GB2483130A - Vehicle deceleration warning system - Google Patents

Abstract

An independent and proportional deceleration indicator warning system for vehicles comprising a deceleration sensor device or inertia sensor, which when activated by the decelerating action of a vehicle alone, will enable other drivers to obtain information on the type of deceleration that the vehicle has and is experiencing. The deceleration signal is relayed via a system of red light emitting diodes 7 (LEDs) activated sequentially, the numbers of LEDs activated being progressive and relating to the intensity of the deceleration occurring. The warning system is independent of other inputs, such as the electronic input derived from the brake pedal, and is a separate unit, fixed either on the inside or outside of a vehicle.

Description

I

Vehicle deceleration warning system This invention relates to a rear red light warning signal, activated by negative acceleration (deceleration), inertia or negative "G" force sensor, suitable for most commercial or private vehicles such as people carriers, saloons, estate cars, vans, motorcycles, heavy goods vehicles or other road on going vehicles, the system may also incorporate back up power source.

The invention will activate an electric or electronic circuit which in turn will electrically activate a certain number of light emitting diodes (LED) or any other type of light emitting materials and should work at different angle and at different attitudes of any vehicle.

Figure 1 shows the rear of a vehicle with an internally situated deceleration warning light assembly 2 and also shows partly activated LEDs, without a diffuser 1 activated simultaneously from both sides of the vehicle.

Figure 2 shows the rear of a vehicle with an internally situated deceleration warning lights 4 and a central brake light 3, Figure 3 shows an older type of vehicle with an internally fixed deceleration warning light unit 6, with all the LEDs activated and where no central brake light is visible as shown visible in figure 2..

Figure 4 shows a light goods vehicle or van with an external deceleration warning light unit.

Figure 5 shows a modem vehicle with the unit fitted within the bodywork of the vehicle and the beginning of a lighting sequence with the first few LEDs 7, activated.

Figure 6 and 7 shows a progressive and sequential lighting up of the LEDs where area 8 is reserved for the more severe deceleration.

Figure 1 shows the beginning of the sequential lighting up of some of the light emitting diodes 1 or other light source but without a red diffuser.

Figure 1 shows the position of the longitudinal light assembly 2.

Figure 2 shows the usual position of a brake light 3 which would normally be associated with modern cars.

Figure 2 shows the left hand side with a space in the middle for the brake light 3, the electrical connection is maintained in conjunctIon with the right band side, both the right hand side and left hand side lighting up at the same time and acting as one unit.

Figure 1 shows gentle braking where only a few LEDs are activated 1, and with no more than a nominal number of light emitting diodes activated 1 from both sides of a vehicle.

Figure 2 shows both the left hand side and right hand side partly activated, signifying gentle deceleration.

Should the vehicle experience additional and progressive deceleration, additional LEDs will be activated as in the case of intermediate type deceleration.

Figure 3 shows all the LEDs 6 activated, when severe deceleration occurs.

Figure 4 shows a light goods vehicle or van fitted with an external assembly 5.

Larger vehicles such as the heavy goods vehicles may require some additional form of support or bracket in order to locate such an external device, which may be larger and sited at much higher positions.

The deceleration light assembly may also be incorporated within the bodywork of the of the vehicle as shown in Figure 5, 6 and 7 showing the gradual sequential illumination for low, medium and severe decelerations.

The assembly if required may also be laterally fixed lower, either within the side panels of the vehicle or a combination of glass and bodywork or glass only.

The lighting "on" sequence would thus start much lower see Figure 5, (7) and with Figure 6 and 7, shows where the sequentially activated LEDs at maximum deceleration and would light up all the available lights in segment 8.

It would be an advantage to have the "on" sequence relate to the type of deceleration experienced, whilst the "off'sequence would be slower, thus allowing a certain distance to develop between vehicles.

Should a more complicated system be required then other factors would be considered such as a motion detectors for the "oft" sequence, should the vehicle be stopped, then the lights would remain on, this would be a serious consideration as vehicles might be in compromising situations, such as, being involved in a collision, multiple pile up or being stationary in poor visibility situations.

The type of deceleration monitored prior to stopping may be frozen in for a fixed period of time and may also be connected to a motion sensor, in other words the lit up area obtained would remain on for a certain time period, and then switch off gradually, this would allow a small distance to evolve from drivers following, they would be in a better position to evaluate on the infonnation relayed and also on the type of deceleration that the vehicle has experienced More complicated systems would have multiple inputs some of which would relate to the type of vehicle, some could utilize the wheels circumference in order to sustain a minimum distance just prior to the "off" impulse, this would also require an input from a mechanical or electronic impulse from the milometer or odometer Should the vehicle stall or stop suddenly, then again the lights will be activated, without the driver applying the brakes and potentially preventing a rear end shunt and without the driver intervention as would be the case, should the driver be injured or unable to activate the brakes or even the hazard warning lights.

As stated earlier this invention would be independent of the driver input.

This invention may be useful after production as a simple unit and as a stand alone system / invention.

Should the vehicle inadvertently move backwards an audible alarm may be incorporated and the handbrake warning light may also be allowed to be activated in a flashing mode.

Background

The most important feature for a vehicle to have in order to relate the type of deceleration associated with a vehicle, would be initially to keep the present normal brake lights system as is and to simply add a separate deceleration warning unit.

The brake lights by themselves have, a tendency to relate insufficient and at times misleading information.

All vehicles brake lights are normally activated by the driver depressing a hand or foot pedal and not much has changed over the years in improving on a new warning system.

Improving on this warning system has been identified as a very important and subsequent next step in improving road safety by reducing accident rates, consequently the number of ideas in this discipline have increased over the last year.

It is therefore important to understand that the action of braking should contain an element of deceleration warning system..

More recent ideas have concentrated on very complicated and very expensive electronic sensing devices, whilst the more important fact, that may have influenced vehicles manufacturers, on whether or not to implement such devices, maybe have been the complexity ant therefore the cost, associated with such complicated ideas, furthermore older vehicles have not been taken into account.

In essence these complicated and costly ideas would only be suitable for new cars.

Recent innovations which incorporate automatic braking systems can only operate at slow speeds and such systems have a tendency to startle drivers, the drivers lack additional information in order to prepare and brace themselves for a braking mode.

A reliable and easily understood invention would be an an advancement and perhaps fi.ilfill that market gap.

A simple invention as described, may also lower the insurance category of any vehicle and hence the total cost of motoring which would be a bonus for young and inexperience drivers.

Most inventions have required an input from the driver in order for their system to operate effectively.

Some have included flashing lights, which begin to flash prior to a more sustained lighting duration interval, however the drawback of such a system, is that, if only one side of the vehicle is in view, then it is possible that the flashing might be confused initially at least as an indicator light, as might be the case in poor visibility as is also the case of hazard warning lights positions.

The positioning of such system have not been clearly defmed, which would be an important aspect of the invention.

A recent innovation has been the introduction of a third brake light with a high visibility aspect, position in the middle of yehicles, in other words the normal driving and brake lights clusters have been separated from this new high, brake light position.

It is quite possible that this new invention might replace that important, high and highly prominent position, however it will be possible for the invention to work independently and side by side with that brake light and in that position.

Some vehicles have large rear surface areas which would be the ideal position for the location of such an invention, the lights elements may be deployed on the glass or Within the frame of the vehicle.

One of the first heated/demisting rear window ideas were introduced for the D.LY.

Enthusiast market, it consisted of a series of electrically heated filaments with an adhesive coating that supplied a small amount of heat to the glass surface for demisting purposes it also incorporated a simple electrical connection.

The invention in its simplest format will in a way be of a similarity, in as much that it will be relatively simple to attach and strategically positioned high on the surface of the rear glass windscreen, by means of an adhesive element or as a slightly different version design, it may also be fitted on the outside of any suitable vehicle.

This invention will relate to the type of deceleration occurring, varying from normal through, intermediate and finally to extreme deceleration, in as much that aggressive deceleration will activate virtually all of the available lighting elements whereas an intermediate deceleration will only activate a few, low deceleration will activate even fewer lights The invention will be useful in events such as:-On encountering a flooded section of carriageway with a high water levels.

On down shifting though gears, and on skipping intermediate gear changes.

On accidental application of the hand brake.

And on loss of power to either the normal braking circuit, multiple light bulb failure (older vehicles) or simple switch malfunctions.

On the inability of the driver, to maintain the brake lights on, for example in the event of a collision.

The invention will also work, in such circumstances as when vehicles are being transported on trailers or car transporters, which may not posses the invention.

Claims (11)

1. Claims 1. A deceleration indicator warning system consisting of a deceleration or inertia sensor for detecting deceleration forces, consisting of a deceleration monitoring device connected to a power source, numerous light emitting diodes, connected to an electronic circuit such that on receiving an electric impulse will light up sequentially, gradually and simultaneously and activate laterally light emitting elements, converging toward the middle, an attachment means for attaching the unit to a suitable surface,and at the rear of a vehicle, incorporating a red or clear plastic cover, a number of red or clear light emitting diodes and a mean of fastening the light emitting diodes to a support and encased with a rear housing or backing plate, encasing the unit as a whole together as one, where the number of lights activated will be proportional to the deceleration forces, thus on gentle deceleration only a small surface area will be activated and whereas further lights will be activated as the deceleration force increases and capable to activate independently from the driver.
2. 2. A red or see though plastic unit, which, as an internal fixture will include an adhesive element, suitable and capable of holding the light warning assembly unit firmly attached to the rear glass window and in an horizontal aspect.
3. 3. A deceleration warning system according to claim 1 where the electronic circuitry and sensor are remotely situated and electronically connected to the red lights assembly unit.
4. 4. A deceleration light warning device according to claim 1 where the deceleration warning unit is capable of housing all the required components within the unit and be positioned high, and on the outside of any vehicles, and be held in position by any suitable means 5. A deceleration warning device according to claim 1 situated at the rear of a vehicle and being able to act as two sections but act simultaneously as one unit and positioned horizontally and at both sides of a centrally position brake warning light.6. A deceleration warning unit according to claim 4 where the positioning of the lights may be fitted in a lateral position, internally or externally and outermost or suitable position for a vehicle where the lighting sequence may start from a low location and being capable of being sequentially activated in a vertical mode, from both sides of the vehicle and being capable to continue the lighting sequence sequentially in a vertical mode with an interrupted horizontal mode and ending at the top and middle of the vehicle.7. A deceleration warning system according to claim 1, capable of receiving electric or electronic inputs from various sources associated with the motion of the vehicle.8. A deceleration warning system according to claim 1,having an alternative back up power source.Amended claims have been filed as follows:-Claims 1. A deceleration warning device activated by negative acceleration, comprising a lighting array, connected to an independent inertia or negative G s force sensor and a plurality of motion detectors Connected to a backup power Supply.2. A deceleration warning device according to claim 1, where electronic circuitry and the inertia or "G" force sensors and the plurality of motion detectors are remotely situated from, and electronically connected to, the lighting array.3. A deceleration warning device according to claim 1, where the deceleration warning device is configured to house all the components within a single unit, and be positioned high and on the outside of any vehicle, and be held in position by any suitable means.4. A deceleration warning device according to claim I, being able to act as two sections but act simultaneously as one unit and positioned horizontally and at both sides of a centrally positioned brake warning light.
5. 5. The device as described which IS independently capable of activating the warning system.
6. 6. The device according to claim I, capable of receiving electric or electronic inputs from various sources associated with the motion of the vehicle. *ö I*
7. 7. The device as in any of the claims Ito 6, comprising a lighting array * * S I 5 * integral to the rear frame of the vehicle that rises up vertically along the support and horizontally across the upper portion of the rear window.
8. S. S* e 30 * , 8. A lighting array according to any of claims 1 to 7, comprising of a plurality of light emitting diodes, an attachment means for attaching the unit to a suitable surface at the rear of a vehicle.
9. 9. A lighting array as described in claim 8, incorporating a red or clear plastic cover and red or clear light emitting diodes.
10. 10. A lighting array as described in claims 8 or 9, where the light emitting diodes wifl light up sequentially, gradually or simultaneously.
11. 11. An apparatus substantially as herein described, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.SS..... * .* S5s*S * S S. S * 50 * S*S**.0* * * S S. *S S5 5S *0 S * S.S PS