WO1993016899A1 - Electrical system for advanced activation of automotive brake-lights and its configuration - Google Patents
Electrical system for advanced activation of automotive brake-lights and its configuration Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1993016899A1 WO1993016899A1 PCT/EP1992/000362 EP9200362W WO9316899A1 WO 1993016899 A1 WO1993016899 A1 WO 1993016899A1 EP 9200362 W EP9200362 W EP 9200362W WO 9316899 A1 WO9316899 A1 WO 9316899A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- brake
- pedal
- lights
- accelerator
- intelligent
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
- B60Q1/44—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
Definitions
- the invention concerns the con-figuration of the electric circuit existing in all automotive vehicles, for the purpose of activating the brake-lights thereof.
- the brake-lights of automotive vehicles play an important role in overall road-safety, as their task is to alert the driver of the vehicle following, that the preceding vehicle is slowing down or coming to a halt.
- the configuration of this circuit and its activating elements should be such, that the driver of the vehicle following has sufficient time to react, thereby contributing to a smooth traffic flow.
- the universally adopted method of activating the brake-lights of automotive vehicles in general is to use a "dumb" brake-pedal and to incorporate somewhere along the hydraulic circuit that activates the brakes, a pressure-sensitive switch. This contact-switch will cause the brake-lights to glow, as soon as, but not before, pressure has been created in the hydraulic circuit, due to the driver's activation of the brake-pedal.
- the result of employing this classical configuration is, that the vehicle's brake-lights will go on simultaneously with the actual functioning of the vehicle's brakes.
- the invention as claimed introduces the concept of activating the vehicle's brake-lights, as soon as the driver takes his foot off the accelerator-pedal. Not only is the release cf the accelerator-pedal the first motion towards stepping on the brake-pedal, but in actual fact, a release of the accelerator-pedal causes by itself a deceleration of the vehicle, of which the driver of the vehicle that follows, should be made aware of instantly.
- the invention as claimed introduces the concept of activating the vehicle's brake-lights through "live” or “intelligent” command-pedals, which either have pressure-sensitive contact-switches built into said pedals, or have such pressure-sensitive switches or electronic sensors attached to said command-pedals.
- These pedals do provide an instant response to the absence or presence of the pressure exerted thereon by the driver's foot.
- the driver of a vehicle equipped with a manual gear-box may take his right foot off the accelerator-pedal, not only in order to initiate the braking process, but also in order to change gears- Consequently, to prevent the emission of a false or spurious braking signal, the manual gear-box vehicle will also be equipped with "intelligent" clutch-pedal and "intelligent” brake-pedal".
- the driver takes his foot off the accelerator, and this would normally cause the brake-lights to turn on, as intended.
- his aim is to change gears, he has already placed his left foot on the clutch-pedal, which in this configuration incorporates a "defeat-switch", that overrides and cancels the signal from the accelerator.
- the brake-lights are not activated at all, as usual.
- the driver has to decelerate, his right foot leaves the accelerator-pedal, which instantly activates the brake-lights. His right foot now depresses the "intelligent" brake-pedal, which then also activates the brake-lights in parallel with the accelerator-pedal.
- the driver may realise that he has to come to a halt, and therefore he also depresses the clutch-pedal. This overrides and defeats the signal emanating from the accelerator-pedal and, were it not for the parallel feed from the brake-pedal, the brake-lights would go out.
- the new configuration has the advantage, that any automotive vehicle which is temporarily stopped in traffic or on the side of the road, but not parked, will automatically have its brake-lights on, because the driver has taken his foot off the accelerator. This improves other driver's awareness and hence road-safety.
- a second and more reliable design does involve the use of "live” or “intelligent” command-pedals, which incorporate a pressure-sensitive electric switch built into the pedal itself. These pedals will provide the instant response required, as soon as the driver steps on or off the command-pedal in question. In addition, such pedals being entirely sealed, are impervious to dust and humidity, thereby requiring no maintenance, apart from the flexible wiring leading to the vehicle's brake-lights.
- the "luxury" configuration employs electronic sensors, which relay the absence or the presence of pressure exerted by the driver's foot on the command-pedals, to the on-board-computer, which then transmits the required signal to the brake-lights.
- this solution pre-supposes the existence of such on-board-computer and therefore, is reserved for vehicles so equipped.
Abstract
The aim of the present invention is to have the brake-lights of automotive vehicles in general activated as soon as the driver takes his foot off the accelerator. This set-up gives the driver of the vehicle following, a lead-time to react, not currently available. To implement this new configuration, the invention also introduces the use of 'intelligent' or 'live' command-pedals, that react instantly to the presence or absence of pressure exerted theron by the drivers foot. Furthermore, the new configuration introduces two additional road-safety features: parallel electric circuits to activate the vehicle's brake-lights, and automatically activated brake-lights for vehicles that are temporarily stopped in traffic.
Description
Electrical system for advanced activation of automotive brake-lights and its configuration.
The invention concerns the con-figuration of the electric circuit existing in all automotive vehicles, for the purpose of activating the brake-lights thereof.
The brake-lights of automotive vehicles play an important role in overall road-safety, as their task is to alert the driver of the vehicle following, that the preceding vehicle is slowing down or coming to a halt. Ideally, the configuration of this circuit and its activating elements, should be such, that the driver of the vehicle following has sufficient time to react, thereby contributing to a smooth traffic flow.
At the present time, the universally adopted method of activating the brake-lights of automotive vehicles in general, is to use a "dumb" brake-pedal and to incorporate somewhere along the hydraulic circuit that activates the brakes, a pressure-sensitive switch. This contact-switch will cause the brake-lights to glow, as soon as, but not before, pressure has been created in the hydraulic circuit, due to the driver's activation of the brake-pedal. The result of employing this classical configuration is, that the vehicle's brake-lights will go on simultaneously with the actual functioning of the vehicle's brakes.
Consequently, the driver of the vehicle immediately fol
lowing, is only made aware of the deceleration of the preceding vehicle, once braking is already in progress. This forces him to apply a greater pressure to his brakes than the driver of the preceding vehicle and, in many instances, the second vehicle is actually unable to "catch-up" with the deceleration of the preceding vehicle. This, of course, results in the all too common rear-end collision, not only of the single variety, but also Df the chain or multiple variety, in such situations where road and climatic conditions are adverse and/or a higher speed is permitted on the road or highway.
The last 35 years have witnessed drastic improvements in automotive braking technology, such as the power-assisted brake, the disk-brake and the Anti-lock Braking System, all of which have resulted in considerably reduced braking distances. Meanwhile, the electrical system activating the brake-lights, has remained essentially static, paralleled only by an unchanged human reaction-time. Therefore, it is the aim of this invention to overcome the human handicap, through introduction of a new electrical configuration, that will give drivers following another vehicle, up to two seconds of additional reaction-time.
Firstly, the invention as claimed, introduces the concept of activating the vehicle's brake-lights, as soon as the driver takes his foot off the accelerator-pedal. Not only
is the release cf the accelerator-pedal the first motion towards stepping on the brake-pedal, but in actual fact, a release of the accelerator-pedal causes by itself a deceleration of the vehicle, of which the driver of the vehicle that follows, should be made aware of instantly.
Secondly, the invention as claimed, introduces the concept of activating the vehicle's brake-lights through "live" or "intelligent" command-pedals, which either have pressure-sensitive contact-switches built into said pedals, or have such pressure-sensitive switches or electronic sensors attached to said command-pedals. These pedals do provide an instant response to the absence or presence of the pressure exerted thereon by the driver's foot. To accomplish the aims of the present invention, we must distinguish between automotive vehicles equipped with auitomatic transmissions and those with manual gear-boxes. Because the driver of a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission has his right foot either on the acceierator-pedal or on the brake-pedal, such a vehicle would, "a priori", require only its accelerator-pedal to be of the "intelligent" variety, as it is the fundamental aim of the present invention, to have the brake-lights activated, as soon as the dri ver's foot comes off the accelerator-pedal. Notwithstanding, a higher degree of reliability and hence, overall safety is achieved, by using concurrently also an
"intelligent" brake-pedal, which activates the vehicle's brake-lights in parallel with the accelerator-pedal.
In contrast to this, the driver of a vehicle equipped with a manual gear-box, may take his right foot off the accelerator-pedal, not only in order to initiate the braking process, but also in order to change gears- Consequently, to prevent the emission of a false or spurious braking signal, the manual gear-box vehicle will also be equipped with "intelligent" clutch-pedal and "intelligent" brake-pedal". In this configuration, the driver takes his foot off the accelerator, and this would normally cause the brake-lights to turn on, as intended. However, if his aim is to change gears, he has already placed his left foot on the clutch-pedal, which in this configuration incorporates a "defeat-switch", that overrides and cancels the signal from the accelerator. Hence, during gear-changes the brake-lights are not activated at all, as usual. On the other hand, if the driver has to decelerate, his right foot leaves the accelerator-pedal, which instantly activates the brake-lights. His right foot now depresses the "intelligent" brake-pedal, which then also activates the brake-lights in parallel with the accelerator-pedal. At this point, the driver may realise that he has to come to a halt, and therefore he also depresses the clutch-pedal. This overrides and defeats the signal emanating from the accelerator-pedal and, were it not for the parallel feed
from the brake-pedal, the brake-lights would go out.
However, as these lights are also activated by the brake-pedal, which is being depressed, the vehicle's brake-lights will remain on, as required by universal traffic legislation.
In addition, the new configuration has the advantage, that any automotive vehicle which is temporarily stopped in traffic or on the side of the road, but not parked, will automatically have its brake-lights on, because the driver has taken his foot off the accelerator. This improves other driver's awareness and hence road-safety.
There are basically three ways of implementing the
present invention, which vary in their degree of sophistication and consequent reliability.
The most elementary set-up would consist in simply using conventional electric switches attached to the command- pedals of the vehicle. However, due to wear and tear, dust and humidity, this technical solution would be of questionable reliability and require frequent checks and maintenance. In addition, due to the mechanical nature of conventional switches, a degree of "travel" is involved which reduces the instant response aimed for by this invention.
A second and more reliable design does involve the use of "live" or "intelligent" command-pedals, which incorporate a pressure-sensitive electric switch built into the pedal
itself. These pedals will provide the instant response required, as soon as the driver steps on or off the command-pedal in question. In addition, such pedals being entirely sealed, are impervious to dust and humidity, thereby requiring no maintenance, apart from the flexible wiring leading to the vehicle's brake-lights.
Finally, the "luxury" configuration employs electronic sensors, which relay the absence or the presence of pressure exerted by the driver's foot on the command-pedals, to the on-board-computer, which then transmits the required signal to the brake-lights. Obviously, this solution pre-supposes the existence of such on-board-computer and therefore, is reserved for vehicles so equipped.
Claims
1. The concept of activating the brake-lights of automotive vehicles in general, as soon as the driver releases the accelerator-pedal. 2. The use of "live" or "intelligent" command-pedals
that contain or have attached thereto, electric contacts or electronic sensors, which react to the pressure exerted thereon by the driver's foot. 3. For automotive vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, the use of at least one "intelligent" accelerator-pedal as per claim 2, which activates the brake- lights, but preferably, also an "intelligent" brake- pedal that activates the brake-lights of the vehicle, in parallel with the accelerator-pedal, thereby providing for additional reliability and safety.
4. For automotive vehicles equipped with manual gear-boxes, the use of three "intelligent" command-pedals, (accelerator, brake and clutch), of which the clutch-pedal acts to override and defeat the signal emanating from the accelerator-pedal, during the process of changing gears.
5. A configuration whereby a vehicle's brake-lights are
automatically activated, when said vehicle is temporarily stopped in traffic, but not parked.
AMENDED CLAIMS
[received by the International Bureau on 1 December 1992 (01.12.92)* new claims 6 and 7 added; original claims unchanged (2 pages)]
1. The concept of activating the brake-lights of automotive vehicles in general, as soon as the driver releases the accelerator-pedal.
2. The use of "live" or "intelligent" command-pedals
that contain or have attached thereto, electric contacts or electronic sensors, which react to the pressure exerted thereon by the driver's foot.
3. For automotive vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, the use of at least one "intelligent" accelerator-pedal as per claim 2, which activates the brake- lights, but preferably, also an "intelligent" brake- pedal that activates the brake-lights of the vehicle. in parallel with the accelerator-pedal, thereby providing for additional reliability and safety.
4. For automotive vehicles equipped with manual gear-boxes, the use Df three "intelligent" command-pedals, (accelerator, brake and clutch), of which the clutch-pedal acts to override and defeat the signal emanating from the accelerator-pedal, during the process of changing gears.
5. A configuration whereby a vehicle's brake-lights are
automatically activated, when said vehicle is temporarily stopped in traffic, but not parked.
6. The introduction and use of a small electronic device called "ABLA" (Advanced Brake-Light Activator) which can be fitted to all new automotive vehicles during their production run, as well as to most vehicles already on the road. This device consists of a switch, controlled bv a micro-processor, which receives its impulses from two electronic sensors or micro-switches. Dne of these is connected to the accelerator, or to its linkage to the fuel control unit, or directly to said unit, and the other sensor or micro-switch is connected to the clutch pedal or to its linkage. ABLA causes the brake-lights to glow as soon as the accelerator returns to the "idle" position, except during gear changes, when its activation is cancelled by the signal emanating from the clutch-sensor. Once triggered by ABLA the brake- lights remain switched-on until the driver steps on the accelerator pedal again. This device can be installed in manual-transmission vehicles through 4 (four) wires and in automatic-transmission vehicles through 3 (three) wires only, in both cases without altering or interfering with the conventional brake-light circuit and its standard switch, activated by hydraulic pressure.
7. The use of ABLA in conjunction with the "intelligent" or "live" command pedals as per claims no. 2, 3 and 4 above.
STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19
"These amendments are additional to the original description and reflect the introduction of a simple electronic device which will accomplish the aims of the present invention in a most economical and practical way. In addition, such device offers the advantage of swift installation in newly built vehicles as well as in vehicles already on the road, without altering existing electrical circuits."
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU12535/92A AU1253592A (en) | 1992-02-20 | 1992-02-20 | Electrical system for advanced activation of automotive brake-lights and its configuration |
| EP92904798A EP0589885A1 (en) | 1992-02-20 | 1992-02-20 | Electrical system for advanced activation of automotive brake-lights and its configuration |
| PCT/EP1992/000362 WO1993016899A1 (en) | 1992-02-20 | 1992-02-20 | Electrical system for advanced activation of automotive brake-lights and its configuration |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP1992/000362 WO1993016899A1 (en) | 1992-02-20 | 1992-02-20 | Electrical system for advanced activation of automotive brake-lights and its configuration |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO1993016899A1 true WO1993016899A1 (en) | 1993-09-02 |
Family
ID=8165639
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP1992/000362 WO1993016899A1 (en) | 1992-02-20 | 1992-02-20 | Electrical system for advanced activation of automotive brake-lights and its configuration |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0589885A1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU1253592A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1993016899A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0695667A1 (en) | 1994-08-04 | 1996-02-07 | Yves Loisel | Warning device with frequency or intensity modulated braking lights for vehicle |
| WO1997010119A1 (en) | 1995-09-11 | 1997-03-20 | Valery Filippovich Ivanov | Method and device for optical signalling in a vehicle |
| FR3028470A1 (en) * | 2014-11-18 | 2016-05-20 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING STOP LIGHTS OF A MOTOR VEHICLE |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1098817A (en) * | 1964-07-18 | 1968-01-10 | Pharmaceutical Plastics Ltd | Advance brake warning devices for road vehicles |
| FR2004128A1 (en) * | 1968-03-18 | 1969-11-21 | Daimler Benz Ag | |
| US3921750A (en) * | 1973-07-16 | 1975-11-25 | Max Shames | Vehicle brake warning light system accelerator pedal switch |
| FR2651189A1 (en) * | 1989-08-29 | 1991-03-01 | Forey Bernard | Signalling light device intended to equip a motor vehicle for signalling a deceleration of the latter |
| FR2656576A1 (en) * | 1990-01-02 | 1991-07-05 | Guenier Michel | Road safety device making it possible to signal deceleration by vehicles |
-
1992
- 1992-02-20 AU AU12535/92A patent/AU1253592A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-02-20 WO PCT/EP1992/000362 patent/WO1993016899A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1992-02-20 EP EP92904798A patent/EP0589885A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1098817A (en) * | 1964-07-18 | 1968-01-10 | Pharmaceutical Plastics Ltd | Advance brake warning devices for road vehicles |
| FR2004128A1 (en) * | 1968-03-18 | 1969-11-21 | Daimler Benz Ag | |
| US3921750A (en) * | 1973-07-16 | 1975-11-25 | Max Shames | Vehicle brake warning light system accelerator pedal switch |
| FR2651189A1 (en) * | 1989-08-29 | 1991-03-01 | Forey Bernard | Signalling light device intended to equip a motor vehicle for signalling a deceleration of the latter |
| FR2656576A1 (en) * | 1990-01-02 | 1991-07-05 | Guenier Michel | Road safety device making it possible to signal deceleration by vehicles |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0695667A1 (en) | 1994-08-04 | 1996-02-07 | Yves Loisel | Warning device with frequency or intensity modulated braking lights for vehicle |
| WO1997010119A1 (en) | 1995-09-11 | 1997-03-20 | Valery Filippovich Ivanov | Method and device for optical signalling in a vehicle |
| FR3028470A1 (en) * | 2014-11-18 | 2016-05-20 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING STOP LIGHTS OF A MOTOR VEHICLE |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0589885A1 (en) | 1994-04-06 |
| AU1253592A (en) | 1993-09-13 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| KR100315154B1 (en) | Brake | |
| US9248810B2 (en) | Accelerator braking module | |
| US5381135A (en) | Vehicle deceleration alerting device | |
| EP0173054B1 (en) | Vehicular hill holder system | |
| EP0171585A2 (en) | Brake booster providing vehicular hill holder | |
| JPH0561139B2 (en) | ||
| US5663706A (en) | Transition alert systems for automotive vehicles | |
| US6296327B1 (en) | Braking device | |
| US6101896A (en) | Integral pedal arm and switch housing | |
| US3171917A (en) | Signalling means for indicating change in speed of an automotive vehicle | |
| US4224598A (en) | Vehicle reaction signal | |
| WO1993016899A1 (en) | Electrical system for advanced activation of automotive brake-lights and its configuration | |
| EP0853560B1 (en) | Electronic system for advanced activation of automotive brake-lights and its configuration | |
| US3559206A (en) | Vehicle safety control system | |
| JP2664829B2 (en) | Automatic braking system for automobiles | |
| US5491466A (en) | Clutch and throttle responsive brake light control apparatus and method | |
| US6179081B1 (en) | Pedal arm and switch | |
| KR100217575B1 (en) | An automatic brake system | |
| JPH0433177Y2 (en) | ||
| KR100214970B1 (en) | An automatic brake system of a vehicle | |
| JPS6081546A (en) | Speed change gear switching device | |
| EP0466045A2 (en) | Signal warning system for vehicles | |
| US2926224A (en) | Automatic accelerator stop light switch assembly | |
| KR0120251Y1 (en) | Brake combined with automatic parking brake | |
| KR100280682B1 (en) | Brake lamp system of car |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AU BR CA DE ES GB JP KR SE US |
|
| AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB IT SE |
|
| WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 1992904798 Country of ref document: EP |
|
| WWP | Wipo information: published in national office |
Ref document number: 1992904798 Country of ref document: EP |
|
| REG | Reference to national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: 8642 |
|
| WWW | Wipo information: withdrawn in national office |
Ref document number: 1992904798 Country of ref document: EP |