GB1163401A - Vehicle Warning System - Google Patents

Abstract

1,163,401. Road traffic signals on vehicles. A. G. ACLAND. 24 Jan., 1967 [27 Jan., 1966], No. 3729/66. Heading G4Q. In a vehicle, having at least one rear warning lamp L energized by a switch T operated by a member of the linkage between the accelerator pedal and the engine, a pair of contacts connected in series with the ignition switch I and operating switch T are closed after a delay time from operating the switch T. When the ignition switch I is closed and the accelerator pedal is released contact T is closed so as to energize a bimetallic flasher F which operates to complete the rear warning lamp circuit after a predetermined adjustable delay and then flash the lamp L. The delay time which may be, e.g. 2 seconds, allows the driver to change gear without operating the rear warning lamps L. If the accelerator is released for the set delay time then the rear warning lamps L flash to warn following motorists that the preceding car may be about to apply its brakes. At night or in fog when driving with dipped headlights by closing side and headlight switches S and H and positioning switch A for dipped beam filaments D, the rear warning lights are lit immediately the accelerator is released so that the delay action and flasher become inoperative. The rear warning lamps L may be placed behind transparent amber plastic or glass lenses incorporating triangular marks. The rate of flashing may be the same as or different from that of the direction indicators. The accelerator switch may be a snap action microswitch completely enclosed so that any sparks produced cannot ignite any petrol or other vapour and may be operated by a linkage of a carburetter or a member of the fuel injection equipment of a diesel engine. The rectifiers Z1 and Z2 may be provided with head sinks. The delay in switching the warning lamps L on when the accelerator has been released may be obtained by a pneumatic or hydraulic dashpot controlling the electric contacts. A tell-tale lamp W, which may be mounted on the dash-board or on the boss of the steering wheel, may either flash at a rate different from normal or not flash at all if any of the warning lamps L become open or short circuit. Emergency signalling.-In the case of an accident or puncture an extra switch, which can operate electrical circuits other than the ignition system, e.g. parking lights, may be connected in parallel with the ignition switch I so as to permit the warning lamps to be energized.