MXPA98007870A - Accessory of dual lamp with integral control - Google Patents

Abstract

A dual lamp accessory (10) having an internal power supply and a control circuit. The dual lamp accessory (10) uses stroboscopic and incandescent lamps (20, 22) mounted near the flow of a parabolic reflector (16) that can be actuated alternately, individually simultaneously. Multiple lamps can be connected in parallel to a common bar (100) of DC power, and a differential line, a common communication bar (42) of conductor, to achieve a variety of scintillation patterns, controlled. Each lamp (20, 22) will perform its given tasks when an appropriate command signal is placed on the common communication bar. To take full advantage of distributed control and the advantages of the common bar wiring topology, the power supply (10) is located in close proximity to its controller (43) of the lamp fixture (1).

Description

DUAL LAMP ACCESSORY WITH INTEGRATED CONTROL The present invention relates generally to vehicle lamps and more particularly to a vehicle lamp having incandescent light sources and is robotic which uses a common reflector and lens assembly and which incorporates a high voltage power source for robotic lighting. Light sources are widely used as visually perceptible signaling devices. Common examples are vehicle brake and turn signals, boat navigation lights, snow vehicles or airplanes, police vehicle and ambulance emergency lights, and the lights used by school buses to signal caution and stop signs. In all these cases, it is important that the light source has high visibility, such that a driver or other observer will notice the signal. On the other hand, a light source used as a signal should not attract much attention, so that it is too distracting or otherwise damages the vision of who sees it.

REF .: 28505 Currently, the most common sources of light signaling used in vehicles are incandescent lights. Different colors and brightness are generally used to improve visibility and to indicate certain kinds of signaling. For example, red is used to indicate the back of a car, while bright red indicates a car that brakes. While the lights on the back of a car are indicative that a car has been started backwards and the yellow lights are used for parking lamps and bidirectional signals. Some of the light sources light up when the signal is desired and turn off when you do not want it any longer, such as braking lights in a car. Other light sources are switched on and off with a given frequency such as directional lights. Still other changes from a basic level of light intensity to a somewhat higher intensity as the message to be signaled changes, such as the brake lights. Emergency vehicles, such as ambulance and police vehicles, typically use impulse, high-intensity, strobe lights to attract attention. High intensity, similar lights are also used in airplanes or in high constructions. These lights can be completely effective as prevention devices, but their brightness in the fenced interval can be too intense to distract or displease the observer. A dual, pulse-enhanced, synchronized light source is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,958,143 to Robert J. Knauff. The description shows the combination of an incandescent and strobe lamp with an individual light head. The light head includes a set of control and power circuits that accept an external drive signal. The control circuitry receives the drive signal and processes it to control the synchronization of the incandescent pulses with strobe pulses. The controller pulses the strobe lighting before the incandescent lamp achieves any substantial percentage of light production in the proximity of time close to the maximum intensity of the incandescent lamp, this persistence of vision in the human eye causes the two sources of light are mixed together visually. However, the regulation and synchronization of the two light sources can not be found independently from an external control system. There is a need for a dual lamp accessory that can be synchronized externally with other light heads and that allows control over the pattern whereby the lamps are flashed or pulse modulated. The present invention provides external control and synchronization of the lamps within the light head. Light control can be provided that has independent control over the incandescent and strobe lamps. For example, an external control can only flash incandescent lamps, strobes only, or both. The dual lamp accessory, previous, has had in general a limited light production due to the placement of incandescent and strobe lamps that tend to block their emissions to each other to a common reflector and through lamps of the light head. Typically, dual-source lightheads that were designed to avoid this problem have used dual reflectors and sources for separate incandescent and strobe lamps. However, dual reflector designs have been limited to use in larger light heads. Since outer space is limited in a vehicle, these limitations may prevent the use of this dual reflector design. The present invention avoids this problem by using a normal, incandescent lamp, in combination with a toroidal strobe lamp. Each lamp of the present invention has direct access to the reflector and lens. Therefore, the light emitted from any lamp is not blocked by the other. Also, the present invention allows the use of a single reflector and lens assembly and thus allows for a more compact packaging design. Since the improved lamp accessory of the present invention is not subject to the space limitations of the previous designs, it can be installed in previously unavailable locations. In order to operate the strobe lamps, constant voltages of more than 300 volts with drive voltages of more than 6000 volts may be required. The switching of these voltage lines can generate large amounts of radio frequency RFI interference that has the potential to adversely affect the electrical system of a vehicle. A high degree of protection and filtration isolation is generally required to minimize this RFI. The present invention makes it possible to avoid the transmission of high voltages throughout the wiring assembly of a vehicle by placing strobes within the housing of each strobe head. A central control module associated with the present invention provides the driving of the strobe lighting, but does not produce the high voltages that are required to operate the strobe lamps. In contrast, the power supply in the light head produces the necessary strobe voltage. In this way, the present invention eliminates the need for high voltage lines and avoids the inherent problems with these lines. Also provided by the present invention is the ability to communicate with any controller using the appropriate binary data format and regulation. A simple microcontroller can be used to interconnect the driver's compartment in a vehicle and the general function, diffusion commands in the specific input selections. The dual lamp accessories can receive and act on these data in a manner indicative of the function order and a group address assigned to the lamp accessory. It will be appreciated that the present invention can be adapted for use in light heads with multiple reflectors or lenses with the possibility of producing multiple colors. For example, the present invention can be used in a dual reflector head / lens. In this application, the light head can have the sets of incandescent and strobe lamps, one set for each reflector. These dual reflector / lens designs will allow two different colors to be used in the same light head. These and other advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based on the description contained herein. For a more complete understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view, with separation of parts of one embodiment of a lamp fixture assembly of the present invention; Figure 2 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of the lamp accessory assembly of the present invention without the lens; Figure 3 is a plan view, of the cross section of an embodiment of the lamp accessory assembly of the present invention; Figure 4 is a block diagram of the electrical circuit of the present invention; Y Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention that represents the power supply and the control circuit.

It is to be understood that while the following is a description of a dual lamp accessory used in an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance, the invention can be used wherever this accessory may serve. With reference to Figures 1 and 3, a mode of the dual lamp fixture 10 is shown as having a set of locally supplied power / control supply circuits mounted on a common printed circuit board (PC) 12 of dimensions such as to fit in the openings (not shown) of standardized light fittings used in the manufacture of vehicles. In this regard, the accessory 10 can be easily updated in a large number of existing applications. The circuit assembly 12 can be installed internally to the housing 14 with the reflector 16 fixed to the housing 14 intermediate to the circuit assembly 12 and the lens 18. The strobe tube 20 and the incandescent bulb 22 can be distilled in female sockets, as in 24 , mounted to the circuit assembly 12 through an opening 26 in the reflector 16. The reflector 16 secures the housing 14 when the assembled accessory 10 is mounted to the vehicle body (not shown) using fasteners, such as mounting screws 28 A gasket 30 is used intermediate the housing 14 and the vehicle body of the vehicle to form a seal against the weather. The lens 18 can be attached to housing 14 using fasteners, such as screws 32, with an intermediate seal 34, once again provided to effect a weather seal. Additionally, secondary optical and color filter lenses (not shown) can be employed between the reflector 16 the lens 18 to diversify the functionality and the proposed use of the dual lamp accessory 10. Referring now to Figure 2, the reflector 16 and the lighting arrangement of the lamps 20 and 22 shown with the lenses 18 are removed. A high intensity lamp, such as a toroidal strobe tube, is preferably aligned concentrically with a low intensity lamp 22 such as a halogen or incandescent lamp, and is centered at the focus of the upper, reflective surface 17, in general parabolic, of the reflector 17. During the operation of the lamps, the reflected surface 17 of the reflector 16 receives a portion of the flow emitted therefrom and directs that light energy through the lens 18 where it can be visually perceived.

Referring now to Figure 4, a mode of the lamp control circuitry 52 of the present invention is generally shown in block diagram form. The lamp control circuit 52 is preferably mounted in a p.c. as in 12, and inside the lamp fixture 10, however, it should be appreciated that the board assembly 12 p.c. it can be mounted externally, even in the vicinity, to the lamp accessory 10, without detracting from the utility of the invention. Reference is made to Figure 5 for a detailed description of the functionality of the control circuitry 52. With further reference to Figure 5, a modality of the lamp control circuit 52 of the present invention is specifically represented, by a schematic, electrical scheme. The lamp control circuit 52 includes inputs for p.c. of the vehicle, typically +12 Vdc 100 and ground, and a twisted pairs, differential data line 42, for communication with an external control circuit, such as 43. The circuit 52 provides with a radio frequency interference (RFI) and energy filter network, shown in general at 36, to produce a power conditioned to the power supply 56 and the regulator circuit 38. The filter 36 also reduces the amount of noise generated by the power supply circuit 56 that is sent back through the common power bar vehicle. The operation of the circuit is governed by the controller 44, such as can be supplied with a microcontroller or microprocessor, which is in communication with the supply 56 of the high voltage lamp and the actuator circuit 54, a lamp switching means 50. of low intensity, as well as an external control circuit 43. In general, in the actuation and initiation of the system, the controller 44 expects an order signal from an external source, such as an external control circuit 43. Once an invalid command is received by the controller 44 of the external control circuit 43, it drives the specific power supply elements 56, the drive circuit 54 and the switch 50 to generate a predefined scintillation pattern corresponding to the specific command received and that refers to the specific function class of the lamp fixture. In operation, it is expected that a plurality of dual lamp accessories will be employed in a complete vehicle lighting system, each having its own specific function identity established by adjusting a steering means 46 and being fully controlled. by the external control circuit 43. With further reference to Figure 4, the circuit assembly 52 of the dual lamp accessory and the external controller 43 are shown as a functional block sample with the direction of the logical flow indicated by the arrows. The program instructions stored within the controller 44 and the external controller 43, allow the lamp accessory 10 to interpret its physical address, set the address switches 46, since it is specific or generic. If the direction of a group (more than one lamp accessory) is desired, the lamp accessory 10 will receive each interpretable command from the external control circuit 43 and will respond in accordance with the group direction of the lamp accessory. In an embodiment of the invention in which the accessories are components in a distributed network, the orders issued by the external controller are specific to the address, therefore, the lamp accessories will only receive and respond to orders that include the address predetermined (set by switches 46) of lamp fixture 10. Operation of high voltage power supply 56 is initiated when controller 44 emits a logic low point to the base of NPN 60 transistor via the operable output of the converter, designated as CE, which allows the reset pin of the oxidant 62 to be pulled upwards, thereby allowing the oxidant to be driven. The controller 44 emits a logical high point to disable the oxidant 62 by pulling the reset pin via the NPN 60 transistor. The high voltage, which in the preferred embodiment is around 330 Vdc, is created through the secondary elevator of the transformer 64. high voltage (hv) when the field effect transistor (FET) 66 is used, alternatively, either to allow or to interrupt the flow of current from the supply line 68, conditioned. When the current flow through the primary winding of the p.v. 64 is interrupted, the collapse of the electromagnetic field introduces a current (the "fast return effect") into its secondary winding that is at a voltage level proportional to its winding ratio. The voltage produced through The secondary feeder is rectified by the rectifier iodine 70 and gradually charges a capacitor 70. The resistor 74 is placed in parallel with the capacitor 72 to slowly drain the capacitor that must be discharged after it is started. The current through the primary winding of the h.v. 64 is interrupted at a frequency controlled by the oxidant 62 which drives the gate of the FET 66. The current through the primary lift is limited by purchasing the voltage level to the current limiting test point designated CL, at a reference voltage taken from the reference test point, designated CL ', which is created by a voltage divider network. If the current limit is reached, that is, the CL exceeds the value of CL ', the comparator 76 detects error and pulls the reset pin of oxidant 62 downwards, thus disabling its output and cutting the h.v. 56. Once the current limit error condition is not present due to bad weather, the comparator 76 releases the oscillator 62 and restarts the h.v. 56. The high voltage is limited by comparing the voltage limit test point, designated VL, in the circuit, which is to provide the high voltage level, at a reference voltage level, designated VL '. The comparator 76 is also used to inspect these levels and stop the readjust pin of the oscillator 62 to ground in the presence of an error condition, which is when VL exceeds the value of VL '. The controller 46 also inspects the voltage in VL to determine if the h.v. 52 is working properly. If the VL fails to reach a predetermined voltage level, after the CE is pushed down (enabling the converter), the controller 44 will determine an error of the h.v. and will load its status records with that error so that it can subsequently be transmitted to an external control circuit when the count is made. In operation, a strobe actuator permission signal, designated as TE, is applied to gate 82 of silicon controlled rectifier 80 (SCR), finally, causing the high intensity strobe tube to flash. As explained previously, when the h.v converter is enabled. 56, the pulse voltage circuit 34 and the drive circuit 54 is energized. When the SCR 80 is in an "off" state, the capacitors 86 and 88 are charged in parallel with the pulse voltage circuit 84. In the presence of an actuating signal, TE, the SCR 80 is "turned on" thereby providing a route for the capacitor 86 to discharge which in turn generates an ionization voltage through the transformer 90 which is in electrical communication with the driving conductor of the strobe tube 20. This high voltage ionizes the gas inside the strobe tube 20 of high intensity. In the ionized state, the gas becomes the conductor and allows the stored pulse voltage and capacitor 72 to discharge through the strobe tube 20, thereby producing a flash of light. The capacitor 88 is provided to ensure that the capacitor 86 will be recharged rapidly after each strobe pulse. The diode 92 is provided in order to prevent the capacitor 88 from being recharged through the strobe tube 20.

Referring now, in general, to the area of Figure 5, designated as 50, the incandescent lamp 22 is connected to a switch, such as the N-channel FET 94, and to the power source of 100. When the FET 94"ON" is set by the controller 44 via the lamp permit signal, designated LE, the circuit is terminated to ground, providing sufficient current to illuminate the low intensity lamp 22. Lamp failure resistance 102 allows detection of lamp failure 22 by maintaining voltage and test point 104"high" when the filament is intact and FET 94 is "OFF". If the voltage test point 104 drops "low" and the FET 94 is off, then there is an open circuit which generally indicates a broken filament inside the lamp 22. In operation, the controller 44 inspects the voltage of the state of the lamp at the test point 104, designated as LS, and establishes an appropriate status register so that the function condition of the low density lamp 22 can be provided to the external controller 43 when requested. As discussed previously, the controller 44 within the dual lamp accessory 10 is typically in communication with, accepts commands from, and outputs a circuit status information, to an external controller 43. The external controller 43 may be a simple microcontroller, that has a limited number of distribution assemblies or a more versatile microprocessor that interconnects with the driver's compartment of a vehicle, such as an ambulance or other emergency vehicle. In the selection of certain lighting functions by an operator of the vehicle, the external controller 43 broadcasts the corresponding commands in a common bar 42 of data that are collected by the appropriate internal controllers, as in 44, and are operated in a predetermined manner. or it is dictated by the group address assigned to the particular lamp accessory 10 and the switch 46. For example, an ambulance uses a series of warning lights that is divided into three distinct groups. Each group should flash synchronously with each other with a predetermined phase change, or delay, among the other lamp groups. Also, the intensity and operation of these groups varies depending on the function of the system.

The following table illustrates the diffusion function originated by the external controller 43 and the group address that is evaluated by the controller 44 in each of the dual lamp accessories 10. One embodiment of the invention provides 16 different group addresses, Table 1 The system of the dual lamp accessory 10 also operates as a sub-network of a distributed network vehicle control system. In these applications, the addressing of the lamp accessories 10 via the switch 16 becomes specific instead of being assigned to a group address as discussed above. The microprocessor (not shown) in the distributed control network is in direct communication with the lamp fixture (s) and provides the specific instructions of the fixture, as to what function to perform the lamp and when perform that function. While the present dual lamp fixture 10 supports 16 similar directions, when the fixtures are used as components in sub-grids, it should be appreciated that they may have a large number of fixture accessories that perform synchronously to a wide variety of patterns. of scintillation.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the present invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it refers.

Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property:

Claims (15)

1. A dual lamp accessory, characterized in that it comprises: a housing; a reflector having a concave surface inside the housing; a centering lens of the concave surface and mounted to cover an opening in the housing; and a first high intensity lamp placed between the concave surface and the lens; a second low intensity lamp placed between the concave surface and the lens; a driving circuit of the high intensity lamp mounted inside the housing in communication with the first lamp, wherein the high intensity lamp drive circuit comprises energizing voltage and voltage network of the actuator; a switching and communication means with the second lamp; and an internal control circuit mounted within the housing that is in communication with an external control circuit, the high intensity lamp drive circuit, and the switching means that drive the high intensity and low intensity lamps respectively. default manner in response to order signals.

2. The dual lamp accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal control circuit is additionally sensitive to the external control circuit to provide an output to the external controller corresponding to the condition of each of the lamps.

3. The dual lamp accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the first lamp is a strobe tube.

4. The dual lamp accessory according to claim 3, characterized in that the strobe tube is toroidal.

5. The dual lamp accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the second lamp is an incandescent lamp.

6. The dual lamp accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the first lamp and the second lamp are placed approximately at the focus of the concave surface of the reflector.

7. The dual lamp accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the driving circuit of the high intensity lamp further comprises a fast return circuit.

8. The dual lamp accessory according to claim 7, characterized in that the fast return circuit comprises a voltage regulator.

9. The dual lamp accessory according to claim 7, characterized in that the fast return circuit comprises a current regulator.

10. The dual lamp accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the impulse voltage network comprises a capacitor of a first resistor in parallel connection with the capacitor.

11. The dual lamp accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator voltage network comprises a silicon-controlled rectifier, a capacitor in communication with the silicon-controlled rectifier, and a transformer in series connection with the capacitor.

12. The dual lamp accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the switch comprises a field effect transistor and a communication filter circuit with the field effect transistor.

13. The dual lamp accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal controller provides an output corresponding to the function state of the impulse voltage network.

14. The dual lamp accessory according to claim 13, characterized in that the internal control circuit is in communication and is sensitive to a multiplexing circuit.

15. A lighting system for an emergency vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of dual lamp fixtures each having an addressable internal control for performing the lighting functions in a predetermined manner in response to the commands provided externally and corresponding to the specific functions of management; and an external control circuit for providing the plurality of dual lamp accessory with commands to perform the specific functions of the address.