GB1585434A - Warning device - Google Patents
Warning device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB1585434A GB1585434A GB516378A GB516378A GB1585434A GB 1585434 A GB1585434 A GB 1585434A GB 516378 A GB516378 A GB 516378A GB 516378 A GB516378 A GB 516378A GB 1585434 A GB1585434 A GB 1585434A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- control
- resistor
- transistor
- base
- light
- 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.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q11/00—Arrangement of monitoring devices for devices provided for in groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q9/00
- B60Q11/005—Arrangement of monitoring devices for devices provided for in groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q9/00 for lighting devices, e.g. indicating if lamps are burning or not
- B60Q11/007—Arrangement of monitoring devices for devices provided for in groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q9/00 for lighting devices, e.g. indicating if lamps are burning or not the lighting devices indicating change of drive direction
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
- B60Q1/34—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating change of drive direction
- B60Q1/38—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating change of drive direction using immovably-mounted light sources, e.g. fixed flashing lamps
- B60Q1/385—Electronic temporisation with relay amplification
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
- B60Q1/50—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
- B60Q1/52—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking for indicating emergencies
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
Description
(54) WARNING DEVICE
(71) We, ROBERT BOSCI-I GmbH, a
German company of Postfach 50, 7
Stuttgart 1, Federal Republic of Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:
The invention concerns a warning device, such as a flashing light arrangement in a motor vehicle in which a failure of the flashing light is indicated by a control circuit.
In a known flashing light device of this type (German Auslegeschrift 1224182) the control circuit comprises a control resistor in the light current circuit and a control transistor, controlled by the fall in voltage in this resistor, which transistor controls a control light.
The base of the control transistor is connected to a voltage divider which is connected by way of a diode to the reference potential. By adjusting the voltage divider the control circuit is set in such a manner that, when a light current below a certain value is supplied the control light is switched on and in this manner indicates the defective state of at least one flashing light.
The disadvantage of this arrangement is that the variations in the voltage drop which occur due to voltage fluctuations in supply voltage in the control resistor as well as the fluctuations of the base current in the control transistor which occur due to temperature variations are equalised only to an insufficient extent by the diode in the voltage divider at the base of the control transistor.
The present invention aims to provide a signalling device having a control stage in which the influence of fluctuations in voltage and temperature is fully compensated.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a signalling device having a plurality of signal indicators connected in parallel an intermittently actuable switch in the current supply circuit of the signal indicators, and at least one fault indicator controlled in dependence upon the operating state of the signal indicators by a control circuit having a control transistor whose emitter is connected to the signal indicator side of a control resistor in series with the signal indicators and switch, whose collector is connected by way of a resistor to a supply line, and whose base is connected by way of a resistor of a voltage divider to the supply line and by way of a series connection between a further resistor of the voltage divider and a compensation transistor, which is short-circuited between the base and the collector, to a second supply line to which the other side of the control resistor is joined.
In comparison with the known embodiment, this device has the advantage that through a complete compensation of the fluctuations in voltage and in temperature by means of a transistor, short-circuited between the base and the collector, in the voltage divider at the base of the control transistor, a very sensitive control stage is present, which is able itself positively to indicate the failure of a light for a plurality of flashers, as is, for example, necessary in the case of lorries with trailers.
It is simpler for the adjustment of the control stage if both the control transistor as well as the compensation transistor are of the same conduction type. The compensation of the temperature input in the control stage is facilitated by the fact that when the control transistor conduits by means of the resistor at its collector the ratio of the base current to the collector current is larger than 2 and is preferably 3.
The invention is described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagram of a signalling device for a motor vehicle, which device compensates, in accordance with the invention for fluctuations in voltage and temperature in a control circuit thereof.
A flashing light device e.g. for the warning flashers of a vehicle, is provided with several flashers 10, connected to each other in parallel. These flashers 10 are connected to earth at one end and at the other end are connected by way of a line 11 to a relay contact 12, which is intermittently actuated by a flasher sensor, not shown, and a control resistor 13 of a control stage 14, to the positive potential of a supply line 15.
The control stage 14 serves to monitor the operating state of the flashers 10 and contains a PNP-conducting control transistor 16 whose emitter is connected to the flasher end of the control resistor 13. Its collector is connected by way of a resistor
17 to earth. The base of the control transistor 16 is connected to a voltage divider, one branch of which is connected by way of a resistor 18 as well as by way of a further resistor 19 to a control light 20, in series thereto, to earth, and whose other branch is connected by way of a variable resistor 21 to the switching path of a PNPconducting compensation transistor 22 to the supp]y line 15.A switching transistor 23 serves to switch the control light 20 and its collector is connected to the connection of the resistors 18 and 19 of the aforementioned voltage divider and its emitter is connected to the supply line and its base is connected on the one hand to the collector of the control transistor 16 and on the other end by way of a capacitor 24 to the supply line 15.
The compensation transistor 22 is shortcircuited between its base and its collector.
The voltage which flow by way of the variable resistor 21 thus divides into an emitter base current and an emitter collector current.
The ratio of these two currents to each other is approximately 3:1.
The method of operation of the signalling device in accordance with the invention is explained in greater detail as follows both when the flashers are intact as well
as in the event of a failure of a flasher.
When the flasher sensor, which is not shown, is switched on the relay contact 12 is reversed
alternately between the rest position a and the operating position c, whereby it passes
through the intermediate position b. In the
rest position a of the relay contact 12 the
switching path of the control transistor 16
is by-passed so that only the base current flows by way of the transistor 16. If the
relay contact 12 now enters the intermediate
position b then this by-passing is cancelled.
By means of a relatively high ohmic resistor
17 of approximately 2KO and a resistor
R 18 -t R 19 at the base of the transistor 16
of approximately 340 0 the control tran
sistor 16 remains in its overdriven position.
If the relay contact 12 now enters the
operating position c, then the light current
now flows by way of the control resistor 13
and the relay contact 12 to the flashers 10.
The potential at the base of the control
transistor 16 is adjusted by the variable
resistor 21 in such a manner that the
drop in voltage in the control resistor 13,
when the flashers 10 are intact, is so large that the control transistor 16 is now blocked.
The collector of the control transistor 16 is thereby connected by way of the resistor 17 to earth potential, the capacitor 24 is charged and the switching transistor 23 is controlled into the current-conducting state.
The control light 20 now lights up and indicates that all the flashers are intact. If the relay contact 12 is subsequently brought into the rest position a again, then the positive potential again passes by way of the control resistor 13 and the relay contact 12 to the base of the switching transistor 23. The capacitor 24 can now discharge and the switching transistors 23 passes into the blocking state so that the control light 20 is put out.
If one of the flashers 10 is defective then a lower voltage drop will occur due to the decreased light current in the control resistor 13. In the operating position c of the relay contact 12 the control transistor 16 is no longer blocked or no longer completely blocked. The base potential at the switch transistor 23 is thus no longer reduced sufficiently so that its switching path also remains blocked and the control light cannot light up. The fact that the control light 20 remains unlit indicates that at least one of the flashers 10 is defective. In order to render the control stage 14 insensitive to a premature response due to the switching-on current surge of the flashers, the capacitor 24 disposed between the emitter and the base of the switching transistor 23 is provided.By means of it the reversing of the switching transistor 23 is delayed for the duration of the switching-on current surge at the flashers 10.
The influences of temperature fluctuations in the control stage 14 are avoided in that both the control transistor 16 as well as the compensation transistor 22 are strongly overdriven. The ratio of the base current to the collector current which is set at approximately 3:1 in the case of the compensation transistor 22 is to be selected to be larger than 2, preferably 3, by means of an accordingly high ohmic collector resistor 17 of the control transistor 16.
The compensation of voltage fluctuations is necessary as under certain circumstances the light current when the flashers 10 are intact and the terminal voltage is low, is lower than the light current which flows when a flasher fails and there is a very high terminal voltage. As the control stage 14 must also in this case indicate accurately the defective state of a flasher 10, it is necessary to compnesate voltage fluctuations of this kind in the control stage 14. This is done by the compensation transistor 22 in that it shows at the same operating points characteristic curves which coincide with those of the control transistor 16.
The invention is not restricted to the embodiment shown as in place of warning light systems flashing light devices to indicate the direction of travel can also be provided by the control stage in accordance with the invention. The control stage can furthermore also be used to monitor other loads, e.g. braking light indicators in motor vehicles. It is thereby immaterial whether the control light 20 lights up or goes out to indicate a defective light or a load which has failed. It is essential to the invention, however, that in order to compensate temperature fluctuations and fluctuations in the supply voltage a compensation transistor 22, short-circuited between base and collector, is disposed in a voltage divider, connected to the base of the control transistor 16.
WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. Signalling device having a plurality of signal indicators connected in parallel, an intermittently actuable switch in the current supply circuit of the signal indicators and at least one fault indicator controlled in dependence upon the operating state of the signal indicators by a control circuit having a control transistor whose emitter is connected to the signal indicator side of a control resistor in series with the signal indicators and switch, whose collector is connected by way of a resistor to a supply line, and whose base is connected by way of a resistor of a voltage divider to the supply line and by way of a series connection between a further resistor of the voltage divider and a compensation transistor, which is short-circuited between the base and the collector, to a second supply line to which the other side of the control resistor is joined.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the control transistor and the compensation transistor are both of the same type.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein both transistors are PNP transistors.
4. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein when the control transistor conducts by way of the resistor, the ratio of the base current to the collector current of the control transistor is larger than 2 and is preferably 3.
5. A signalling device arranged substantially as herein particularly described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.
Claims (5)
1. Signalling device having a plurality of signal indicators connected in parallel, an intermittently actuable switch in the current supply circuit of the signal indicators and at least one fault indicator controlled in dependence upon the operating state of the signal indicators by a control circuit having a control transistor whose emitter is connected to the signal indicator side of a control resistor in series with the signal indicators and switch, whose collector is connected by way of a resistor to a supply line, and whose base is connected by way of a resistor of a voltage divider to the supply line and by way of a series connection between a further resistor of the voltage divider and a compensation transistor, which is short-circuited between the base and the collector, to a second supply line to which the other side of the control resistor is joined.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the control transistor and the compensation transistor are both of the same type.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein both transistors are PNP transistors.
4. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein when the control transistor conducts by way of the resistor, the ratio of the base current to the collector current of the control transistor is larger than 2 and is preferably 3.
5. A signalling device arranged substantially as herein particularly described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19772705499 DE2705499C2 (en) | 1977-02-10 | 1977-02-10 | Signaling device, in particular flashing light device on vehicles |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB1585434A true GB1585434A (en) | 1981-03-04 |
Family
ID=6000784
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB516378A Expired GB1585434A (en) | 1977-02-10 | 1978-02-09 | Warning device |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| DE (1) | DE2705499C2 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1585434A (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2826795A1 (en) * | 1978-06-19 | 1980-02-07 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Signal controller overload protection circuit - has disconnection store controller, two threshold switches and flip=flop |
| DE3118240C2 (en) * | 1981-05-08 | 1984-08-02 | Telefunken electronic GmbH, 7100 Heilbronn | Flasher |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1210364B (en) * | 1964-10-09 | 1966-02-03 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Flashing light signal device |
| JPS5433828B2 (en) * | 1973-09-27 | 1979-10-23 | ||
| DE2507005C2 (en) * | 1975-02-19 | 1984-05-17 | SWF-Spezialfabrik für Autozubehör Gustav Rau GmbH, 7120 Bietigheim-Bissingen | Flasher device for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles |
-
1977
- 1977-02-10 DE DE19772705499 patent/DE2705499C2/en not_active Expired
-
1978
- 1978-02-09 GB GB516378A patent/GB1585434A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE2705499C2 (en) | 1982-02-18 |
| DE2705499A1 (en) | 1978-08-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS | Patent sealed | ||
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |