GB2419045A

GB2419045A - Variable vehicle brake light system according to brake pedal pressure or deceleration

Info

Publication number: GB2419045A
Application number: GB0422438A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Douglas Graham Heap
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-08
Filing date: 2004-10-08
Publication date: 2006-04-12
Also published as: GB0422438D0

Abstract

A vehicle brake light system comprising a measuring means 11 in communication with the brake pedal 10, which provides a signal to a brake light display comprising a controller 17 connected to a number of individual brake light elements 13, 14, 15 which are lit in increasing number depending on the signal from the measuring means. The brake light elements may be LEDs (see fig.1A). The measuring means may be a pressure transducer 11 attached to the brake pedal 10, or a deceleration detector 16.

Description

-1- 2419045 Vehicle Brake Light System The present invention relates to a

vehicle brake light system.

Vehicle brake lights are used on the rear of vehicles to indicate when such vehicles brake for the safety of other road users. In recent years a large number of motor manufacturers introduced a separate middle rear braking light, which makes it clear that the brake lights have actually come on indicating the use of the brakes on the car. These previous proposed systems have the disadvantage that they do not give any indication of the strength of the braking carried out by the driver of the vehicle or the vehicle's rate of deceleration.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a vehicle brake light system that provides improved indication of braking.

Accordingly a first aspect of the present invention is directed to a vehicle brake light system comprising measuring means in communication with the brake pedal which provides a signal to a brake light display which comprises a controller connected to a number of individual brake light elements which are lit in increasing number depending upon the signal from the measuring means. This provides the advantage that for a strong motion of the brake pedal system a number of brake lights light up whereas for a weak braking motion only two brake lights or three if central light is fitted are illuminated. This provides a clear visible indication of the strength of the braking of the vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment the measuring means comprises a pressure transducer attached to the brake pedal. This - provides the advantage of a simple pressure measuring device to attach to an existing brake pedal.

In a preferred embodiment the light elements comprise five separate brake lights. This provides the advantage of a gradation brake light signals between a light pressure when two illuminated, medium pressure when four are illuminate and heavy pressure when five are illuminated.

Advantageously the light elements are LEDs which preferably comprise a strip across the rear of the vehicle. If the braking is light only the outermost LED's are lit on either side. As the braking increases more of the centre of the strip starts to be lit until the whole of the strip is lit.

In a preferred embodiment the pressure measuring means includes a deceleration sensor this provides the advantage that fast deceleration provided by a means other than the brake pedal such as changing down gears or engine braking are also displayed via the braking system.

Furthermore a combination of deceleration via the brake pedal and via gear change is readily displayed.

Advantageously the decelerometer signal is checked by the controller against the pressure on the brake pedal and if lower than expected from the brake pedal signal results in lights being lit in dependence on the decelerometer signal.

Accordingly a second aspect of the present invention is directed to a vehicle brake light system comprising a decelerometer attached to a controller connected to a number of individual light elements which are lit in dependence on the strength of the signal from the decelerometer. This provides the advantage that the external indication of braking is dependent on the strength of deceleration not on use of the brake pedal.

Examples of brake systems made in accordance with the present invention will now be described herein below in relation to the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a first vehicle brake light system according to the present invention; Figure la shows a diagrammatic view of an LED strip to use instead of the lights shown in Figure 1; Figure 2 shows the vehicle brake light system shown in Figure 1 during standard light activation; Figure 3 shows the vehicle brake light system of Figure 1 with moderate deceleration by brake pedal pressure; Figure 4 shows the vehicle brake light system of Figure 1 with moderate deceleration by means other than the use of the brake pedal; Figure 5 shows the vehicle brake light system of Figure 1 with rapid deceleration by brake pedal pressure; Figure 6 shows a block diagram of a second vehicle brake light system according to the present invention; Figure 6a shows a diagrammatic view of a LED strip for use instead of the lights shown in Figure 6; Figure 7 shows the vehicle brake light system of Figure 6 with gentle deceleration caused by gentle pressure on the brake pedal; Figure 8 shows the vehicle brake light system of Figure 6 with moderate deceleration caused by moderate pressure on the brake pedal; Figure 9 shows the vehicle brake light system of Figure 6 with rapid deceleration caused by heavy pressure on the brake pedal; and Figure 10 shows the vehicle brake light system of Figure 6 with moderate deceleration measured by the decelerometer in spite of heavy pressure on the brake pedal.

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a vehicle brake system according to the present invention. A brake pedal (10) makes contact with a pressure transducer (11) and signal converter (12) which measures when pressure is applied by a driver to the brake pedal (10). A signal is transmitted by the signal converter (12) to two outer brake lights (13). A controller (17) is attached to a decelerometer (16) and controls a series of additional brake lights (14, 15) in Figure 1 three such brake lights are shown.

Obviously it is possible to have more or less brake lights.

Figure la shows an LED strip (18) that could replace the light (13, 14, 15). The outer ends of the LED would work on signals from signal converter (12) and the inner part on signals from the controller (17).

Figure 2 shows the vehicle brake system in use with standard brake pedal (10) activation of the brake lights.

In this Figure the brake pedal (10) activates the outer lights (13) or in the case of the LED strip (18) shown in Figure 2a the outer ends of the LED strip (18).

Figure 3 shows the vehicle brake system in use when moderate deceleration occurs by pressure on the brake pedal (10). In this instance the brake pedal (10) and the controller (17) upon receipt of signals from the decelerometer (16). The strength of the deceleration also causes the controller to activate the inner lights (14).

Figure 3a shows an analogous activation of the LED strip (18).

Figure 4 shows a situation analogous in that shown in Figure 3 but in this instance the lights are activated by controller (17) only upon receipt of deceleration signal from the decelerometer (16) showing moderate deceleration.

Figure 5 shows the vehicle brake system in use with rapid deceleration by pressure on the brake pedal (10). In this case all the lights (13, 14, 15) are lit following instructions from the controller (17) and pedal (10).

Figure 5a shows an analogous situation for the LED strip (18).

Figure 6 shows a vehicle braking system similar to that shown in Figure 1. Similar reference numerals have been used for similar parts. The difference between the brake system in Figure 1 and the brake system in Figure 6 is the connection of the brake pedal (10) to a pressure transducer (19) which is connected to a modulator (20) which then sends signals to the controller (17). The controller (17) in this instance takes account of both the readings from the pressure transducer (19) and from the decelerometer (16) to assess the rate of braking of the car. This results in the illumination of the brake lights as described in Figure 1 taking into account both variables.

Figure 7 shows gentle pressure on the brake pedal (10) causing gentle deceleration lighting up the outside lights 13. Figure 7a shows an analogous position with regard to the LED Strip (18).

Figure 8 shows moderate deceleration by moderate pressure on the brake pedal (10) causing the lighting up of the outside and inner lights (13, 14). Figure 8a shows an analogous position with regard to the LED Strip (18).

Figure 9 shows rapid deceleration by heavy pressure on the brake pedal (10) causing the lighting up of all the light (13, 14, 15). Figure 9a shows an analogous position with regard to the whole of the LED strip (18) being lit up.

Figure 10 shows moderate deceleration measured by the decelerometer (16) in spite of heavy pressure on the brake pedal (10) only lighting up the outer and inner lights (13, 14). Figure lea shows an analogous position with regard to the LED strip (18).

Claims

Claims 1. A vehicle brake light system comprising a measuring means in

communication with the brake pedal, which provides a signal to a brake light display, comprising a controller connected to a number of individual brake light elements which are lit in increasing number depending on the signal from the measuring means.
2. A vehicle brake light system according to Claim 1, in which the measuring means comprises a pressure transducer attached to the brake pedal.
3. A vehicle brake light system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the light elements comprise five separate brake lights.
4. A vehicle brake light system according to any preceding claim, in which the light elements are LEDs which preferably comprise a strip across the rear of the vehicle.
5. A vehicle brake light system according to Claim 1, in which the measuring means includes a deceleration sensor.
6. A vehicle brake light system according to Claim 5, in which the signal from the deceleration sensor is checked by the controller against the pressure sensor.

hi ' :
7. A vehicle brake light system substantially as described herein and with reference to Figures 1 to of the accompanying drawings.
8. A vehicle brake light system substantially as described herein and with reference to Figures 6 to of the accompanying drawings.

2i ' 2: 2 2