WO2007007927A1

WO2007007927A1 - Assistant light of automobile

Info

Publication number: WO2007007927A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/002399
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gyung-Ju Choi
Original assignee: Yikeon Hitech Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-07-14
Filing date: 2005-07-25
Publication date: 2007-01-18
Also published as: KR100537660B1; CN1997533A

Abstract

An assistant light of an automobile is disclosed. The assistant light of an automobile has an assistant light electrically connected in a case, and a cover coupled in front of the case. The assistant light is operated by a first switch cooperating with a controller to which a U-turn display having a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) inserted into first fixing holes of a printed circuit board is electrically connected. Thereby, the assistant light can inform a following driver of a left or right turn or of a U-turn while a driver waits for a traffic signal, thus preventing traffic accidents, such as head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, etc., caused by unsafe close following distances and resulting traffic jams, and an angle of which can be easily adjusted to give accurate information to the following driver.

Description

ASSISTANT LIGHT OF AUTOMOBILE Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to an assistant light of an automobile and, more particularly, to an assistant light of an automobile, which includes a U-turn signal, a braking display, and an advertising display, capable of displaying a specific advertising statement, which are housed between a case and a cover, and is installed at a left (or right) upper portion of the inner surface of a rear window of an automobile, thereby informing a following driver of a left or right turn or of a U-turn while waiting for a traffic signal, thus preventing traffic accidents, such as head-on collisions, rear- end collisions, etc., occurring due to unsafe close following distances, and the resulting traffic jams, and in which the angle thereof can be easily adjusted to give accurate information to the following driver. Background Art

[2] Generally, an automobile is used as the main moving means capable of quickly moving a long or short distance by rotating wheels using torque generated in the process of drawing a fuel-air mixture, in which a liquid fuel is mixed with air at a proper ratio, into an engine, and then compressing igniting and exhausting the drawn fuel-air mixture.

[3] The automobile is provided with various safety systems such as a clutch, a transmission, a steering system, a lighting system, and the like, so as to permit comfortable and safe driving. In particular, the lighting system is mounted with signal lights informing a following driver of the operational state and traveling direction of the automobile. The signal lights include a brake light, indicating a decelerating or stopped state of the automobile, a turn signal and a reverse light, indicating an intended travel direction, and a small light.

[4] However, these signal lights merely indicate whether the brake is applied, or simple intended travel directions, such as a left turn and a right turn, but they cannot signal a U-turn, in which a 180 degree turn is made in order to reverse the travel direction. The latter is responsible for accidents such as head-on collisions or rear-end collisions due to the close following distance when a left-turning or right-turning automobile and a U-turning automobile simultaneously receive a signal to move. This causes traffic jams and further harm to people and property.

[5] In order to solve this problem, a U-turn indicator was proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei7-257274 (October 9, 1999). The proposed U- turn indicator is installed around a turn signal, and particularly an indicator light, and is partitioned from the turn signal by means of a partition. Thereby, a clear distinction between the U-turn indicator and the turn signal can be easily made, so that a U- turning automobile is clearly recognized by the preceding or following driver or by pedestrians, thereby enabling smooth U-turns. However, the U-turn indicator is not balanced with a right turn signal, thereby obstructing the field of view of the following driver. In addition, a single space is divided into two ones, so that the visibility thereof is insufficient. Further, if either one of the U-turn indcator and the turn signal is out of order, both of them should be exchanged, which incurs addition expense.

[6] Another U-turn indcator for a vehicle is proposed in Korean Unexamined Patent

Publication No. 2003-87678 (November 15, 2003). The proposed U-turn indcator includes light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are dsposed in a lengthwise drection, and a flexible pad that is applied with an adhesive and attached to the inside or outside of the vehicle. Thereby, the U-turn indcator informs the drivers of other vehicles or pedestrians that the vehicle is about to make a U-turn in advance, before the vehicle makes the U-turn, so that it is possible to prevent accidents. When the U-turn indcator is attached to the outside of the vehicle, the light-emitting effect is reduced by dust or rainwater, and the adhesive force is weakened, thus the pad is separated from the outside of the vehicle upon repeated washing. In contrast, when attached on the inside of the vehicle, the U-turn indcator can be prevented from contamination by dust or rainwater, but a rear defroster for preventing frost is shorted to efficiently remove the frost, which reduces the rear view, thereby increasing the possibility of an accident. In the vehicle, particularly an automobile, the rear window is at an angle of about 45 degrees, so that light emitted from the LEDs is oriented towards the atmosphere rather than towards the following driver.

[7] Meanwhile, a U-turn signal for a vehicle was proposed in Korean Utility Model

Registration No. 20-253660 (November 16, 2001). The proposed U-turn signal is constructed to be turned on and off by an on-off relay that co-operates with a U-turn signal switch attached to the turn signal lever of a steering column, U-turn signals of the front, rear, and side of the vehicle, and a dashboard U-turn signal. Here, the U-turn signal switch is already used as a windshield washer injector switch, and thus it is dfficult to apply to vehicles. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[8] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an assistant light of an automobile, capable of informing a following driver of a left or right turn or of a U-turn while waiting for a traffic signal, thus preventing traffic accidents, such as head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, etc., generated due to unsafe close following distances, and resulting traffic jams, and in which the angle thereof can be easily adjusted to give accurate information to the following driver. Technical Solution

[9] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an assistant light of an automobile, in which an assistant light 1 is electrically connected in a case 2, and a cover 3 is coupled to the front of the case 2. The assistant light 1 is operated by a first switch 14 cooperating with a controller 13 to which a U-turn display 12 having a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 121 inserted into first fixing holes 111 of a printed circuit board 11 is electrically connected.

[10] Further, a second switch 15 is connected to a brake display 15 having a set of second LEDs 151 inserted into a set of second fixing holes 112 at a lower portion of the U-turn display 12. A set of third LEDs 161 inserted into a set of third fixing holes 113 below the brake display 15 is connected with a third switch 16. An advertising display 31 is formed on a lower end coupled to the front of the third LED set 161.

[11] Further, the case 2 has an open side and is formed with stepped positioning protrusions 21 on an inner surface common to corners thereof so as to allow the positioning protrusions 21 to be inserted into first positioning holes 19 formed in the printed circuit board 11. The case 2 is formed in the middle of an upper side thereof with a first connector member 22 that includes a convex part 222 having a first hinge hole 221. A fixed plate 5 is formed at the center of a lower surface thereof with a second connector member 51 that includes a concave part 512 having a second hinge hole 511 so as to allow the first and second connector members 22 and 51 to be coupled by a hinge bolt 52 and nut 53. An adhesive member 54 having a predetermined thickness is attached on the top surface of the fixed plate 5.

[12] In addition, the cover 3 is formed of transparent acrylic plastic, and has an end face

32 that is in contact with the inner surface of the case 2, and an edge 33 that is placed on a step 23 formed along the open circumference of the case 2. Corners of the cover 3 which are opposite positioning protrusions 21 formed in the case 2 are formed with bosses 34, each of which has a fixing recess 341 and is fastened by a screw 7 inserted into the center of each positioning protrusion 21.

[13] Meanwhile, a protection panel 4 is interposed between the printed circuit board 11 and the cover 3, and is formed with first, second and third exposure holes 41, 42 and 43 correspondng to the first, second and third fixing holes 111, 112 and 113 formed in the printed circuit board 11, respectively, so as to allow the first, second and third LEDs 121, 151 and 161 to be exposed. The protection panel 4 is formed with second positioning protrusions 46 at the corners thereof, a first partition member 44 between the first exposure holes 41 and the second exposure holes 42 in a horizontal direction, and a second partition member 45 between the second exposure holes 42 and the third exposure holes 43 in a horizontal drection.

[14] Further, the first switch 14 causes a battery B to power on or off the controller 13.

The controller 13 outputs a programmed signal accordng to a signal from the first switch 14. The U-turn dsplay 12 has a reverse U shape and is turned on and off accordng to the output signal of the controller 13. The printed circuit board 11 is provided on a rear surface thereof with a U-turn sign LED 122, connected in parallel to the first LED set 121, and a brake sign LED 152 connected to a second switch 15. The case 2 is formed with first and second LED holes 241 and 242, each of which is exposed outside. A spiral covering member 6 is wound around first and second connector members 22 and 51 coupled by a hinge bolt 52 and nut 53. Advantageous Effects

[ 15] Accordng to the present invention, the assistant light of an automobile includes a

U-turn signal, a braking dsplay, and an advertising dsplay, capable of dsplaying a specific advertising statement, which are housed between a case and a cover, and is installed at a left (or right) upper portion of the inner surface of the rear window of an automobile, so that it can inform a following driver of a left or right turn or of a U-turn while waiting for a traffic signal, prevent traffic accidents, such as head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, etc., generated due to unsafe close following dstances, and prevent traffic jams.

[16] Further, the angle thereof can be easily adjusted to give accurate information to the following driver. Brief Description of the Drawings

[17] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an assistant light of an automobile accordng to the present invention; [18] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an assistant light of an automobile according to the present invention; [19] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating an assistant light of an automobile according to the present invention; [20] FIG. 4 is a longitudnal sectional view illustrating the installed state of an assistant light of an automobile according to the present invention; [21] HG. 5 is a circuit diagram of an assistant light of an automobile according to the present invention; [22] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the state where an assistant light of an automobile according to the present invention is installed in a rear windaw; [23] FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating the state where an assistant light of an automobile according to the present invention is installed in an automobile; and [24] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the first switch in a mounted state connected to an assistant light of an automobile according to the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [25] Reference should now be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the afferent drawings to designate the same or similar components. [26] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, an assistant light of an automobile according to the present invention is composed of an assistant light 1, a case 2, a cover 3, a protection panel 4, and a fixed plate 5. [27] Here, the assistant light 1 is installed in the case 2 so as to provide following drivers with accurate information on the direction of travel, i.e. a left turn or right turn, of an automobile waiting for a traffic signal so as to enable the following driver to observe a safe driving distance, thereby preventing accidents. Further, the assistant light 1 is constructed to serve to make application of the brake known, and to obtain a desired advertising effect. [28] To this end, the assistant light 1 is so designed that a U-turn display 12, having a set of first light emitting diodes (LEDs) 121 fitted into first fixing holes 111 of a printed circuit board 11, is selectively operated by a first switch 14 that is electrically connected to a controller 13. [29] The first switch 14 allows the battery B to power on or off the controller 13 for the subsequent operation. The controller 13 outputs an internally programmed signal for a predetermined time (i.e. a U-turn standby time) according to a first signal of the first switch 14, thereby causing the first LED set 121 of the U-turn display 12 to be turned on and off.

[30] The first switch 14 is preferably attached to a dashboard 9, particularly at the left side of a steering wheel 91 which is a position at which a driver can easily operate the first switch 14.

[31] Further, the rear surface of the printed circuit board 11 is provided with a U-turn sign LED 122, which is connected in parallel to the first LED set 121. The U-turn sign LED 122 is adapted such that the driver can observe the light, which is emitted from the U-turn sign LED 122 through a first LED hole 241 formed in the case 2, by means of a rearview mirror.

[32] The U-turn display 12 is formed therebelow with a set of second fixing holes 112 having a predetermined diameter, into which a set of second LEDs 151 for a brake dsplay 15 is inserted. Terminals of the second LED set 151 inserted into the second fixing hole set 112 are connected with a second switch 15. Preferably, the second switch 15 is electrically connected to opposite terminals of an existing switch connected with the brake light.

[33] Also, the U-turn dsplay 12 is constructed such that the first LED set 121 is arranged in a reverse U shape and is turned on and off in response to a signal from the controller 13. Thereby, the following driver can easily recognize the U-turn dsplay 12. The first LED set 121 can be used regardless of whether the color is a red color, a yellow color, a blue color, or some other color.

[34] The brake dsplay 15 is formed therebelow with a set of third fixing holes 113, into which a set of third LEDs 161 is inserted. Terminals of the third LED set 161 are connected with a third switch 16, so that the third LED set 161 can be selectively turned on and off.

[35] Further, the cover 3 coupled in front of the third LED set 161 is formed on a lower end thereof with an advertising dsplay 31, which is dvided into an opaque layer 311 and a transparent layer 312. Thereby, specific letters, symbols, and pictures can be dsplayed well using light emitted from the third LED set 161.

[36] The rear surface of the printed circuit board 11 is provided with the U-turn sign

LED 122 connected in parallel to the first LED set 121, and a brake sign LED 152 connected to the second switch 15. The case 2 is formed with the first LED hole 241 and a second LED hole 242, through which the light of the U-turn sign LED 122 and the light of the brake sign LED 152 are emitted to the outside.

[37] In the present invention, the third switch 16 is used to selectively turn on and off the third LED set 161. Alternatively, a thin film functioning to block light may be provided inside the cover, and may then be connected with the steering wheel remote from the cover. In this case, the thin film is pulled out a predetermined length according to the rotation of the steering wheel, thereby preventing the light of the third LED set 161 from being emitted to the outside through the transparent layer 312. Further, the opaque layer 311 and the transparent layer 312 may be provided on the lower end of the cover 3, and then a thin film having an image or letter, or an image- free firm may be adhered outside the cover.

[38] The case 2 serves to stably protect the printed circuit board 11 and to easily adjust the slope thereof in a state where it is installed to the rear window of the automobile.

[39] To this end, the case 2 has the shape of a quadrangular box, only the front side of which is open, and is formed with stepped positioning protrusions 21 on an inner surface common to corners thereof so as to allow the positioning protrusions 21 to be inserted into first positioning holes 19 formed at corners of the printed circuit board 11. Thereby, the printed circuit board 11 is spaced apart from an inner surface of the case 2 at a fixed interval, and the protection panel 4 coupled to the front of the printed circuit board 11 is also spaced apart from the inner surface of the case 2 at a fixed interval.

[40] Further, the center of each positioning protrusion 21 is drilled with a hole having a predetermined dameter, so that the positioning protrusions 21 are firmly coupled with the cover 3 by means of screws 7 inserted from rear to front.

[41] In the present invention, the case 2 has a quadrangular box shape. Alternatively, the case 2 may have any shape, such as a circular or elliptical shape, as long as the printed circuit board 11 can be coupled in the case 2 at a given position.

[42] Meanwhile, in order to fix the case 2 to the rear window 8, the case 2 is formed with a first connector member 22 in the middle of an upper side thereof wherein the first connector member 22 includes a convex part 222 having a first hinge hole 221, The fixed plate 5 is formed with a second connector member 51 at the center of the lower surface thereof, wherein the second connector member 51 includes a concave part 512 having a second hinge hole 511. Accordingly, the first and second connector members 22 and 51 are coupled using a hinge bolt 52 and nut 53.

[43] Further, an adhesive member 54 having a predetermined thickness is attached to the top surface of the fixed plate 5, thereby being easily attached on the inner surface of the rear window 8.

[44] In the present invention, the first and second connector members 22 and 51 are constructed to have a quadrangular shape and a predetermined length. If they are constructed to be retractile, the assistant light can be easily installed in a van, a bus, etc. in addition to a sedan.

[45] Further, a covering member 6 having a spiral shape is wound around the first and second connector members 22 and 51 coupled by the hinge bolt 52 and nut 53, thereby preventing a cable from being exposed to the outside, and providing a beautiful appearance.

[46] The cover 3 serves to prevent external foreign materials such as dust from entering inside and being deposited on the printed circuit board 11 and the LEDs, thereby preventing the brightness of the LEDs from being reduced. Simultaneously, the cover 3 serves to prevent damage, and exert a desired advertising effect.

[47] To this end, the cover 3 is formed of transparent acrylic plastic, and has an end face

32 that is in contact with an inner surface of the case 2 and an edge 33 that is placed on a step 23 formed along the open circumference of the case 2.

[48] Further, the corners of the cover 3, which are opposite the positioning protrusions

21 of the case 2, are formed with bosses 34, each of which has a fixing recess 341 and is fastened by the screw 7 inserted into the center of each positioning protrusion 21.

[49] The protection panel 4 is interposed between the printed circuit board 11 and the cover 3, and is formed with first, second and third exposure holes 41, 42 and 43 corresponding to the first, second and third fixing holes 111, 112 and 113 of the printed circuit board 11, respectively. Thereby, the first, second and third LEDs 121, 151 and 161 are partially exposed to a predetermined length.

[50] Further, the protection panel 4 is formed with second positioning protrusions 46 at the corners thereof, a first partition member 44 between the first exposure holes 41 and the second exposure holes 42 in a horizontal direction, and a second partition member 45 between the second exposure holes 42 and the third exposure holes 43 in a horizontal direction, so that the U-turn display 12, the brake dsplay 15, and the advertising display 31 are partitioned to prevent interference therebetween.

[51] Meanwhile, in order to apply power from the outside, the assistant light 1 interposed in the space defined by the case 2 and the cover 3 is connected to one end of a cable (power line) having a predetermined length, and the other end of the cable is connected to terminals of the battery B via the first switch 14. A separate power line is connected to terminals of the second and third switches 152 and 16, which selectively power on and off the brake dsplay 15 and the third LED set 161. In order to efficiently preserve, manage and install these power lines, a connector can be used.

[52] In order to install the assistant light of an automobile as described above, first, the power lines exposed outside the case 2 are arranged on one side, and then a release paper is separated from the adhesive member 54 attached on the top surface of the fixed plate 5. Subsequently, foreign materials are removed from the surface of the rear winαbw 8, and the adhesive member 54 is pressed onto the surface of the rear window 8.

[53] Next, a molding fitted into the pillar of the automobile is separated, and then the power lines are inserted into the pillar, and laid toward the instrument panel along the edge of the bottom of the automobile. Then, the first switch 14 is attached to the dashboard. The power lines are connected to the first and second switches 14 and 15.

[54] Subsequently, in order to adjust the angle of the case 2, the hinge bolt 52 is loosened using a tool such as a screwdriver. Then, the case 2 is slanted at a predetermined angle, and the hinge bolt 52 is tightened. The power lines exposed outside the first and second connector members 22 and 51 are covered by the covering member 6, which has a spiral shape. Thereby, the installation is completed.

[55] In this state, when the brake pedal is applied, the second switch 152, moving in unison with the brake pedal, is switched on, and thus the second LED set 151 of the brake display 15 is turned on. Thereby, it can be seen from outside that the brake pedal is currently being applied.

[56] Meanwhile, in order to make a U-turn, the first switch 14 is switched on, and the resulting signal is applied to the controller 13. Thus, the controller 13 recognizes that the driver has switched on the first switch 14 in order to make a U-turn, and then outputs output signals to the first LED set 121 in the programmed sequence. Thereby, the first LED set 121 is turned on and off at predetermined periods. Hence, the following drivers or pedestrians recognize that the blinking automobile intends to make a U-turn. Further, when the opposite lane is too narrow, the driver ensures additional spacing from the preceding vehicle, so that a U-turn can be smoothly conducted and accidents can be prevented.

[57] At this time, once the first switch 14 has sent the signal to the controller 13, it is switched off. The driver can easily perform the next operation. After the U-turn is complete, that is, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the controller 13 automatically intercepts its output signals, and thus the first LED set 121 is turned off.

[58] In the present invention, the first LED set 121 is turned off according to a signal from the controller 13. Alternatively, the first switch 14 may be pushed again, and thereby the first LED set 121 may be turned off.

Claims

[1] An assistant light of an automobile having multiple functions, the assistant light comprising: an assistant light (1) electrically connected in a case (2); and a cover (3) coupled to a front of the case (2), wherein the assistant light (1) is operated by a first switch (14), cooperating with a controller (13) to which a U-turn display (12) having a set of light emitting dodes (LEDs) (121) inserted into first fixing holes (111) of a printed circuit board (11) is electrically connected.

[2] The assistant light according to claim 1, wherein: a second switch (15) is connected to a brake dsplay (15) having a set of second LEDs (151) inserted into a set of second fixing holes (112) at a lower portion of the U-turn dsplay (12); a set of third LEDs (161) inserted into a set of third fixing holes (113) below the brake dsplay (15) is connected with a third switch (16); and an advertising dsplay (31) is formed on a lower end coupled in front of the third LED set (161).

[3] The assistant light accordng to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the case (2) has an open side and is formed with stepped positioning protrusions (21) on an inner surface common to corners thereof so as to allow the positioning protrusions (21) to be inserted into first positioning holes (19) formed in the printed circuit board (11); the case (2) is formed, in the middle of an upper side thereof, with a first connector member (22) that includes a convex part (222) having a first hinge hole (221); a fixed plate (5) is formed, at the center of a lower surface thereof, with a second connector member (51) that includes a concave part (512) having a second hinge hole (511) so as to allow the first and second connector members (22 and 51) to be coupled using a hinge bolt (52) and a nut (53); and an adhesive member (54) having a predetermined thickness is attached on a top surface of the fixed plate (5).

[4] The assistant light accordng to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the cover (3) is formed of transparent acrylic plastiς and has an end face (32) that is in contact with an inner surface of the case (2) and an edge (33) that is placed on a step (23) formed along an open circumference of the case (2); and corners of the cover (3), which are opposite positioning protrusions (21) formed in the case (2), are formed with bosses (34), each of which has a fixing recess (341) and is fastened by a screw (7) inserted into the center of each positioning protrusion (21).

[5] The assistant light according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: a protection panel (4) is interposed between the printed circuit board (11) and the cover (3), and is formed with first, second and third exposure holes (41, 42 and 43) correspondng to the first, second and third fixing holes (111, 112 and 113) formed in the printed circuit board (11), respectively, so as to allow the first, second and third LEDs (121, 151 and 161) to be exposed; the protection panel (4) is formed with second positioning protrusions (46) at the corners thereof, a first partition member (44) between the first exposure holes (41) and the second exposure holes (42) in a horizontal drection, and a second partition member (45) between the second exposure holes (42) and the third exposure holes (43) in a horizontal drection.

[6] The assistant light accordng to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the first switch (14) causes a battery (B) to power on or off the controller (13); the controller (13) outputs a programmed signal in response to a signal from the first switch (14); the U-turn dsplay (12) has a reverse U shape and is turned on and off in response to the output signal from the controller (13); the printed circuit board (11) is provided on a rear surface thereof with a U-turn sign LED (122), connected in parallel to the first LED set (121), and with a brake sign LED (152), connected to a second switch (15); the case (2) is formed with first and second LED holes (241 and 242), each of which is exposed outside; and a spiral covering member (6) is wound around first and second connector members (22 and 51) coupled by a hinge bolt (52) and nut (53).