WO2011161634A1 - Light signaling device for underwater diving, in particular sport underwater diving - Google Patents

Abstract

A light signalling device (60) adapted for use in diving including an autonomous electric supply module (62; 72; 82), in particular including batteries, housed in a water-tight container and a lighting module (64; 74; 84) in an electric supplying relationship with said electric supply module (62; 82). According to the invention said lighting module (64; 74; 84) includes a plurality of lighting elements (20), in particular LEDs, arranged on an elongated support structure (24), according to a light band or stripe arrangement (64; 74; 84), in particular suitable for identifying a specific direction.

Description

"Light signalling device for underwater diving, in particular sport underwater diving"

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The present description refers to a light signalling device adapted for use in diving, in particular sport diving, comprising an autonomous electric supply module, in particular comprising batteries, housed in a water-tight container and a lighting module in an electric supplying relationship with the electric supply module.

When scuba diving, both diurnally and nocturnally, both in the sea and in lakes it is necessary that divers return to the starting point at the end of the respective submersion time. Such starting point is generally represented by lengths of metal chain and cables, that go from the bottom where the anchor lies up to the surface towards the boat .

This is particularly important for example, when diving on shoals, during which the divers descend to the immersion point following the rope, which is initially constituted of cables and ends with lengths of chain and finally the anchor.

Due to the depth, to suspended mud and sand and to the fact that with increasing depth colours are attenuated and tend to darken, it is often very difficult for divers to identify both the chain and ascent cable, even from a short distance, because they are substantially not visible.

Diving lights in general are known that constitute a lighting module potentially associable to the ascent cable, but that are generally in the form of battery powered lamps that tend to provide a light signal in the form of a light beam, for example similar to that of a flashlight, poorly adapted to identify the orientation of the cable and to allow it to be seen from different positions or distances from the ascent cable.

The present invention has the object of providing a light signalling device adapted to use in diving that solves the disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the present invention, such object is achieved by means of a light signalling device having the features specifically recalled in the claims that follow. The present invention regards also the use in diving, in particular in sport diving, of such a light signalling device.

The light signalling device according to the invention comprises in particular a plurality of lighting elements, an electric supply module housed in a water-tight container and an electronic control module to control lighting states of said lighting elements, the lighting elements being arranged on an elongated supporting structure in a manner suitable for identifying a specific direction .

The features indicated above allow the light signalling device to generate a light reference visible from a greater distance to identify the ascent cord.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be clear from the descriptions that follow, made with reference to the annexed drawings, provided by way of non-limiting example only, in which:

- figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the light signalling device according to the invention in a configuration for use;

- figure 2 is a schematic representation of the light signalling device according to the invention;

- figure 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of the light signalling device according to the invention ;

- figure 4 is a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the light signalling device according to the invention;

- figure 5 shows a variant of the embodiment in figure 4;

- figure 6 is a circuit diagram of a detail of the light signalling device in figure 4.

Briefly, the proposed light signalling device envisions to provide an autonomously supplied light band that produces a light signal extending mainly in one direction or that identifies an established direction, in particular a direction orientable vertically for indicating the location of the surfacing cable and the direction of the bottom and the surface.

For this purpose, in figure 1 a surface of a sheet of water, in particular of a sea, is indicated with 50, while 52 indicates the bottom, in particular a sea floor. From a vessel 55, that serves as a support boat for scuba divings, an ascent cable or rope 56 is lowered into the water, on the end of which is an anchor 53 that lies on the bottom 52. Part or all of the ascent rope 56 can be an anchor chain. References 54 and 54' indicate divers near the bottom 52 respectively at a greater or lesser depth, in the vicinity of the ascent rope 56. At a point along the rope 56, for example a point a few meters from the bottom 52, a light signalling device 60 is attached to the ascent rope 56 for example by means of a carabiner. Alternatively, other attachment means suitable for attachment to the rope 56 can be used, such as a Velcro strip or a spring clamp to grasp the ascent rope 56. Such light signalling device 60 comprises a battery module 62, i.e., an autonomous electric supply module, connected to supply a light stripe 64, i.e., an arrangement of lighting elements, specifically of light emitting diodes LEDs, that identify a specific direction by means of an elongated light pattern. In particular, the lighting elements are arranged in a row or rank on the light stripe 64 on a support having the form of a flattened ribbon, so to form a lighting module comprising a plurality of lighting elements, in particular LEDs, arranged on an elongated support structure, according to an arrangement of the light band or stripe type suitable for identifying a specific direction, in particular the longitudinal direction of the ribbon. Therefore, preferably the support has a substantially rectangular shape with a length that is at least ten times its width.

The light stripe 64, since it extends in a direction for a considerable length, for example it is a ribbon 5 metres in length and about 10 mm in width, offers divers that are near the bottom and possibly behind rocky obstacles, such as the divers indicated with 54 in figure 1, the possibility of identifying the ascent rope 56, because the stripe offers a wide viewing angle, indicated with A in figure 1, of the device 60, an angle considerably wider than that provided, for example by a point light source.

The extension in length of the device 60 also offers to the divers 54', who are at a shallower depth because they have begun the phase of ascending from the bottom to limit their decompression minutes that can be accumulated, the possibility of returning to the rope 56 by seeing the light stripe 60, which, otherwise, they would hardly identify because, being them distant from the bottom, they would not be able to follow any other reference points such as traces of rocks or signs on the bottom.

In figure 2 is shown in a plan view such light stripe 64, which is preferably composed of lighting segments 16, where a lighting segment 16 is shown in plan view. The lighting segments 16 are connected together electrically and mechanically to form a light band 64. Such lighting segment 16 comprises, as a support, a segment of flat 24, which is flexible and which has contacts 40 at its two ends to allow interconnection with other lighting segments 16. The contacts 40 are copper traces, preferably formed continuously in the production phase and then segmented, making elongated supporting structures of 5 metres that that can be segmented every 10 cm. Since the junctions between the contacts are made of copper traces, they are preferably connected by soldering and by using flexible mini flat packages in order not to stiffen the structure.

The lighting segment 16 has for example a length L of 100 cm and comprises, in the shown example arranged with a periodic step P, for example 16,54 mm, LEDs 20 in particular RGB LEDs. The lighting segment 16 in figure 2 comprises in particular three LEDs 20 arranged with a step P on the flat 24, as said, for example of 33 mm, as well as a microcontroller 23 that commands the lighting state of such LEDs 20. The group of LEDs 20 preferably have a series resistor to limit the current, not shown in figure 2. In the example described the flat. 24 has a thickness of 0.2 mm, while the LEDs 20 have an overall height of 2 mm including the thickness of the elongated support structure. The width of the flat 24 is 10 mm.

Figure 3 shows a circuit diagram of the segments 16 of the light band 64, connected to the supply module 62. Such module 62 comprises substantially a battery pack and, in the embodiment shown, an electronic control module 67, for example a module comprising a microcontroller or a microprocessor, capable of driving the light band 64, to which it is connected by means of a four- pole cable 68, for example having a length of 1.5 metres. Such cable 68 is preferably a spiral cable, but can also be flat. Such electronic control module 67 comprises at least one microprocessor or microcontroller or a programmable logic controller and is configurable for example for controlling variations of colour, various types of lighting effects to indicate the various dive phases to the divers, such as the maximum time on the bottom, point of resurfacing or air reserve.

In figure 3 a wireless modem 65 is also shown, that is located on the boat 55, as can be seen from figure 1, preferably an acoustic modem, in particular ultrasonic, for communicating with the electronic control module 67, which comprises a corresponding ultrasonic sensor not shown in figure 3 for interfacing with said modem 65 so to allow sending of signals from the boat 55 to the divers 54 or 54' . For example from the boat 55 on the surface the light band can be commanded to change colour or blink in an established way to signal for example an emergency due to a sudden change of weather and sea conditions. In this way, these signals allow the divers to be informed to interrupt their dive and start the ascent phase. Naturally, the ultrasonic modem 65 could also be interfaced, for example by means of radio waves, with remote stations or networks, in particular on land .

The supply module 62 supplies continuous voltage at 12 V and the signals sent for the LEDs 20. Naturally, the supply voltage can vary according to the LEDs used in the construction phase, for example from 6 to 24 V. Thus four wires depart from the supply module 64, two supply wires, positive 41 and negative 41', and two signal wires 42. The supply wires 41 and 41' bring the voltage at 12V to the supply inputs of the first microcontroller 23 of the first segment 16, while the signal wires 42 go to the respective signal inputs. The microcontroller 23 thus comprises a plurality of output pins or clamps to drive the LEDs 20 connected to it, according to commands received on the signal lines 42. The microcontroller 23 envisions also four output pins to resend the supply voltage and signals in cascade to the next microcontroller 23, or, for example, the output of signal 42 of the preceding microcontroller 23 coincides with the signal input 42 of the subsequent microcontroller 23. It is optionally envisioned to insert into one or more of the segments 16 that compose a light band 64 a continuous amplifier that receives the supply voltage at 12 V directly from the supply module 62, through appropriate wiring, to restore the supply voltage .

Figure 4 shows a further embodiment 70 of the device according to the invention that comprises a light band 74 that envisions the use of only LEDs 20 arranged on the flat 24, without the use of microprocessors 23. In figure 4, such light band 74 is shown associated to a battery module 72 through a cable 78 that comprises two channels 71a and 71b, corresponding in the figure to positive^' supply lines, and a reference 71', in the figure a negative supply line. Naturally, reference 71 can also be a ground reference.

The battery module 72 corresponds substantially to battery module 62, but comprises also a partialising module 69, for example a driven or controllable switch such as a MOFSET switch that controls channels 71a and 71b, i.e., their power states, under the command of the electronic module 67.

With reference to the example circuit diagram in figure 6, the LEDs 20 are connected, along the length of the light band 74, to the two distinct supply channels 71a and 71b in an alternating manner and the partialising device 69, which is a driven switch or commutator, is able to activate the two channels 71a and 71b for supplying simultaneously or selectively the corresponding LEDs 20 distinguished in figure 6 as LEDs 20a or 20b, according to the channel to which they are connected .

This mode allows the entire length of the light band 74 to be illuminated when only one channel 71a or 71b is supplied, thereby maintaining the characteristic of easy visibility and direction. In fact the overall length of the light signal provided by the light band 74 is substantially maintained, even if only one supply channel is used .

Figure 5 shows a variant embodiment 80 of the device in figure 4, that uses a light band 84 in which the partialising module 69 is located on the light band itself. In this embodiment, a battery pack 82 which does not comprise control electronics but provides the 12 V supply by means of a two- conductor cable 88 is used. The partialising module 69 is associated to a microcontroller, not shown, configured for measuring the state or level of the battery, through the cable 88, for operating on two channels 71a and 71b as shown in figure 6.

As was mentioned, the electronic control module 67, can be integrated or not with the partialising module 69, can be located in the battery pack or on the light band, or also in another position allowed by the electrical connections required.

The light band 84 can comprise one or more partialising modules 69 arranged in various points for interrupting the connection to specific LEDs 20 or sets of LEDs under the command of said electronic control module 67. Therefore it is possible to interconnect the LEDs 20 differently, with respect to what is shown in figure 6, for example, placing a certain number of consecutive LEDs on one channel starting from the cable 88, for example half of the LEDs 20, and connecting the remaining half of the LEDs in the extremity of the band 84 to the other channel, thus switching off one or the other channel when the microprocessor detects a charge state below a given threshold value. Naturally, it is also possible to have more than two supply channels or lines. Having more channels allows different strategies to be adopted for controlling switch-off states that envision to switch off the LEDs according to a different periodicity with the passing of different charge thresholds .

The light strip or band 60 comprises LEDs 20 of the RGB type capable of producing a multitude of colours. As is shown in figure 3, the LEDs are preferably cascade connected using supply and control lines capable of selectively activating all of the LEDs or subgroups of them. For this purpose, also the partialising functions described for example with reference to figure 6, can naturally be implemented in the light signalling device 60 in figure 2. The electronic control module 67, by means of a microcontroller capable of verifying the battery charge status and upon reaching a determined residual charge threshold in the battery, envisions the activation of different groups of LEDs 20 by means of the microprocessors 23. The electronic control module 67 can adopt a strategy for selecting the groups of LEDs switched on or switched off, as in figure 6, alternately leaving turned on LEDs 20a and 20b to always have a light signal of approximately the same length and so that the LEDs 20 that are switched on always maintain maximum light intensity. Given the addressability of the LEDs 20 in the light band 64, strategies are naturally also possible in which consecutive segments of the LEDs are switched off. The number of LEDs switched on, in particular at maximum intensity, can be set greater or lesser according to the desired duration of the battery pack .

Thus, the electronic control module 67 is configured for sending command signals to the LEDs 20 for commanding signalling states pertaining to different spatial and/or temporal and/or chromatic light signalling distributions, for example stroboscopic type effects, but can also be configured for commanding signalling states that regulate switch-on/switch-off states or light intensity of the plurality of LEDs 20, in particular as a function of the charge state of the supply module 62.

The electronic control module 67 that manages the discharge of the battery and comprises the portion of the electronic control for managing colours and lighting effects such as for example stroboscopic effects can be inserted inside the supply module 62, as shown in figure 3, but alternatively can be mounted directly on the band 64 or 74.

In various embodiments the light band 64, 74 or 84 can be envisioned as having the LEDs 20 arranged on both sides of the elongated support structure. In other variants such band 64, 74 or 84, given its characteristic of flexibility, can be folded in half forming a light stripe on two faces so to provide a wide visible range to the LEDs 20. Such LEDs 20 are preferably chosen with an emission angle for example comprised between 120 and 160 degrees .

The light signalling device 60, 70 or 80 can also be used in alternative applications, for example to provide a personal lighting system to be placed on a diving tank to improve the visibility of divers both during nocturnal dives and in case of scarce visibility.

The device can have the same dimension as shown in figures 3 or 4 , or can comprise a shorter light band, for example of 30 or more cm, to be placed as a circular collar around the tank, which serves as a support for placement of the elongated support structure, preferably using a Velcro strip or elastic or similar as fastening means. Also in this case, the supply module can comprise the control electronics for generating for example stroboscopic effects and for partialising the number of LEDs 20 switched on with increasing discharge of the battery.

The supply module 62 is housed in a watertight container of metal or plastic material capable of sustaining pressure of at least 10 atmospheres, comprising for safety reasons an overpressure discharge valve to avoid explosion of such container in case of gas formation inside. The formation of gas due to the batteries contained inside must be constantly monitored by such overpressure discharge valve, because according to the Boyle-Mariotte Law, gas that forms at a certain depth tends to expand greatly when ascending or decreasing depth, causing an explosion of the container itself. Therefore the valve serves to balance the external pressure and internal pressure so to keep the entire system in pressure equilibrium. In general, sealed battery packs 62 with pressure equalisation characteristics are available on the market, for example the NiMH battery packs marketed for lighting products from the Scubatica company can be used.

To form the cables, for example 68, the light band 64, 74 or 84 can advantageously comprise a flexible windable connecting plate that provides the diver with easy installation and above all simple removal allowing the wound stripe to be stowed in a buoyancy compensation jacket. The spiral wound electrical cable, limited also to a length of about 10-20 cm, can favour installation by providing a certain elasticity for facilitating insertion in the pocket of the buoyancy compensation jacket, guaranteeing a certain lengthening of the cable if needed, as well as having auto winding characteristics.

Since, for example at 40 metres there is a pressure of 5 atmospheres, corresponding to a weight of 5 kg per cm², to insure that the electronic components used on the light band 64, 74 or 84 can be made impermeable and above all protected from crushing by the water pressure, the light band is included, preferably completely, in an insulating material that is transparent with respect to the wavelength of the LEDs, but at the same time very elastic and resistant to superficial pressure, for example preferably a resin used for the protection of printed circuits or equivalent material. Preferably the use of epoxy resins having a resistance to compression comprised between 12 and 22 Kg/mm² is envisioned.

The flat 24 that serves as the support structure is preferably inserted in a transparent plastic tube, preferably a water-tight flexible sheath with a rectangular section. The plastic material is for example silicone. The sheath has for example a width of about 13 mm and a height of at least 2 mm to house the supporting flat 24. According to a preferred version, such flexible rectangular sheath comprises the flat 24 and is filled with resin. In other words, the flat 24 with the components that it carries is included in the resin so to eliminate any airspace, to guarantee complete impermeability and to confer to the electronic components the mechanical characteristics of resistance to crushing due to water pressure. According to variant embodiments it is also possible to coat the supporting flat 24 with resin alone, which functions in this case as the cover or sheath.

Thus, the advantages of the invention are clear from the preceding description.

The light signalling device according to the invention advantageously provides a variable length system that is flexible, resistant to steep depths and suitable to be applied a few metres from the sea floor on the ascent rope so as to signal, even at a distance of several meters, the resurfacing point to the divers, being it visible by means of its elongated form.

Advantageously, the stripe or band shape also results in an arrangement of the lighting elements that identifies a direction and provides a lighted indication extending in that direction that is easier to see; moreover, such shape can be adopted to indicate the position of the seafloor or of the anchor .

Advantageously, the stripe or band shape makes the device easy to wind around objects, for example a tank or a limb, to serve a personal signalling function for divers.

Advantageously the stripe or band shape allows adoption of diverse signalling configurations to increase visibility, in particular also by adopting partialising functions of the switched-on LEDs, or to signal messages, states or alarms.

Advantageously the cascade arrangement of microcontrollers and lighting elements is suitable for use with other lighting element control standards, for example the DMX standard. Driving of an elevated number of lighting elements, arranged along a band is facilitated through the insertion of microcontrollers adapted to drive sets of LEDs, in particular according to a protocol and connection in cascade.

The device according to the invention can also advantageously be interfaced with the surface, through a modem, for example ultrasonic, so to permit signalling to the divers from the support boat or even from remote transmitters.

Naturally, without prejudice to principle of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiments may widely vary with respect to what has been described and illustrated by way of example only, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The lighting elements are preferably light- emitting diodes or LEDs, but it is clear that the adoption of other lighting elements is possible, if compatible with the conditions of use at depth, such as for example fibre optics. It is also possible to substitute the LEDs with flat Organic Light Emitting Diodes OLEDs.

The band or stripe arrangement of the lights adapted to identify a specific direction of the lighting elements may encompass forms with appendages, different ratios of dimensions or forms of the stripe that do not substantially modify the development along a preferential direction of the light pattern.

In variant embodiments a small ballast or weight can be envisioned inserted at the bottom of the stripe so that it tends to orient itself towards the bottom, also in the case of strong currents. For example a winding spool can be envisioned at the end of the light band, for coiling the band when it is transported, that serves also the function of a weight for orienting the band towards the bottom.

The proposed light signalling device can also be switched on by means of a magnetic, mechanical or mercury switch, or even automatically by means of a water contact switch, which is activated when immersed in water and deactivated automatically when not immersed.

Claims

1. Device for light signalling (60, 70, 80) adapted for use in diving including an autonomous electric supply module (62; 72; 82), in particular including batteries, housed in a water-tight container and a lighting module (64; 74; 84) in electric supplying relationship with said electric supply module (62; 72; 82), characterized in that lighting module (64; 74; 84) includes a plurality of lighting elements (20), in particular LEDs, arranged on an elongated supporting structure (24), according to a band or stripe arrangement (64; 74; 84), in particular suitable for identifying a specific direction.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that includes an electronic control module (67, 69) in signal relationship with said lighting module (64; 74; 84) configured to command lighting states of said plurality of lighting elements (20).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said electronic control module (67, 69) is housed in said electric supply module (62; 72; 82) .

4. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said electronic control module (67, 69) is placed on said elongated support structure (24) .

5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that further comprises a plurality of microcontrollers (23) arranged in a cascaded connection with respect to command signals (42) pertaining lighting parameters sent by said electronic control module (67), said microcontrollers (23) being connected to respective sets of lighting elements (20) in said plurality of lighting elements (20) to command their lighting state on the basis of said command signals (42) .

6. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that said microcontrollers (23) are connected to a supply line (42), in particular cascade connected to said supply line.

7. Device according to one or more of the previous claims from 2 to 6 characterised in that said electronic control module (67) is configured to send command signals to said plurality of lighting elements (20) suitable for commanding signalling states pertaining different spatial and/or time and/or chromatic light signalling distributions and/or signalling states controlling switch-on/switch-off states or light intensity states of said plurality of lighting elements (20), in particular as a function of a charge state of said supply module (62; 72; 82) .

8. Device according to one or more of the previous claims from 2 to 6 , characterised in that said electronic control module (67) is configured to command one or more partializing devices (69), in particular switches or breakers, suitable to interrupt the electric connection to determined lighting elements (20) or set of lighting elements (20) under the command of said electronic control module (67).

9. Device according to one or more of the previous claims characterised in that includes interfacing means to receive signals from a wireless modem, in particular an ultrasonic modem (65).

10. Device according to one or more of the previous claims characterised in that said plurality of lighting elements (20) is arranged in a row or rank on said elongated supporting structure (24), in particular a ribbon or supporting flat.

11. Device according to one or more of the previous claims characterised in that said elongated supporting structure (24) of said light band (64, 74, 84) is partly or completely included in a transparent protection material, in particular transparent resin, in particular inside a watertight transparent sheath.

12. Device according to one or more of the previous claims characterised in that said supporting structure (24) includes segments (16) which can be assembled electrically and mechanically one to the other, each segment (16) including at least a microcontroller (23) and the lighting elements (20) associated to said microcontroller (23) .

13. Device according to one or more of the previous claims characterised in that includes fastening means, in particular adapted to fastening to a diving ascent rope (56) .

14. Device according to one or more of the previous claims characterised in that said supporting structure (24) includes or is associated to a fixing portion adapted to wind and fixed around a support, in particular a gas cylinder or limb, said fixing portion including in particular velcro or elastic portions.

15. Device according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said air-tight container is configured to sustain a pressure of at least 10 atmospheres and includes an overpressure discharge valve .