GB2284888A - Space monitoring arrangement with indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

With an identical housing 2 it alternatively comprises an ultrasound transmitter or receiver unit 3 which is connected to a control apparatus via a connection cable 7 guided out of the housing. In accordance with the invention it further comprises means 5 for emitting optical and/or acoustic signals in order to indicate that the indicator is ready for operation, the housing comprising at least one area 4, 4a which is pervious to the signals emitted in each case. As shown the means is an LED 5 and the area 4 is an annular, transparent closure element. Alternatively, the means is a buzzer (6, Fig 3) and the area 4a is a perforated plate. <IMAGE>

Description

Indicator for a sPace monitoring arranaement Prior art The invention is based on an indicator unit for a space monitoring arrangement according to the type indicated in the main claim. An indicator unit of this type is known in the form of the "Bosch Bloctronic" car alarm system offered by the Applicants and illustrated for example in the brochure of 4/90. An essential component of this system is an infrared/ultrasound unit consisting of a disc segmentlike housing in which an ultrasound transmitter and an ultrasound receiver are disposed on a board and communicate with a control apparatus via a connection cable guided out of the housing. For the optical display of the readiness of the system to emit an alarm a light-emitting diode is optionally provided which is disposed separately from the indicator unit, preferably in a motor vehicle instrument panel. However the installation of a separate display of this type increases expenditure on assembly whereby the costs for the entire space monitoring arrangement are increased. If the space monitoring arrangement is required to have the ultrasound transmitter and ultrasound receiver disposed spatially separately, it is further known, for example from the "MS 735" system of AUDIOLINE LTD, Redditch, GB, to dispose these parts in each case in individual housings which are externally identical. In order to display optically the readiness of this arrangement to emit an alarm, a light-emitting diode is likewise optionally provided which is to be disposed spatially separate from the ultrasound components, in particular in a motor vehicle instrument panel. The installation of this light-emitting diode again necessitates increased expenditure on assembly.

Although the expenditure on installing a separate light-emitting diode can easily be avoided by integrating it directly in the ultrasound component housing, the disadvantage of this solution is that the light-emitting diode is either poorly visible in the operating direction of the ultrasound signals since it is disposed laterally on the housing or results in a considerable enlargement of the housing when this is to be avoided.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide an ultrasound indicator for a space monitoring arrangement which displays that it is ready for operation but can be easily assembled.

This object is achieved by an ultrasound indicator having the characterizing features of the main claim. An indicator according to the invention can be economically produced and is easy to handle. Particular expenditure for the assembly of display means signalling readiness for operation are dispensed with entirely. In a first preferred embodiment the housing of an indicator constructed according to the invention comprises a transparent area through which the light-emitting means disposed inside the housing emit light to the environment in order to indicate that the ultrasound component in question is ready for operation. The light-emitting means is advantageously a light-emitting diode.

In a further preferred embodiment a buzzer for emitting acoustic signals is disposed inside the housing. For this purpose the transparent area of the housing advantageously additionally comprises a sound aperture through which the signals emitted by the buzzer can emerge. The ultrasound transmitter and ultrasound receiver can thus be accommodated in identical housings. This provides the advantage for production that only one type of housing has to be manufactured.

Advantageously a space monitoring arrangement with ultrasound transmitting and receiving units in each case comprises an indicator which optically indicates that it is ready to operate and an indicator which indicates this state acoustically. Thus a particularly simple operating test of the arrangement is possible.

In a particularly advantageous construction the housing of a proposed ultrasound indicator consists of a substantially barrel-shaped basic member which is open to one side and at the open end of which a closure element in the form of a ring of transparent material is disposed. An ultrasound transmitter or receiver unit is disposed in the basic member in such a way that the ultrasound signals can enter and exit respectively through the centre of the transparent ring.

In the following an embodiment of the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings.

Drawings Figure 1 shows an ultrasound indicator according to the invention from the side and from the front, Figure 2 shows in section an indicator equipped with an ultrasound receiver unit, and Figure 3 shows in section an indicator equipped with a transmitter unit.

Description of the embodiments As shown in Figure 1 the housing of a proposed indicator consists of a substantially barrel-shaped basic member 2 which is open towards one side and at the open side of which an annular closure element 4 is disposed. The closure element 4 consists of a transparent material, preferably transparent plastics material. For reasons of manufacturing techniques it is advantageously detachably connected to the basic member 2. Ultrasound signals pass into and out of the basic member 2 through the open aperture in the closure element 4. At the opposite, closed end the basic member 2 comprises a cap 2a which can also be removed predominantly for reasons of manufacturing techniques.

Guided out of the housing 2, 2a, 4 is a connection cable 7 by means of which the ultrasound transmitter or receiver unit respectively located in the housing is connected to a control apparatus (not illustrated), for example the control apparatus of a car alarm system. The connection cable 7 is advantageously a twin-core screened cable. The plug 9 is advantageously in the form of a jack plug for simple connection to the control apparatus.

The housing 2, 2a, 4 can alternatively be equipped with an ultrasound receiver unit 3, as shown in Figure 2 or with an ultrasound transmitter unit 8 as shown in Figure 3. The receiver unit 3 and transmitter unit 8 are thus disposed in each case on a support element 1 which can in turn be connected to the housing 2, 2a, 4. Advantageously the support element 1 is a board. The receiver unit 3 and transmitter unit 8 are aligned in such a way that ultrasound signals are received or emitted through the aperture in the annular closure element 4. The soundsensitive upper sides of the transmitter and receiver units facing the aperture in the closure element are advantageously protected from mechanical contact by a perforated plate 4a, as shown in Figure lb. Each support element 1 comprises connection means 7a for contacting the connection cable 7.

If there is at least one type of indicator of a space monitoring arrangement, for example an indicator in the form of a receiver, light-emitting means 5 advantageously in the form of one or more light-emitting diodes are further disposed on the support element 1. They are used for indicating optically to a user that the indicator is ready for operation. This can occur by means of an established signal, for example flashing. The light-emitting means 5 are disposed inside the housing. in such a way that light signals emitted thereby reach the transparent closure element 4- in which they are scattered and emitted in all directions of the environment. Advantageously their switching-on is controlled by the receiver unit 3.

A further possibility of indicating to a user that an ultrasound indicator is ready for operation resides in providing a buzzer 6 which emits a sound audible to the human ear instead of light-emitting means. Similarly to its function as a source of sound a buzzer 6 is appropriately used for generating an acknowledgement signal in the case of an indicator in the form of an ultrasound transmitter unit 8. In order to ensure that the signals are easily audible when a buzzer is used, the housing 2, 2a, 4 advantageously comprises apertures through which the sound signals emitted by the buzzer can pass. Advantageously apertures of this type, as shown in Figure ib, are in the form of edge widenings 4b of the inner aperture formed from the closure element 4. The diffusion direction of the buzzer signals thus corresponds to that of the ultrasound signals.

In order to enable a user to distinguish between transmitter and receiver components in spite of the externally identical housings, it is advantageous to equip one indicator type, for example an indicator provided with a receiver unit 3, with light-emitting means 5 for generating an acknowledgement signal and to equip the other, in this case the one provided with a transmitter unit, with a buzzer.

Whilst observing the basic concept of accommodating the transmitter and receiver units of a space monitoring arrangement in identical housings, the latter being constructed so as to emit acoustic and/or optical acknowledgement signals generated inside the housings, the proposed invention permits a variety of further developments. This applies in particular to the shape of the housing 2, 2a, 4 and to the development of the electrical connection 7, 9. With respect to the housing 2, 2a, 4 constructions other than barrel-shaped ones are further possible, in particular those with edges also. The proposed lid 2a can also have a different shape, be disposed at a different location or be dispensed with completely.

Claims (8)

Claims

1. Indicator for a space monitoring arrangement with a housing for accommodating a support element on which an ultrasound transmitter and/or receiver unit is/are disposed which can be connected to a control apparatus by means of a connection cable guided out of the housing, characterized in that means (5, 6) for emitting optical and/or acoustic signals are disposed on the support element (1) in order to indicate that the indicator is ready for operation; and in that the housing (2, 2a, 4) comprises at least one area which is pervious to the signals emitted in each case.

2. Indicator according to Claim 1, characterized in that light-emitting means (5) which emit light to the environment via a transparent area (4) of the housing (2, 2a, 4) are disposed on the support element (1).

3. Indicator according to Claim 1, characterized in that a buzzer (6) which emits an acoustic signal to the environment through an aperture in the housing (2, 2a, 4) is disposed on the support element (1).

4. Indicator according to Claim 1, characterized in that the light-emitting means (5) comprise at least one lightemitting diode.

5. Indicator according to Claim 1, characterized in that the support elements (1) are printed circuit boards.

6. Indicator according to Claim 1, characterized in that the housing (2, 2a, 4) comprises a basic member (2) and a closure element (4) which is made of transparent material and through which the ultrasound radiation (8, 3) emitted by a transmitter or receiver unit disposed in the housing (2, 2a, 4) enters or exits.

7. Indicator according to Claim 1, characterized in that the closure element (4) comprises at least one aperture (4b) for the exit of the acoustic signals emitted by a buzzer (6).

8. An indicator substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.