WO2004001691A1

WO2004001691A1 - Device for remotely signalling a danger situation

Info

Publication number: WO2004001691A1
Application number: PCT/IB2003/002318
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pietro Salcone
Original assignee: Pietro Salcone
Priority date: 2002-06-19
Filing date: 2003-06-16
Publication date: 2003-12-31
Also published as: ITTO20020525A1; ITTO20020525A0; AU2003242878A1

Abstract

Pneumatic balloon means (25) and means (24) for the electrical control of the pneumatic inflation of the balloon means by pressurised gas are housed in a container (21) mounted on a vehicle (A2) and provided with opening oriented towards the exterior of the vehicle. The inflating means, when electrically activated, determine the immediate delivery of light, pressurised air to said balloon means. A pneumatic body is thereby formed which develops outside said vehicle and constitutes a means for signalling a danger state, clearly visible at a safe distance.

Description

DEVICE FOR REMOTELY SIGNALLING A DANGER SITUATION

The present invention relates to a device for remotely signalling a danger situation. In particular, the invention is also usable for remotely signalling the stopping or sudden slowing of a vehicle due to an accident or the like.

With reference to the circulation of vehicles on roads, a severe cause of accidents is represented by the sudden stopping of a vehicle which precedes, but is not directly or promptly visible by the driver who follows. This is, for instance, the case of the so- called "pile-up wrecks" in which, in a line of moving motor vehicles, the drivers of the vehicles following indirectly a first vehicle, which slows or stops Suddenly, cannot in turn slow promptly, because their line of sight is obscured by the vehicle which precedes them. This is also the case of motorway traffic under foggy conditions, in which the presence of preceding vehicles stationary on the roadway due to an accident is detected by oncoming drivers too late to avoid impact. This is also the case of a vehicle lying stationary on the roadway due to an accident immediately after a hump and hence not visible at a distance by the driver of the vehicle that follows. Many other examples could be provided of hazardous situations in the road traffic of vehicles due to low visibility at a distance of a preceding vehicle which suddenly slows down or stops due to an accident or the like.

On the other hand, the timely remote signalling of danger situations can be useful in other fields as well, for instance in the nautical field and, more in general, it serves to prevent accidents and/or facilitate rescue, if an accident does occur. Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a device for remotely signalling a danger situation, having a relatively simple structure, with safe and reliable operation and relatively low cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signalling device as specified above, which if a vehicle stops or slows suddenly due to an accident or the like, allows to signal to the drivers of oncoming vehicles the presence of a preceding vehicle that is stationary or in the process of stopping suddenly on the roadway, and to do so promptly and at an adequate distance, so the drivers can slow or stop their vehicles in time.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signalling device as indicated and applied to a vehicle, whose operation is automatic in case of sudden deceleration of the vehicle.

In view of said objects, the present invention provides a device for remotely signalling a danger situation, whose essential feature is the subject of the main claim.

Further advantageous features are specified in the dependent claims. The aforesaid claims are herewith fully incorporated.

The present invention shall become more readily apparent from the detailed description that follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided purely by way of example, in which:

- Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the device according to a first embodiment of the invention, installed on a motorcar (shown with dashed and dotted lines) and in a resting condition, i.e. not in a remote signalling condition; - Fig. 2 is a detailed view, at enlarged scale and with some parts sectioned, of the detail II of Fig. 1;

- Fig. 3 is a schematic, perspective and partially exploded view of another embodiment of the device according to the invention, not yet installed on a vehicle;

- Fig. 4 is a schematic, perspective and partial view of a motorcar (shown with dashed and dotted lines), whereon is installed the device of Fig. 3 (shown in reduced scale), with mechanical fastening means and in a resting condition, i.e. not in a remote signalling condition;

- Fig. 5 is a similar view to Fig. 4, but with the device of Fig. 3 shown fastened relative to a motorcar with magnetic anchoring means; - Fig. 6 is a reduced scale view of the motorcar of Fig. 4 with the device according to the invention shown in condition of employment for remote signalling;

- Fig. 7 is a perspective and partially sectioned view of an additional embodiment of the remote signalling device according to the invention, in a simplified version and in resting condition; - Fig. 8 is a reduced scale view of the device according to Fig. 7, shown in a condition of employment for remote signalling. First embodiment (Figs. 1, 2)

The reference number 10 globally designates the device for remotely signalling of the stopping or of the sudden slowing of a vehicle due to an accident or the like, according to the present embodiment of the invention, installed on a motorcar Al. Said motorcar is conventionally provided with known electrical/electronic means SI for sensing the deceleration of the vehicle, connected in electrical circuit relative to an electronic control unit CI, also known. The unit CI (powered electrically, like the aforesaid sensor means, by means of the electrical battery of the motorcar Al) receives and processes the signals transmitted by the sensor means SI in relation to the decelerations of the vehicle and to their times. It should be noted that such components may be part of a conventional system for the safety and protection of passengers and driver of the vehicle Al, i.e. the so-called "air bag", whereby the air bags are automatically inflated in case of violent deceleration (impact) of the vehicle, as a result of an activation signal emitted by the unit CI.

Means for delivering pressurised gas 11, provided with pneumatic solenoid check valve means 11.1, known in themselves, are housed inside a hollow rear spoiler Sp of the motorcar Al and are connected in electrical circuit with respect to an electric signal output of said unit CI.

Moreover, as Fig. 2 more clearly shows, in said spoiler Sp are also housed pneumatic balloon means 12, normally in the deflated state, and pneumatically connected in sealed fashion with respect to the solenoid check valve 11.1 of said gas delivery or inflating means 11. Said pneumatic solenoid valve 11.1 means are normally closed pneumatically and assure the rapid passage, when pneumatically opened, of a oneway flow of gas from the gas delivery means 11 to the balloon means 12. In the upper part of the hollow spoiler Sp is provided an opening which communicates with the exterior of the motorcar Al and which is closed by means of a lid 13, removable under the effect of a pressure acting from within the spoiler Sp. The body of said balloon means 12 has substantially cylindrical tubular shape, with relatively large height (for instance, over 2 metres), which at rest, i.e. in the deflated state, is folded in bellows fashion in the condition of minimum size within the hollow spoiler Sp.

Second embodiment (Figs. 3 to 6)

The reference number 20 globally designates the device for remotely signalling the stopping or sudden slowing of a vehicle due to an incident or the like, according to the present embodiment of the invention, provided here in compact form (suitable for constituting a so-called "kit" for mounting on motor vehicles).

Said device 20 comprises a housing box 21, with its upper opening closed by means of a lid 22, removable by effect of a pressure acting from within the box 21. In said box 21 are positioned and fastened to the bottom (Fig. 3): an electrical battery 23, known electrical/electronic vehicle deceleration sensor means S2, connected in electrical circuit with respect to an electronic control unit C2, also known and powered electrically, like said sensor means, through the electrical battery 23. Said unit C2 receives and processes the signals transmitted by the sensor means S2 in relation to the decelerations of the vehicle and to their times, as in the case of the device 10 described above. Moreover, in the housing box 21 are provided means for delivering pressurised gas 24, provided with pneumatic solenoid check valve means 24.1, of the type indicated for instance with reference to the device 10 and connected in electrical circuit with respect to an electrical signal output of the unit C2.

In said box 21 are also housed pneumatic balloon means 25, normally in the deflated state and pneumatically connected in sealed fashion with respect to said solenoid check valve means 24.1. Said solenoid valve means 24.1 are normally closed pneumatically and assure the rapid passage, when pneumatically opened, of a oneway flow of gas from the gas delivery or inflating means 24 to the balloon means 25. The side wall 21.1 of the box 21 opposite the pneumatic balloon 25 is removable under a pressure acting from within the box 21, as is the lid 22. The shape of the balloon 25, which in the deflated state is housed in the box 21 folded in bellows fashion, is similar to that of the balloon 12 described above and shall be better specified below.

As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the device 20 is mounted, for instance, on the roof of a motorcar A2, by means of a connecting bar 26 able to be disassembled, which supports the box 21 with the lid 22 positioned superiorly. Operation of the device according to the first and the second embodiments described above.

With reference both to the device 10, and to the device 20, if the vehicle (Al, A2) whereon the device is installed undergoes a sudden deceleration (for instance, a violent impact), the deceleration is detected by said sensor means (SI, S2), which send a corresponding electrical signal to said electronic unit (CI, C2), which processes it and sends, through its electrical signal output, an activation impulse to said pneumatic solenoid check valve means (11.1, 24.1), determining its pneumatic opening, so that the means for delivering pressurised gas (11, 24) immediately and in an extremely short time deliver a considerable quantity of pressurised gas, feeding the balloon means (12, 25), which are thus instantaneously inflated and kept in a pneumatically inflated state. Said balloon means first expand inside the container in which they are enclosed (spoiler Sp; box 21), until determining the expulsion under pressure of the related lid (13, 22 + side wall 21.1), and subsequently outside the container and the motorcar, whereon the device is installed. The balloon means (12, 25) thus rapidly deploy upwards, from the motorcar, positioning themselves substantially vertical in the form of a pneumatic column overlying the motorcar itself, hence clearly visible from a distance.

As is readily apparent, the aforesaid procedure takes place in very rapid and automatic fashion, assuring a timely remote signalling of the sudden deceleration or of the stopping of the vehicle (Al, A2) whereon the device 10 or 20 is installed.

It is obvious that the dimensions of the balloon means and the pressurised gas delivery capacity of the gas delivery or inflating means are proportioned to the desired dimensions of maximum expansion and height deployment of said balloon means.

Embodiment variations

According to an advantageous embodiment shown in Fig. 6, said balloon means 25, in the expanded state, have an essentially tubular cylindrical pneumatic body 25.1 in the form of a column, whereon overhangs an integral pneumatic head 25.2 of greater dimensions, in the form of a mushroom head, for instance substantially tetrahedral shaped, on whose side faces appears the depiction of a triangular danger signal.

The visibility at a distance of the signalling device according to the invention, in pneumatically expanded signalling condition, is increased by the total or partial coating of the outer surface of the balloon means with phosphorescent pigments or paints, and/or by illuminating said balloon means.

On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 5, the means for anchoring the device 20, constructed as an assembly kit, to the motorcar A2 are constituted by fastening means with permanent magnets 28, in order make installation of the device even easier.

According to an additional embodiment variation of the device, in simplified version

(not shown in the drawings), instead of the electrical/electronic deceleration sensor means and of the electronic control unit, associated to said means, means with on/off electrical control switch are provided, manually operated, to be installed, for instance, on the vehicle dashboard, and which are electrically branched in electrical circuit between the electrical power supply means (battery) and the pneumatic solenoid check valve means of the gas delivery means of the device according to the invention. With this arrangement, activation of the signalling device according to the invention is no longer automatic, but depends on the closure of the electrical circuit supplying power to the check valve means, determined manually by the electrical closure of said switch means.

Obviously, the gas employed for inflating the balloon means is a light gas, which favours its rise in ambient air. Third embodiment of the device according to the invention (Figures 7, 8)

The remote signalling device according to this embodiment, globally designated as

30, constitutes a structurally simplified portable unit.

It comprises a cylindrical box container 31 with top lid 32 openable by the action of an appropriate pressure acting from within the box 31. On the bottom of the box 31 are fastened means 33 for delivering pressurised gas, for instance a pressurised gas tank, normally closed in sealed fashion by means of a pneumatic check valve 34.

In said box 31, above the gas delivery or inflating means 33, are also housed pneumatic balloon means 35, normally closed in bellows fashion in the deflated state and pneumatically connected with respect to the pneumatic output of said valve 34. Control lever means 34.1, which are operatively connected with said valve 34, project from the box 31 with a grip part 34.2 and are normally maintained in a rotated position whereby the valve is closed in sealed fashion (as shown in Fig. 7). A metallic safety wire 34.3, which can be broken by traction, normally secures the grip 34.2 to the box 31 against the inadvertent rotation of the grip. A stake 36 is hinged, externally to the box 31, about a pivot pin 36.1, whose axis lies in a plane that is substantially horizontal to the axis of the box. Said stake 36 can oscillate between a resting position (shown in Fig. 7) in which it is folded against the side wall of the box 31, and a working position, substantially upset by 180°, in which it projects beyond the bottom of the box (Fig. 8).

To signal a danger situation remotely, after upsetting into the working position (arrow Fl, Fig. 7) and driven into the ground the stake 36, to stabilise the box 31 with the bottom set down on the ground, it is sufficient manually to rotate the grip 34.2 (arrow F2, Fig. 7), causing the pneumatic opening of the valve 34, after breaking the safety wire 34.3. By effect of the pressurised pressure exiting the gas delivery means 33 through the valve 34, said balloon means expand, first, within the container 31 in which they are enclosed, until determining the expulsion under pressure of the lid 32, and subsequently outside the container. The balloon means 35 deploy rapidly upwardly, positioning themselves substantially vertical in the form of a pneumatic column overlying the case 31, which column is clearly visible from a distance, thereby signalling a danger situation.

Claims

1. A device for remotely signalling a danger situation, characterised in that it comprises pneumatic balloon means (12, 25, 35), normally in the deflated state, and means (11, 24, 33) for the pneumatic inflation thereof by lighter than air, pressurised gas, all housed in a container (Sp, 21, 31) provided with an opening for the at least partial exit of said balloon means, when pneumatically inflated, in that said pneumatic balloon means (12, 25, 35), in the pneumatically inflated state, exit at least partially through said opening of said container (Sp, 21, 31) and form a pneumatic body with dimensions that are clearly visible from a distance, and in that said inflating means (11, 24, 33) are controlled by command means (SI, CI, 11.1, S2, C2, 24.1, on/off switch, 34, 34.1, 34.2) which determine, when operated, the immediate delivery of lighter than air, pressurised gas from said gas inflating means to said balloon means, in sufficient quantity to assure their sudden pneumatic inflation and their rapid at least partial exit from said container through said opening, so that the balloon means form a pneumatic body that develops outside said container and constitutes means for signalling a danger situation, clearly visible from a distance.

2. The signalling device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it is constructed as a portable unit (30).

3. The device for remotely signalling a danger situation, in particular the stopping or the sudden slowing of a vehicle, as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it comprises pneumatic balloon means (12, 25) and means for the electrical control of their pneumatic inflation by means of pressurised gas (11, 11.1, 24, 24.1), housed in a container (Sp, 21) mounted on a vehicle (Al, A2) and provided with an opening oriented towards the exterior of the vehicle, in that said balloon means are housed in said container in pneumatically deflated state with minimum size and form, in the pneumatically inflated state, a pneumatic body of dimensions which are clearly visible at a safe distance from said vehicle, and in that said inflating means are pneumatically connected with respect to said balloon means through a pneumatic output thereof (11.1), which is normally pneumatically closed, and are controlled by electrical/electronic means (SI, S2, CI, C2, on/off switch) which determine, when electrically activated, the immediate pneumatic opening of said pneumatic output and the delivery through it of light pressurised gas to said balloon means, in sufficient quantity to assure their sudden pneumatic inflation and their rapid at least partial exit from said container through said opening, so that the balloon means form a pneumatic body that develops outside said vehicle and constitutes means for signalling a danger situation, clearly visible from a safe distance by the drivers of vehicles approaching said vehicle.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that said pneumatic inflation means comprise means for delivering pressurised gas (11, 24) provided with solenoid valve means (11.1, 24.1) in said pneumatic output thereof.

5. The device as claimed in claim 3 and/or 4, characterised in that it comprises electrical/electronic means (SI, S2) for sensing the deceleration of said vehicle (Al, S2), connected in electrical circuit with respect to an electronic control unit (CI, C2), powered electrically, like said sensor means, by means of an electrical battery (of the vehicle Al, or 23), and which receives and processes the signals transmitted by said sensor means in relation to the decelerations of the vehicle and the times thereof, and in that said pressurised gas inflating means are connected in electrical circuit with respect to an electrical signal output of said electronic control unit, so that if the vehicle (Al, A2) whereon the device is installed undergoes a sudden deceleration (for instance, a violent impact), the deceleration is detected by said sensor means (SI, S2), which send a corresponding electrical signal to said electronic unit (CI, C2), which processes it and sends, through its electrical signal output, an activation impulse to said gas inflating means (11, 11.1, 24, 24.1), which immediately and in an extremely short time deliver a considerable quantity of pressurised gas feeding, through their said pneumatic output (11.1, 24.1), said balloon means (12, 25) which are instantaneously inflated, first, inside the container in which they are enclosed (spoiler Sp; box 21) and subsequently, after the container is opened by pressure, outside the vehicle whereon the device is installed, so that said balloon means (12, 25) rapidly and automatically deploy upwards, outside the vehicle, positioning themselves as a pneumatic body overlying the motorcar itself, hence clearly visible from a distance.

6. The device as claimed in claim 3 and/or 4, characterised in that it comprises electrical/electronic on/off switch control means installed, for instance, on the dashboard of the vehicle, which are electrically branched in electrical circuit between electrical power supply means (battery) and said gas inflating means, so that the closure of said electrical circuit, determined manually by the electrical closure of said switch means, activates said gas inflating means, which immediately and very rapidly deliver a considerable quantity of pressurised gas, supplying it, through a pneumatic output thereof, to said balloon means, which are instantaneously inflated, first, inside the container in which they are enclosed, and subsequently, after the container itself is opened by pressure, outside the vehicle whereon the device is installed, so that said balloon means deploy rapidly and automatically upwards, arranging themselves as a pneumatic body overlying the vehicle itself, thus clearly visible at a distance.

7. The device as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that it is installed in a compartment (Sp) of the vehicle (Al), with an opening oriented towards the exterior of the vehicle and closed by means of a lid which is removable by pressure (13).

8. The device as claimed in one or more of the claims from 3 through 6, characterised in that it is constructed as an assembly kit and it is contained in a box container (21) provided with parts (lid 22, wall 21.1) which can be removed by pressure, and in that it comprises means for its mechanical (26), respectively magnetic (30) anchoring to the body of a vehicle (A2).

9. The device as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said balloon means (25), in the expanded state, exhibit a pneumatic body (25.1) that is essentially tubular in the form of a column, with an overlying pneumatic head (25.2) of greater size, on whose side faces appears the depiction of a danger signal.

10. The device as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that its visibility at a distance is increased by the total or partial coating of the outer surface of the balloon means with phosphorescent pigments or paints, and/or by illuminating said balloon means, when expanded in the signalling condition.

11. The device as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that in said pneumatic output of the gas inflating means are provided check valve means

(11.1, 24.1), which allow the flow of gas only towards said pneumatic balloon means.