments, a switch 40 of this type can completely replace sensor 60 or can even Replace it.

The body 20 comprises, associated therewith, a coupling device 30, of a known type, suitable for allow, for example, the coupling of indicator 5 to a vest Lifeguard, known for himself. Coupling device it comprises, for example, a fixing device 31, separated from the body 20, and with its shaped ends to be able to hook firmly to the life jacket through notches 34 corresponding obtained in body 20 of indicator 5.

The coating 20 comprises, in the preferred embodiment, a first covering element 21 (body
lower) and a second covering element 23 (upper body); the lower body 21 is suitable to fit, in a known manner, in the upper body 23.

The upper body 23 preferably comprises a transparent dome 24, obtained for example by molding by pressing the same material as the body 20.

The dome 24 is suitable to make visible, of in a known way, the light emitted by the electronic circuit 70, as will be described in detail later.

The body 20, in its entirety, and the device Fixing 31 are made, in the preferred embodiment, of lightweight plastic material, for example polycarbonate, for allow fit between upper body 23 and body 21 bottom in a very reliable and flexible way.

In the preferred embodiment, between body 21 lower and upper body 23 and between switch 40 and the body 20 interposed washers or sealing rings corresponding, 22a and 22b, such as type washers "O-ring" presenting a circular cross section and suitable to make indicator 5 become highly tight the water.

Obviously, washers can also be used or sealing rings that have other shapes, provided allow to achieve the object of waterproofing the indicator in front to water and moisture.

The use of lightweight materials for the body 20 and the insertion of the washers 22a and 22b is suitable to allow that indicator 5 float by itself and function as an indicator of emergencies even if, for example, an indicator 5 of this type it would come off the life jacket.

Obviously, in other embodiments, the coating 20 may also be formed by more than two covering elements, provided that the elements of coating fit tightly and are protected with elements or sealing rings to prevent the infiltration of water or moisture inside the coating.

The electronic circuit 70 (fig. 2) comprises, in the preferred embodiment, a battery 71, of a known type, for example a dry lithium battery of the CR123 3V type, a light emitting device 76 (LED, light emitting device ), of a known type, arranged to emit light, a pilot circuit 74 connected to the LED 76 to activate the operation thereof according to predetermined time intervals and a power control circuit 73, interposed between the battery 71 and the circuit 74 pilot. In the preferred embodiment, the electronic circuit 70 is connected, externally to the body 20, to the switch 40 and, preferably, in series thereto, to the sensor 61 (via the cable 60), both of which are suitable for manually activating and automatic, respectively, the operation of the electronic circuit 70 itself.

In the preferred embodiment, device 76 Light emitting (LED) comprises a white LED diode that features high efficiency to emit white light (truly white) with a high visual impact (light intensity greater than 0.75 cd) and to ensure that indicator 5 can be easily seen in emergency situations.

Obviously, in other embodiments, the diode can be replaced by other light emitting devices types, provided that such devices are adapted to the object of Look easily in emergency situations.

The power control circuit 73, of one type known, is willing to receive the power supply from battery 71, for storage, for example through one or more capacitors, and to supply electric power, in form of electrical voltage, to the pilot circuit 74, even if the battery voltage 71, for example between 3V and 2V.

The pilot circuit 74 comprises, for example, a circuit 81 timer (flip-flop) that features two timers, activated by power control circuit 73, a charge and discharge circuit 85 (inductor) connected to LED 76 and suitable to activate it electrically, as will be described in detail later, and a controller circuit 83, interposed between flip-flop 81 and inductor 85, arranged to combine the frequencies generated by flip-flop 81, as will be described in detail later.

Circuit 81 of two timers, which it comprises for example an integrated circuit of type TLC556, it is configured, according to a preferred embodiment, to generate two types of square waves each one presents a work cycle which can be set in a predetermined way.

For example, in case of using the TLC556 integrated circuit, square wave types can be set, in a known way, by suitable passive components (resistors and capacitors not shown in the
Figure 2), connected to the pins of the integrated circuit itself.

The square waves generated by the flip flop 81, in the preferred embodiment, are for example:

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a first square wave presenting a cycle of 1110 ms approximately corresponding to 51 square waves per minute, which has an active component (TON) with a duration of 800 ms and a null component (TOFF) with a duration of 310 ms;

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a second square wave that has a frequency of 56 KHz approximately.

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The controller circuit 83 receives as input the square waves generated by flip-flop 81 and is arranged to combine such square waves to generate as output an composite square wave signal in which, in particular, the TON component and TOFF component are frequency modulated by the second square wave.

For example, controller circuit 83 may be formed, in a known way, by active components (transistors) and passive components.

In the preferred embodiment, circuit 83 controller is adapted to perform a type function "AND ANALOG" between the square wave that presents the 56 KHz frequency and the square wave that presents the cycle of 1110 ms.

Thanks to this type of embodiment, the signal of output is not a continuous signal but, on the contrary, it is a signal that presents, in particular, the active component TON modulated at a predetermined frequency, suitable to allow, consequently, energy saving in the power supply compared to the pilot circuits they provide only as output the active component TON.

The loading and unloading circuit 85 (inductor) receives as input the signal generated by circuit 83 controller and is willing to electrically activate with constant current to LED 76 according to time periods Default on and off.

The loading and unloading circuit 85 can obtained, for example, by an inductive circuit placed in parallel to LED 76 and arranged to accumulate the active component TON for the duration of the same and to download a component accumulated active of this type in the period of time corresponding to that of the null TOFF component, in the form of constant current supply to LED 76.

In the preferred embodiment, the period of LED power-up time will be 310 ms and the time period Shutdown will be 800 ms.

Therefore, as described, the emergency indicator 5 (fig. 1 and fig. 2) is arranged to solve the problems of the prior art and provide, between other things, the following features that can be implemented individually or jointly:

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is suitable to float by itself since, preferably, it is Made of lightweight materials and protected against water infiltration by using rings of tightness rather than by using impregnation with  resin;

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meets the norms of lights of help since, according to the realization disclosed, is ready to guarantee, for example:

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a high operating autonomy, for example an autonomy of at minus 24 hours, thanks to the 74 unveiled pilot circuit;

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high light emissions, for example greater than 0.75 cd, in particular thanks to LED 76;

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light emission in a large area, by example an emission of light throughout the upper hemisphere, thanks to dome 24;

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automatic ignition, for example, if comes into contact with seawater, thanks to sensor 61;

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default flash frequency, for example more than 50 flashes per minute.

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In a particularly preferred embodiment, the switch 40 comprises a pin 41 (fig. 3a and fig. 3b), fixed to body 20 (fig. 1) and a mobile element 43 (female element) (fig. 3a and fig. 3b) arranged to slide along the pin 41 inside the coating 20.

Pin 41, for example a type plug stereo, known for itself, comprises isolated parts electrically, in the exemplified figures three parts (a, b, c) electrically insulated

The mobile element 43 is arranged to adopt a first position (fig. 3a) in which the pin 41 is "unplugged" from the mobile element 43 and a second position in which pin 41 is "plugged in" in item 43 mobile.

In particular, the mobile element 43 of the switch 40 comprises the sealing ring 22b which is shaped to prevent water or moisture infiltration when the mobile element 43 slides into the coating twenty.

The mobile element 43 is formed by example, for:

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keep the electrical connection activated between a first cable A1 and a second cable A2, by means of a conductive A3 tab, if pin 41 is in position "unplugged" (fig. 3a), since pin 41 is not interposed between the cables A1, A2 and the tongue; Y

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keep the electrical connection deactivated if plug 41 is in the "plugged in" position, and that the plug is interposed between the cables A1, A2 and the tab A3.

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Obviously the same effect can be obtained in alternative embodiments by reversing the positions of the plug.

Thanks to such an embodiment, the emergency indicator according to the present invention can understand a very effective switch, since it can be operated through instinctive movements, and low cost, since it is shaped to use a particularly available type of plug in the market.

In the above description it is possible to enter obvious changes and variations in regards to dimensions, shapes, materials, components, elements of circuit, connections and contacts, as well as the details of the circuit system, without the construction described being separated from the scope of the invention defined by the following claims.

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References cited in the description

This list of references cited by the Applicant is only for the convenience of the reader. Not a part of the European patent document. Although it has been taken special careful in the compilation of references, cannot be excluded errors or omissions and the EPO rejects all responsibility to this respect.

Patent documents cited in the description

US 5921656 A [0005]

Claims (13)

1. An emergency indicator, which understands:

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a electronic circuit (70) presenting at least one device (76) of light emission that can be activated to signal situations of emergency through at least one flashing light signal, at minus one battery (71) to supply electric power in the form of electrical voltage to said light emitting device (76), and an energy control circuit (73) presenting an input connected to the battery and ready to supply as output an controlled electrical energy signal according to the variation of the battery voltage;

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a coating (20) shaped to contain said circuit (70) electronic, the coating (20) comprising at least one first covering element (21) and at least a second element (23) covering arranged to fit said first element (21) of coating and arranged to make said indicator (5) become waterproof and adapted to float by itself;

characterized because

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saying at least one light emitting device (76) is a diode ready to emit white light; and because

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saying electronic circuit further comprises a pilot circuit (74) adapted to receive said power supply from said battery and to generate an intermittent activation signal for activating an intermittent illumination of said diode (76);

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saying pilot circuit (74) comprises:

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a circuit (81) timer arranged to generate

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a first square wave signal presenting a first cycle predetermined;

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a second square wave signal presenting a second cycle predetermined much smaller than said first cycle;

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a controller circuit (83) adapted to generate said signal from intermittent activation according to said first square wave signal frequency modulated by said second wave signal square.

2. Emergency indicator (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that,

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bliss first modulated square wave signal comprises a component active (TON) that has a first duration and a component null that has a second duration, and because

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saying Pilot circuit (74) further comprises a load circuit (85) and discharge arranged to accumulate said active component (TON) during said first duration and download said active component accumulated (TON) during said second duration, corresponding said accumulated active component (TON) to said activation signal intermittent.

3. Emergency indicator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said coating (20) comprises

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to the less a first covering element (21);

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to the minus a second covering element (23) arranged to fit into said first covering element (21);

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to the at least one sealing element (22a) interposed between said at least first covering element (21) and said at least one second covering element (23).

4. Emergency indicator (5) according to claim 3, characterized in that said at least one sealing element (22a) is a sealing ring having a predetermined shape. 5. Emergency indicator (5) according to any one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that said coating (20) is made of a lightweight plastic material. 6. Emergency indicator (5) according to claim 5, characterized in that said material is a transparent polycarbonate. 7. Emergency indicator (5) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that at least one of said at least one first covering element (21) or said at least one second covering element (23) comprises the less a transparent dome (24) suitable to allow to see in at least one hemisphere the light signal emitted by said light emitting device (76). 8. Emergency indicator (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by a coupling device (30) comprising a fixing device (31) suitable to act in conjunction with said coating (20) to allow said coupling indicator (5) to a belt or life jacket. 9. Emergency indicator (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by a switch (40) connected to said electronic circuit (70) and which can be operated manually from the outside of said coating (20) for activate and / or deactivate the operation of said indicator (5). 10. Emergency indicator (5) according to claim 9, characterized in that:

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saying switch (40) comprises

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a fixed element shaped like a plug (41), and

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a mobile element (43) formed to activate and / or deactivate said operation of said indicator (5) when sliding on said coating (20) from a first position to a second position along said pin (41); and because

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saying mobile element (43) is associated with a sealing element arranged to make said indicator (5) waterproof the water.

11. Emergency indicator (5) according to claim 10, characterized in that:

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bliss plug (41) is a stereo type plug.

12. Emergency indicator (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by a sensor device (61) connected to said electronic circuit (70) and arranged to automatically activate the operation of said indicator (5) in case of contact of said device (61) sensor with predetermined types of liquids. 13. Emergency indicator (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said battery is a dry lithium battery.