GB2355602A

GB2355602A - Brake light system with redundancy

Info

Publication number: GB2355602A
Application number: GB9916714A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Evan Webb
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-07-17
Filing date: 1999-07-17
Publication date: 2001-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-17
Also published as: GB9916714D0; GB2355602B

Abstract

A brake light system on a vehicle with a first and second independent brake light systems which normally act in unison but in the event of failure of any of the components of one of the systems the other will remain in operation. Each brake light contains two bulbs one for connection to the first system and the other connected to the second system. A display 19 is provided to inform the driver that a component has failed and in which system this is contained. There is also means provided to test components in the system to determine that the display means and other testing components are operating correctly.

Description

2355602 BRAKE LIGHTS FAILSAFE SYSTEM This invention relates to a brake

lights failsafe system, as stated in the previous application, reference E.W. 100, application number GB 9910352.5. in so doing offering a secondary option to this said system.

Brake lights are a standard fitting to all types of motor vehicles, upon brake pedal application the brake lights will function to act as a warning to vehicles approaching from the rear, thus protecting the personal safety of both approaching an in vehicle drivers. This being achieved via an electrical layout consisting of one brake pedal switch which is wired in parallel as standard to the vehicle brake lights.

In reality, upon brake pedal application a vehicle driver is actually being offered no more than a blind promise, the knowledge as to every eventuality that can and does happen within the brake light circuitry in a driving situation plus an incorporated failsafe back up not being an option.

According to the present invention there is provided a brake light switph holder/operational unit, comprising of two individual switches working in unison;,upon brake pedal application/release, both being fed by separate supply lines from the fuse-box, thereon each individual switch being wired in parallel to the two brake lights;ach brake light containing two individual filaments). A vehicle light monitor P.C.B. to provide an indication of light failure, a dashboard fitted or mounted module display/control panel to show working/failure of brake lights/switches/main line fuses/in line fuse/pointing to short circuits also, plus an individual switch test to prove its workable stance should one brake light fail.

The above mentioned display/control panel contains two separate sections:(M) being the main section, (B), the back-up section, each section constitutes two line control switches/two test switches/two light working/failure, one brake pedal switch working/failure trio of L.E.D. lights, all the display/control panel L.E.D. lights provided are fed by a switched ignition supply line.

In conjunction with the said combinations should one brake pedal switch fail, one will still be operational, hence both brake lights will still continue to function.

In the vehicle of today, should the standard single brake light switch fail, not one brake light will function.

Additional embodiments include:- I. If one of the two brake lights should fail, a back-up replacement light will combat this situation, in fact a visa-versa effect comes into being between both ('N' = nearside, '0' = offside), brake lights should failure occur, with various combinations to suit the said circumstances in question. Once again, in the vehicle of today, should one of the brake lights fail only one will be operational.

2. Another embodiment provides working/failure of the brake lights with the brake pedal in an unswitched position, the display/control panel being in an ignition switched position. i.e. a driving situation.

2 3. An embodiment will prove the working/failure of that said brake pedal switch upon pedal application (in a switched position), ignition switched.

4. An embodiment providing a test to prove working/failure of the display/control panel individual brake light L.E.D. lights/vehicle light monitor P.C.B. in an ignition switched position with the brake pedal in both a switched/unswitched situation by means of break-push switches.

5. To compliment this said system a final embodiment provides the vehicle driver with the option of using a single set of brake lights or switching to a double set (both (N=Nearside, O=offside), especially in hazardous driving conditions where safety with regard to a very critical area of a vehicle is of the essence.

This system can be adapted to accommodate a third high level brake light, this complete brake lights failsafe system will operate in conjunction with all of the vehicle lights to be identified for the working/failure thereof SUMMM

The above mentioned system constitutes a dashboard fitted or mounted module display/control panel comprising of 2 (two) independent sections, each section containing 3 (three) L.E.D. lights, 2 (two) independent sections, each section containing 3 (three) L.E.D. lights, 2 (two) push lock switches, 2 (two) break push test switches, 14 (four-teen) in total, a car light monitor P.C.B. coupled with a unique duel switch holder/operational unit and 2 (two) double filament brake light bulbs with one particular circuit being switched locked in an ignition switched position this system will notify the vehicle driver as to every eventuality that can and does happen within the brake light circuitry in a driving situation, but most importantly incorporates a failsafe back up.

Monitor Includes:

I. Working/failure of each individual brake light in a switched/unswitched position.

2. Working/failure of each individual switch in a switched position.

I Test for each individual switch should that said brake light fail.

4. Test for brake light fault L.E.D> lights/vehicle light monitor P.C.B. to prove the working/failure thereof.

5. working/failure of main and in line fuses/short circuits.

FAILSAFE BACK UP INCLUDES:

I. Should one brake light fail various combinations on the display/control panel will ensure brake light operation, be it on the (N == nearside or 0 = offside).

2. Should one individual switch fail, be it on the 'M' main section or the 'B' back up section whichever is in use at the time on the display/control panel, a simple switch 3 over comes in to effect ensuring operation of both (N=nearside and O= offside), brake lights.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The vehicle driver is provided with the option of using a single set of brake lights or switching to a double set on both (N=nearside and O=offside), especially in hazardous driving conditions where safety with regard to a very critical area of a vehicle is of the essence.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig 1:

Illustrates a pictorial view of the brake lights switch holder/operational unit in relation to the (N) nearside and (0) offside rear brake lights.

Fig 2:

Illustrates a pictorial view of the dashboard fitted or mounted module display/control panel.

Fig 3:

Shows in perspective the electrical circuit diagram for the brake lights failsafe system.

Referring to the drawings, Fig I illustrates with a pictorial view. A very fundamental part to the brake lights failsafe system, this being in the shape of a unique brake lights switch holder/operational unit 6 which houses two independent switches 7 (N) nearside, 8 (0) offside to function in unison upon brake pedal 9, application 10, release 11, the sliding rod 12, with striker plate 13, control the opening/closing of the said switches, adjustment nuts 44, and screwed sliding rod housing 15, affix the unit 6, to the vehicles existing bracket cum aperture 16, resulting in the said switches 7 (N), 8 (0), being set to operate the brake lights 17, 47 (N), 18, 4 8 (0), in relation to the brake pedal 9, positions, application 10, release 11, thereof.

Fig 2:

Also with a pictorial view illustrates the dashboard fitted or mounted module display/control panel 19, which comprises of two independent sections, 'M' being the main section, 'B' the back-up section, both housing identical components as follows: - ((N) = Nearside) ((0) = Offside) In which 'M' Features: 'B' Features:

1. Line control on/off switches 20 (N) 23 (0). 1. 27 (N) 30 (0) 2. Test switches 21 (N) 24 (0) 2. 28 (N) 31 (0) 3. Brake light fault/test L.E.D. lights 22 (N) 25 (0) 3. 29 (N) 32 (0) 4. Brake pedal switch fault L.E.D. light 26 4. 33 4 This display/control panel 19 offers a complete brake lights failsafe layout thereof Fig 3:

Shows in perspective the electrical circuit diagram for the brake lights failsafe system. (In relation to the 17, 47 (N) nearside and 18,48 (0) offside rear brake lights). Which in turn shows other supplementary components essential to the functions of this said system.

These include the following:

I. A switched ignition 42, supply.

2. Two independent main line feeds 43, 44.

3. Two additional line feeds 45, 46 to brake lights 47 (N) and 48 (0) respectfully, in so doing the (N) = nearside brake lights 17 and 47 will operate as separate circuits enclosed in the same light bulb, as will the (0) = offside brake lights 18 and 48.

4. A separate drawing shows the vehicle lights monitor P.C.B. 49, diagram layout which consists of four identical sections 50 (N), 51 (0), 52 (N), 53 (0), of which the following components are featured, (this applies to one section only):- 50 (N):terminal blocks 34, 35, 54, resistors ria, RIB, R7, R8, semi-conductors ICIA, DI and TRI an open collector buffer to trigger L.E. D. light 22 (N), for brake light 17 (N) fault and break-push switch 21 (N) for test.

Claims

1. This brake light failsafe system provides a brake light switch holder / operational unit, comprising of two individual switches working in unison upon brake pedal application / release, both being fed by separate supply lines from the fuse box, thereon each individual switch being wired in parallel to the two brake lights (each brake light containing two individual filaments), via a vehicle light monitor P.C.B., with a module display / L.E.D. / line / test switch control panel being operated from a switch ignition source, all of which when incorporated into a driving situation will acknowledge as to every eventuality that can and does happen within the brake light circuitry, but most importantly incorporates a failsafe back-up within this said system.

2. A brake light switch holder / operational unit as claimed in claim 1, if one. switch should fail in a switched position, one will still be operational, failsafe back-up comes into effect.

3. A brake light (two individual filaments), as claimed in claim 1, if one filament should fail, one will still be operational, failsafe back-up comes into effect, (this applies to both 'N'-(nearside), '0'-(offside), rear brake lights).

4. A module display / L.E.D. / line / test switch control panel being operated from a switched ignition source as claimed in claim I provides working / failure of each individual brake light with the brake pedal in both a switched / unswitched position.

5. As claimed in claims 1 or 4 L.E.D. lights on the control panel to determine a test for each individual switch should that said brake light fail, also working / failure of main and inline fuse / short circuits.

6. As claimed in claims I or 4 test switches on the control panel determine a test for brake light fault L.E.D. lights vehicle light monitor P.C.B. to prove the working / failure thereof.

7. As claimed in claims I or 4, line switches to operate a single set of brake lights or switching to a double set, both 'N' (nearside) and '0' ' (offside).

8. The brake light system substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

8. A brake light switch holder / operational unit as claimed in claims I or 2 which is made from metal or plastic material or a combination of these materials.

9. Claims I to 8 can be adapted top accommodate a third / plus brake light/s.

10. The brake light failsafe system substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

6 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A brake light system provides a brake light switch holder / operational unit, comprising of two individual switches working in unison upon brake pedal application / release, both being fed by separate supply lines from a fuse box, wherein each individual switch being wired in parallel to two brake lights, each brake light containing two individual filaments, via a vehicle light monitor P.C.B., with a module display / L. E.D. / line / test switch control panel being operated from a switch ignition source.

2. A brake light system as claimed in claim 1, wherein if one switch should fail in a switched position, one will still be operational, backup comes into effect.

3 I A brake light system as claimed in claim 1, wherein if one filament should fail, one will still be operational, back-up comes into effect, this applies to both 'N'-(nearside), '0'(offside), rear brake lights.

4. A brake light system as claimed in claim I wherein a module/LED/line/test switch control panel being operated from a switched ignition source provides an indication of working/failure of each individual brake light with the brake pedal in both a switched unswitched position.

5. A brake light system as claimed in claims I and 4 wherein L.E.D. lights on the control panel will determine a test for each individual switch should that said brake light fail, also working / failure of main and inline fuse / short circuits.

6. A brake light system as claimed in claims I and 4 wherein test switches on the control panel determine a test for brake light fault L.E. D. lights / vehicle light monitor P.C.B. to prove the working / failure thereof.

7. A brake light system as claimed in claims I and 4 wherein line switches will operate a single set of brake lights or switching to a double set, both 'N' (nearside) and '0' (offside).