WO1998040240A1 - Warning system for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

An enhanced motor vehicle warning system providing flashing lights in response to the sounding of the horn (14). The driver either can enable or disable (12) the system. When the system is enabled and the horn (14) is sounded, latching (28) and time delay relays (34) close to provide power to various lamps and in particular to the high beam lamps (20). This power, through the latching relay (28), is provided through a flasher (16) so that these lamps provide a visible flashing light signal in synchronism with the flasher for the predetermined time period set by the time delay relay (34). Parking lamps (18) may also be energized, if they are off, but preferably not through the flasher (16).

Description

WARNING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES

Background Of The Invention This invention relates in general to an enhanced warning system for vehicles and, more particularly, to one in which a visual warning is added to the auditory warning provided by the horn of a motor vehicle.

In general, when a driver of a motor vehicle hits the horn, it is to attract attention to a matter of considerable importance and usually a matter affecting human safety. A horn is a very useful device for catching attention.

However, there are a number of situations where the horn of a vehicle may not be heard because the modern vehicle more completely isolates and insulates the driver than used to be the case. Vehicles today include climate control systems that encourage one to keep the windows closed. Some vehicles provide a degree of sound proofing in order to enhance the comfort of the driver and riders . The chance that a driver may not hear the sound of a horn is greater than it used to be.

Accordingly, a major purpose of this invention is to enhance the warning provided to others on the road when a driver sounds the horn.

In order to increase the availability of this enhancement, it is an important purpose of this invention to provide the enhancement with a minimum of reconfiguration of the arrangements presently available in a motor vehicle . It is an important purpose of this invention to provide an enhancement of the warning provided by the audible sound of a horn in a context that minimizes additional cost and additional complexity of design. It is known to provide a warning system in which flashing lights are activated upon sounding of the horn. This is shown, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,389,913 issued February 14, 1995. In this patent, when the horn is sounded, latching and time delay relays close to provide power to the high beam head lamps and the backup lamps, through a flasher circuit, to provide visible flashing light signals. Parking lamps may also be energized through associated circuitry, if desired, but preferably not through the flasher circuit . It has been found that the flashing of the back-up lamps may provide a miscue to a motorist who is behind the vehicle sending out the alarm signal. That is, it may falsely appear that the vehicle emitting the signal is going to back up. This highlights the importance of selecting signals that will avoid any miscues or false impressions .

Accordingly, the present invention is directed toward an improved warning system which provides an unambiguous warning signal and that avoids any possible misunderstanding as to the information being signalled. Brief Description

In brief, an embodiment of this invention employs a latching and delay relay arrangement which responds to the sounding of the horn of a vehicle. When the horn is sounded, the latching and delay relays are thrown into an on state which provides a source of power to one or more predetermined lamp circuits for the period to time determined by the delay relay. A flasher in series between the power providing latching relay and a relay to the high beam circuit of the head lamps causes the high beam head lamps to flash on and off in synchronism with the flasher.

If the head lamps are already on, the associated relay switches those lamps from their ordinary source of power to the source of power that is provided through the flasher so that they will be in a flashing state.

If the head lamps are off, they are simply switched to this flashing on and off state. The parking lamps are also connected through a relay to the power switch of the latching relay. But the parking lamps are not connected through the flasher so that they are simply turned on if they are off at the time the horn is sounded, and there is no change in their state if they are on at the time the horn is sounded. An enable/disable switch permits the operator to disable the system when desired. Brief Description of the Drawings For a more complete understanding of the invention and the various features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the functional arrangement of the system of this invention; and FIG. 2 is a more specific schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of the system of this invention.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment FIG. 1 indicates the major components of the system in a simplified form which leaves out certain significant features disclosed in greater detail in the schematic diagram of FIG. 2.

An enable switch 12 permits the driver of the car to either enable or disable the system of this invention. That is, the system of this invention will only operate when the enable switch 12 is closed so that the output from the horn 14 is connected up to the flasher 16 and other elements of the system of this invention. FIG. 1 shows the switch 12 in the disable position. When the switch 12 is closed and in the enable position, sounding the horn 12 will close a switch (shown in FIG. 2) which applies energizing power, normally from a 12 volt battery, to the parking lamps 18 and through the flasher 16 to the high beams of the head lamps 20.

If the parking lamps 18 are on, this operation will have no visible effect because they will simply remain on. It is only if the parking lamps are off that they will be turned on by the system. However, by means of relay shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, the high beams of the head lamps 20 will be turned on through the flasher 16. That will occur whether the lamps 20 are in an off state or in an on state when the horn 14 is sounded. This means that the high beams of the head lamps, if on, will start to flash on and off, and if in their off state, will also start to flash on and off .

With this basic concept in mind, FIG. 2 can be more readily understood and will provide a more detailed description of how the system of this invention can be made to operate .

The enable/disable switch 12 is shown in the open state. It has to be placed into a closed state for the system to be made operative. When the switch 12 is in the closed state and the horn 14 is sounded, the horn switch 22 closes applying power to the coil of the horn relay 24 thereby closing the switch 24S. The closed switch 24S applies power through the diode 26 and the closed enable switch 12 to the coil of the latching relay 28. The lower arm of the switch arms 28S provides a latching function and the upper arm of the switch 28S provides power to the parking lamp relay 30 and high beam head lamp relay 32.

This power is applied to the relays 30 and 32 only if the off delay relay 34 is energized. The coil of the off delay relay 34 is energized by the closing of the horn relay switch 24S which closes the switch 34S and thereby provides a ground return for the coil of the latching relay 28. This off delay relay 34 is set for a predetermined time during which it stays in its on state after being energized. This predetermined time might be for five seconds. Accordingly, when the horn is sounded and the switch 24S closes, the relay 34 is actuated, the switch 34S closes, and the latching relay 28 is activated to provide power on the line 36 to the relays 30 and 32. But this power is provided for only a predetermined time period, for example, five seconds. After five seconds, the off delay relay 34 automatically opens deenergizing the coil of the latching relay 28 and causing latching relay 28 to switch back to its off state removing power from the line 36 to the relays 30 and 32.

Power applied to the parking lamp relay 30 switches the relay from the state shown to a state wherein the switch 3 OS switches from the state shown where it connects power from the line 36 to the parking lamps 18. If the parking lamps are already on because of power connected from the existing parking lamp circuit through the switch 3 OS, they will simply remain on by virtue of the switch 30S and no difference will be noted. Thus, in the embodiment of the invention shown, the only effect of the implementation of this invention on the parking lamps will be to turn them on if they are off. More importantly, power from the line 36 is applied to the relay 32 thereby switching the state of the relay switch on 32S from that shown to one where the high beam head lamps 20 are disconnected from the existing high beam circuit and connected to the power line 36 through the flasher 16. But since the power is now applied through the flasher 16, the high beams of the head lamps 20 will oscillate at a rate determined by the flasher 16 between an off or low intensity level to a full or high intensity level . It should be noted that the low beams of the head lamps 20 are not affected and the existing low beam circuit remains directly connected to the low beams .

When the system is enabled and the horn is actuated, the high beams of the head lamps 20 will switch either from their off state into the flashing state provided by this invention or from their fully on state to the flashing state provided by this invention. The embodiment described involves providing actual potential visual indications of a warning situation through use of the parking lamps and high beam head lamps. The system could readily be extended or modified to include the flashing and/or turning on of low beam lights, side lights, hazard lights, brake lights, fog lights, or back-up lights. However, those lights are not incorporated into the preferred embodiment indicated above because applicants consider that use of such might produce confusion and/or an inappropriate response. For example, braking lights are used to indicate a braking function which, if it does not occur, might provide a miscue that would create a problem or inappropriate reaction on the part of adjacent drivers. Similarly, turn signal are used for a turning function and actuation of them might cause an inappropriate reaction by adjacent drivers. Still further, back-up lights are used indicate backing up of the vehicle and actuation of them in a flashing state might produce confusion to the driver of the vehicle behind as to whether the signalling vehicle is, indeed, backing up or is merely disabled.

It is essential not to interrupt a vehicle lighting that is required for safe night operation such as the low beam head lamps, turn signals, tail and brake lights, and back-up lights. As such, it is an important teaching of the invention that the high beams of the head lamps are the only lights connected to the flasher upon sounding of the horn.

The flasher 16 can be changed to vary the flashing rate. Optimum flashing rate would depend upon appreciable experience. For example, a flashing rate of once per second might be too low because a car can move at a decent amount of distance in a second. Perhaps the flashing rate of half a second or a quarter of second might turn out to be an appropriate flashing rate that would provide appropriate flashing without appearing to be just a flicker. A distinct predetermined rapid rate of flashing that comes to be recognized as associated with the response to a horn signal would assist in driver recognition of this warning signal existing. FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment in which the latching relay 28 is separate from the relay 32 that connects the flasher 16 to the high beams of the head lamps 20. There may be circumstances where a single relay could be used to perform both functions when one relay arm creates the latching function, a second relay arm provides power to the flasher and a third relay arm switches the high beams of the head lamps from the regular power circuit to the flasher circuit 16.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the basic principles of the invention as embraced by the following claims.

Claims

Claims What Is Claimed Is:

1. In a motor vehicle having a horn and a horn circuit; a source of power; high beam head lamps and a high beam head lamp circuit; and parking lamps and a parking lamp circuit; each of said lamp circuits having a normal off-state and an on-state; a horn actuated warning system comprising; a flasher circuit; a first relay element having a normal state and an energized state, the energized state of said first relay element connecting said source of power to said flasher circuit to cause said flasher circuit to switch on and off; and a second relay element having a normal state and an energized state, the normal state of said second relay element connecting the high beams of said head lamps to the high beam head lamp circuit and the energized state of said second relay element connecting the high beams of said head lamps to said flasher circuit ; the energized state of said first relay element, said flasher circuit, the energized state of said second relay element and the high beams of said head lamps connected in electrical series; said first and second relay elements being responsive to actuation of said horn circuit to switch from their normal state to their energized state; the energized states of said first and second relay elements causing said high beam head lamps to switch on and off in synchronism with the switching of said flasher circuit; the high beams of said head lamps being the only lights connected to said flasher circuit.

2. The motor vehicle warning system of Claim 1, further comprising: a third relay element; said parking lamps and said third relay element being connected in series to the energized state of said first relay element, actuation of said horn circuit causing said parking lamps, when off, to be turned on.

3. The motor vehicle warning system of Claim 1, wherein: said first relay element is in a first relay and said second relay element is in a second relay.

4. The motor vehicle warning system of Claim 2, wherein : said first relay element is in a first relay and said second relay element is in a second relay.

5. The motor vehicle warning system of Claim 2, wherein: said third relay element is in a third relay.

6. The motor vehicle warning system of Claim 4, wherein: said third relay element is in a third relay.

7. The motor vehicle warning system of Claim 1, further comprising: a timer responsive to the energized state of said first relay element to switch said first relay element into its normal state at a predetermined time period after said horn circuit is actuated.

8. The motor vehicle warning system of Claim 1, further comprising: a manual enable/disable switch between said first relay element and said horn circuit to permit operator disconnection of said warning system.

9. The motor vehicle warning system of Claim 2 , further comprising: a timer responsive to the energized state of said first relay element to switch said first relay element into its normal state at a predetermined time period after said horn circuit is actuated.

10. The motor vehicle warning system of Claim 2, further comprising: a manual enable/disable switch between said first relay element and said horn circuit to permit operator disconnection of said warning system.

11. The motor vehicle warning system of Claim 7, further comprising: a manual enable/disable switch between said first relay element and said horn circuit to permit operator disconnection of said warning system.

12. In a motor vehicle having a horn and a horn circuit; a source of power; high beam head lamps and a high beam head lamp circuit; and parking lamps and a parking lamp circuit; each of said lamp circuits having a normal off-state and an on-state; a horn actuated warning system comprising; a flasher circuit; a first relay element having a normal state and an energized state, the energized state of said first relay element connecting said source of power to said flasher circuit to cause said flasher circuit to switch on and off; a second relay element having a normal state and an energized state, the normal state of said second relay element connecting the high beams of said head lamps to the high beam head lamp circuit and the energized state of said second relay element connecting the high beams of said head lamps to said flasher circuit ; the energized state of said first relay element, said flasher circuit, the energized state of said second relay element and the high beams of said head lamps connected in electrical series; said first and second relay elements being responsive to actuation of said horn circuit to switch from their normal state to their energized state; the energized states of said first and second relay elements causing said high beam head lamps to switch on and off in synchronism with the switching of said flasher circuit; the high beams of said head lamps being the only lights connected to said flasher circuit; a third relay element; said parking lamps and said third relay element being connected in series to the energized state of said first relay element, actuation of said horn circuit causing said parking lamps, when off, to be turned on; and a timer responsive to the energized state of said first relay element to switch said first relay element into its normal state at a predetermined time period after said horn circuit is actuated.

13. The warning system of Claim 12, further comprising: a manual enable/disable switch between said first relay element and said horn circuit to permit operator disconnection of said warning system.

14. The motor vehicle warning system of Claim 12, wherein : said first relay element is in a first relay, said second relay element is in a second relay, and said third relay element is in a third relay.

15. In a motor vehicle having a horn and a horn circuit; high beam head lamps and a high beam head lamp circuit; parking lamps and a parking lamp circuit; and a source of energy; a horn actuated warning system comprising: a relay system having a normal off-state and an on- state, said relay system being responsive to actuation of said horn circuit to switch from its normal off-state to its on-state when the horn is sounded; a flasher circuit; said flasher circuit and the on-state of said relay system being connected in series to said source of energy to provide a warning circuit; said flasher circuit switching on and off in response to said source of energy provided by the on- state of said relay system; the switching of said relay system from its normal off-state to its on-state by actuation of said horn circuit causing the high beams of said head lamps to be switched from said high beam head lamp circuit to said warning circuit, thereby causing said high beam head lamps to switch on and off in synchronism with the switching of said flasher circuit; the high beams of said head lamps being the only lights connected to said warning circuit .

16. The horn actuated warning system of Claim 15, wherein : the on-state of said relay system further causing said parking lamps, when off, to be turned on.

17. The horn actuated warning system of Claim 15, further comprising: a timer responsive to the on-state of said relay system to switch said relay system into its off-state at a predetermined time period after said horn circuit is actuated.

18. The horn actuated warning system of Claim 16, further comprising: a timer responsive to the on-state of said relay system to switch said relay system into its off-state at a predetermined time period after said horn circuit is actuated.

19. The horn actuated warning system of Claim 15, further comprising: a manual enable/disable switch coupled to said relay system to permit operator switching of said relay system from its on-state to its off-state.

20. The horn actuated warning system of Claim 18, further comprising: a manual enable/disable switch coupled to said relay system to permit operator switching of said relay system from its on-state to its off-state.