GB2028024A

GB2028024A - Vehicle rear warning light system

Info

Publication number: GB2028024A
Application number: GB7925847A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-08-09
Filing date: 1979-07-25
Publication date: 1980-02-27

Abstract

Rear warning lights on a motor vehicle for warning of deceleration are in circuit with the ignition switch and a micro-switch in such manner that the switch contacts close and complete the rear warning lights circuit in the absence of pressure on the accelerator pedal. The micro-switch may be inset into the accelerator pedal surface to which pressure is directly applied and may be shielded by a flexible covering. The micro-switch may, alternatively, be fitted so as to be operable by linkage from the accelerator pedal to the carburettor in a petrol engine, or from the accelerator pedal to the fuel pump in a diesel engine. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Rear light warning system This invention relates to rear light warning systems operable on reduction of speed of travel of road vehicles.

It has hitherto been customary for a micro-switch controlling the rear lights of such systems to be associated with the vehicle braking system in such manner that the switch contacts close and complete the rear warning lights circuit on depression of the brake pedal. There is therefore a time lag between a decision to slow a vehicle down and the indication to the driver of a following vehicle that such action is being taken. This time lag is only a matter of seconds but may be significant in many situations.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the time lag between a decision to slow a vehicle down and the indication to the driver of a following vehicle that such action is being taken.

In accordance with the present invention, rear warning lights of a motor vehicle are in circuit with the ignition switch and a micro-switch controlling same is associated with engine-speed deceleration in such manner that the switch contacts close and complete the rear warning lights circuit in the absence of pressure on the accelerator pedal.

The micro-switch may be inset into the accelerator pedal surface to which pressure is directly applied and be shielded by a flexible covering. The microswitch may, alternatively, be fitted to be operable from linkage from the accelerator pedal to the carburettor in a petrol engine, or from the accelerator pedal to the fuel pump in a diesel engine.

The warning lights system in accordance with the invention may replace or be complementary to but independent of a warning lights system responsive to depression of the brake pedal. When complementart to a system responsive to depression of the brake pedal, a system in accordance with the present invention gives prior warning to the driver that braking is about to take place and the warning lights responsive to depression of the brake pedal are switched on when braking takes place.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is an elementary circuit diagram of a rear light warning system of a road vehicle, operable on reduction of speed of the vehicle, and Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation showing a microswitch inset into an accelerator pedal.

A rear light warning system in accordance with the invention is similartothe normal brake light warning system in respect of the layout of wiring and the components required.

In Fig. 1, electric current from supply passes through a lead 5 to the fuse box 6 of the vehicle. The fuse box 6 shown has nine fuses 7 to 15, the fuse 7 being that incorporated in the ignition circuit. A lead 16 connects the fuse 7 to one contact-carrying arm 17 of a micro-switch 18 the other contact-carrying arm 19 of which is connected through a lead 20 from which branch leads 21 and 22 to lights 23 and 24 earthed to the vehicle chassis. The lenses of the lights 23 and 24 are preferably coloured blue.

The micro-switch 18 is preferably housed in a recess in the accelerator pedal 25 and is protected by a rubber covering 26, as shown in Fig. 2.

Alternatively the micro-switch 18 is fitted to be operable from the linkage from the accelerator pedal 25 to the carburettor in the case of a petrol engine, or from the accelerator pedal 25 to the fuel pump in the case of a diesel engine.

The lights 23 and 24 are switched on when the ignition is switched on and are switched off immediately pressure is applied to the accelerator pedal 25, any such application of pressure opening the contacts in the micro-switch (as shown in Fig. 1). The lights 23 and 24 will remain switched off until the driver positively removes the pressure on the accelerator pedal 25 when the contacts in the micro-switch 18 will automatically close to complete the circuit switching the lights 23 and 24 on.

The rear light warning system described allows a reduction in the time lag between a decision to slow down and the indication to the driver of a following vehicle that such action is being taken. It also makes the situation apparent to the driver of an approaching vehicle when the ignition of a parked vehicle is switched on.

When a road vehicle is fitted with a warning lights system in accordance with the invention, the warning lights are switched on when the ignition is switched on and are switched off immediately pressure is applied to the accelerator pedal. The warning lights will be switched off so long as the driver's foot remains on the accelerator pedal but will be switched on immediately pressure is removed from the accelerator pedal.

1. A motor vehicle having rear warning lights in circuit with the ignition switch and a micro-switch controlling same is associated with the enginespeed deceleration in such mannerthatthe switch contacts close and complete the rear warning lights circuit in the absence of pressure on the accelerator pedal.

2. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, in which the micro-switch is inset into the accelerator pedal and shielded by a flexible covering.

3. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, and having a petrol engine, the micro-switch being fitted to be operable from the linkage from the accelerator pedal to the carburettor.

4. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1 and having a diesel engine, the micro-switch being fitted to be operable from the linkage from the accelerator pedal to the fuel pump.

5. A motor vehicle having a rear warning light system operable on reduction of the speed of travel

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Rear light warning system This invention relates to rear light warning systems operable on reduction of speed of travel of road vehicles. It has hitherto been customary for a micro-switch controlling the rear lights of such systems to be associated with the vehicle braking system in such manner that the switch contacts close and complete the rear warning lights circuit on depression of the brake pedal. There is therefore a time lag between a decision to slow a vehicle down and the indication to the driver of a following vehicle that such action is being taken. This time lag is only a matter of seconds but may be significant in many situations. An object of the present invention is to reduce the time lag between a decision to slow a vehicle down and the indication to the driver of a following vehicle that such action is being taken. In accordance with the present invention, rear warning lights of a motor vehicle are in circuit with the ignition switch and a micro-switch controlling same is associated with engine-speed deceleration in such manner that the switch contacts close and complete the rear warning lights circuit in the absence of pressure on the accelerator pedal. The micro-switch may be inset into the accelerator pedal surface to which pressure is directly applied and be shielded by a flexible covering. The microswitch may, alternatively, be fitted to be operable from linkage from the accelerator pedal to the carburettor in a petrol engine, or from the accelerator pedal to the fuel pump in a diesel engine. The warning lights system in accordance with the invention may replace or be complementary to but independent of a warning lights system responsive to depression of the brake pedal. When complementart to a system responsive to depression of the brake pedal, a system in accordance with the present invention gives prior warning to the driver that braking is about to take place and the warning lights responsive to depression of the brake pedal are switched on when braking takes place. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is an elementary circuit diagram of a rear light warning system of a road vehicle, operable on reduction of speed of the vehicle, and Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation showing a microswitch inset into an accelerator pedal. A rear light warning system in accordance with the invention is similartothe normal brake light warning system in respect of the layout of wiring and the components required. In Fig. 1, electric current from supply passes through a lead 5 to the fuse box 6 of the vehicle. The fuse box 6 shown has nine fuses 7 to 15, the fuse 7 being that incorporated in the ignition circuit. A lead 16 connects the fuse 7 to one contact-carrying arm 17 of a micro-switch 18 the other contact-carrying arm 19 of which is connected through a lead 20 from which branch leads 21 and 22 to lights 23 and 24 earthed to the vehicle chassis. The lenses of the lights 23 and 24 are preferably coloured blue. The micro-switch 18 is preferably housed in a recess in the accelerator pedal 25 and is protected by a rubber covering 26, as shown in Fig. 2. Alternatively the micro-switch 18 is fitted to be operable from the linkage from the accelerator pedal 25 to the carburettor in the case of a petrol engine, or from the accelerator pedal 25 to the fuel pump in the case of a diesel engine. The lights 23 and 24 are switched on when the ignition is switched on and are switched off immediately pressure is applied to the accelerator pedal 25, any such application of pressure opening the contacts in the micro-switch (as shown in Fig. 1). The lights 23 and 24 will remain switched off until the driver positively removes the pressure on the accelerator pedal 25 when the contacts in the micro-switch 18 will automatically close to complete the circuit switching the lights 23 and 24 on. The rear light warning system described allows a reduction in the time lag between a decision to slow down and the indication to the driver of a following vehicle that such action is being taken. It also makes the situation apparent to the driver of an approaching vehicle when the ignition of a parked vehicle is switched on. When a road vehicle is fitted with a warning lights system in accordance with the invention, the warning lights are switched on when the ignition is switched on and are switched off immediately pressure is applied to the accelerator pedal. The warning lights will be switched off so long as the driver's foot remains on the accelerator pedal but will be switched on immediately pressure is removed from the accelerator pedal. CLAIMS

5. A motor vehicle having a rear warning light system operable on reduction of the speed of travel of the vehicle and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.