WO1988005003A1

WO1988005003A1 - Variable system for monitoring the condition of light systems mounted on the rear of vehicules

Info

Publication number: WO1988005003A1
Application number: PCT/AU1988/000002
Authority: WO
Inventors: George Bodnar
Original assignee: George Bodnar
Priority date: 1987-01-05
Filing date: 1988-01-05
Publication date: 1988-07-14
Also published as: DE3800026A1

Abstract

The present invention can be installed in any of the warning light systems discussed above. The invention comprises a unit which can be installed within the instrument panel of a vehicle or mounted separately on the panel or dashboard in easy reach of the operator of the vehicle. The unit contains a coil assembly (1) within which a switching element (3) is movably inserted, a signal light (7) connected to the switching element (3) and leads connecting the coil assembly (1) and switching element (3) to the appropriate vehicle warning light circuit (9).

Description

WARIABLE SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THE CONDITION OF

LIGHT SYSTEMS MOUNTED ON THE REAR OF VEHICLES

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of vehicle safety. Specifically, it is in the field which monitors the viability of the lighting systems mounted on the rear of vehicles which afford recognition of the presence of an advance vehicle and which signals the slowing down or stopping of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

All vehicles, powered or otherwise, are required by law to have a light system on the rear of the vehicle which indicates the presence of a vehicle to drivers following, i.e., tail-lights.

Additionally, vehicles are required to have another light system which indicates the vehicle is slowing down and preparing to stop if necessary. Further, trucks which tow cargo trailers are required to have additional lighting systems around the rear end of the trailer as a further identification of the presence of a vehicle, particularly in foul weather conditions wherein road spray, grime and the like can diminish the ef ectiveness of the tail-lights and braking warning lights which are often underneath the overhang of the trailer body over its rear wheels.

It is obvious that for highway safety, all the vehicle rear mounted light systems should be checked by the vehicle operator. The ordinary tail-light systems can be easily checked by the operator by activating the light switch and physically checking the activation of the tail-lights. To check the braking signal lights generally require two persons, one to depress the brake pedal and the other to observe the activation of the braking light system. Granted this check can be made by the person depressing the brake pedal if there is a background against which the light of the braking system would be reflected. In such incident, it may not be possible to determine that the braking lights on each side are illuminated. Certainly, it is impossible to determine if the braking light system is illuminating when the vehicle is underway. All passenger carrying vehicles have an additional lighting system which indicates that the vehicle has been placed in reverse drive. The activation of this system can be determined by the operator with proper background. However, such verification is not assured when the vehicle is on the highway. Under such operation, it is important that the following vehicle operator be notified that the preceding vehicle is in reverse gear. Unfortunately, trailer- towing trucks do not have such a system, and generally do not have the audible signal present on other types of heavy cargo carrying trucks and road working equipment. All these systems can be checked when the vehicle is at rest. Unfortunately, when the vehicle is underway the operability of the various light systems cannot be checked by the operator with the lighting systems provided by the manufacturers. Systems found to be operable when the vehicle is at rest can become inoperable in full or in part after the vehicle is underway for reasons which are not germane to the present invention but which systems do require interrogation from a safety standpoint while the vehicle is underway.

The need for some form of lighting system verification has been recognized. U.S. Patents 4,385,283; 4,380,718; 4,401,718 and 4,320,282 have addressed the problem. The systems disclosed in these patents are not considered simplistic. The non-adoption of any of these systems as a general use may be attributed to lethargy on the part of automobile manufacturers as well as automobile accessory purveyors. There is a need for a simple device to indicate the failure of any one light in a vehicle warning Tight circuit.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention can be installed in any of the warning light systems discussed above. The invention comprises a unit which can be installed within the instrument panel of a vehicle or mounted separately on the panel or dashboard in easy reach of the operator of the vehicle. The unit contains a coil assembly within which a switching element is ovably inserted, a signal light connected to the switching element and leads connecting the coil assembly and switching element to the appropriate vehicle warning light circuit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention is illustratively shown in the accompanying drawing figures.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of the basic embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a modification of the circuit shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an additional modification of the circuit of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram of any of the foregoing circuits installed in the braking light circuit of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a coil assembly 1 which is formed from a length of insulated wire wound about a spool, thus providing a bore 2. Bore 2 will accommodate a single pole change-over dry magnetic reed switch 3, hereinafter referred to as the switching element. Leads 4 are provided to connect coil assembly 1 to the particular vehicle lighting circuit. Similarly, switching element 3 has a lead 5 for controlled connection with coil assembly 1 and a lead 6 to connect switching element 3 to a warning light 7 for the circuit monitoring system which is the purpose of the present invention.

FIG. 2 discloses lead 8 which can connect coil assembly 1 and switching element 3. The purpose and effect of lead 8 will be explained subsequently. FIG. 3 is an embodiment combining FIGS. 1 and 2 and allows selectivity in installing the invention as will be explained subsequently.

For purposes of explaining the operation of the present invention, the braking light system of a vehicle is selected. FIG. 4 shows the circuit of FIG. 1 inserted into a schematic brake-light circuit 9, with brake-light switch 10 attached actuated by depressing of the brake pedal and brake-lights 11 connected to the vehicle battery. Coil assembly I with switching element 3 inserted in bore 2 is connected in series at taps 12 and 13 into circuit 9 between switch 10 arid lights 11. Current passing through circuit 9 also passes through coil assembly 1 generating a magnetic field. Lead 5 is connected to coil assembly 1 at taps 14. The magnetic field is used to accuate switching element 3. Switching element 3 is provided with means to move it in or out of coil assembly 1 through bore 2. This means may be a screw-threaded bezel or a sliding lever or other suitable devices. By moving switching element 3 within coil assembly 1 a position will be reached wherein the light 7 will be illuminated when switch 10 is activated because the reed element 15 in switch assembly 3 will contact lead 5. Should at least one of lights 11 fail the current in circuit 9 will be reduced as will the magnetic field, thus releasing reed 15 from contact with lead 5 and light 7 will be extinguished. In this showing light 7 will be activated only when brake light switch 10 is closed and lights 11 are both working. When the circuit shown in FIG. 2 is used, fully functioning lights 11 will create a magnetic field strong enough to draw reed 15 toward coil assembly 1 thus leaving light 7 unilluminated. When one or more of lights 11 fail, the magnetic field created in coil assembly 1 will be diminished to the extent that reed 15 will contact lead 8 and illuminate light 7 indicating a failure in one of the brake lights. The present invention provides two opposing systems to indicate the failure of at least one of the lights in a rear-mounted vehicle warning systems. Use of the circuit of FIG. 1 will provide a continuous illumination of light 7 until the failure in the circuit being monitored occurs. Use of the circuit of FIG. 2 provides notice of failure in the monitored circuit by illumination of light 7. Currently, warning lights of problems in oil pressure, engine temperature and other monitored circuits are illuminated when the dangerous situation occurs. With either circuit, a failure in light 7 will negate the monitoring system. Should light 7 fail to illuminate with either circuit when the particular vehicle lighting system is being tested, it will be necessary to stop the vehicle and make physical inspection of the particular system.

As described above, the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein enable a vehicle operator to monitor the particular vehicle light system in which the invention is inserted when so desired. It will be recognized that once the circuit of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 has activated the reed switch 15 to illuminate lamp 7, the switching element 3 may be left in this position so that the monitoring of that particular circuit will be continuous. It is also within the scope of the present invention to construct it using either circuit with switching element 3 permanently positioned within coil assembly 1. It is also to be recognized that the present invention may be inserted to the forwardly-mounted lighting circuits of a vehicle. It should also be understood that an audio signal may be substituted for illumination light 7.

An important feature of this invention is also to be recognized: if the means to move switching element 3 referred to on page 4 lines 13 to 16 is mounted externally on. unit referred G on page 2 line 31 it will be a simple matter to adjusr the systerr - in seconds from the driver's seat, tc monitor a changed number of lights,for example ωhen a trailer is attached to said υehicle.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMEO IS:

1. A system to monitor a vehicle exterior lighting circuit to detect failure of at least one light element in said circuit comprising a coil assembly having an open core and leads to connect said assembly in series into said circuit to generate a magnetic field about said coil assembly, a switching assembly insertable within said core to be activated by said magnetic field and signalling means connected to and activated by said switching assembly^this said suitching assembly having external means of infinite adjustment, variable ωithin the limits αf said coil assembly.

2. The system according to Claim 1 wherein said switching assembly comprises single pole change-over magnetic reed switch means, a first lead connecting one end of said switch means to said coil assembly and a second lead connecting the other end of said switch means to said signalling means.

3. The system according to Claim 2 wherein said switch means includes a reed element pivotally secured at one end in one end of a capsule, the other end of said reed being free to contact said first lead, said second lead being connected to said secured reed end.

4. The system according to Claim 3 wherein said first lead is positioned within the other end of said capsule for contact by said other end of said reed when said magnetic field is properly generated by the operability of all light elements in said circuit to activate said signal means and to break contact with said reed when said magnetic field ij weakened by failure of at least one light element in said circuit thus deactivating said signal means.

5. The system according to Claim 3 wherein said first lead is positioned within the other end of said capsule so as to make contact with said other end of said reed when said magnetic field is weakened by failure of at least one light element in said circuit to activate said signal means and to break contact with said reed when said magnetic field is properly generated by the oper.ability of all light elements in said circuit.