EP1084633A1 - "Garment provided with at least one luminescent means" - Google Patents

Abstract

A garment (1) is provided with at least one luminescent element (8;108) which can be excited by alternating current at a predeterminedfrequency; the luminescent element (8) is connected for operation to apower supply circuit (20), comprising a source of direct currentelectrical energy (18) and a switch means (19), by means of anelectronic driving circuit (16) capable of controlling the conversion ofthe said direct current into the said alternating current.

Description

• The present invention relates to a garment provided with at least oneluminescent means. The garment is suitable, in particular, for amotorcyclist.
• The equipment of a motorcyclist comprises a protective helmet andgarments, such as coats, jackets, and suits, made from materialssuitable for providing protection from the cold and from atmosphericagents and for mitigating, at least partially, the harmful effects of anyfall.
• When the motorcyclist rides in conditions of reduced or poorvisibility, for example at night or in very heavy rain or snow, theheadlights and sidelights constitute an important element in the safetyof travel. However, in particularly unfavourable conditions, theheadlights, and especially the sidelights, are not clearly visible to thedrivers of other vehicles.
• The object of the present invention is to make a rider or a passengeron a motorcycle distinguishable in conditions of poor visibility.
• In the present description and in the claims, the term "luminescentmeans" denotes a means capable of emitting light not produced by athermal effect. Preferably, it consists of an electroluminescent,fluorescent, LED, light guide or similar element.
• In a first aspect, the invention relates to a garment provided with aluminescent means which can be excited by alternating current at apredetermined frequency, the said luminescent means being connectedfor operation to a power supply circuit, comprising a source of directcurrent electrical energy and at least one switch means, by means ofan electronic driving circuit capable of controlling the conversion of the said direct current into the said alternating current, characterized in thatsaid electronic driving circuit is also capable of supplying saidluminescent means with said alternating current at said predeterminedfrequency when a square-wave signal has a high value.
• Preferably, the said electronic driving circuit comprises aphotoresistor means.
• Advantageously, the said electronic driving circuit also comprisesfour triggered NAND gates, a first NAND gate having a first inputconnected to a voltage divider formed by the said photoresistor meansand a first resistance, a second input connected to earth through a firstcapacitor and connected to one of its outputs through a secondresistance connected in parallel with a third resistance and a firstdiode, the said output being connected through a second, inverting,NAND gate to a first input of a third NAND gate, the said third NANDgate having a second input connected to earth through a secondcapacitor and to one of its outputs through a fourth resistance, the saidoutput being connected through a fourth, inverting, NAND gate, a fifthresistance and a control transistor to a power transistor, the said firstNAND gate emitting a square-wave signal with an asymmetric cycle,the said third NAND gate emitting a signal formed by a train of pulseshaving the said predetermined frequency to cause the excitation of thesaid luminescent means when the said square-wave signal has saidhigh value.
• Preferably, the said power supply circuit is connected to a step-updevice which, in turn, is connected to the said power transistor and tothe said at least one luminescent means.
• Advantageously, the said power supply circuit also comprises asecond diode and a third and a fourth capacitor, connected in parallel,capable of stabilizing the supply voltage of the said electronic drivingcircuit.
• Preferably, the said power supply circuit and the said electronicdriving circuit are printed on a board which also carries the saidphotoresistor means.
• Advantageously, the said luminescent means consists of a flexibleelectroluminescent lamp.
• Preferably, the said garment is provided with at least one flap havingan inner part to which the said flexible electroluminescent lamp is fitted,the said flexible electroluminescent lamp being visible when the saidflap is raised.
• Advantageously, the said garment has at least one transparentportion and the said flexible electroluminescent lamp is, located underthe said transparent portion.
• Preferably, the said switch is formed by a transistor which can beactivated by the closing of at least one press stud.
• Advantageously, the said at least one press stud is formed by discsto which strips connected to conductors are fixed.
• In a second aspect, the invention relates to a garment providedwith at least one flexible electroluminescent lamp, which can be excitedby alternating current at a predetermined frequency, characterized inthat said electroluminescent lamp is excited by said alternating currentat said predetermined frequency when a square-wave signal has a highvalue.
• In the garment according to the invention, the luminescent means orplurality of means are illuminated in conditions of poor visibility, makingthe rider or passenger wearing it clearly visible. Consequently, theusers of a motorcycle are in conditions of greater safety, both duringtravel and in case of a forced stop of the motorcycle, than when theywear conventional garments.
• Characteristics and advantages of the invention will now beillustrated with reference to embodiments represented by way of example, and without restriction, in the attached figures, in which
• Fig. 1 is a front view of a garment provided with a flexibleelectroluminescent lamps, made according to the invention;
• Fig. 2 is a rear view of the garment of Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 is a partial front view, on an enlarged scale, of the garment ofFig. 1, in the condition in which a front electroluminescent lamp isvisible;
• Fig. 4a is a side view of a press stud of the garment of Figs 1-3 andof strips, fixed to the said press stud, for connection to an electricalcircuit;
• Fig. 4b is a front view of one of the strips of Fig. 4a;
• Fig. 5 shows an electroluminescent lamp fitted to the garment of Figs1-3;
• Fig. 6 shows a power supply circuit and an electronic driving circuitof the electroluminescent lamp of the garment of Figs 1-3;
• Fig. 7 shows in detail the power supply circuit of Fig. 6;
• Fig. 8 shows in detail the electronic circuit of Fig. 6;
• Figs 9 and 10 are front and rear views, respectively, of a boardwhich carries the printed circuits of Figs 7 and 8.
• Figs 1-3 show a garment 1 consisting of a jacket, particularlysuitable for a motorcyclist, having twofront parts 2 and 3, aback 4 andsleeves 5. The two front parts are fastened together bypress studs 6and 66. The front part 2 is provided with apocket 7 formed from afabric which allows external light to penetrate. Thepocket 7 has aflap70 provided with double-fastening press studs 71 and 72, which allowtheflap 70 to be kept closed (Fig. 1) or open (Fig. 3).Strips 79 and 80are fixed to thepress studs 6, 66 and 72 and connected toconductors81 and 82 (Figs 4a, 4b); their function will be described subsequently.A flexible electroluminescent lamp 8 (Figs 3, 5), which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail, is fitted to the inner face of theflap 70. Another flexible electroluminescent lamp 108 (Figs 2, 5), covered by atransparent strip 74, is fitted on theback 4 of the jacket. Thelamp 108could be concealed by an openable flap, provided with double-fasteningpress studs, like theflap 70. Thelamps 8 and 108 are fixed tothe material of theflap 70 and of theback 4 of the jacket by means of asuitable adhesive compound such as the adhesive Article 467, CodeNo. 7953, made by the 3M Company.
• Each of thepress studs 6, 66 and 72 is formed by adisc 75 and twodiscs 76 and 77 which can be joined together (Fig. 4a). Thedisc 75 issnap-fitted to the joineddiscs 76 and 77 when thepress stud 6, 66 or72 is fastened. Thestrip 79 is fixed to thedisc 75 and thestrip 80 isfixed to the pair ofdiscs 76 and 77. Each of the shaped strips 79 and80 has a stem in the shape of an eyelet, 179 and 180 respectively (Fig.4b), and a portion in the shape of a camel's hump, 279 and 280respectively, connected to theconductors 81 and 82.
• Theelectroluminescent lamps 8 or 108 (Fig. 5) are made by silk-screenprinting. Eachlamp 8 or 108 consists of a capacitor in which aphosphorescent substance is inserted between two electrodes to forma "sandwich". Eachelectroluminescent lamp 8 or 108 comprises apolyester substrate 10, afront electrode 11 formed from a transparentITO (indium and tin oxide) conductor or from translucent conductivesilk-screen printing ink, alayer 12 of phosphor ink (zinc sulphide), ofpredetermined thickness, capable of emitting phosphorescent light withspecified wavelengths, and asilver conductor 13 silk-screen printedalong the perimeter of the lamp to improve the uniformity ofillumination. Eachelectroluminescent lamp 8 or 108 also compriseslayers of dielectric (insulation), not shown, a rear electrode (formedfrom silver or carbon inks), not shown, and a protective layer, whichagain is not shown, to provide electrical insulation and protection frommoisture. In thelamp 8 or 108, the layer of phosphor ink and the silver conductor are of rectangular shape. However, these may have thewidest variety of configurations and, in particular, may form light spotsof various shapes.
• Thelamps 8 and 108 can also be formed from other known materialsand by other known methods.
• Thelamp 8 is provided with twoterminals 14 and 15 and thelamp108 is provided with twoterminals 114 and 115, by means of whichthey are connected to a power supply circuit 20 (Figs 6, 7) and to anelectronic driving circuit 16 (Figs 6, 8).
• The circuit 20 (Fig. 7) comprises a source ofelectrical energy 18, thepress studs 6, 66 and 72 and atransistor 19. The source ofelectricalenergy 18 consists of a battery having one positive pole and onenegative pole connected toterminals 22 and 23. Theterminal 23 isconnected to earth at 24 and, through thepress studs 6, 66 and 72, tothetransistor 19. Thetransistor 19 is connected between theterminal22 and aterminal 25 which, in turn, is connected, through adiode 26andcapacitors 29 and 30, arranged in parallel, to aterminal 27 at astabilized voltage and to theearth 24.
• The electronic circuit 16 (Fig. 8) comprises a photoresistor 17 andfourNAND gates 31, 32, 33 and 34, which are triggered, in other wordscan be operated by a suitable command.
• Thephotoresistor 17 causes theelectroluminescent lamps 8 and108, located on the front part 2 and on theback 4 of the jacket 1, tolight when the external light intensity falls below a predetermined level,as shown in greater detail below.
• Thegate 31 hasinputs 35 and 36 and anoutput 37. Theinput 35 isconnected at 38 to a voltage divider formed by thephotoresistor 17 andaresistance 39, interposed between theearth 24 and a terminal 40.The terminal 40 is connected to the power supply terminal 27 (Fig. 7).Theinput 36 is connected toearth 24 through acapacitor 41 and is connected to theoutput 37 through aresistance 42 arranged in parallelwith aresistance 43 and adiode 44. Theoutput 37 is connected to theinputs 45 and 46 of theNAND gate 32. TheNAND gate 32 is suppliedthrough the terminal 48 which is connected to the terminal 27 (Fig. 7)and is connected toearth 24. Theoutput 47 of theNAND gate 32 isconnected to aninput 51 of theNAND gate 33. TheNAND gate 33 hasaninput 50 connected toearth 24 through acapacitor 49 and to anoutput 52 through aresistance 53. In turn, theoutput 52 is connectedtoinputs 54 and 55 of theNAND gate 34. TheNAND gate 34 has anoutput 56 connected through aresistance 57 to atransistor 58 whichcontrols apower transistor 59. Thetransistor 59 is connected to a step-updevice (transformer or autotransformer) 60 and to theearth 24. Thestep-updevice 60 has a terminal 61 connected to the terminal 25 (Fig.7) and to theterminals 14 and 114 of theelectroluminescent lamps 8and 108. The step-updevice 60 has the function of supplying the highvoltage required for the correct operation of theelectroluminescentlamps 8 and 108.
• Thecircuits 16 and 20 are printed on a board 62 (Figs 6, 9, 10)which also carries theswitch 19, thephotoresistor 17 and theterminals22 and 23 for connection to thebattery 18. Theboard 62 is fitted insidethepocket 7, whose fabric allows light to penetrate for the activation ofthephotoresistor 17.
• When the jacket 1 is put on, theflap 70 is raised and thepress stud72 is closed on to thedisc 76. When the jacket has been put on, thepress studs 6 and 66 are fastened. When thepress studs 6, 66 and 72are fastened, the base of thetransistor 19 is connected to earth andthetransistor 19 becomes conducting. Theelectronic circuit 16 isturned on and is ready for operation. If the intensity of the external lightis greater than the set value, thephotoresistor 17 assumes a lowerohmic (resistance) value, such that theinput 35 of thegate 31 is held at the low logical level.
• Since theinput 36 of theNAND gate 31 is at the low logical level (0),itsoutput 37 is at the high logical level (1). Theoutput 37 remains atthe high logical level even when theinput 36 changes to the highlogical level (1). Consequently, theinputs 45 and 46 of theNAND gate32 are at the high logical level (1) and itsoutput 47 is at the low logicallevel (0). Theinput 51 of theNAND gate 33 is at the low logical level(0) and itsinput 50 is also at the low logical level (0), and therefore itsoutput 52 is at the high logical level (1). Theoutput 52 remains at thehigh logical level even when theinput 50 changes to the high logicallevel (1). Theinputs 54 and 55 of theNAND gate 34 are at the highlogical level (1) and itsoutput 56 is at the low logical level (0). Thetransistors 58 and 59 are non-conducting, and therefore no currentflows through thetransformer 60.
• When the external light intensity level falls to the set value of thephotoresistor 17, the resistance of thephotoresistor 17 increases untilthe voltage value at theinput 35 of the NAND gate is brought to thehigh level (approximately 2/3 of the supply voltage of the battery 18).Theinput 36 is also at the high level, since theoutput 37, in thepreceding condition, was at the high level, and thecapacitor 41 wascharged through theresistance 42. Theoutput 37 is at the low logicallevel. At this point thecapacitor 41 is discharged to theoutput 37through theresistance 43 and thediode 44 with the time constant0.6 *r1 * c1, where r1 is the value of theresistance 43 and c1 is thecapacitance of thecapacitor 41. After the interval determined by thistime constant, theinput 36 of theNAND gate 31 is at the low logicallevel (approximately 1/3 of the supply voltage) and therefore theoutput37 switches to the high logical level. At this point thecapacitor 41begins to be charged through theresistance 42, over a period which isapproximately 10 times the discharge period.
• While thephotoresistor 17 keeps theinput 35 at the high logicallevel, a square-wave signal with an asymmetric cycle (frequency F1),which, in each period, takes a high value for an interval equal to onetenth of the interval for which the signal takes a low value, is present attheoutput 37 of theNAND gate 31. TheNAND gate 31 thus acts as anoscillator with a frequency F1 in the range from approximately 1 to 1.5Hz.
• TheNAND gate 32 has the sole function of acting as an inverter, inother words of inverting the logical level of theoutput 37 of theNANDgate 31.
• TheNAND gate 33 is an oscillator, similar to theNAND gate 31,which controls the step-updevice 60. TheNAND 33 has a frequencyF2 in the range from approximately 2 to 4 kHz (according to thecharacteristics of the step-up device 60) and a symmetrical cycle. TheNAND gate 33 is activated when theinput 51 is at the high logical level.It therefore has at its output 52 a signal formed by a train of pulseshaving the frequency F2 in each interval in which the square wavehaving the frequency F1, generated by theNAND gate 31, takes thehigh level.
• The pulses present at theoutput 52 of theNAND gate 33 areinverted by theNAND gate 34 and, through theresistance 57, triggerthetransistor 58 which controls thetransistor 59. Thetransistor 59, inturn, controls the operation of thetransformer 60 which supplies on itssecondary winding the voltage required for driving theelectroluminescent lamp 8 through theterminals 14 and 15, and fordriving theelectroluminescent lamp 108 through theterminals 114 and115. The application of alternating current voltage between theelectrodes of thelamps 8 and 108 generates a variable electrical fieldwithin the phosphor, which becomes a light source.
• Thelamps 8 and 108 are supplied with alternating current, at the frequency F2 of the pulsed signal generated by theNAND gate 33, forthe period in which the square-wave signal generated by theNANDgate 31 remains at the high level. Thelamps 8 and 108 are notsupplied during the period in which the square-wave signal generatedby theNAND gate 31 remains at the low level. However, the lightemitted by thelamps 8 and 108 are remains visible continuously, owingto the phenomenon of persistence of the image in the retina of thehuman eye.
• Theoscillator 31 therefore generates a square wave with anasymmetric duty cycle such that it provides a high visibility of the lamptogether with minimum battery consumption.
• Theelectroluminescent lamps 8 and 108 can be replaced orsupplemented with one or more LEDs located on the front or on theback of the jacket in order to achieve a particularly pleasing effect (e.g.for a pattern on the jacket).
• Thebattery 18 is, for example, a 3 V or 9 V battery. The voltage ofthebattery 18 has a value lower than the acceptable reverse voltagefor thetransistors 58 and 59, which must in any case withstandrelatively high voltages (excess currents generated by the inductanceof the transformer 60).
• Thediode 26 has the function of protecting theelectronic circuit 16,except for the power section (transistors 58 and 59), from reversals ofpolarity. Thus the connection of a diode in series with the power supplyis avoided and this enables efficiency to be improved and allows asmaller diode to be used, with consequent reduction of cost.
• Thecapacitors 28 and 29 have the function of stabilizing the supplyvoltage of theelectronic circuit 16.
• Thephotoresistor 17 is set in such a way that the external lightfiltering through the fabric of thepocket 7 is sufficient to operate it, andhas a hysteresis to avoid uncertainty of operation when the light is at the limit of the set range. Thephotoresistor 17 has an adequatespectrum of sensitivity and a response speed of more than 50 Hz. Withthis arrangement, when the environment in which the jacket is used isilluminated with artificial light modulated at 50 Hz, a pulsed voltage ispresent at theinput 35 of theNAND gate 31 and activates the circuit.Thus an economical system for recognizing artificial light is provided,so that the jacket can also be used in tunnels and in enclosedilluminated environments.
• Thetransformer 60 can be formed by a diode-capacitor circuit (diodepump).
• Theelectronic circuit 16 is, for example, a C-MOS (complementarymetal oxide semiconductor) CD 4093.
• The use of circuits printed on theboard 62 has the advantage ofreducing the dimensions, improving the robustness and makingassembly simple and rapid. Additionally, theboard 62 is suitable forbeing incorporated in a resin envelope, by combined pressing or othermethods, in order to make the whole assembly more secure and easierto handle.
• A particular mode of flashing can be used to enable the product tobe recognized at first sight: for example, the flashing could be such thatit forms a letter of the Morse code alphabet, to identify the productimmediately (a kind of optical jingle).

Claims (12)

1. Garment (1) provided with a luminescent means (8; 108) which canbe excited by alternating current at a predetermined frequency, thesaid luminescent means (8; 108) being connected for operation to apower supply circuit (20), comprising a source of direct currentelectrical energy (18) and at least one switch means (19), bymeans of an electronic driving circuit (16) capable of controlling theconversion of the said direct current into the said alternatingcurrent, characterized in that said electronic driving circuit (16) isalso capable of supplying said luminescent means (8; 108) withsaid alternating current at said predetermined frequency when asquare-wave signal has a high value.
2. Garment (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the saidelectronic driving circuit (16) comprises a photoresistor means (17).
3. Garment (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the saidelectronic driving circuit (16) also comprises four triggered NANDgates (31, 32, 33, 34), a first NAND gate (31) having a first input(35) connected to a voltage divider formed by the saidphotoresistor means (17) and a first resistance (39), a second input(36) connected to earth (24) through a first capacitor (41) andconnected to one of its outputs (37) through a second resistance(42) connected in parallel with a third resistance (43) and a firstdiode (44), the said output (37) being connected through a second,inverting, NAND gate (32) to a first input (51) of a third NAND gate(33), the said third NAND gate (33) having a second input (50)connected to earth (24) through a second capacitor (49) and to oneof its outputs (52) through a fourth resistance (53), the said output(52) being connected through a fourth, inverting, NAND gate (34), afifth resistance (57) and a control transistor (58) to a powertransistor (59), the said first NAND gate (31) emitting a square-wave signal with an asymmetric cycle, the said third NAND gate(33) emitting a signal formed by a train of pulses having the saidpredetermined frequency to cause the excitation of the said at leastone luminescent means (8; 108) when the said square-wave signalhas said high value.
4. Garment (1) according to Claims 1 and 3, characterized in that thesaid power supply circuit (20) is connected to a step-up device (60)which, in turn, is connected to the said power transistor (59) and tothe said at least one luminescent means (8; 108).
5. Garment (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the saidpower supply circuit (20) also comprises a second diode (26) and athird and a fourth capacitor (29, 30), connected in parallel, capableof stabilizing the supply voltage of the said electronic driving circuit(16).
6. Garment (1) according to Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that thesaid power supply circuit (20) and the said electronic driving circuit(16) are printed on a board (62) which also carries the saidphotoresistor means (17).
7. Garment (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said atleast one luminescent means (8; 108) consists of a flexibleelectroluminescent lamp.
8. Garment (1) according to Claims 1 and 7, characterized in that it isprovided with at least one flap (70) having an inner part to whichthe said flexible electroluminescent lamp (8) is fitted, the saidflexible electroluminescent lamp (8) being visible when the said flap(70) is raised.
9. Garment (1) according to Claims 1 and 7, characterized in that ithas at least one transparent portion (74), the said flexibleelectroluminescent lamp (108) being located under the saidtransparent portion.
10. Garment (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the saidswitch means (19) is formed by a transistor which can be activatedby the fastening of at least one press stud (6; 66; 72).
11. Garment (1) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the said atleast one press stud (6; 66; 72) is formed by discs (75, 76, 77) towhich are fixed strips (79, 80) connected to conductors (81, 82).
12. Garment (1) provided with at least one flexible electroluminescentlamp (8; 108), which can be excited by alternating current at apredetermined frequency, characterized in that saidelectroluminescent lamp (8; 108) is excited by said alternatingcurrent at said predetermined frequency when a square-wavesignal has a high value.

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