TW201702097A - An opto-acoustic warning apparatus for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses an opto-acoustic warning apparatus 100 for a vehicle. The apparatus 100 comprises a horn 10 with an integrated lamp 12. The horn 10 is actuated by pressing a horn switch 18. The lamp 12 is switched ON upon turning on switch such as an ignition key of the vehicle. The lamp 12 acts as a Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) in a vehicle for e.g. a two-wheeled vehicle. The intensity of light emitted by the lamp 12 is varied based on actuation of the horn switch 18.

Description

Photoacoustic warning device for vehicles

The present invention relates to a photoacoustic warning device for a vehicle. More specifically, it relates to integrated horns and lamps for two-wheeled vehicles.

Traditional horns in vehicles are not effective enough to alert other vehicles or pedestrians during certain traffic conditions. Similarly, a typical headlight of a vehicle is not sufficiently visible or noticeable by other vehicles (especially close vehicles) during certain conditions.

European legislation requires that the exclusive daytime running light (DRL) be assembled in a new type of vehicle. Several studies and investigations have shown that using DRL reduces accidents and injuries and thus improves safety.

Further, DRL is currently not used for two-wheeled vehicles. Using DRL on a two-wheeled vehicle such as a bicycle will improve the safety of the knight and reduce the chance of accidents.

Korean Patent No. 101452447 shows a horn with a light; however, the light and the horn are simultaneously actuated by pressing a button.

The present invention discloses a photoacoustic warning device for a vehicle. The device includes a horn with integrated lights. The horn is actuated by pressing the horn switch. The light is turned on when the switch is turned on, such as the ignition key switch of the vehicle. The lamp is used as a daytime running light for a vehicle such as a two-wheeled vehicle (daytime running) Lamp, DRL). The intensity of the light emitted by the lamp varies based on the actuation of the horn switch.

Examples of lamps can include, but are not limited to, light emitting diode (LED) lamps, halogen lamps, and the like. For example, the lamp includes a set of LEDs formed to surround the horn. The intensity of the light emitted by the lamp is controlled based on the duration of actuation of the horn switch.

In an embodiment of the invention, the intensity of the light emitted by the lamp is controlled by increasing the power supplied to the lamp.

In another embodiment of the invention, the flicker of the light emitted by the lamp changes based on the actuation of the horn switch.

In another embodiment of the invention, the intensity of the light emitted by the lamp is varied by controlling the switching of the set of LEDs of the lamp. In other words, the number of LEDs that are lit changes to control the intensity of the light emitted by the lamp.

10‧‧‧ Speaker

12‧‧‧ lights

14‧‧‧Battery

16‧‧‧Ignition key switch

18‧‧‧ Horn switch

20‧‧‧Power supply line

100‧‧‧Photoacoustic warning equipment

Embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 shows a photoacoustic warning device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 2 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a photoacoustic warning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. .

1 shows a photoacoustic warning device for a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Apparatus 100 includes a horn 10 having an integrated light 12. The horn 10 is actuated by depressing the horn switch. The light can be used as a daylight (DRL) for a vehicle (for example, a two-wheeled vehicle). The light 12 is turned on by a switch (for example, turning on the ignition key of the vehicle).

Lamp 10 can be an LED lamp 10, a halogen lamp 10, or other type of lamp. In an embodiment of the invention, the light 10 is an LED light 10 that includes a set of LEDs.

The light 12 is integrated into the horn 10 as described earlier. However, the lamp 12 can be disposed on the horn 10 in a different manner.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the lamp 12 is disposed at the outer periphery of the horn 10. Similarly, the light 12 can be disposed at the inner periphery of the horn. The LEDs can be placed on the horn 10 to present different graphics to, for example, the eyes of a person or animal to provide aesthetics. Similarly, there may be many other ways to aesthetically configure the lamp 12 or LED on the horn 10.

2 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a photoacoustic warning device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The photoacoustic warning device 100 includes an integrated horn 10 and a lamp 12. As mentioned earlier, the light 12 can be a DRL and it is illuminated by the power supplied from the battery 14 each time a switch, such as the ignition key switch 16, is turned on. Similarly, the horn 10 can be a motorized horn or an electronic horn. Whenever the horn switch 18 is depressed, the horn 10 is powered by the battery 14, resulting in a warning sound.

Further, the intensity of the light emitted by the lamp 12 varies based on the actuation of the horn switch 16. For example, the intensity of the light emitted by the lamp 12 is controlled based on the duration of actuation of the horn switch 16.

In an embodiment of the invention, the intensity of the light emitted by the lamp 12 is controlled by increasing the power supplied to the lamp 12. For example, whenever power is placed on the horn switch 18, additional power is supplied from the battery 14 to the lamp 12 via the power supply line 20.

Alternatively, the intensity of the light emitted by the lamp 12 is varied by controlling the switching of the set of LEDs of the lamp 12. For example, when the ignition key switch 16 is turned on, only a few LEDs are always powered and illuminated. When the horn switch 18 is depressed, an additional number of LEDs are powered to increase the intensity of the light emitted by the lamp 12.

Similarly, the resistance of the power supply line of the lamp 12 is depressed by the horn switch 18 The change is to vary the current supplied to the lamp 12 and thereby change the intensity of the light emitted by the lamp 12.

It must be understood that the above described method of varying the intensity of the lamp 12 is merely exemplary and is given as a non-limiting example. There are other distinct ways of changing the intensity of the lamp 12.

In another embodiment of the invention, the flicker of the light emitted by the lamp 12 varies based on the actuation of the horn switch 18.

The present invention ensures effective sound and visual warnings, thereby improving safety and minimizing chances of accidents.

The present invention improves the aesthetics of a vehicle, particularly a two-wheeled vehicle.

By using the device as a daylight (DRL), the vehicle can be noticed and seen by other nearby vehicles, pedestrians, etc., thereby further achieving safety.

It is to be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative only and not limiting the scope of the invention. The embodiments explained in this description contemplate many such embodiments and other modifications and changes. The scope of the invention is limited only by the scope of the patent application.

10‧‧‧ Speaker

12‧‧‧ lights

100‧‧‧Photoacoustic warning equipment

Claims (10)

A photoacoustic warning device (100) for a vehicle, the device (100) comprising a horn (10) having an integrated lamp (12) actuated by depressing a horn switch (18); The feature is that the intensity of the light emitted by the lamp (12) varies based on the actuation of the horn switch (18). The photoacoustic warning device (100) of claim 1, wherein the lamp (12) is powered on when the switch is turned on. A photoacoustic warning device (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the switch is an ignition key switch of the vehicle. A photoacoustic warning device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lamp (12) is a daylight (DRL). A photoacoustic warning device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the lamp (12) is formed to surround the horn (10). A photoacoustic warning device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle. The photoacoustic warning device (100) of claim 1, wherein the intensity of the light emitted by the lamp (12) is controlled based on the duration of actuation of the horn switch (18). A photoacoustic warning device (100) according to claim 7 wherein the intensity of the light emitted by the lamp (12) is controlled by increasing the power supplied to the lamp (12). The photoacoustic warning device (100) of claim 7, wherein the intensity of the light emitted by the lamp (12) is controlled by a group of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that control the lamp (12) And change. The photoacoustic warning device (100) of claim 7, wherein the intensity of the light emitted by the lamp (12) is varied by changing the resistance in the power supply line of the lamp (12).