ES1273250U - TROUBLESHOOTING DEVICE (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Fault signaling device comprising a support (1), a lens (2) attached to said support (1) and is characterized in that it comprises a PCB (10) arranged between the support (1) and the lens (2), and on said PCB (10) there are a plurality of light emitters (3) distributed on a printed circuit, an antenna (12), a GPS-modem (18) and a SIM card (19) where the antenna (12) is configured to act as a GPS antenna and a cellular antenna so that the emergency light emits an alert signal and a location signal with the corresponding position coordinates. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

TROUBLESHOOTING DEVICE

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention falls within the technical field of fault signaling devices for vehicles. More specifically, a fault signaling device is proposed that also comprises at least one antenna, a GPS for geolocation and / or a cellular communication device.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently the most widespread solution for signaling vehicle breakdowns are signaling triangles. These are signaling elements with parts of reflective material that are placed on the ground, at a certain distance from the damaged vehicle to alert other road users that there is a damaged vehicle or that there has been an accident. Until now, drivers had to carry a signaling triangle in the vehicle and, in the event of a breakdown or accident, exit the vehicle, walk unprotected on the road until the prescribed distance was removed, place the triangle and return to the vehicle.

The moment in which users get out of the vehicles is the moment in which serious and even fatal accidents can occur. Hundreds of people have lost their lives in these circumstances, being run over when getting out of the car to place the signaling triangles.

It is for this reason that it is proposed to make a change in the fault signaling devices so that these devices become lights, which are installed outside the vehicle in the event of a breakdown and serve to alert other drivers, even when it is night. The key to these light signaling devices is that the user does not have to leave the vehicle at any time. When suffering an accident or breakdown, the user of the vehicle will simply have to roll down the window and place the device on the roof of the vehicle. The use of a magnetic anchor has been proposed.

The problem with currently developed fault signal lights is that they can only be positioned horizontally. In case they cannot be placed horizontally, for example due to the characteristics of the vehicle in which they are wanted installed, and placed vertically, would violate the marking requirements. These requirements dictate that the lighting fixture must be viewed from an angle of 360 ° horizontally, and with the possibility of an angle of ± 8 ° vertically.

Another problem with both fault signal triangles and current fault signal lights is that they cannot be used by motorcycle users. In the case of triangles, these are so large that, even when folded, they cannot be transported on motorcycles (generally they do not fit in the space reserved for helmets or in the suitcases that are attached to the chassis). On the other hand, fault signal lights cannot be magnetically anchored to the motorcycle chassis without violating the orientation requirements previously described.

Also, a technical problem with some of these current solutions is that they do not allow reporting the position of the damaged vehicle. This is especially relevant in cases where breakdowns occur on non-main roads, in which the user may not have a clear notion of their position, thus making rescue / assistance operations more difficult and greatly increasing the time to perform. of such rescue or assistance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a fault signaling device. It is intended to signal vehicle breakdowns by emitting a light that alerts other road users or assistance and rescue teams of the position of the damaged vehicle and also includes an antenna, a GPS-modem and a SIM CARD card configured for an alert signal and send its coordinates. Thus, the fault signaling device includes location and cellular communication.

Preferably, the coordinates are sent continuously, every so often. They are sent to a cloud system where the information is subsequently processed.

The device comprises a support and a lens between which there is at least one light emitter. The key to the device is that it also comprises a base, attached to the support, with the possibility of rotation between a first position and a second position in which it is inclined 90 ° with respect to the first position. In this way, the base, with its The inclination with respect to the support adapts to the inclination of the surface on which the device is to be placed, ensuring that the support and the lens remain in a horizontal position as required by the regulations contained in instruction 18 V-132. The device can also comprise at least one infrared light emitter. This transmitter can be used to determine the position of a user of a damaged or damaged vehicle during location and rescue work.

The device comprises means of attachment to the vehicle that may comprise a clip, which allows attachment to a window, a screen or the windshield of a motorcycle, may also comprise a suction cup to enable attachment to a non-metallic surface and, in addition, they could comprise magnetic attachment means such as a magnet. In the cases in which it comprises a magnet, it is located inside the suction cup, so that it acts as an additional fixation to that offered by the suction cup.

For its actuation, the device may comprise an automatic button, which actuates the light emitters when it fixes the device to the surface of the vehicle and / or at least one manual button. The manual button allows manual operation of the light emitters. In the event that the device also comprises an infrared light emitter, the device can comprise two manual push buttons, one to actuate the visible light emitters and the other to actuate the infrared light emitter.

The device can comprise at least one battery where said battery can be, for example, lithium-ion, ferro-phosphate, etc. In addition, the batteries could be disposable or rechargeable, in which case they could be charged through any type of connection, such as through a USB connection, a microUSB connection, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

To complete the description and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this specification is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by a set of drawings where, with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, it has been represented the next:

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the fault signaling device.

Figure 2 represents a perspective view showing the lower part of the fault signaling device.

Figures 3A-B represent side views of the fault signaling device with the base arranged in the first position and the clamp in the closed position, and with the base arranged in the second position with the clamp in the open position respectively.

Figure 4 represents a sectioned side view of the fault signaling device.

Figure 5A shows a top view of the PCB.

Figure 5B shows a perspective view of the PCB.

Figure 6A represents two lights, fault signaling devices arranged in a van-type vehicle, in this case the device seen on the left side of the figure is attached to the window glass by means of the clamp and the other device, shown at The right of the figure is attached by means of a suction cup to a vertical surface of the vehicle.

Figure 6B represents a fault signaling device attached, by clamp, to the front screen of a motorcycle.

Below is a list of the different elements represented in the figures that make up the invention:

1. Support

2. Lens

3. Light emitter

4. Gripper

5. Spring

6. Rotation axis

7. Infrared light emitter

8. Base

9. Battery

10. PCB board

11. Automatic push-button

12. Antenna

13. Reflector element

14. Bowl

15. Spacer ring

16. Magnet

17. Suction cup

18. GPS-modem

19. SIM card

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention should not be limited to the embodiment described herein. Other configurations can be made by those skilled in the art in light of the present description. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

Figures 1 to 4 show an embodiment example of the fault signaling device of the present invention. As can be seen, the fault signaling device comprises a support (1) and a lens (2) attached to the support.

The fault signaling device comprises a plurality of light emitters (3), housed between the support (1) and the lens (2), on a PCB (10). In the center of said PCB (10) there is an infrared light emitter (7).

Preferably, as can be seen in Figures 3A-B, the fault signaling device comprises a base (8) with the possibility of rotation between a first position in which it is housed in the support (1) and a second position, inclined 90 ° with respect to the first position such that the lens (2) and the PCB (10) with the light emitters (3) and, when available, with the infrared light emitter (7), are always arranged horizontally, regardless of the position of the base (8). Thus, the device can be used with the base (8) in any position (thus adapting to the possible inclination of the surface on which the emergency light is to be placed) at the same time that a horizontal orientation of the PCB (10), with the light emitters (3), and of the lens (2) is guaranteed. The fault signaling device also comprises means of attachment to a vehicle, arranged on said base (8) to guarantee the correct attachment of the emergency light.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the connecting means comprise a clamp (4) pivotally attached to the base (8) and comprising a spring (5) that exerts a restoring force in the direction towards the base (8) to ensure the fastening of the fault signaling device to the vehicle. In another exemplary embodiment, said joining means comprise a suction cup (17) arranged on the base (8) so that the fault signaling device can be used even in vehicles that have a roof made of a non-magnetic material. In another possible embodiment, the fault signaling device incorporates both joining means.

As previously described, the key to the present invention is that it comprises an antenna (12), a GPS-modem (18) and a SIM card (19) that are arranged on the PCB (10) and that allow location of the emergency light and sending an alert signal. In Figures 5A-B you can see the PCB (10) with the light emitters (3), the infrared light emitter (7), the antenna (12), the GPS-modem (18) and the SIM card (19).

Preferably, the antenna (12) is made of copper, on a printed circuit, and is dual. It has GPS antenna and cellular antenna function. Also preferably, it is adhesively bonded to the PCB (10). It can have different shapes depending, for example, on the distribution of light emitters (3) distributed on the PCB (10).

Likewise, the GPS-modem (18) and the SIM card (19), arranged on the PCB (10) are soldered to the same printed circuit as the light emitters (3) or are arranged on an additional PCB, arranged to a different level from that of the PCB (10) in which the light emitters (3) are located, and interconnected with each other by means of a connector.

The GPS-modem (18) and the SIM card (19) allow geolocation in the event of an accident and, through the antenna (12), the corresponding position coordinates and alert signals can be sent.

When you want to attach the fault signaling device to a vehicle window when it is a car, a van, a truck or the like, or when you want to attach, for example, to the screen (windshield) of a motorcycle the base (8) it is rotated to the second position (or to an intermediate position before reaching said second position) and the window or screen is contacted, placing said window or screen between the clamp (4) and the base (8). The clamp can be in a closed position, in which it is housed in the base (8) and that corresponds to the rest position, or in an open position in which it allows the device to be attached to the vehicle. The spring (5), exerting a restoring force, pushes the clamp (4) towards its initial position in which it is housed inside the base (8). This restoring force keeps the clamp (4) against the window or screen.

Thanks to the fact that the fault signaling device includes clamp (4) and / or suction cup (17), it is no longer necessary for the roof or the surface of the vehicle on which the emergency light is to be placed to comprise an iron plate . That is, the described fault signaling device can be attached to glass and / or aluminum surfaces. Nowadays many vehicles have glass roofs and many high-end vehicles have aluminum roofs so that the users of these vehicles could not safely use the currently known devices.

The joining means can also comprise a magnet (16) arranged inside the suction cup (17). In this way, in cases where the vehicle does comprise metal surfaces, the bond between the fault signaling device and the vehicle is strengthened. The magnet (16) can be mounted on a cup (14) and a spacer ring (15), arranged on the base (8) in correspondence with the suction cup (17).

As can also be seen in the figures, the fault signaling device comprises a reflector element (13) that has a parabola configuration and is housed in the lens (2), arranged on the PCB (10) in which they are located. the light emitters (3) and the infrared light emitter (7) when there is one.

Infrared light allows a vehicle to be marked and seen, for example, from a helicopter equipped with an infrared camera. The infrared light emitter (7) can be arranged in the center of the PCB (10) to emit the infrared light beam in a vertical direction and that can be detected from the air.

Preferably, the fault signaling device comprises at least one battery (9) housed in the support (1), and connected to the electronic elements, such as the light emitters (3), the infrared light emitter (7) when there is one , the antenna (12), the GPS-modem (18) and the SIM card (19). In an exemplary embodiment, the fault signaling device may comprise a USB connection linked to the battery (9) and configured to allow the connection of the battery to a charging device for said battery (9).

In an exemplary embodiment, the fault signaling device also comprises an automatic button (11) arranged on the support (1), which is connected to the electronic elements (light emitters (3), antenna (12), GPS-modem (18) and SIM card (19)) and configured to actuate when the base (8) is pressed against a surface of the vehicle to which the fault signaling device is attached. This automatic button (11) preferably comprises a surface sensor, which can be, for example, a pressure sensor that is activated when the automatic button (11) is pressed on the surface to which the emergency light is applied and is kept activated while the emergency light is attached to said surface. Thus, the automatic button (11), in addition to turning on the light, activates the GPS-modem and the emission of coordinates.

The fault signaling device can also comprise at least one manual button, housed in the support (1), connected to the light emitter (3) and / or to an infrared light emitter (7) when there is one.

Figures 6A and 6B show emergency lights placed on vehicles. Figure 6A shows a van-type vehicle with two fault signaling devices, one of them (the one that appears on the left in the figure) attached by means of the clamp (4) to the window glass and the other attached by means of the suction cup (17) to a vertical surface of the vehicle, which can be part for example of the bodywork. Figure 6B shows a motorcycle and a fault signaling device, by means of the clamp (4) to the windshield of the motorcycle. Said connection can also be carried out in a complementary manner by means of the suction cup (17).

Claims (13)

1. Fault signaling device comprising a support (1), a lens (2) attached to said support (1) and is characterized in that it comprises a PCB (10) arranged between the support (1) and the lens ( 2), and on said PCB (10) there are a plurality of light emitters (3) distributed on a printed circuit, an antenna (12), a GPS-modem (18) and a SIM card (19) where the antenna (12) is configured to act as a GPS antenna and a cellular antenna so that the emergency light emits an alert signal and a location signal with the corresponding position coordinates. 2. Fault signaling device according to claim 1 in which the antenna (12) is made of copper, on printed circuit. A fault signaling device according to claim 1, wherein the antenna (12) is adhesively bonded to the PCB (10). Fault signaling device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the GPS-modem (18) and the SIM card (19), arranged on the PCB (10), are soldered to the same printed circuit as the emitters light (3). Fault signaling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the GPS-modem (18) and the SIM card (19) are arranged on an additional PCB, arranged at a different level from that of the board. PCB (10) in which are the light emitters (3), and interconnected with each other by connector. A fault signaling device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a base (8) with the possibility of rotation between a first position in which it is housed in the support (1) and a second position, inclined 90 ° with respect to the first position such that the lens (2) and the at least one light emitter (3) are always arranged horizontally, regardless of the position of the base (8); and comprises means of attachment to a vehicle, arranged on said base (8). 7. Fault signaling device according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting means are selected from a clamp (4) pivotally attached to the base (8) and comprising a spring (5) that exerts a restoring force in the direction towards the base (8) to secure the attachment of the device to the vehicle, a suction cup (17) arranged on the base (8) or a combination of both. 8. Failure signaling device according to claim 7 that the joining means, when they are a suction cup (17), comprise a magnet (16) arranged inside the suction cup (17). Fault signaling device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a reflector element (13) having a parabola configuration and housed in the lens (2), arranged on the PCB (10) on which it is find the light emitters (3). 10. Fault signaling device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one infrared light emitter (7) arranged in the center of the PCB (10). 11. Fault signaling device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising at least one battery (9) housed in the support (1), and connected to the light emitters (3), to the antenna (12), to the GPS-modem (18), to the SIM card (19) and to the infrared light emitter (7) when there is one. 12. Fault signaling device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an automatic button (11) arranged on the support (1), which is connected to the light emitters (3), to the antenna (12), to the modem -GPS (18) and to the SIM card (19) and is configured to actuate when said automatic button (11) is pressed against a surface of the vehicle to which the emergency light is attached. 13. Fault signaling device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one manual button, housed in the support (1), connected to the light emitter (3) and / or to an infrared light emitter (7) when there is.