GB2372323A

GB2372323A - Externally visible vehicle speed indicator

Info

Publication number: GB2372323A
Application number: GB0103798A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Bartlett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-02-14
Filing date: 2001-02-14
Publication date: 2002-08-21
Also published as: GB2372323A8; GB0103798D0

Abstract

The indicator comprises an array of lights, fined internally, along the top of the windscreen (as per a sun visor). This allows the driver total control of the vehicle whilst its speed is continually displayed, but is not visible from within. The indicator is manufactured from plastic or dense sponge foam material, in various sizes to suit micro cars up to HGVs. Lamps, or magnified high intensity L.E.D.s, appropriately coloured, are operated progressively, in sequence, by an electronic speed processor in the engine compartment, corresponding to increments of 5mph/10kph, with alternate double lamps stacked vertically, indicating each 10mph/20kph, up to e.g. 100mph/160kph. The letters "M"/"K" would denote the unit of measurement. The system could be provided as standard equipment on new vehicles, with retrofit kits available for current vehicles.

Description

2. DESCRIPTION The main body of the product may be produced economically from a moulded plastic material either in standard black or coloured to match either the interior fabric or the exterior paintwork. Alternatively, a lightweight dense sponge foam material may be incorporated in the product's main body, into which the indicating lights are installed. The product would have to be manufactured in various sizes to suit both micro-cars up to HGV's.

Operation of the array of speed indication lights will be governed by an electronic speed processor installed within the engine compartment via a lead running through the front door pillar to the end of the unit.

The system would be provided as standard equipment on all new vehicles. Retrofit kits could also be installed and connected up to microprocessor speedometer outputs on most current vehicles, should legislation deem that it is necessary to do so.

The visual speed indicating lights will be made from standard miniature vehicle lamps, or may be high intensity LED's (light emitting diodes) visibly magnified by suitable lenses.

The colour of the indicating lights would be in the order of all yellow (or all white or all blue) in order not to be confused with other surrounding coloured lights e. g. brake lights.

The maximum speed displayed on the windscreen would be nominally lOOmph (160kph) extending the full width of the windscreen. Thus 50mph (80kph) would be exactly half way across. The array of lights, stretching equidistantly across the windscreen, would operate sequentially and progressively, according to the vehicle's speed-each lamp corresponding to increments of increase of speed of 5mph. Alternate double lamps, mounted vertically, would equally correspond to increments of lymph. The single lamps are required for accuracy.

(See Fig. 2).

Conversion from mph to kph can be made by a simple operation of a switch to/from the electronic speed microprocessor. Visible letters'M'or'K'would be displayed at either, or both, ends of the unit to identify which unit of speed measurement is being employed. This would prevent illegal operation of the device. The resulting speed indication will only be visible externally-it will not be visible from within the vehicle either by the driver or its passengers.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Fig. 1 shows the general applied concept, in principle.

Fig. 2 is a small section showing close-up detail of the indicating lamps.

Fig. 3 is a block schematic diagram system flowchart.

Claims

EXTERNALLY VISIBLE VEHICLE SPEED INDICATOR

1. CLAIM The invention relates to an externally visible display unit on vehicles, which provides an indication of a vehicle's approaching speed to pedestrians, other drivers and traffic controllers.

Unlike most other inventions, which aim to actually govern the speed of a vehicle (with the risk of catastrophic results in the event of a failure) this invention would still allow total control of the vehicle by the driver. This would be done with the full knowledge that its speed could be monitored accurately at any given time by external official sources e. g. traffic speed control cameras, etc.

The object of this invention is to dramatically reduce loss of life and injuries sustained to both pedestrians and other road users alike, by lessening the risk of accidents on the road. The invention enables anyone to be able to quickly establish the speed of oncoming vehicles (especially at night-time) when crossing over, or pulling into the path of, an approaching vehicle. This would also help avoid the additional danger of accidents caused by hesitation i. e. being hit by vehicles behind.

This invention also has the benefit of employing the top area of the windscreen as a sun visor. Many of today's modem vehicles have excessively large windscreens with areas of superfluous glass above the driver's head, which lends itself perfectly to this concept. (See Fig. 1).

The visual display unit will be situated within the vehicle, attached to (or even incorporated within) the front windscreen along the top edge as per a sun visor.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

The invention relates to an externally visible display unit on vehicles, mounted within and across the top section of the front windscreen, as per a sun visor, consisting of a strip of lights (LEDs), linked to the speedometer, lighting up sequentially, according to the vehicle's speed. (See Fig. 1) It provides an indication of a vehicle's approaching speed to pedestrians, other drivers and traffic controllers.

The visual display unit will be situated within the vehicle, attached to (or even incorporated within) the front windscreen along the top edge as per a sun visor, not visible within. (See Fig. l) Operation of the array of lights will be governed by the electronic speed processor, situated in the engine compartment, connected via a lead running through the front door pillar to the end of the unit. It will give equal speed information to that of the speedometer, lighting up sequentially according to the velocity of the vehicle.

The visual speed indicating lights will be suitable lamps, or high intensity LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) visibly magnified by suitable lenses.

The displayed lights will be of a suitable colour, either all yellow, or white or blue, so as not to be confused with other types of lighting (red taillights or orange indicators).

The array of lights will stretch equidistantly across the windscreen, each lamp corresponding to increments of 5mph. Alternate double lamps, mounted vertically, will correspond to increments of lymph.

Conversion of mph to kph will be made by simple operation of a switch to/from the microprocessor.'M'or'K'will be displayed at either, or both, ends to prevent illegal operation of the device.