WO2004082996A1 - Brake warning system - Google Patents

Brake warning system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004082996A1
WO2004082996A1 PCT/DK2004/000190 DK2004000190W WO2004082996A1 WO 2004082996 A1 WO2004082996 A1 WO 2004082996A1 DK 2004000190 W DK2004000190 W DK 2004000190W WO 2004082996 A1 WO2004082996 A1 WO 2004082996A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vehicle
control means
threshold value
output
input
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DK2004/000190
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Poul Iver Holck
Original Assignee
Holco Concept Aps
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Holco Concept Aps filed Critical Holco Concept Aps
Publication of WO2004082996A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004082996A1/en

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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
    • B60Q1/444—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 with indication of the braking strength or speed changes, e.g. by changing shape or intensity of the indication

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for mounting in a vehicle and activating a rear-mounted light thereof, preferably the turn signal lights or/and the brake lights, comprising flash means for providing said rear-mounted light with a pulsed voltage in case of an emergency braking.
  • the invention also relates to such device for retrofitting into a vehicle as well as to vehicles with such device mounted, either as a retrofitted device or an original device of the vehicle, e.g. being a part of the original electric control system of a new vehicle.
  • the brake warning systems of vehicles such as trucks, cars, busses, motorcycles, etc., comprises today one, two or more rear-mounted red lights, that are activated in an on/off manner upon activation of the braking system of the vehicle, typically by a brake light switch activated by the pressure in the hydraulic braking system.
  • the brake lights are on when the brakes of the vehicle are activated, regardless of the intensity of the braking action.
  • the present invention relates to a device for mounting in a vehicle and activating a rear-mounted light thereof, comprising flash means for providing said rear-mounted light with a pulsed voltage, an accelerometer for measuring a deceleration of the vehicle and producing an output accordingly, control means for receiving said output, comparing the received accelerometer output with a first predetermined threshold value and activating said flash means if the received accelerometer output exceeds said first threshold value.
  • the flash means may be a separate switch or be incorporated in an integrated processor, which also constitutes the control means.
  • the flashing of the rear-mounted light of the vehicle is only activated in case of an emergency braking action, defined by the predetermined threshold value.
  • the rear-mounted light is the rear turn signal lights of the vehicle, normally consisting of two or more lights, but the rear-mounted light may alternatively or additionally be a separate light, the brake lights or only some of the brake lights of the vehicle, e.g. only one out of the two or three.
  • the accelerometer preferably provides an output to the control means according to the deceleration of the vehicle, which is continuously proportional to the deceleration as opposed to the on/off output from e.g. a mercury switch, so that the magnitude of the deceleration may be determined by the control means from the output.
  • the first threshold value may be predetermined so that it corresponds to a deceleration of the vehicle of at least 0.3 G (2.9 m/s 2 ), preferably at least 0.4 G (3.9 m/s 2 ), such as at least 0.5 G (4.9 m/s 2 ). Higher values, such as 0.6 G or 0.75 G may be selected if appropriate, where the most preferred first threshold value is 0.6 G (5.9). It is preferred for many reasons that the control means comprises means for receiving an input from a brake light switch of the vehicle, e.g. that the control means has an electrical connection to the electric wire feeding power to the rear brake lights of the vehicle.
  • control means may be arranged to initiate the activation of the flash means only in case such input is received, so that erroneous activations of the flash means are prevented.
  • the flash means may be active after the brake light switch is deactivated, e.g. when the driver of the vehicles no longer activates the brake pedal.
  • control means is arranged to continue to activate the flash means for a predetermined period after the received accelerometer output does not exceed said first threshold value anymore.
  • control means may comprise means for receiving an input from a brake light switch of the vehicle, and the control means be arranged to continue to activate the flash means for a predetermined period after the control means does not receive an input from the brake light switch anymore.
  • the predetermined period may be of a constant value, such as 3, 4 or 7 seconds after the accelerometer output does not exceed the first threshold value anymore or after the control means does not receive an input from the brake light switch anymore, respectively.
  • the control means comprises means for receiving an input from a brake light switch of the vehicle, the control means may be arranged to continue the activation of the flash means for said predetermined period, such as 30, 60 or 120 seconds, only as long as said input is received from the brake light.
  • control means is arranged to predetermine the length of said period in response to the length of the period in which the received accelerometer output exceeded said first threshold value, i.e. emergency braking, such as a period of 3 to 5 seconds for emergency braking of less than 2 seconds, a period of 4 seconds for emergency braking of from 2 to 4 seconds, and a period of up to 20 seconds for emergency braking exceeding 4 seconds.
  • the control means may alternatively or additionally be arranged to predetermine the length said period in response to the extend to which the output from the accelerometer exceeded the first threshold value.
  • the length of the period may be determined from an integration of the magnitude of the output from the accelerometer over the length of the period in which the received accelerometer output exceeded said first threshold value.
  • control means may be adapted to compare the received accelerometer output with a second predetermined threshold value, preferably a higher value indicating a collision and activate said flash means for a predetermined period if the received accelerometer output exceeds said second threshold value.
  • the second threshold value may correspond to a deceleration of the vehicle of at least 1.2 G (11.8 m/s 2 ), preferably at least 1.6 G (15.7 m/s 2 ), such as at least 2.0 G (19.6 m/s 2 ), and most preferred at least 2.5 G (24.5 m/s 2 ).
  • the period in which the flash means are activated in case the second threshold value is exceeded may be infinite, i.e. to the device is switched off manually or the voltage supply from the vehicle battery is cut.
  • the period may also be finite but normally substantially longer than the period in which the flash means are activated in case the first threshold value is exceeded, typically about 5 to 10 minutes.
  • the same device By operating with a first as well as a second threshold value, the same device is able to activate a flashing warning light to warn drivers of approaching vehicles in two rather different situations one first situation for emergency braking, in which the warning lights is flashed for a shorter period, corresponding to the period the approaching drivers should pay special attention, and one second situation for a collision situation, in which the approaching drivers should pay attention for a long period, until the road has been blocked off or the involved vehicles have been cleared off the road.
  • the device of the present invention may in a further embodiment be equipped with a roll sensor measuring the roll angle of the vehicle and producing an output accordingly.
  • the control means receives the roll sensor output, compares it with a predetermined roll threshold value and activates the flash means if the received roll sensor output exceeds the roll threshold value.
  • the roll threshold value corresponds preferably to a roll angle of the vehicle of at least 30° to vertical, preferably 45° to vertical and most preferred to at least 60° to vertical.
  • the roll angle is measured as the angle between the vertical, longitudinal centreplane of the vehicle and vertical.
  • a very precise instrument to measure the roll angle is a vertical gyroscope, which is used e.g. in aeroplanes, but a less expensive solution is a pair of mercury switches one angled to each side, where the mercury closes a contact in case the roll angle exceeds a threshold angle.
  • control means of the device according to the present invention is adapted to receive an input indicative of the activation of the turn signal lights of the vehicle and selectively to flash the relevant turn signal lights a supplementary number of times so that the total number of flashings of the relevant turn signal lights in each series of flashing reaches at least a predefined minimum number of flashings.
  • the predefined number of flashings is preferably 3. This feature is advantageous in that it ensures that an activation of the turn signal light switch will result in a minimum number of flashings, such as three, whereas the normal activation of the switch for indication change of lane etc. often results in only one flashing of the lights.
  • the device further comprises audio signalling means, e.g. a beeper or a loudspeaker for providing an audible signal to the driver of the vehicle concurrently with said activation of the flash means.
  • audio signalling means e.g. a beeper or a loudspeaker for providing an audible signal to the driver of the vehicle concurrently with said activation of the flash means.
  • the control means comprises means for receiving an input from a brake light switch of the vehicle, and the device comprises means for providing a constant voltage to the rear-mounted light if an input is received from the brake light switch and the received accelerometer output does not exceed said first threshold value.
  • the rear- mounted light in a specific embodiment the brake light, lights constantly under normal operation of the brake system of the vehicle, and only in case of emergency braking actions the flashing of the light is activated.
  • control means comprises means for receiving an input from a brake light switch of the vehicle, and the control means is arranged to activate the flash means for a first predetermined period, such as 3-5 seconds, if the control means receives two consecutive input from the brake light switch within a second predetermined period, such as from 0.5 to 2 or 3 seconds.
  • first predetermined period such as 3-5 seconds
  • second predetermined period such as from 0.5 to 2 or 3 seconds.
  • the present invention relates specifically to a device as disclosed above for retrofitting in a vehicle, and in a particular embodiment thereof a device of which the part accommodating the accelerometer is provided with a clear visual indication to the user of the forward driving direction of the vehicle, so as to ensure correct mounting of the device.
  • the present invention relates to a device as disclosed for retrofitting in a vehicle, wherein the device is arranged to be retrofitted without breaking of original existing electrical connections in the vehicle with respect to brake lights and rear turn signal lights, i.e. that the device can operate parallel to the existing relays or other devices for activating the rear turn signal lights etc.
  • the present invention relates to a vehicle having a device as disclosed above mounted therein, where the device either has been retrofitted in the vehicle or the device is incorporated into the vehicle at originally manufactured.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a device according to the present invention and mounted in a vehicle, in which the brake lights are flashed by the device.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a device according to the present invention and mounted in a vehicle, in which the rear turn lights are flashed by the device.
  • the device 1 comprises an accelerometer 2 mounted to produce an output as a measure of the deceleration of the vehicle.
  • the output is transferred to a microprocessor 3 controlling the operation of the device 1 and providing a constant or pulsed voltage to the brake lights 8 of the vehicle.
  • the microprocessor 3 receives at a first terminal 4 a power supply in the form of a 12 V voltage from the electric power supply system of the vehicle, alternatively a 24 V power supply system, and at a second terminal 5 an on/off signal from the brake light switch 7 of the vehicle. From a third terminal 6, the microprocessor provides the brake lights 8 of the vehicle with a constant or pulsed voltage.
  • the device 1 is retrofitted in the vehicle by severing 9 the original connection between the brake light switch 7 and the brake lights 8.
  • the outgoing wire from the brake light switch is connected to the second terminal 5 of the microprocessor, and the wire previously connecting the brake lights 8 with the brake light switch 7 is now connected to the third terminal 6 of the microprocessor 3.
  • the microprocessor 3 is connected to the 12 V power supply at the first terminal 4 and is provided with a chassis connection 10.
  • the device 1 When mounted, the device 1 does not change the normal function of the brake lights 8 during ordinary driving conditions.
  • the brake light switch 7 is closed at activation of the braking system of the vehicle, an input of 12 V is provided to the second terminal 5 of the microprocessor 3, which provides a constant voltage of 12 V to the brake lights 8 from the third terminal 6 in response thereto.
  • the accelerometer 2 provides constantly an output to the microprocessor 3 according to the deceleration of the vehicle.
  • the microprocessor 3 receives the output from the accelerometer 2 and compares it to a predetermined threshold value corresponding to a deceleration of the vehicle of 0.5 (4.9 m/s 2 ). Higher threshold values may if appropriate be selected as 0.7 G (6.9 m/s 2 ) or 0.8 G (7.8 m/s 2 ).
  • the accelerometer will provide an output exceeding the threshold value, and the microprocessor 3 provides the brake lights 8 with a pulsed voltage, such as 12 V pulsed on/off at a frequency of 5-10 Hz.
  • a clock is started in the microprocessor measuring the period of time until the output of the accelerometer 2 does not exceed the threshold value anymore.
  • the microprocessor 3 will continue to provide the brake lights 8 with a pulsed voltage for a variable period thereafter, depending on the length of the measured period of time.
  • the variable period may e.g. be 2 seconds plus the measured period of time.
  • the brake lights 8 will continue to be provided with a pulsed voltage from the microprocessor 3 after the threshold value is no longer exceeded as long as the brake light switch 7 is still activated and for a predetermined period, such as 5 seconds, after the brake light switch 7 is no longer activated.
  • the microprocessor 3 is furthermore arranged to provide the brake lights 8 with a pulsed voltage for a predetermined period, such as 5 seconds, if the brake light switch is activated twice within another predetermined period, such as 2 seconds.
  • a predetermined period such as 5 seconds
  • the brake light switch is activated twice within another predetermined period, such as 2 seconds.
  • the system may also be used for driver control of the bulbs of the brake lights 8, as the driver may activate the brake pedal twice and get to the back of the vehicle to see if the brake lights are flashing correctly.
  • the device may furthermore be provided with a signalling device inside the vehicle to provide signals to the driver.
  • the signalling device may e.g. be a warning lamp or a buzzer. In case a reduced current is used by the rear-mounted lights, indicating that one or more bulbs are out of the circuit, e.g. are burned over, the signalling device provides a signal to the driver.
  • the signalling device may also provide a signal to the driver when the flashing of the light is activated and/or a signal when the motor of the vehicle is started, indicating that the device is in function.
  • the device may comprise a self-test function, and it may use the signalling device to produce an error signal to the driver.
  • the second embodiment of the present invention shown schematically in Fig. 2, in which the rear turn signal lights 11 are flashed by the device 1', which to a large extend is identical to the device 1 described with the first embodiment with reference to Fig. 1.
  • the device 1 ' of the second embodiment does not provide a constant voltage from the third terminal 6' when the brake light switch 7 is closed, as this is not required because the original connection between the brake light switch 7 and the brake lights 8 is not severed 9. In fact, none of the original connections of the vehicle are severed when the device 1' is installed.
  • the device receives a power supply of 12 V to the first terminal 4 from the electric power supply system of the vehicle, in the present example from the rear lights 12 or parking lights of the vehicle, which are connected by a conductor 13 on the power supply side to reduce the effect on the lights 12 from the power consumption of the device 1'.
  • the second terminal 5 is connected to the power supply side of the brake light 8 so as to receive a 12 V input when the brake switch 7 is activated.
  • the third terminal 6' of the device 1' is connected to the power supply side of the rear turn signal lights 11, so that the device 1 ' activates the rear turn signal lights 11, similar to when they are used as hazard lights, when the brake switch 7 is activated so that an input is received on the second terminal 5 and a certain deceleration of the vehicle is detected etc. as disclosed with respect to the first embodiment with reference to Fig. 1.
  • the accelerometer 2' provides an output to the microprocessor 3' according to the deceleration of the vehicle if the deceleration exceeds a lower activation limit.
  • the output is continuously proportional to the deceleration as opposed to the on/off output from e.g. a mercury switch, so that the magnitude of the deceleration may be determined from the output.
  • the microprocessor 3' receives the output from the accelerometer 2' and compares it to a predetermined threshold value corresponding to a deceleration of the vehicle of 0.6 (5.9 m/s 2 ). Higher or lower threshold values may if appropriate be selected as 0.5 G (4.9 m/s 2 ), 0.7 G (6.9 m/s 2 ) or 0.8 G (7.8 m/s 2 ).
  • the brake lights 8 are activated and an input is provided at the second terminal 5, the accelerometer will provide an output exceeding the threshold value, and the microprocessor 3' provides the rear turn signal lights 11 with a pulsed voltage, such as 12 V pulsed on/off at a frequency of 5- 10 Hz.
  • a pulsed voltage such as 12 V pulsed on/off at a frequency of 5- 10 Hz.
  • an integrator unit is started in the microprocessor 3' summing the product of time and the output of the accelerometer 2' until the output of the accelerometer 2' does not exceed the threshold value anymore.
  • the microprocessor 3' will continue to provide the brake lights 8 with a pulsed voltage for a variable period thereafter, depending on the sum provided by the integrator unit.
  • the variable period may e.g. be 2 seconds plus a predetermined factor multiplied by the calculated sum, e.g. to a total period of 10-30 seconds.
  • the brake lights 8 will continue to be provided with a pulsed voltage from the microprocessor 3 for about 60 seconds after the threshold value is no longer exceeded as long as the brake light switch 7 is still activated and for a predetermined period, such as 5 seconds, after the brake light switch 7 is no longer activated.

Abstract

A device is disclosed for activating a rear-mounted light thereof, preferably the turn signal lights in case of an emergency breaking, comprising flash means for providing said rear-mounted light with a pulsed voltage. The invention also relates to such device for retrofitting into a vehicle as well as to vehicles with such device mounted, either as a retrofitted device or an original device of the vehicle, e.g. being a part of the original electric control system of a new vehicle. Thus, the flashing of the rear-mounted light of the vehicle is only activated in case of an emergency braking action, defined by the predetermined threshold value. The accelerometer preferably provides an output to the control means according to the deceleration as opposed to the on/off output from e.g. a mercury switch, so that the magnitude of the deceleration may be determined by the control means from the output and be used to calculate a prolonged period of activation of the flash means after the threshold value is no longer exceeded.

Description

BRAKE WARNING SYSTEM
The present invention relates to a device for mounting in a vehicle and activating a rear-mounted light thereof, preferably the turn signal lights or/and the brake lights, comprising flash means for providing said rear-mounted light with a pulsed voltage in case of an emergency braking. The invention also relates to such device for retrofitting into a vehicle as well as to vehicles with such device mounted, either as a retrofitted device or an original device of the vehicle, e.g. being a part of the original electric control system of a new vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The brake warning systems of vehicles such as trucks, cars, busses, motorcycles, etc., comprises today one, two or more rear-mounted red lights, that are activated in an on/off manner upon activation of the braking system of the vehicle, typically by a brake light switch activated by the pressure in the hydraulic braking system. Thus, the brake lights are on when the brakes of the vehicle are activated, regardless of the intensity of the braking action.
Several systems have been proposed in the prior art to provide a more specific indication to drivers of other vehicles approaching from behind, some of the systems including the provision of a system of rear-mounted lights of different colours, which lights or flashes according to the intensity of the braking action. In DE 31 23 277 Al a system is disclosed, in which the brake lights flashes at a frequency and strength, which both are continuous increasing functions of the intensity of the braking action.
The systems known in the prior art will change the light signalling of braking action fundamentally, and require changes of legislation for motor vehicles to be implemented as well as a learning process for all drives to become familiar with the new rules for perception of light signals of vehicles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for mounting in a vehicle and activating a rear-mounted light thereof, comprising flash means for providing said rear-mounted light with a pulsed voltage, an accelerometer for measuring a deceleration of the vehicle and producing an output accordingly, control means for receiving said output, comparing the received accelerometer output with a first predetermined threshold value and activating said flash means if the received accelerometer output exceeds said first threshold value.
The flash means may be a separate switch or be incorporated in an integrated processor, which also constitutes the control means.
Thus, the flashing of the rear-mounted light of the vehicle is only activated in case of an emergency braking action, defined by the predetermined threshold value. It is preferred that the rear-mounted light is the rear turn signal lights of the vehicle, normally consisting of two or more lights, but the rear-mounted light may alternatively or additionally be a separate light, the brake lights or only some of the brake lights of the vehicle, e.g. only one out of the two or three.
The accelerometer preferably provides an output to the control means according to the deceleration of the vehicle, which is continuously proportional to the deceleration as opposed to the on/off output from e.g. a mercury switch, so that the magnitude of the deceleration may be determined by the control means from the output.
The first threshold value may be predetermined so that it corresponds to a deceleration of the vehicle of at least 0.3 G (2.9 m/s2), preferably at least 0.4 G (3.9 m/s2), such as at least 0.5 G (4.9 m/s2). Higher values, such as 0.6 G or 0.75 G may be selected if appropriate, where the most preferred first threshold value is 0.6 G (5.9 It is preferred for many reasons that the control means comprises means for receiving an input from a brake light switch of the vehicle, e.g. that the control means has an electrical connection to the electric wire feeding power to the rear brake lights of the vehicle. In particular, the control means may be arranged to initiate the activation of the flash means only in case such input is received, so that erroneous activations of the flash means are prevented. However, in some embodiments of the present invention, the flash means may be active after the brake light switch is deactivated, e.g. when the driver of the vehicles no longer activates the brake pedal.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the control means is arranged to continue to activate the flash means for a predetermined period after the received accelerometer output does not exceed said first threshold value anymore. Furthermore, the control means may comprise means for receiving an input from a brake light switch of the vehicle, and the control means be arranged to continue to activate the flash means for a predetermined period after the control means does not receive an input from the brake light switch anymore.
The predetermined period may be of a constant value, such as 3, 4 or 7 seconds after the accelerometer output does not exceed the first threshold value anymore or after the control means does not receive an input from the brake light switch anymore, respectively. In case the control means comprises means for receiving an input from a brake light switch of the vehicle, the control means may be arranged to continue the activation of the flash means for said predetermined period, such as 30, 60 or 120 seconds, only as long as said input is received from the brake light.
In another embodiment, the control means is arranged to predetermine the length of said period in response to the length of the period in which the received accelerometer output exceeded said first threshold value, i.e. emergency braking, such as a period of 3 to 5 seconds for emergency braking of less than 2 seconds, a period of 4 seconds for emergency braking of from 2 to 4 seconds, and a period of up to 20 seconds for emergency braking exceeding 4 seconds. The control means may alternatively or additionally be arranged to predetermine the length said period in response to the extend to which the output from the accelerometer exceeded the first threshold value. In an example of a combination of the two, the length of the period may be determined from an integration of the magnitude of the output from the accelerometer over the length of the period in which the received accelerometer output exceeded said first threshold value.
Furthermore, the control means may be adapted to compare the received accelerometer output with a second predetermined threshold value, preferably a higher value indicating a collision and activate said flash means for a predetermined period if the received accelerometer output exceeds said second threshold value. The second threshold value may correspond to a deceleration of the vehicle of at least 1.2 G (11.8 m/s2), preferably at least 1.6 G (15.7 m/s2), such as at least 2.0 G (19.6 m/s2), and most preferred at least 2.5 G (24.5 m/s2).
The period in which the flash means are activated in case the second threshold value is exceeded may be infinite, i.e. to the device is switched off manually or the voltage supply from the vehicle battery is cut. The period may also be finite but normally substantially longer than the period in which the flash means are activated in case the first threshold value is exceeded, typically about 5 to 10 minutes.
By operating with a first as well as a second threshold value, the same device is able to activate a flashing warning light to warn drivers of approaching vehicles in two rather different situations one first situation for emergency braking, in which the warning lights is flashed for a shorter period, corresponding to the period the approaching drivers should pay special attention, and one second situation for a collision situation, in which the approaching drivers should pay attention for a long period, until the road has been blocked off or the involved vehicles have been cleared off the road. The device of the present invention may in a further embodiment be equipped with a roll sensor measuring the roll angle of the vehicle and producing an output accordingly. The control means receives the roll sensor output, compares it with a predetermined roll threshold value and activates the flash means if the received roll sensor output exceeds the roll threshold value. The roll threshold value corresponds preferably to a roll angle of the vehicle of at least 30° to vertical, preferably 45° to vertical and most preferred to at least 60° to vertical.
The roll angle is measured as the angle between the vertical, longitudinal centreplane of the vehicle and vertical. A very precise instrument to measure the roll angle is a vertical gyroscope, which is used e.g. in aeroplanes, but a less expensive solution is a pair of mercury switches one angled to each side, where the mercury closes a contact in case the roll angle exceeds a threshold angle.
In a yet further embodiment, the control means of the device according to the present invention is adapted to receive an input indicative of the activation of the turn signal lights of the vehicle and selectively to flash the relevant turn signal lights a supplementary number of times so that the total number of flashings of the relevant turn signal lights in each series of flashing reaches at least a predefined minimum number of flashings. The predefined number of flashings is preferably 3. This feature is advantageous in that it ensures that an activation of the turn signal light switch will result in a minimum number of flashings, such as three, whereas the normal activation of the switch for indication change of lane etc. often results in only one flashing of the lights. By incorporating this feature in a device according to the present invention and suitable for retrofitting in a vehicle, a plurality of advantages may be achieved in one operation.
It is also advantageous that the device further comprises audio signalling means, e.g. a beeper or a loudspeaker for providing an audible signal to the driver of the vehicle concurrently with said activation of the flash means. In case the brake lights are used by the device, it is preferred that the control means comprises means for receiving an input from a brake light switch of the vehicle, and the device comprises means for providing a constant voltage to the rear-mounted light if an input is received from the brake light switch and the received accelerometer output does not exceed said first threshold value. Thereby, the rear- mounted light, in a specific embodiment the brake light, lights constantly under normal operation of the brake system of the vehicle, and only in case of emergency braking actions the flashing of the light is activated.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the control means comprises means for receiving an input from a brake light switch of the vehicle, and the control means is arranged to activate the flash means for a first predetermined period, such as 3-5 seconds, if the control means receives two consecutive input from the brake light switch within a second predetermined period, such as from 0.5 to 2 or 3 seconds. Thus, by activating the brake pedal twice in rapid succession, the driver makes the rear-mounted lights flash for a period, which may be used to warn drivers of vehicles approaching from behind, e.g. in case the vehicle with the device is at stand-still.
The present invention relates specifically to a device as disclosed above for retrofitting in a vehicle, and in a particular embodiment thereof a device of which the part accommodating the accelerometer is provided with a clear visual indication to the user of the forward driving direction of the vehicle, so as to ensure correct mounting of the device.
In particular, the present invention relates to a device as disclosed for retrofitting in a vehicle, wherein the device is arranged to be retrofitted without breaking of original existing electrical connections in the vehicle with respect to brake lights and rear turn signal lights, i.e. that the device can operate parallel to the existing relays or other devices for activating the rear turn signal lights etc. Also, the present invention relates to a vehicle having a device as disclosed above mounted therein, where the device either has been retrofitted in the vehicle or the device is incorporated into the vehicle at originally manufactured.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the enclosed drawing, of which:
The diagram of Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a device according to the present invention and mounted in a vehicle, in which the brake lights are flashed by the device.
The diagram of Fig. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a device according to the present invention and mounted in a vehicle, in which the rear turn lights are flashed by the device.
Only specific combinations of the above-discussed features are disclosed in the following embodiments of the present invention. However, it is clear that many different combinations of the disclosed and the claimed features are possible and advantageous with the scope of the present invention as is apparent from the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
The device 1 comprises an accelerometer 2 mounted to produce an output as a measure of the deceleration of the vehicle. The output is transferred to a microprocessor 3 controlling the operation of the device 1 and providing a constant or pulsed voltage to the brake lights 8 of the vehicle. The microprocessor 3 receives at a first terminal 4 a power supply in the form of a 12 V voltage from the electric power supply system of the vehicle, alternatively a 24 V power supply system, and at a second terminal 5 an on/off signal from the brake light switch 7 of the vehicle. From a third terminal 6, the microprocessor provides the brake lights 8 of the vehicle with a constant or pulsed voltage.
The device 1 is retrofitted in the vehicle by severing 9 the original connection between the brake light switch 7 and the brake lights 8. The outgoing wire from the brake light switch is connected to the second terminal 5 of the microprocessor, and the wire previously connecting the brake lights 8 with the brake light switch 7 is now connected to the third terminal 6 of the microprocessor 3. Finally, the microprocessor 3 is connected to the 12 V power supply at the first terminal 4 and is provided with a chassis connection 10. Thus, a skilled person may retrofit the device 1 into a vehicle in fifteen to twenty minutes with very few changes to the existing electric system of the vehicle.
When mounted, the device 1 does not change the normal function of the brake lights 8 during ordinary driving conditions. When the brake light switch 7 is closed at activation of the braking system of the vehicle, an input of 12 V is provided to the second terminal 5 of the microprocessor 3, which provides a constant voltage of 12 V to the brake lights 8 from the third terminal 6 in response thereto.
The accelerometer 2 provides constantly an output to the microprocessor 3 according to the deceleration of the vehicle. The microprocessor 3 receives the output from the accelerometer 2 and compares it to a predetermined threshold value corresponding to a deceleration of the vehicle of 0.5 (4.9 m/s2). Higher threshold values may if appropriate be selected as 0.7 G (6.9 m/s2) or 0.8 G (7.8 m/s2). In case of an emergency braking, the accelerometer will provide an output exceeding the threshold value, and the microprocessor 3 provides the brake lights 8 with a pulsed voltage, such as 12 V pulsed on/off at a frequency of 5-10 Hz. When the threshold value is exceeded, a clock is started in the microprocessor measuring the period of time until the output of the accelerometer 2 does not exceed the threshold value anymore. The microprocessor 3 will continue to provide the brake lights 8 with a pulsed voltage for a variable period thereafter, depending on the length of the measured period of time. The variable period may e.g. be 2 seconds plus the measured period of time.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the brake lights 8 will continue to be provided with a pulsed voltage from the microprocessor 3 after the threshold value is no longer exceeded as long as the brake light switch 7 is still activated and for a predetermined period, such as 5 seconds, after the brake light switch 7 is no longer activated.
According to another preferred embodiment, which may be combined with the previous ones, the microprocessor 3 is furthermore arranged to provide the brake lights 8 with a pulsed voltage for a predetermined period, such as 5 seconds, if the brake light switch is activated twice within another predetermined period, such as 2 seconds. Thereby, it is possible for the driver of the vehicle when stopped or driving slowly, to send a warning signal to drives of other vehicles approaching from behind by activating the brake pedal twice. The system may also be used for driver control of the bulbs of the brake lights 8, as the driver may activate the brake pedal twice and get to the back of the vehicle to see if the brake lights are flashing correctly.
The device may furthermore be provided with a signalling device inside the vehicle to provide signals to the driver. The signalling device may e.g. be a warning lamp or a buzzer. In case a reduced current is used by the rear-mounted lights, indicating that one or more bulbs are out of the circuit, e.g. are burned over, the signalling device provides a signal to the driver. The signalling device may also provide a signal to the driver when the flashing of the light is activated and/or a signal when the motor of the vehicle is started, indicating that the device is in function. Furthermore, the device may comprise a self-test function, and it may use the signalling device to produce an error signal to the driver.
The second embodiment of the present invention shown schematically in Fig. 2, in which the rear turn signal lights 11 are flashed by the device 1', which to a large extend is identical to the device 1 described with the first embodiment with reference to Fig. 1. The difference is, that the device 1 ' of the second embodiment does not provide a constant voltage from the third terminal 6' when the brake light switch 7 is closed, as this is not required because the original connection between the brake light switch 7 and the brake lights 8 is not severed 9. In fact, none of the original connections of the vehicle are severed when the device 1' is installed.
The device receives a power supply of 12 V to the first terminal 4 from the electric power supply system of the vehicle, in the present example from the rear lights 12 or parking lights of the vehicle, which are connected by a conductor 13 on the power supply side to reduce the effect on the lights 12 from the power consumption of the device 1'.
The second terminal 5 is connected to the power supply side of the brake light 8 so as to receive a 12 V input when the brake switch 7 is activated.
The third terminal 6' of the device 1' is connected to the power supply side of the rear turn signal lights 11, so that the device 1 ' activates the rear turn signal lights 11, similar to when they are used as hazard lights, when the brake switch 7 is activated so that an input is received on the second terminal 5 and a certain deceleration of the vehicle is detected etc. as disclosed with respect to the first embodiment with reference to Fig. 1.
The accelerometer 2' provides an output to the microprocessor 3' according to the deceleration of the vehicle if the deceleration exceeds a lower activation limit. The output is continuously proportional to the deceleration as opposed to the on/off output from e.g. a mercury switch, so that the magnitude of the deceleration may be determined from the output. The microprocessor 3' receives the output from the accelerometer 2' and compares it to a predetermined threshold value corresponding to a deceleration of the vehicle of 0.6 (5.9 m/s2). Higher or lower threshold values may if appropriate be selected as 0.5 G (4.9 m/s2), 0.7 G (6.9 m/s2) or 0.8 G (7.8 m/s2). In case of an emergency braking, the brake lights 8 are activated and an input is provided at the second terminal 5, the accelerometer will provide an output exceeding the threshold value, and the microprocessor 3' provides the rear turn signal lights 11 with a pulsed voltage, such as 12 V pulsed on/off at a frequency of 5- 10 Hz. When the threshold value is exceeded, an integrator unit is started in the microprocessor 3' summing the product of time and the output of the accelerometer 2' until the output of the accelerometer 2' does not exceed the threshold value anymore. The microprocessor 3' will continue to provide the brake lights 8 with a pulsed voltage for a variable period thereafter, depending on the sum provided by the integrator unit. The variable period may e.g. be 2 seconds plus a predetermined factor multiplied by the calculated sum, e.g. to a total period of 10-30 seconds.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the brake lights 8 will continue to be provided with a pulsed voltage from the microprocessor 3 for about 60 seconds after the threshold value is no longer exceeded as long as the brake light switch 7 is still activated and for a predetermined period, such as 5 seconds, after the brake light switch 7 is no longer activated.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS
1. Device for mounting in a vehicle and activating a rear-mounted light thereof, comprising flash means for providing said rear-mounted light with a pulsed voltage, an accelerometer for measuring a deceleration of the vehicle and producing an output accordingly, control means for receiving said output, comparing the received accelerometer output with a first predetermined threshold value and activating said flash means if the received accelerometer output exceeds said first threshold value.
2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said rear-mounted light is the rear turn signal lights of the vehicle.
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first threshold value corresponds to a deceleration of the vehicle of at least 0.3 G (2.9 m/s2), preferably at least 0.4 G (3.9 9 m/s ), such as at least 0.5 G (4.9 m/s ), and most preferred at least 0.6 G (5.9 m/s ).
4. Device according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the control means comprises means for receiving an input from a brake light switch of the vehicle and the control means is arranged to initiate the activation of the flash means only in case such input is received.
5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control means is arranged to continue to activate the flash means for a predetermined period after the received accelerometer output does not exceed said first threshold value anymore.
6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the control means comprises means for receiving an input from a brake light switch of the vehicle and continue the activation of the flash means for said predetermined period only as long as said input is received from the brake light.
7. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control means comprises means for receiving an input from a brake light switch of the vehicle, and the control means is arranged to continue to activate the flash means for a predetermined period after the control means does not receive an input from the brake light switch anymore.
8. Device according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the control means is arranged to predetermine the length of said period in response to the length of the period in which the received accelerometer output exceeded said first threshold value and/or in response to the extend to which the output from the accelerometer exceeded the first threshold value.
9. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control means compares the received accelerometer output with a second predetermined threshold value and activates said flash means for a predetermined period if the received accelerometer output exceeds said second threshold value.
10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the second threshold value corresponds to a deceleration of the vehicle of at least 1.2 G (11.8 m/s2), preferably at least 1.6 G (15.7 m/s2), such as at least 2.0 G (19.6 m/s2), and most preferred at least 2.5 G (24.5 m/s2).
11. Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a roll sensor measuring the roll angle of the vehicle and producing an output accordingly, wherein the control means comprises means for receiving said roll sensor output, comparing the received roll sensor output with a predetermined roll threshold value and activating said flash means if the received roll sensor output exceeds said roll threshold value.
12. Device according to claim 11, wherein the roll threshold value corresponds to a roll angle of the vehicle of at least 30° to vertical, preferably 45° to vertical and most preferred to at least 60° to vertical.
13. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control means is adapted to receive an input indicative of the activation of the turn signal lights of the vehicle and selectively to flash the relevant turn signal lights a supplementary number of times so that the total number of flashings of the relevant turn signal lights in each series of flashing reaches at least a predefined minimum number of flashings.
14. Device according to claim 13, wherein the predefined number of flashings is 3.
15. Device according to any of the preceding claims further comprising audio signalling means for providing an audible signal to the driver of the vehicle concurrently with said activation of the flash means.
16. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said rear-mounted light is the brake light of the vehicle.
17. Device according to claim 16, wherein the control means comprises means for receiving an input from a brake light switch of the vehicle, and the device comprises means for providing a constant voltage to the rear-mounted light if an input is received from the brake light switch and the received accelerometer output does not exceed said first threshold value.
18. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control means comprises means for receiving an input from a brake light switch of the vehicle, and the control means is arranged to activate the flash means for a first predetermined period, if the control means receives two consecutive input from the brake light switch within a second predetermined period.
19. Device according to any of claims 1-18 for retrofitting in a vehicle, wherein the part accommodating the accelerometer is provided with a clear visual indication to the user of the forward driving direction of the vehicle, so as to ensure correct mounting of the device.
20. Device according to any of claims 1-19 for retrofitting in a vehicle, wherein the device is arranged to be retrofitted without breaking of original existing electrical connections in the vehicle with respect to brake lights and rear turn signal lights.
21. A vehicle having a device according to any of claims 1-20 mounted therein.
PCT/DK2004/000190 2003-03-21 2004-03-22 Brake warning system WO2004082996A1 (en)

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DKPA200300438 2003-03-21
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005108167A1 (en) * 2004-05-11 2005-11-17 Stewart Grant Andrews Vehicle braking warning apparatus
DE102004052661B3 (en) * 2004-10-29 2006-05-18 Audi Ag Motor vehicle, has electronic control unit that operates brake lights with increased brightness when information representing measure for processing traveled lane and turning/tipping of vehicle are indicated during operation of brake pedal
WO2008025082A1 (en) * 2006-09-01 2008-03-06 Mark William Gallon Braking display apparatus
EP2011689A1 (en) * 2006-04-25 2009-01-07 Omron Corporation Stop lamp operation controller
US20170257934A1 (en) * 2016-03-05 2017-09-07 Brian Jon Garvey Wireless signal light systems for vehicles including wireless illuminated gear and clothing
ITUA20163960A1 (en) * 2016-05-31 2017-12-01 Secur Stop S R L S DEVICE FOR ACTIVATION OF MEANS OF LIGHT SIGNALING OF A VEHICLE

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GB2351858A (en) * 1999-07-07 2001-01-10 Robert Keith Jordan Vehicle deceleration indicator
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US4384269A (en) * 1979-12-13 1983-05-17 Carlson Robert W Vehicle acceleration/deceleration warning system having turn signal features
DE3724255A1 (en) * 1987-07-22 1989-02-23 Pedro Rodriguez Partly dynamic brake lights for vehicles
GB2256098A (en) * 1991-05-23 1992-11-25 John Leonard Cutler Active brake warning indicator for motor vehicles
EP0611679A2 (en) * 1993-02-19 1994-08-24 Max Dipl.-Ing. Gerhaher Deceleration warning device
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WO2005108167A1 (en) * 2004-05-11 2005-11-17 Stewart Grant Andrews Vehicle braking warning apparatus
DE102004052661B3 (en) * 2004-10-29 2006-05-18 Audi Ag Motor vehicle, has electronic control unit that operates brake lights with increased brightness when information representing measure for processing traveled lane and turning/tipping of vehicle are indicated during operation of brake pedal
EP2011689A1 (en) * 2006-04-25 2009-01-07 Omron Corporation Stop lamp operation controller
EP2011689A4 (en) * 2006-04-25 2013-11-20 Omron Automotive Electronics Stop lamp operation controller
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ITUA20163960A1 (en) * 2016-05-31 2017-12-01 Secur Stop S R L S DEVICE FOR ACTIVATION OF MEANS OF LIGHT SIGNALING OF A VEHICLE

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