CN1799902A - Vehicle Indicator System - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle indicator light system is connected to a control system installed in the vehicle by telecommunication and includes an indicator light display. The indicator light display is located at a certain distance above the bottom edge of the vehicle's rear end and includes a plurality of light emitting diodes that can display different dynamic patterns to indicate different vehicle states according to different types of instructions from the control system.

Description

Vehicle Indicator System

technical field

The invention relates to a vehicle indicator system, in particular to a vehicle indicator system capable of displaying different dynamic indication signals or displaying signs at prominent positions to specifically warn or remind other vehicles following behind.

Background technique

Existing vehicle indicator light systems generally include two sets of indicator lights respectively located on opposite sides of the rear of the vehicle, generally referred to as the first and second set of indicator lights.

The first and second sets of indicator lights are generally used to indicate the steering status of the vehicle, or to send out warning signals when the vehicle brakes, backs up or breaks down, so the driver of the vehicle behind can adjust its speed or take other appropriate measures. measure. The first and second indicator light systems are generally controlled by the control system of the vehicle.

For a vehicle control system described above, reference may be made to US Patent No. 5,955,944. The control system in this patent includes at least a ring-shaped automobile steering wheel, a hub adapted to be connected to the steering column of the automobile, the spokes extend horizontally from the hub to the ring handle, and a switch hole or cavity is provided on the hub , a pair of buttons are located in the switch hole, and each button switch protrudes out of the switch hole to form a left button switch and a right button switch.

Similar control systems can also be found in patents such as US Patent No. 6,034,600, which use manual selectors (such as buttons or handles) to switch corresponding turn indicators. This means that the driver must press or press the right or left turn selector when he wants to steer the vehicle to the right or left, and must reset the corresponding selector after the steering is completed. In this way, passers-by or other surrounding vehicles can be warned by turning on or off the turn signal. These patents also disclose a variety of automatic control systems, since these systems are not similar to the present invention, they will not be repeated here.

U.S. Patent No. 6,552,492 (the '492 patent) discloses an automatic severe weather tail light system that automatically activates a severe weather tail light source. The severe weather tail light system includes one or more light sources that enhance the visibility of the rear of the vehicle in the event of poor weather or smoke and dust; a system that collects, receives and integrates the real-time status of the vehicle, environmental conditions, visibility, and ambient light intensity means; a control device such that the severe weather tail light system is automatically activated when the visibility is below a lower visibility threshold and the severe weather tail light system is automatically deactivated when the visibility is greater than the lower visibility threshold.

In the '492 patent, in order to avoid masking the illumination of brake lights or turn signal/emergency lights, the intensity of these lights is automatically enhanced so that it is always greater than the severe weather tail light source. Accordingly, the severe weather tail light system automatically activates and gradually increases or decreases the luminous intensity of the severe weather tail light source as visibility increases or decreases.

However, if the front of the following vehicle is higher or larger, it is difficult or not convenient for the driver to see the flashing lights of the braking vehicle in front of them, because the first and second indicator lights are generally located at the rear of the vehicle. low part. This is quite dangerous and can easily lead to a collision.

Therefore, the so-called third position brake light is designed in a higher position at the rear of the vehicle to avoid the risk of collision. Thereby, a driver sitting in the aforementioned vehicle with a higher or larger front can conveniently see the blinking of the brake indicator light of the vehicle in front of them.

The third brake indicator light is generally designed behind the rear seats in the car, can be seen through the rear window, or is arranged at the top of the rear window just below the roof. Therefore, it is easy to see when the brake light is flashing.

However, when the vehicle brakes, the existing third brake indicator light flashes as a whole; and when the braking ends, the existing third brake indicator light goes out as a whole. Further, it only illuminates when the vehicle is braking. Therefore, the indicator light needs to be improved to meet people's increasingly affluent and colorful life requirements, and to indicate different driving states.

U.S. Patent No. 6,573,830 (hereinafter referred to as the '830 patent) provides an improved vehicle brake light system including a brake sensor to sense brake pedal activity, and a brake light display that responds to brake pedal activity sequentially or incrementally lights up or goes out. The brake light indicator consists of a row of LEDs mounted on the rear of the vehicle to show the progressive status of the brakes.

The brake light display is designed so that its LEDs light up progressively from the outside to the inside according to the amount of pressure applied to the brake pedal. Thus, if the brake pedal is only lightly touched, only a few of the outer LEDs are lit. On the contrary, if the brake pedal is fully depressed, such as in the case of emergency braking, all the lights are turned on sequentially from outside to inside.

Although the brake light display disclosed in the '830 patent can be illuminated when changing lanes, it is still located in the position of the first and second indicator lights discussed above. Moreover, the lighting pattern of the LED is related to the pressure applied on the brake pedal, so its application is quite limited.

Further, the current third brake indicator light only has a single function of indicating the brake status of the vehicle on which it is installed. A similar problem remains unsolved when the vehicle in front is turning or reversing. It is still quite inconvenient for the driver of a rear vehicle with a taller or larger front to see the first or second indicator light indicating turning or reversing status. From this point of view, the possibility of collision has not been completely avoided.

Contents of the invention

The main object of the present invention is to provide an indicator light system capable of displaying different dynamic indication signals or signs in prominent positions to especially warn following vehicles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dynamic indicator light display at a third indicator light position higher than the original first and second indicator light positions on opposite sides of the bottom edge of the rear of the vehicle.

To achieve the above purpose, the present invention provides a vehicle indicator system. The vehicle indicator system is in telecommunications connection with a control system installed in the vehicle and includes an indicator display. The indicator light display is located at a certain distance higher than the bottom edge of the rear of the vehicle, so as to display dynamic signals and/or signs according to different types of commands of the control system.

The indicator light display includes a plurality of rows of light emitting units, for example, incandescent or non-incandescent lamps. In one embodiment of the invention, the light emitting unit is a light emitting diode, which can be selectively switched on and off with certain rules to display dynamic signals and/or signs. The dynamic signal and/or symbol of the indicator light display can be presented in a dynamic manner, for example, flowing or scrolling from one end of the indicator light display to the other to form a dynamic signal and/or symbol.

When the control system sends a corresponding left or right steering type command to the indicator system, the indicator light display will show a signal and/or sign of a first pattern to indicate the steering status of the vehicle. Therefore, the signal and/or sign of the first pattern may be an arrow pointing to the left or right, or a word or phrase indicating the steering state of the vehicle, or other possible patterns.

When the control system sends a corresponding brake command to the indicator system, the indicator light display will display a second pattern signal and/or sign to indicate the braking status of the vehicle. The signal and/or sign of the second pattern can be a plurality of rows of flashing light-emitting diodes, or a word or phrase indicating the braking state of the vehicle, or other possible patterns.

When the control system sends a corresponding reversing command to the indicator system, the indicator light display will show a signal and/or sign of a third pattern to indicate the reversing state of the vehicle. The signal and/or sign of its third pattern can be a "!" symbol to warn the following vehicles or passers-by that the vehicle is reversing, or a word or phrase indicating the state of the vehicle reversing, or other possible patterns.

When the control system sends a corresponding steering while reversing command to the indicator system, the indicator light display will show a signal and/or sign of a fourth pattern to indicate the vehicle's turning and reversing state. Signals and/or signs of its fourth pattern include an arrow pointing left or right and blinking light emitting diodes on the dynamic arrow symbol. The arrow symbol and LEDs can be colored differently by causing the corresponding LEDs to emit different colors.

The location of the indicator light display may be around the middle portion of the rear of the vehicle. The indicator light display may be located near the bottom of the rear window of the vehicle. The indicator light display can also be attached directly under the roof of the vehicle. The indicator light display is installed in the car and can be seen through the rear window of the car. The indicator light display may be located either in the middle part of the body of the vehicle or on the rear side of the wings. Other purposes, advantages and creation details of the present invention will be more clearly explained in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a rear view of a car equipped with the indicator light system of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the indicator light display of the indicator light system of the present invention;

3A, 3B and 3C are schematic diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a dynamic process of an indicator light display;

4 is a schematic diagram of an indicator light display according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an indicator light display according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

Please refer to FIG. 1 , the present invention provides an indicator light system (not shown) for a vehicle 1 . The vehicle 1 has a body 11 , a roof 10 and a rear window 12 located between the roof 10 and the rear of the body 11 . Two sets of existing turn indicator lights 13, 14 are located on opposite sides of the rear section of the body 11, generally near the bottom edge of the rear section.

The indicator light system according to the present invention is in telecommunications connection with a control system (not shown) installed inside the vehicle and includes an indicator light display 2 . This indicator light display 2 is located at a certain distance above the bottom edge of the tail, in fact usually higher than the existing turn indicators 13 , 14 . The indicator light display 2 according to the invention is therefore located in such a conspicuous position that it is very easily seen by the driver of the following vehicle 1 , even in a vehicle with a high head.

The position of the indicator light display 2 may be the middle part surrounding the rear of the vehicle body 11 . For example, the indicator light display 2 may be located near the bottom of the rear window 12 of the vehicle, or in the immediate area between the rear window 12 and the vehicle body 11 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The indicator light display 2 may be located directly under the roof 10 of the vehicle 1 , and/or on the top or upper portion of the rear window 12 . Generally, the indicator light display 2 is installed in the vehicle 1 so that it can be easily connected to the control system and can be seen through the rear window 12 .

The indicator light display 2 includes a plurality of rows of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 20, which can be selectively illuminated in a certain order to display dynamic signals and/or signs according to different types of commands from the control system. The dynamic signals and/or patterns of the indicator light display 2 can be expressed in a moving manner, for example, the dynamic signals and/or signs flow or scroll from one end of the indicator light display 2 to the other end as shown in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C, This process is described in detail below.

When the driver wants to make the vehicle 1 turn right, he will start the right turn switch of the control system, and the control system will immediately send a right turn command to the indicator light system of the present invention. Of course, this process can also be automatically completed by the control system and/or other suitable devices installed in the vehicle 1 without the driver's operation.

While receiving the right turn command from the control system, the indicator light system controls its indicator light display 2 to display the first patterns of the signals and/or signs to indicate the turning state of the vehicle 1 .

Please refer to Fig. 3A, 3B and 3C again, the first pattern 25 of indicator light display 2 is an arrow symbol pointing to the right The arrow is dynamic and "flows" or moves from a first position marked 251 at the left end of indicator light display 2 to a second position marked 252 in the middle of indicator light display 2 and then to a second position marked 253 at the right end of indicator light display 2 Three positions.

Therefore, the dynamic feature of the first pattern of the indicator light display 2 is that at least the moving state of the first pattern 25 points to the turning direction in the form of an arrow. The arrow can also be in a blinking state, that is, the arrow-shaped light-emitting diodes are also blinking while the first pattern is dynamically moving.

The first pattern 25 can also be other suitable patterns or signs, such as a word or phrase that can clearly express the steering state of the vehicle 1 . In addition, only the LEDs on the right side or bottom of the first pattern 25 are lit to indicate that the vehicle is turning right; when turning left, the LEDs on the left side of the first pattern 25 are lit.

When the driver performs a braking action on the vehicle 1 . The control system synchronously sends a braking command to the indicator light system of the present invention. As a result, the indicator light display 2 displays a signal and/or symbol of a second pattern (not shown) representing the braking state of the vehicle 1 .

The second pattern may consist of lighting all LEDs, or by lighting only some of the LEDs on the indicator light display, as shown in pattern 261 in FIG. 4 .

Or, a word, such as "brake" or a phrase that directly and clearly indicates the braking state of the vehicle 1, or other suitable patterns, can also be used as the pattern of the second pattern. These patterns can also be designed to flash dynamically and simultaneously, as described above with respect to the first pattern of the indicator light display 2 .

If the driver intends to reverse the vehicle 1, he will activate the corresponding switch of the control system, and the indicator light system of the present invention can receive corresponding feedback instructions from the control system. Therefore, the indicator lamp display 2 displays the signal and/or pattern of the third pattern to represent the reverse state of the vehicle 1 .

The third pattern may be a symbol 271 "!" as shown in FIG. 5 to warn other vehicles or pedestrians behind that the vehicle 1 is reversing. Or, a word, such as "reversing" or a phrase that directly and clearly indicates the reversing state of the vehicle 1, or other suitable patterns, can also become the pattern of the third pattern. These patterns can also be designed to be dynamic and flash at the same time, as described above with respect to the first pattern of the indicator light display 2 .

As we know, the driver often performs a steering operation on the vehicle 1 while braking the vehicle 1 . In order to display this simultaneous steering and braking state, a fourth pattern of signals and/or patterns of the indicator light display is therefore required.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the fourth pattern 26 may include a pattern 260 of arrows pointing left or right and a plurality of blinking LED patterns 261 right above the dynamic arrow pattern 260 .

Obviously, other suitable combinations of pattern designs can replace the patterns 260 and 261 in FIG. 4 to clearly indicate the steering and braking states of the vehicle 1 . For example, FIG. 5 shows another fourth pattern 27 of the indicator light display 2, which represents the state of the vehicle 1 turning while braking. The pattern 271 is an animated "!" sign to indicate that the vehicle 1 is decelerating, while the arrow pattern 270 obviously indicates that the vehicle 1 is turning right.

It should be noted that the patterns 25, 26, 27 of the indicator light display and the dynamic characteristics of other patterns not listed refer to at least one motion state thereof. Its moving direction can be from the right end of the indicator light display to the left end, or vice versa, and the direction can be preset as required. Its dynamic features may include blinking states of patterns 25, 26, 27 and other patterns not listed.

In addition, the different combinations of dynamic patterns shown by the indicator light display 2 according to the present invention can be designed to represent different states of the vehicle 1, such as the vehicle 1 is not only turning or braking or reversing, but is in a mixed movement or In the operating state, such as the above-mentioned state of steering while braking.

Further, because LEDs can emit light of different colors, the patterns 260 and 261 in FIG. 4 and the patterns 270 and 271 in FIG. 5 can exhibit different colors by causing the corresponding LEDs to emit light of different colors. For example, pattern 260 is red and pattern 261 is yellow, or pattern 270 is blue and pattern 271 is green, and so on.

Claims (46)

1, a kind of automobiles indicator lamp system, it can be connected with the control system telecommunication, it is characterized in that this automobiles indicator lamp system also comprises the indicator lamp telltale, this indicator lamp telltale is positioned at the vehicle afterbody and exceeds the position of certain distance than root edge, represents the vehicle different conditions with dissimilar instruction performance Different Dynamic signal and/or sign according to this control system.

2, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that sending corresponding left-hand rotation or right-hand rotation when instructing to indicator lamp system when control system, and this indicator lamp telltale shows that the signal of first pattern and/or sign are to show the steering state of vehicle.

3, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 2, first pattern that it is characterized in that this signal and/or sign can be one and point to a left side or right arrow mark symbol.

4, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 2, first pattern that it is characterized in that this signal and/or sign can be word or expressions of expressing the Vehicular turn state.

5, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that sending corresponding brake when instructing to indicator lamp system when control system, and this indicator lamp telltale shows that the signal of second pattern and/or sign are to show the braking state of vehicle.

6, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that second pattern of this signal and/or sign can be the light-emitting diode of plural number row flicker.

7, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that second pattern of this signal and/or sign can be a word or expression of expressing the vehicle brake state.

8, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that sending corresponding reversing when instructing to indicator lamp system when control system, and this indicator lamp telltale shows that the signal of the 3rd pattern and/or sign are to show the reversing state of vehicle.

9, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 8, the 3rd pattern that it is characterized in that this signal and/or sign can be word or expressions of expressing the vehicle backing state.

10, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 8, the 3rd pattern that it is characterized in that this signal and/or sign can be one "! " symbol.

11, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that when Vehicular turn brakes simultaneously, send corresponding instruction according to control system, this indicator lamp telltale shows the signal of the 4th pattern and/or indicates to show the state of brake simultaneously that turns to of vehicle.

12, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that the 4th pattern of this signal and/or sign comprises that one points to the left or right arrow mark symbol and the light-emitting diode of a plurality of flickers on this dynamic symbol.

13,, it is characterized in that this indicator lamp telltale is positioned near the centre portion of vehicle afterbody as each described automobiles indicator lamp system of claim 1 to 12.

14, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that this indicator lamp telltale is positioned at the position near vehicle rear window bottom.

15, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that this indicator lamp telltale is positioned at the position of being close to the vehicle ceiling below.

16,, it is characterized in that this indicator lamp telltale is installed in Che Nei and can sees through the car rear window in sight as each described automobiles indicator lamp system of claim 1 to 12.

17,, it is characterized in that this indicator lamp telltale is positioned at vehicle casing afterbody as each described automobiles indicator lamp system of claim 1 to 12.

18,, it is characterized in that this indicator lamp telltale is positioned near the alar part rear side as each described automobiles indicator lamp system of claim 1 to 12.

19, as each described automobiles indicator lamp system of claim 1 to 12, it is characterized in that this indicator lamp telltale comprises plural number row's light-emitting diode, the rule that these diodes can be certain by switch optionally to show Dynamic Signal and/or sign.

20, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that this Dynamic Signal and/or sign can present different colours by the light that makes corresponding light-emitting diode send different colours.

21, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that this Dynamic Signal and/or sign can be shown by move mode.

22, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that this control system control vehicle different conditions.

23, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that this control system is installed in the car.

24, a kind of automobiles indicator lamp system, it can be connected with the control setup telecommunication, it is characterized in that this automobiles indicator lamp system also comprises the indicator lamp combination, the combination of this indicator lamp is positioned at the vehicle afterbody and exceeds the position of certain distance than root edge, and wherein this indicator lamp combination is represented the vehicle different conditions according to the dissimilar instruction performance Different Dynamic pattern of this control system.

25, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that sending corresponding left-hand rotation or right-hand rotation when instructing indicator lamp system when control system, and this indicator lamp combination shows that first pattern is to show the steering state of vehicle.

26, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 25 is characterized in that this first pattern can be a sensing left side or right arrow mark symbol.

27, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 25 is characterized in that this first pattern can be the word or expression of expressing the Vehicular turn state.

28, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that sending corresponding brake when instructing indicator lamp system when control system, and this indicator lamp combination shows that second pattern is to show the braking state of vehicle.

29, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 28 is characterized in that this second pattern can be the light-emitting diode of plural number row flicker.

30, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 28 is characterized in that this second pattern can be the word or expression of expressing the vehicle brake state.

31, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that sending corresponding reversing when instructing indicator lamp system when control system, and this indicator lamp combination shows that the 3rd pattern is to show the reversing state of vehicle.

32, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 31, it is characterized in that the 3rd pattern can be one "! " symbol.

33, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 31 is characterized in that the 3rd pattern can be the word or expression of expressing the vehicle backing state.

34, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that when Vehicular turn brakes simultaneously, sends this indicator lamp combination of corresponding instruction according to control system and shows that the 4th pattern is to show the state of brake simultaneously that turns to of vehicle.

35, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 34 is characterized in that the 4th pattern comprises to point to a left side or the right arrow mark symbol and the light-emitting diode of a plurality of flickers on this dynamic symbol.

36, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that the combination of this indicator lamp comprises plural number row light-emitting diode, these diodes necessarily rule by switch optionally with the demonstration dynamic pattern.

37, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that the dynamic pattern of this indicator lamp combination can be shown by move mode.

38, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that the dynamic pattern of this indicator lamp combination can present different colours by the light that makes corresponding light-emitting diode send different colours.

39,, it is characterized in that this indicator lamp combination is positioned near the centre portion of vehicle afterbody as each described automobiles indicator lamp system of claim 24 to 38.

40, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 39 is characterized in that this indicator lamp combination is positioned at the position near vehicle rear window bottom.

41, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 39 is characterized in that this indicator lamp combination is positioned at the position of being close to the vehicle ceiling below.

42,, it is characterized in that this indicator lamp combination is installed in Che Nei and can sees through the car rear window in sight as each described automobiles indicator lamp system of claim 24 to 38.

43,, it is characterized in that this indicator lamp combination is positioned at vehicle casing afterbody as each described automobiles indicator lamp system of claim 24 to 38.

44,, it is characterized in that this indicator lamp combination is positioned near the alar part rear side as each described automobiles indicator lamp system of claim 24 to 38.

45, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that this control system control vehicle different conditions.

46, automobiles indicator lamp system as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that this control system is installed in the car.

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