ES2284399B1 - VEHICLE SIGNALING DEVICE. - Google Patents

Abstract

Vehicle signaling device used in security or emergency vehicles, which compactly integrates the optical and acoustic signaling systems, which is basically composed of a body (1) that houses groups of LEDs (2, 3) for signaling emergency and an additional one, as well as a siren (4), all of which is controlled by the user through an interface (8) that acts on the emergency signaling module (6) which in turn integrates the lighting block (13) and the sound block (14), and on the additional signaling module (7), through two microprocessors (11, 12).

Description

Vehicle signaling device.

Object of the invention

The present invention patent application It consists of an optical and acoustic signaling device for security or emergency vehicles.

More specifically, the invention aims at a flexible and programmable signaling device in which find the optical systems compactly integrated and acoustic signaling that, complying with the specifications regulations related to this type of device, it is coupled in a way easy to any vehicle, providing all functionalities required with a minimum energy cost and in a minimum space

Background of the invention

Until recently, signaling systems the emergency vehicles were of the type that they had a bridge of rotating lights, said lights being of the type Conventional filament However, due to high consumption of this type of systems and the high costs of both installation as maintenance, they have entered into disuse before the appearance of more effective others.

These new systems, based on diodes Light emitters (LED), solved the aforementioned problems, because not having mobile parts was significantly reduced wear of the elements, while eliminating sources of breakdowns and the number of items necessary for operation of the system.

However, even eliminating the inconveniences mentioned above, the aforementioned LED signaling devices they still had significant drawbacks, such as the high number of elements, which resulted in the inability to reduce the total size of the device, or the consumption of them, still quite high.

With the appearance of the latest bass LEDs consumption or high efficiency, however, it has been possible to elimination of the aforementioned inconveniences, so that these elements are increasingly used in this and other sectors of the technique.

On the other hand, when it comes to signaling devices for emergency vehicles or security, there is still a need, in order to achieve systems more compact and aerodynamic, that they are capable of integrate all systems, both optical, into a single element, as acoustics, which the legislation establishes, as well as an element additional that allows additional signaling to vehicles that circulate behind the emergency, constituted well by pictograms or by written messages such as obligation turning, warning of an obstacle, etc.

In addition, the inclusion of said additional element It must be such that it does not prevent the correct display of the lights emergency nor the appearance of dead angles, while not force an oversizing of the signaling device so that it conforms to the established standard measures and, As stated, do not affect the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

Description of the invention

The device described below resolves the aforementioned problems, for which structure from a single closed body or cabin and transparent, which integrates both "arrays" or groups of LEDs that make up emergency lighting such as groups of LEDs that constitute the additional signaling element, which It is located at the back.

In addition, said device is completed with the inclusion, within it, of the speaker or acoustic device with which must have the emergency signaling system.

More specifically, the groups of LEDs that make up emergency lighting are distributed across the face front of the device of the invention, as well as from the sides and part of the back face, in a way that guarantees a correct display from any angle, that is, removing dead angles, as well as a correct distribution of light issued, in order to comply with technical regulations established in this regard.

Among these groups of LEDs that make up the emergency lighting, and also on the front face of device, the acoustic device, speaker or siren of so that it is integrated with them.

Finally, on the back, occupying everything or part of the space left free by the groups of LEDs in the emergency lighting, one or more groups of LEDs are placed that they constitute the additional signaling element intended for inform or notify the cars or vehicles behind it that has the emergency signaling device incorporated of the invention, either by drawings or pictograms or by  warning messages, information, warning, obligation, etc.

The groups of LEDs used for both the emergency signaling as for the additional, may be complemented by an auxiliary optical system that will be integrated inside the device, which will have the function of distributing spatially and optimally the light signal coming from said LEDs.

The device of the invention, which, as already mentioned, is constituted by a closed and transparent cabin, has a general rectangular shape of rounded edges, of not protruding width of the vehicle, of small height and also small bottom, whose general dimensions are the enough to house the different devices that integrate it, resulting in a compact and functional design, of low weight and small dimensions that also presents a good aerodynamic behavior thanks to its smooth and rounded shapes.
you give.

On the other hand, the device of the invention, that is powered by the vehicle's battery, is controlled by the user through an intuitive interface and easy operation, which acts on the electronic control system that governs the system, and that allows it to provide a high number of functionalities, which make it a flexible system and adaptable to different national, regional regulations, etc.

This control is carried out by means of at least a microprocessor, which will act on the one hand on the system of additional signaling and on the other about the emergency system, the latter comprising both the signaling part of Emergency like sound.

So, to control the intensity, frequency, etc. of the different devices, both optical and acoustic, just select in the user interface the most option adequate, which will run the appropriate software internally, which in turn will cause the appropriate exit for each case.

This functionality and flexibility of the system what They are especially useful for several reasons, including find the ability to adapt, for example, the volume or sequence siren sound according to the situation, the regulations own of each place, etc., as well as the intensity of the lights, Well due to the ambient light, the regulations themselves, etc. It also allows you to control both the desired effects on the emergency signaling, such as effect simulation rotary as well as warning messages or pictograms of the additional signaling

Description of the drawings

To complement the description that is being performing and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to an example preferred practical implementation of it, is accompanied as integral part of said description a set of drawings where with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, what has been represented next:

Figure 1.- Shows an elevation view and plant of the device of the invention.

Figure 2.- Shows a block diagram of the control system of the device of the invention.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

In view of the figures, it can be seen in the same an example of embodiment of the signaling device  of vehicles of the invention, wherein said device is formed by a body (1) closed in the form of "D" and edges rounded, which will be transparent in all those areas where that the light emitted by the different groups must pass through of LEDs (2, 3).

These LEDs (2, 3), are the ones used respectively for emergency signaling and for additional signaling, and in both cases, as can be seen, structure through "arrays" or groups, which are distributed along the internal perimeter of the body (1) of the device.

More specifically, and as can be seen in figure 1, the groups of LEDs (2) that make up the signaling  emergency are distributed by the internal perimeter of the body (1) of the device so that the front face is covered, the lateral and at least part of the rear face, thus guaranteeing a correct distribution of light and the elimination of angles dead, so that said signaling is displayed without problems in critical situations, such as at crossings, where the emergency vehicle forms an angle of 90º with the rest.

On the other hand, and as already said, the emergency signaling is done through groups of LEDs (2), which instead of covering the entire perimeter of the body (1) is distributed by it so that the separation between said Groups (2) will be a function of your lighting characteristics own. In other words, the distance between each group of LEDs (2) will be determined by the luminance characteristics and optical power thereof, as well as the lighting angle covered by each one, so that such separation is the maximum that allows correct lighting using the least elements possible, in order to save costs on both the number of LEDs as in the power they consume. These groups of LEDs (2) can be, for example, three units, or others what are more appropriate depending on the needs to be covered such as lighting, consumption, performance, price, etc.

In the same way, in said figure 1 it is observed a second group (3) of LEDs intended for signaling additional, which are located in the back of the body (1) of the device, along the part of the perimeter which is not occupied by the group (2) of signaling LEDs of emergency.

In this case, however, the separation between the groups of LEDs (3) intended for additional signaling will be one that allows to correctly display those messages or informative pictograms that are projected or displayed on said groups of LEDs (3), so that they fulfill the purpose for the which have been designed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a the LEDs of any of the groups (2) and (3) can be associated an auxiliary optical system such as Fresnel lenses, that will be integrated into the device, and that will have the function to distribute the signal spatially and optimally light coming from these LEDs, preventing them from lighting in unnecessary directions and taking advantage of such light to increase the device brightness.

Finally, the signaling device of the invention is completed with the inclusion within the body (1) of a acoustic device, speaker or siren (4), whose output (18) will be facing the front of the device, as you can see in the aforementioned figure 1, thus integrating into a single body all the necessary optical and acoustic elements.

On the other hand, in regards to the control of device of the invention, a scheme of a possible operation  of the same can be seen in figure 2, which shows clearly how it has a power module (5) that feeds the two main modules formed by the module emergency signaling (6) and signaling module additional (7), as well as the control interface (8) through which said modules (6) and (7) will be controlled.

In general, the power module (5) It is formed by the battery (9) of the vehicle and a voltage regulating element or circuit (10), responsible for provide the necessary current and voltage levels to each device element.

As for the control interface (8), it can be formed by any conventional element or system like for example a touch screen, a remote control, a system of voice recognition, a light sensor, etc. that allows the introduction of parameters to the system to control the different operating modes of the device, with or without direct user intervention.

For said control by the interface (8), at least one microprocessor is provided to the system, or preferably two (11, 12), in the present example of realization, one (11) that will exercise control over the module emergency signaling (6) and the other (12) on the module additional signaling (7).

In this way, when performing the control by those two microprocessors (11, 12), you get a higher system flexibility, since on the one hand a separate control of both modules, minimizing the effects of a possible breakdown, at the same time as the module of additional signaling (7) the device could work without this one, either for the aforementioned breakdown, or for other reasons. Further, separating the control by two microprocessors, you can obtain a greater number of functionalities, or at least have the possibility of expanding the device with new functionalities

For its part, the signaling module of emergency (6) is divided into two blocks (13, 14) corresponding one to the lighting and another to the sound, where each of which incorporate, respectively, the elements of protection (15, 15 ’).

More specifically, from the element of protection (15) of the lighting block (13), are the "drivers" or control elements (16) of the corresponding group of emergency LEDs (2).

In the sound block (14), meanwhile, from the protection element (15 ') is the audio amplifier (17) that will be connected, as is obvious, to the siren (4) of the device of the invent-
tion.

Finally, the additional signaling module (7), in addition to its corresponding microprocessor (12) and element of protection (15 ’), will also have their respective "drivers" or control elements (16 ’) of the group of LEDs (3) Additional signaling.

As can be seen in the embodiment example of Figure 2, and as explained, each of the groups of LEDs (2, 3) is controlled or governed by its corresponding "driver" or control element (16, 16 ’), what which has obvious advantages, both from the point of view of consumption as of the useful life of said LEDs.

More specifically, the use of elements control (16, 16 ’) for each of the groups (2, 3) of LEDs allows these to be fed at all times by intensity just that in each case determine the corresponding microprocessor (11, 12), thereby reducing consumption to adapt it to specific lighting needs of each moment or place, and preventing said LEDs from working at maximum power during all the time, which considerably lengthens his life Useful.

In addition, the type of excitation provided by the control elements (16, 16 ') is of the pulse width modulation type (PWM), which minimizes consumption, a very important aspect in mobile devices such as the invention, in where the power source is constituted by the battery (9) of the
vehicle.

Claims (14)

1. Vehicle signaling device that uses LEDs as a light source characterized in that it is structured from a closed body with rounded edges, the interior of which comprises:

to)

groups of LEDs (2) for emergency signaling;

b)

groups of LEDs (3) for additional signaling; Y

C)

 a loudspeaker or siren (4),

where the groups of LEDs (2) for emergency signaling they are distributed around the perimeter internal to the body (1) of the device so that the front side, sides and at least part of the back side of the same. 2. Vehicle signaling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the groups of LEDs (2) for emergency signaling are distributed so that there is a separation between them, which is a function of their own lighting characteristics. 3. Vehicle signaling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the groups of LEDs (2) for emergency signaling are three units each. 4. Vehicle signaling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the groups of LEDs (3) for additional signaling are located at the rear of the body (1) of the device, along the part of the perimeter that is not occupied by the group (2) of emergency signaling LEDs. 5. Vehicle signaling device according to previous claims, characterized in that any of the groups of LEDs (2, 3) have associated associated Fresnel lenses, which are integrated within the device. 6. Vehicle signaling device according to previous claims, characterized in that the control system of the device (1) comprises a power supply module (5), an emergency signaling module (6), an additional signaling module (7), and a control interface (8) through which said modules (6) and (7) are controlled. 7. Vehicle signaling device according to claim 6, characterized in that the power module (5) comprises the vehicle battery (9) and a voltage regulating element or circuit (10), responsible for providing the current and voltage levels necessary to each element of the device. 8. Vehicle signaling device according to claim 6, characterized in that the control interface (8) comprises a touch screen and / or a remote control and / or a voice recognition system, and / or a light sensor. 9. Vehicle signaling device according to claim 6 characterized in that the control of the interface (8) is carried out through at least one microprocessor. 10. Vehicle signaling device according to claim 9 characterized in that the control of the interface (8) is carried out through two microprocessors, one (11) that controls the emergency signaling module (6) and the other (12) that controls the additional signaling module (7). 11. Vehicle signaling device according to claim 6, characterized in that the emergency signaling module (6) is divided into two blocks (13, 14) corresponding to the lighting and the other to the sound. 12. Vehicle signaling device according to claims 6 to 11 characterized in that each of the groups of LEDs (2, 3) are governed by corresponding control elements (16, 16 ') so that their power is controlled at all times by the corresponding microprocessor (11, 12). 13. Vehicle signaling device according to claim 12 characterized in that the control elements (16, 16 ') of the groups of LEDs (2, 3) are of the pulse width modulation type (PWM). 14. Vehicle signaling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (1) has a "D" shape and is transparent only in those areas where the light emitted by the groups of LEDs (2, 3) must pass ).