GB2377562A

GB2377562A - Vehicle accelerating and coasting indicator

Info

Publication number: GB2377562A
Application number: GB0117253A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eric Arthur Grainger; Susan Cole
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-07-14
Filing date: 2001-07-14
Publication date: 2003-01-15
Also published as: GB0117253D0

Abstract

A vehicle is provided with means at the front and rear to indicate when the vehicle is accelerating or coasting using green and amber lights respectively. Detection of the condition can be based on a switch connected to the accelerometer, or pressure sensor connected to the carburettor or vacuum switch connected to the inlet manifold. Further a second switch could be connected to the speedometer to insure the lights only operate when the vehicle is in motion. The light units can be provided at any one of the locations 4 at the rear of a vehicle and is placed in front of the rear view to be viewed from the front. The brightness of the illumination can be varied so as not to dazzle at night operated with the headlight switch or a light sensitive element.

Description

VISUAL DECELERATION WARNING DEVICE This invention relates to a Visual Deceleration Warning Device.

This is a device which, when fitted to a vehicle, either at the point of manufacture or retrospectively, gives warning to other road users of deceleration as opposed to braking of that vehicle.

Existing red brake lights are legally universal but it would be advantageous for vehicles to give a warning of deceleration (slowing down) prior to red brake lights being activated i. e. in town situations where the driver in front is trying to anticipate the possible actions of pedestrians and/or other road users, or in motorway conditions where a driver is in a queue of fast moving traffic and the vehicle ahead may slow down without applying their brakes-possibly only to look at the view. To this end it would be very useful to know whether the vehicle in front is accelerating or decelerating in order to anticipate one's own actions/braking.

This invention is a Visual Deceleration Warning Device which gives an illuminated indication to other road users that the vehicle to which the device is fitted is slowing down i. e. decelerating rather than accelerating and decelerating rather than braking which may occur shortly afterwards as shown by the illumination of the brake lights.

This invention consists of a coloured warning light, possibly green, visible from the rear/front of the vehicle. When the accelerator is being actuated/

pressed down the warning light is illuminated showing that the vehicle is 'under power'and is holding ; more or less, a constant speed or is accelerating. When the accelerator pedal is released the coloured warning light is extinguished showing that the vehicle is no longer'under power'and will begin to reduce in speed, possibly with the brake lights appearing shortly afterwards.

The colour of the warning light has been selected as green as this is the universally accepted colour for forward movement as in green to'go'at traffic lights; as opposed to the universally accepted red for'stop'.

Although another colour could conceivably be used it would not be so immediately apparent.

It is suggested that, for longevity, a'super bright'or several light emitting diodes could be used, though an ordinary bulb/filament would suffice.

The device could be connected through a light sensitive dimmer switch to enable maximum brightness in daylight but would operate at a reduced level during the hours of darkness and in poor light conditions so as to avoid any unnecessary dazzle to following traffic. The same effect could be obtained by connecting the device into the vehicle's lighting system; so that when the vehicle's lights are switched on the green warning light would operate at a lower voltage.

It is also possible that the device could be developed further into a dual or two-light system. The previously described green warning light could be

supplemented by an orange or amber light. The green light being activated as described previously by pressure on the accelerator pedal to show acceleration. Then as the pedal begins to be released the green light is extinguished ? nd the amber light is illuminated during the release movement of the accelerator pedal with the amber light being extinguished when the accelerator pedal is released completely. This dual-light system would show acceleration and deceleration as in'green* to speed up and'amber'to slow down with no illumination indicating that the pressure has been removed from the accelerator pedal completely; with the possibility of the brake lights being illuminated shortly afterwards.

To maximise efficiency of this system the warning light could also be mounted so as to be seen from the front of the vehicle, possibly behind the driver's rear view mirror, so as not to distract or dazzle the driver. Mounted in this position the system would also be advantageous for instance, to pedestrians, those trying to cross the road, and those crossing at pedestrian crossings. If the pedestrian saw that the warning light was showing at the front of an oncoming vehicle it could be that it is unsafe to cross the road as the oncoming vehicle is still'under power'and is not slowing down or stopping. Mounted so that the Visual Deceleration Warning Device is visible from the front of a vehicle would aid traffic ahead as well-for example when the driver ahead checks his mirror he is able to tell if the vehicle behind him has responded to his actions and can therefore react accordingly.

Additionally, a system whereby the warning light is visible from the sides as already exists in'wrap-around'style lights, may also be advantageous.

The utilisation of this Visual Deceleration Warning Device as shown within

this document relates and refers to its use regarding automobiles-but the use of a Visual Deceleration Warning Device would be equally advantageous and effective on any form of motor driven equipment i. e. motor-cycles/motor- boats/fork-lift trucks and heavy construction plant etc, especially those operating in confined areas with high noise levels that may impair aural movement detection, or on building sites with high levels of background noise.

The green Visual Deceleration Warning Device light can be operated by numerous methods, some possibilities being listed below: a) By means of an electrical microswitch connected to the accelorator pedal. b) By means of a switch connected to the carburettor to detect pressure/ movement from the accelorator pedal/control. c) By means of a vacuum switch connected to the inlet manifold of the engine. d) By means of a second electrical circuit/switch a foolproof safety system could be built in to ensure that the device only operates when the vehicle is in motion thereby reducing the risk of rear-end collisions by drivers waiting in queues of traffic and revving their engines whilst stationary.

This would prevent the impression visually or aurally of their forward movement, with the second switch possibly being connected to the speed- ometer drive unit or gearbox in order to detect rotation of the road- wheels ; both of these switches needing to be activated in order for the warning light to be illuminated.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which :- Figure 1 shows the Visual Deceleration Warning Device as seen from the rear of the vehicle, fitted as an addition at manufacture or as an after- market'add-on', the green light possibly being incorporated within the high level/third brake light in the rear window or into the rear light clusters. Possibly within the left-hand cluster on left-hand drive vehicles or the right-hand cluster on right-hand drive vehicles.

Figure 2 shows the Visual Deceleration Warning Device as seen from the front of the vehicle, located in the windscreen behind the rear view mirror. This position is of use to pedestrians and drivers in front of the vehicle to which the device is fitted.

Figure 3 shows the Visual Deceleration Warning Device as fitted to large/high vehicles. A high and low level light system could be utilised, one near the road at eye level for the benefit of following drivers and one situated at a high point to give vehicles positioned further behind early warning of deceleration.

Number 4 shows the Visual Deceleration Warning Device located in some of its possible various positions as described above.

Claims

1. A Visual Deceleration Warning Device visible from the rear and/or front of a vehicle.

2. A Visual Deceleration Warning Device as claimed in Claim 1 which when the accelerator is being used/pressed the device consisting of a coloured warning light (preferably green) is illuminated showing the vehicle is under power.

3. A Visual Deceleration Warning Device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 which when the accelerator is released, the warning light is extinguished.

4. A Visual Deceleration Warning Device substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.