US2358332A - Signal system - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 19, 1944. R B. KENNETT sIGNAL sYsTEM Filed Aprill?, 1941 v INVENOR R4L/PH B. KENNETT I. BY

- ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 19, 19744 UNITED sTA'l-E's,l PAT1-:1\VII OFFICE I I I I 'sicllss'I-EIM .il I Y A v I Ralph' B. Kennett, E1izateth,i\r. J., sgignoft I Tung-Sol Lamp Works, Inc., Newark, corporation of Delaware Application Apn'im, 1941, serial No. 888,961v 10 claims. (ci. iii-2811)" This invention relates to signalsystems-,and particularly to a directional signal system Vfor motor vehicles.

More particularly, the invention relates to a directional signal system employing a double 'pilot light indication wherein asingle po-le double throw switch and a single flasher are employed to operate both sides of the system. Y f

In directional signal systems for motor vehicles it is required or is desirablethatv the system incorporate a pilot lamp that will indicate Vsignal lamp failure in an unmistakable manner,

and it is alsodesirable that two pilot lamps be the vehicle. One object of the invention isa novel and improved system embodying these features.

A further object )of the inventionfis'fa system of this character wherein unmistakable pilot lamp indication is given at all timesgfthe pilot lamps are burned at full illumination, and a' (minimum number of parts and wires are requiredv,resulting in a system which lends itself to easy and permanently satisfactory installation in ordinary automotive production line assembly.

associated device'forming an element of the system,andv f y Figf3'is an assembled view of the latten:

Referring to the drawing, the invention Tis 'illustrated as embodied ina directional signalsystem for motor vehicles comprising a pair of. lights I on the right side of the vehicle, and at the front and rear thereof, and a pair of signal .lamps'or lights -2 on ythe left side of the' vehicle at the front and rear' thereof. A combinedmagnetic and hot wireasher unit is indicated at A, and a battery source of' 4electricity is indicated .at B. The flasher unit'A'embodies an electric coil 3, anarmature 4 on one side and an armature 5 on the other. The armature`4`controls a pair of contacts 6 and is operated under the influence of twoopposed forces, one force being a hot wire'I and the `other force being the'electromagnetic .pull of the coil 3. yThe armature 4 may also have a biasv tending to Aclose the contacts 6. When the hot wire 'I 'is'cold it holds thecontacts 6 open. The armature 5 controls a pair of'contacts 8 'and is biased K against'the pull of the electromagnetic c0113 so as A further object is to provide a directional signal circuit incorporating aV single .pole, V double throw switch to obtainpilot lamp indication both of signal lamp operation and of Vsignal lamp failure; a feature not previously obtained in directional signal circuits incorporating single pole,

double throw switches.

novel lamp socket and recring forming a partofnthis, application wherein--k Eig. lis a signal circuit:embodyirgvthivhtion;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view ofapilo't lamp-and binding post I3.

normally to hold'the contacts 8 open unless and 25 iicient to overcomepthe bias of the armature 5. The fbattery'B is .connected on one; side with the ground and on the other side with a conductor I0 leading to a binding -post I I of the flasher unit.

until the pullof theelectrbma'gnetic coil 3 is suf- This'binding post I I'isielectrically connected with the armaturesll an'd5. The circuit through the armature` y1I leads, with the contacts 6 open, througnthe` hot pull wire 'I to' thefbindingpost I2 andfrom there through `a resistance element I4. Foo-inthe resistance element VI4'the circuit leads through a conductor I5 andthe coil 3 to a TheV binding post I3'is connectedthrough' a conductor I 6 with aA single'pole double throw switch I1. The latter may .be thrown by the "operatorlto connect the conductor I with eitherof'the pairsv of signal lamps I and 2.

` By throwingthe switch I'I to the right, connection sml'n'ad'e WiththOndllctOr IBWhiCh in lill-rn iS f connected with'th'e conductor I 9, and this in turn f leads to'a conductor 20 connected with the signal lainps I.- vBy throwing the switch I1 tothe left,

connection Vis made with the conductor 2I which in turn 'is connected with'the conductor :322 leading to theconductor 23-connected with theleft hand 'pai'r' of s`igna1 lamps :2.A The other-sides of the `signal 'lamps YI @and 2 are Aefroundeizl, as indi- The circ "t from theibaaefy B ieadsthrougnthe I pile;V lights` 2d 'and :sas follows: From the binding *past lthrough the 'bridge-.16; armature 5.

contacts 8 when closed, conductor 21, terminal or binding post 80 of the flasher unit, conductor 28 to the pilot lamp 24 and conductor 29 to the pilot lamp 25. Through the pilot lamp 24 the circuit leads through a one-way electrical passage element 30 and conductor 22 to the conductor 23 leading through the lamps 2 in parallel. Similarly, the circuit from the pilot lamp 25 leads through the one-way passage element 30 and conductor I9 to the conductor 20 and the lamps I in parallel. l

The operation of the system is as follows:

When the operator desires to turn to the right the single pole switch I'I is thrown to the right to connect the conductors, I6. and, I8.' Current then flows from the battery B through the arma-` ture 4, the ho-t pull wire 'I, resistance I4, the conductor I5, the coil 3, the conductor I6, the conductor I8, the conductor` I9 and theA conductor through the lamps I. The latter are at rst either not lighted at allv or onlydimly lightedfbe- 6,'and1thusflashing on. and 01T ofthe signals Ii is f continued until the switch I'I; is opened. The pilot lamp 24 is also Vsimultaneouslyjil'ashecl on andg off through the` operation of the armature 5 to open and closethe contacts` 8; 'lorexampla when the contacts-6 are closed; the current flowing through thecoil 3; due to the short-circuiting'of theresistance t4 isA sufficient to operate the armature 5; and. thereby close theA contacts 8, provided both 'signal lamps are burning, thereby causingfcurrent toow through'the armature 5, contacts 8, Y conductor 2 1, conductor 28, pilot lamp 24j andV conductorV 22` tothe .conductor 23Y and thence through` the signal lamps 2i in parallel.' Thel current wing through this circuit is suflicient; to

light the small pilotA lamp. 2II-'but insuicientto-f ,f

lightthesignal lamps When the` short-circuit is opened at'the contactsg, however, the bias of the armatuIeS breaks. the'pilot'lamp circuit at the contacts 8,' the bias ofthe armature oyeri coming theV pull of` the electrical' coil.` lThe pilot lamp 24 is thus ashed onandpif with the ilashing off thesignal lamps I,'indicating to Vthe op,- erator that the` right hand signalslare operating. The pilot Vlighti 25 isjnot; lighted, being in shunt,

with the Vcoil 3: when the. contacts, 6 andi8 are closed; If` it is desired tog'operate the: leftfhand signal' lamps 2 the; operator throwsthe switch; ITI to the left,` whereuponl th'e circuit from'the. bat:- tery throughthe asher is completed through the conductors 22; and. 23' to the signalfV lamps, 2t0.

iiashr these signal lampsjon and; oil'A asedescribed above with',` respect to the signa-1 lamps; Lf'The Yplot-'lampes is now flashed: on and @fr with the signal lamps 2, asdescribed above, with respect to the pilot lampi-,Maud the. signal; lamps. lv and the signal lamp 2 4' isfnowy shuntedby the coil-.3 so as not toA operate when thecontacts Iiy and 8 are closed. If one ofj the sigrial lamps fails, as for example oneiofr thelamps` I; (with switch I1 thrown toftherightl, the, Current through coil 3 Vwith only one ylamp burning is insuicient mover:-

come the tension of spring biased armature` 5. and the contactsl. remain open-r The pilot lamp 24 therefore :etsii/asno'. Qurrentfrom thefleslierand br its failure to -liehtf-iniiicatesfthe failure; i-gne g 'and' improved circuitV of this invention, but I have found particularly-'suitable a one-way element comprising-one or a series of so-called recof the signal lamps I. Similarly with the switch I1 thrown to the left, the failure of either one or both of the lamps 2 is indicated by the failure of the pilot lamp 25 to light up, assuming the pilot lamp itself to be in order. When a signal lamp has burned out the flasher ashes at an accelerated rate due to the fact that a lower current flows through the pull wire I and it requires less time for the wirel to cool.

The purpose of the valves or one-way electrical current passage elements 30 is to avoid a feedback condition which would produce a slight but nevertheless objectionable illumination in both pilot lamps upon the failure of a signal lamp in the Ycircuit, operating. For example, assuming Vthe switch I'I is thrown to the right to operate the right handrsignal lamps I, if one of the signal lamps `I should fail or burn out not only would the pilot. or indicator lamp 24 be illuminated and ilashed, but also the indicator lamp 25 through a feed-back; circuit as follows:` The contacts at 8 'remain open dueto the insufciency of the cur'- rent flowing through the coil 3 to operate the armature V5 but there is a circuit none-the-less through the signal lamps 24 and 25 from the batteryB, conductor I0, armature 4, contact 6, coil 3; conductor I6, switch I1, conductor I8, pilot lamp 25, conductor 28, pilot lamp 24 and conductor 22y out through the signal lamps 2 in parallel. Similarly, with the switch II thrown to the left; to operate the signal lamps 2, if the circuit should be4 broken through one of the latter the current`owing in Ycoil 3 is insufficient to close the contacts at 8, and under these conditions the feed-back circuit would be produced from the condllQlOr I6, switch IY'I, conductor 2|, conductor 22, pilot llamp, 24, conductor 28, conductor 28', pilot lampi 25,conductor I9 and conductor 20 through the signal. lamps I in parallel. The current owing through the feed-back circuit including the pilot lamps 24and 25l is suflicient tov light these lamps to some degree of illumination, but insuf- Herent, to light-up. the signallamps Iv or 2; The 4introduc-:tion of the Vorie-.wa-ycurrent devices 3!!- -permitting `curren-tflow in only one directionY preventsV ,theseI feed-back circuit conditions which `are confusingand misleading. The flashing of Vboth pilot lamps simultaneous, if it occurred,

'ductors 20 and 23'.- The arrows over the elements 30 indicate the direction of permitted flow of current. l

Any suitable valve or one-way conducting` element 30 may be employedas a part of the novel -copper oxide` (as for= example, a copper washer oxidized on one side), etc., which areV known to pass? currentinV one direction but to prevent the back-flow. of. current. In Figs. -2. andk 3 I have shown suchan element formed as a unitwith the lampzsocket-for the pilot indicator lamp 24A or 25.

The socket comprises a cylindrical elementA hai/ine a reducediend iriwhich reposes accinpression spring 31. Aninsulating discl 38-withA a central opening rests upon the upper end of this Y socket. This ring 45 has a part 45'. doubled'back on itself, and from the latter. are formed integral spring fingers or tongues 46surrounding the bulb k24 or 25. The rectifying .segment or one-way passage elementfor the electricity comprises a copperdisc 41 having formed thereon a copper oxide nlm 48. A flange 35 formed onthe socket 35 engages theeoxide nlm 4.8 of. thecQDper disc 41, and the electrical connection between the lamp and the copper disc is-formed through the connection of the outer metallic shell49 of the lamp plugwith the'socket 35, 35 and the oxide nlm 48. The underside of the copper disc'41 isin engagement with a metallic washer llisuch for example as of copper, and the` latter has a connection 5I, which inthe -.cas e of the `lampl24 connects with the conductor 2 2 andin the caseof the lamp connects withthe-conductor 19. AThe-flange the copperdisc '41; and the. metallic disc 50 are rmly clampedtogether between the insulating discs 42 andf43'. lAs above indicated,v the'rone- 1 way electrical passage or valve Aaction may be obtained through the use rof -any devices'uitable vfor the purpose as, forexample, any device utilizing copper with copper oxide or magnesium with cupric sulphide or any other disc -valve 0r rectifier couple utilizing a' combination of any electronegative elementlwith any"electropos`i tive element known to provide a' rectifier segment or couple of the desiredcharacteristics.' The lamp bulb 24, 25 is fastened within the socket by the conventional bayonet joint (not shown forl con,- venience) Y. The assembly unit shownv in Fig. 3 'is -mounted inthe dashboard 5.5 from the back, the spring iingersf48 of the 4.unit being snapped into the opening formedin the Adash55.v The bulb may' be" inserted afterwards. i In the particular embodiment shown, the oxide iilmside 48 of the rectier is connected through the shell 49 of the bulb and thence through the filament and conductors 28 and 29 with the positive side of the battery source, but if the battery is reversed with the positive side grounded it is understood, of course, that the Valves 30 would need to be reversed. Similarly, with a magnesium and cupric sulphide rectifier couple the positive side of the source should be connected with the sulphide element. Y

The system thus shown provides for unmistakable indication of signal lamp failure and pilot light indication of the exact character required by the industry. The pilot lamps are operated at full illumination and the system and all of its elements may be easily and permanently installed in ordinary automotive production line assembly with the assured strength and rigidity of mount necessary to withstand the vibration encountered in automotive circuits. 1

I claim:

1. In a directional signal system for motor. vehicles the combination of right and left signal lamps'fbr theifrontrand rear, a'pair of pilot lamps,

a "flasherunit-controlling two pairs of contacts, -a

source-of electricV current, circuits for connecting each ypair of `the'right and left signal lamps in iparalleLa v.single poledouble throw switch for 'connectingone of said pairs of contacts .of .the flasher with either ofv said parallelcircuits, a circuit leadingfrom the other pair of contacts controlled by vthe nasher to the pilot lamps, onelof said pilot'lamps being connected on one side with thelcircut of the `right-hand signallamps and the other of'thepilot lamps being'connected on one side:y with the left-hand signal lamps, and

means inthe circuit of veach of the pilot lamps leading to the signallamp circuitpermitting flow of current only in one direction. '-5 Y l 2. In a directional signal system for motor vevhicles the'coxnbination of right andcleft signal lamps for the front and rear, a pair of pilotlamps,

a flasher vunit controlling two pairs of contacts, a

sourceof'aelectric current,` circuits for connecting veach'pair ofthe right and left signal lampsin rparallel, aY single pole double throw switch for. connecting one 'of said pairs of contacts of the iiasher with either of-'said parallel circuits,'a .circuit leading from the other pair of contacts controlled -byA the asher to the pilot lamps, fone-of said pilot lampsbeing connected on one side withzthe circuit ofthe right-hand signal lamps and the other ofzthe pilot lampsbeing connected on one ,side withthe left-hand signal lamps, and means -in thecircuit of each of 4thepilot` lamps leading lto the signal lamp circuit ypermitting flow'of currentv only in one direction, said meansgcomprising a rectifier segment of the group consistingY of a cupric-.sulphide washer and magnesium washer and'a copper oxide and-copper Washer.

3.-' In a'directional signal'system for motor vehicles, a plurality 'of signal lamps, a source of current,la single pole,` doublethrow switch, cir-v -cuit connections between the fixed terminals of said switch and said signal lamps, an automatic control device between said source and the mov'- able' elementE of said switch, a circuit bypassing :said control device and connectingI said source -with 'thefixed terminals of said switch, `a pilot lampV insaid 'lastmentioned circuit,` means controlled by said device for opening and closing said flast mentioned circuit 'and means in. said 'last ymentioned circuit for preventing flow I of i `current from one xed terminal ofisaid switch to the other fixed terminal thereof.

4. In a signal system of the character set forth, a flasher unit controlling two pairs of contacts and having three terminals, a source of electric current connected to one of said terminals, a single pole double throw switch the moyable element of which is connectedwith another of said terminals, one of said pairs of contacts controlling the asher unit resistance between said last mentioned terminals, two groups of signal lamps, two pilot lamps each connected in circuit between the third terminal of said unit and a different one of saidVv groups of signal lamps, said other pair of contacts controlling connections Ybetween the terminal connected to said source and the terminal connected with said pilot lamps, and a connection between each group of signal lamps and a xed terminal of said switch. V

5. In a signal system of the character set forth,

. aasher unit controlling two pairs of contacts and having three terminals, a source of electric cur` na-ls; oneofsaid pairs ofxcmitacts controlling the flasher :unit resistance 'betweenxsaid' last. mentioned terminals', two groups of signal lamps, two pilot lamps 'each connected. in circuit between the third terminal ofsaid1 unit and a diierent one of said groupsf of signal lamps, said other' painrfof contacts controlling connections between the terminali connected to said source and-thev terminal connected with said pilotlamps, anda connection between each group of signal lamps and a xedterminal of `said switch, including means associated'fwi'th each o'fv saidA pilot lampsfor. permitting'ow'of currentonly in one direction whereby when said switchris closedto connect one of 'said groups of signal lamps with the asher` unit, cur- -rentrwill' not. flow from said switch through. the pilot lampsinseries .to the other group of signal lamps'."`V y k6. In a directional signal system for motor vehicles, two groups of signal lamps, .a single4 pole,

other group of; said signal lamps toflash said last mentioned-pilot lamp. s Y L V'I'. In a directional signal 'system for motor vehicles, thezco'm'bination of right:v and left signal lampsv both for the front and rear of the vehicle, 'a pair of pilot lamps,1a ilasher unit controlling -two pairs of contacts, asource'of electric current,

circuit connections for connecting each' pair of `the right and flefthand' signal lamps in parallel, meansfor connecting said flasher with'either of said parallel' circuits, a circuit leadingVv from one -pair of`contacts controlled bytheilasher tothe pilot lamps; one of said pilot lamps being connected: on on'eside with the circuit of the right- 'hand signal lamps and theother of thepilot lamps beingrconn'ected on one side'with the lefthand signal-lampsand means in the circuit ofeach of thepilotal'amps leading to the. signa-l lamp'cir- `.which iscoime'cted: with another of said?. termiL cuit'permitting ilowV of current only in oney direc'- tion.Y

' 8. In a directional signal system for motor vehicles, the combination of -right and left signal lamps for both the front and rear,`a pairV of pilot lamps, a flasherunit, a'source ofelectric current, circuits for connectingeach pair of the right and -left signal lamps in parallel, means' for connectingsaid ilasher with either of said parallel circuits, ther coil of said flasher controlling a pair of contactsand operative to close said contacts when both of a pair of front and rear lights are operating, a circuit vleading froxn'said pair of contacts 'on one side with the' circuit of the righthand signal lamps and the other of the' pilot lamps being connected on one side with`the lefthand signal 'lamps and means the circuit'of-each of the 'pilot lamps leading to the signal lamp circuit p permitting-flow'of 'current only'in one direction.V

'a directional `system for motorvehi'cles, the combination Vof rightA and left signal lamps `rfor botli'the front and rear,` a pair of pilot lamps,

a solenoid controlling a pair of contacts, a source of electric current, circuits "for connecting each pair of the right and left signal lamps in parallel, means for connecting said solenoid with either of said' parallel circuits, a ycircuit leading from said pair of contacts to Athe pilot lamps, one of said pilot lamps being connected on one side with switch, electricalloads connected toopposite terminals of saidswitclnacontroldevice connected ,between said source andthemovable element of said. switch, circuits yconnected to opposite ter- Vminals `otsaid switch',T a connection .between said circuits and said source,sa id "connection, including contacts controlledgby. said control deviceand Vmaintained open thereby ultld'erjcertainA conditions, means in each circuit for permittinghcurrent flow therethrough inone direction Aonly and an indicating device in each of said circuits.

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