MULTI-PURPOSE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREVENTIVE LIGHT SIGNALLING OF THE PROGRESS OF A VEHICLE

Abstract

The apparatus comprises two identical control devices (11a, 11b) which generate activation commands (24a, 24b) for preventive lights (2a-2e) signalling the progress of a vehicle (1). Each of the control devices (11a, 11b) is provided with driver-operated inhibiting members (17a, 17b, 18) for inhibiting the generation of at least one of said activation commands (24a, 24b) which is to be inhibited. The control devices (11a, 11b) can be used in a complementary fashion from an activation or deactivation of the inhibiting members (17a, 17b, 18) which they respectively include, by distribution between the control devices (11a, 11b) of the activation commands (24a, 24b) which they respectively emit to activate preventive lights (2a-2e) which include at least one piece of preventive equipment (4).

Claims

1. A preventive apparatus for activating preventive lights at least during the progress of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: preventive light signaling equipment, including a support on which is installed a preventive light signaling device comprising preventive lights, a receiver by radiofrequency of commands for selective activations of the preventive lights, and an electrical energy reserve for supplying at least the receiver with electricity, identical first and second control devices via which activation commands of the preventive lights are generated, each of the first and second control devices including a respective case housing a respective emitter which generates the activation commands under the control of a driver of the vehicle and which emits by radiofrequency the activation commands generated by the respective emitter, wherein each of the first and second control devices is equipped with a respective rechargeable battery for supplying the respective emitter with energy, a respective first socket for connecting the battery to an electric power supply source for charging thereof, a respective second socket for connecting the emitter to a circuit for activating main lights equipping a vehicle, and respective control members for selective generation by the respective emitter roof of the activation commands, the respective control members being able to be actuated by an individual, wherein each of the first and second control devices is equipped with at least one respective inhibitor member which is able to be actuated by an individual to inhibit generation by the emitter of at least one of activation commands which is to be prohibited, and wherein each of the first and second control devices generates the activation commands complementarily.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inhibitor member is formed by at least one inhibitor contactor, which is dedicated to inhibition of a generation by the emitter of at least one activation command to be prohibited.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the inhibitor contactor is monostable and is able to selectively actuated by a foolproof between two distinct positions of installation of the case on a base for mounting the control device on the vehicle.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the inhibition of the generation by the emitter of the at least one of the activation commands to be prohibited is spontaneously effective in a stable position of the inhibitor contactor, and conversely, the generation by the emitter of the at least one of the activation commands to be prohibited is effective by actuation of the inhibitor contactor by the foolproof.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inhibitor member is formed by at least one of the control members.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inhibitor member is a member for inhibiting a generation of activation commands of preventive lights with a long activation period, the preventive lights with a long activation period at least comprising a preventive hazard light, a preventive fog light and a preventive position light.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inhibitor member is a member for inhibiting a generation of activation commands of preventive lights with a short activation period, the preventive lights with a short activation period at least comprising a preventive right indicator light, a preventive left indicator light and a preventive brake light.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a first support arranged as a harness for carrying the preventive light signaling equipment in a dorsal position of an individual.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a second support is a translucent box which houses the preventive lights visible from at least one external face of the box and which is provided with members for reversibly fastening the preventive light signaling equipment in a rear position on the vehicle.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lights of at the preventive light signaling equipment of the apparatus comprise: a preventive right indicator light and a preventive left indicator light, a preventive brake light, a preventive hazard light, a preventive position light, and a preventive fog light.

11. A method for implementing the apparatus according to claim 1 with a vehicle equipped the main lights, the method comprising: activating the preventive lights of the preventive light signaling equipment, by at least one of the first and second control devices, and using the first and second control devices in complementarity starting from an activation or a deactivation of the at least one inhibitor member which the control devices respectively include, by distribution between the control devices of the activation commands which the control devices respectively emit for the activation of the preventive lights of the preventive light signaling equipment.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first and second control devices are used in complementarity, wherein: in the first control device, the control members are able to be actuated by the driver of the vehicle, a generation by the emitter of commands for individual activations of a preventive right indicator light, of a preventive left indicator light, and of a preventive brake light being deactivated via the at least one inhibitor member of the first control device, and in the second control device installed on the vehicle the emitter is connected via the second socket to a multi-strand cable for plugging the emitter to an electric power supply circuit equipping the vehicle and assigned to selective activation of main lights of the vehicle, the emitter of the second control device generating commands for individual activation of preventive lights comprising a preventive right indicator light, a preventive left indicator light a preventive brake light, a generation by the second emitter of activation commands of any other preventive lights of the preventive light signaling equipment being deactivated via the at least one inhibitor member of the second control device.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the emitter of the second control device is supplied with electrical energy from strands of the multi-strand cable, the strands being connected to wires of the electric power supply circuit assigned to activation of a main position light of the vehicle, an electrical connection between the emitter and the rechargeable battery then being deactivated.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein, in each of the first and second control devices, the at least one inhibitor member is formed by at least one inhibitor contactor, which is dedicated to the inhibition of a generation by the emitter a one activation command to be prohibited, and the at east one inhibitor member is formed by at least one of the control members, the method comprising: deactivating generations by the emitter of the first control device of commands for individual activation of a preventive right indicator light, of a preventive left indicator light and of a preventive brake light, via the inhibitor contactor, and deactivating generations by the emitter of the second control device of activation commands of any preventive lights other than the preventive right indicator light, the preventive left indicator light and the preventive brake light via the control members equipping the second control device.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein, in each of the first and second control devices, the at least one inhibitor member is formed by at least one inhibitor contactor, which is dedicated to the inhibition of a generation by the emitter of at least one activation command to be prohibited, and the at least one inhibitor member is formed by at least one of the control members, the method comprising: deactivating generations by the emitter of the first control device of commands for individual activation of a preventive right indicator light, of a preventive left indicator light and of a preventive brake light, via the inhibitor contactor, and deactivating generations by the emitter of the second control device of activation commands of any preventive lights other than the preventive right indicator light, the preventive left indicator light and the preventive brake light via the control members equipping the second control device.

16. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one inhibitor member is formed by at least one of the control members.

17. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one inhibitor member is formed by at least one of the control members.

18. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the at least one inhibitor member is formed by at least one of the control members.

19. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one inhibitor member) is a member for inhibiting a generation of activation commands of preventive lights with a long activation period, the preventive lights with a long activation period at least comprising a preventive hazard light, a preventive fog light and a preventive position light.

20. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one inhibitor member is a member for inhibiting a generation of activation commands of preventive lights with a short activation period, the preventive lights with a short activation period at least comprising a preventive right indicator light, a preventive left indicator light and a preventive brake light.

Description

PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES

[0071] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments of components of an apparatus and the implementation thereof in accordance with the invention, with reference to the following figures:

[0072] FIG. 1 is an exploded top perspective illustration of an embodiment of a control device that an apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises. In FIG. 1, the control device is represented in the installation position on a base configured to be mounted on the handlebar of a cycle.

[0073] FIG. 2 is an assembled top perspective illustration of the control device represented in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the control device is represented installed on the base.

[0074] FIG. 3 is a perspective bottom illustration of an embodiment of an emitter that the control device represented in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 comprises.

[0075] FIG. 4 is an exploded rear perspective illustration of an embodiment of preventive equipment that an apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises. In FIG. 4, the preventive equipment includes a preventive light signalling device represented in the installation position on a support that the equipment includes and which is arranged as a back harness.

[0076] FIG. 5 is a rear illustration of an embodiment of the preventive light signalling device that the preventive equipment represented in FIG. 4 comprises and which is installed on the support.

[0077] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an implementation of an apparatus in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0078] The figures and their non-limiting detailed descriptions set out the invention in particular terms which are not restrictive as to the scope of the invention. The figures and their detailed descriptions of embodiments of the invention could be used to better define it, where necessary with regards to the general description that has just been given. Moreover, to avoid overloading the figures and thus facilitate reading thereof, the reference numerals assigned to the terms and/or concepts used to describe the invention and indicated in any of the figures are potentially included in the description of any other figure without implying their presence in all figures.

[0079] In FIG. 6, a device in accordance with the invention is organised to indicate the progress of a vehicle 1 to the other users of the traffic lanes, by selective activation of preventive lights 2a-2e. Such preventive lights 2a-2e are intended to be visible from the rear of the vehicle 1, by being integrated into a preventive light signalling device 3 represented in FIG. 4 and separately in FIG. 5. To clarify, the rear is identified with respect to the direction of forward progress of a vehicle and/or with respect to an individual whose face is oriented forwards.

[0080] In FIG. 4, preventive equipment 4 is provided with a preventive device 3 integrating the preventive lights 2a-2e, represented isolated in FIG. 5. The preventive device 3 comprises a case 6 which is formed by two shells 6a, 6b assembled together, and which houses a radio-frequency receiver 7 and an electrical energy reserve 8. The receiver 7 is formed by a first electronic board 7a, on which diodes 7b are mounted. A rear face of the case 6 is arranged as an optical system for diffusing out of the case 6 the light generated by the diodes 7b, to provide preventive light signalling indicating in particular the presence and/or the progress of the vehicle 1.

[0081] The preventive device 3 is installed on a support 9 that the preventive equipment 4 includes. Such preventive equipment 4 may be carried by the driver of the vehicle 1 or be installed at the rear of the vehicle 1. In FIG. 4, for example, the support 9 is arranged as a harness carried in the dorsal position by the driver or a rear passenger of the vehicle 1. Incidentally, a second preventive device 3 may be installed at the front of the harness via means for reversible fastening of the second preventive device 3 on the harness.

[0082] More particularly in FIG. 5, the diodes 7b are distributed over the first electronic board 7a so as to form preventive lights 2a-2e signalling the progress of a vehicle 1. A first group 10a of diodes 7b on the left side forms a preventive left indicator light 2b and a second group 10b of diodes 7b on the right side forms a preventive right indicator light 2a. A preventive hazard light 2a, 2b is formed by a simultaneous activation of the preventive right 2a and left 2b indicator lights. A central third group 10c of diodes 7b forms a preventive brake light 2c, a preventive fog light 2e and a preventive position light 2d, by simultaneous activation by packets of diodes 7b of the third group 10c which are respectively assigned thereto by varying the number and/or the light intensity of activation of the diodes 7b.

[0083] The apparatus comprises two identical control devices 11a, 11b, as illustrated in FIG. 6. In FIGS. 1 to 3, one single control device 11a is represented. The control devices 11a, 11b selectively generate activation commands 24a, 24b for the preventive lights 2a-2e included in the preventive device 3 installed on the support 9.

[0084] Each of the control devices 11a, 11b includes a case 12 composed of a bottom 12a and a cover 12b, the case 12 housing an electronic device 13 represented isolated in

[0085] FIG. 3. The case 12 itself is housed inside a base 14, via which any one 11a of the control devices 11a, 11b could be installed on a vehicle 1 making the base 14 cooperate with a member 14a for fastening the base 14 on the vehicle 1. In the illustrated example, said fastening member 14a is arranged as a bracket for holding the base 14 by clamping, such as on the handlebar of a cycle.

[0086] The control devices 11a, 11b include a second electronic board 15 configured as an emitter 16 of activation commands 24a, 24b for the preventive lights 2a-2e. The second electronic board 15 is equipped with a rechargeable battery 23, at least for supplying the emitter 16 with electrical energy, a first socket 23a for connecting the battery 23 to an electrical cord 23b for charging thereof and a second socket 22a for connecting the emitter 16 to a multi-strand cable 22.

[0087] The control devices 11a, 11b are also equipped with control members 17a, 17b, which are arranged as impulse pushbuttons that could be actuated by an individual from the upper face of the cover 12b which is oriented towards the outside of the case 12. The control members 17a, 17b are mounted on the second electronic board 15, their actuation by an individual allowing activating or deactivating the generation and the emission by the emitter 16 of activation commands 24a, 24b.

[0088] The control devices 11a, 11b are also equipped with inhibitor members to prohibit the generation by the emitter 16 of at least one of said activation commands 24a, 24b. The inhibitor members could be actuated by an individual, driver and/or passenger in particular, to selectively prohibit the generation of activation commands 24a, 24b by the emitter 16.

[0089] This allows using several control devices 11a, 11b which cooperate together to generate each of the respective activation commands 24a, 24b, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the control devices 11a, 11b generating the activation commands 24a, 24b complementarily. According to such complementarity, the activation commands 24a generated by a first control device 11a are different from the activation commands 24b generated by a second control device 11b.

[0090] In FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, a first inhibitor member is formed by an inhibitor contactor 18 visible in FIG. 3, which is mounted on the lower face of the second electronic board 15. The inhibitor contactor 18 is monostable and could be actuated by a foolproof 19a, 19b visible in FIG. 1, implementing a push finger 19a formed at the bottom of the base 14 and cooperating with an opening 19b formed through the bottom 12a of the case 12 opposite the inhibitor contactor 18.

[0091] Starting from a flip-over of the case 12 following the general extension plane of the second electronic board 15, either the push finger 19a passes through the opening 19b to actuate the inhibitor contactor 18, or the push finger 19a is placed diametrically opposite the opening 19b while being unable to actuate the inhibitor contactor 18, which is then spontaneously held in a stable position. Tus, the inhibitor contactor 18 could be selectively actuated between two distinct installation positions of the case 12 on the base 14.

[0092] For example, the inhibition of the generation by the emitter 16 of activation commands 24a, 24b to be prohibited is effective in a stable position of the inhibitor contactor 18, the actuation of the inhibitor contactor 18 causing a stoppage of the prohibition on the emitter 16 to generate any activation commands 24a, 24b to be prohibited. According to one variant and conversely, the inhibition of the generation by the emitter 16 of activation commands 24a, 24b to be prohibited might result from the actuation of the inhibitor contactor 18 from its stable position placing it in station held in an unstable position.

[0093] Moreover, one or several control member(s) 17a, 17b are operated to form second inhibitor members, from their actuation by an individual according to a predefined inhibition code. For example, such an inhibition code results from a predefined actuation by an individual of at least one of the control members 17a, 17b, which may vary in number and/or in duration of pulses exerted on said at least one control member 17a, 17b. As a result of the emission of such an inhibition code, the control members 17a, 17b are inefficient in causing the generation(s) by the emitter 16 of activation commands 24a, 24b to be prohibited.

[0094] In particular, the inhibitor contactor 18 is assigned to the inhibition of the generation of activation commands 24a, 24b to be prohibited of preventive lights with a short activation period, in particular a preventive right indicator light 2a, a preventive left indicator light 2b and a preventive brake light 2c. The control member(s) 17a, 17b operated as an inhibitor member are assigned to the inhibition of the generation of activation commands 24a, 24b for preventive lights with a long activation period, such as in particular at least one hazard light 2a, 2b, and one fog light 2e and one position light 2d.

[0095] In FIG. 6, an example of implementation of an apparatus in accordance with the invention is illustrated, according to which two control devices 11a, 11b are used in complementarity to selectively activate preventive lights 2a-2e that a preventive equipment 4 includes and whose activations are respectively assigned to the control devices 11a, 11b. The apparatus is used for a vehicle 1 which is at least equipped with main lights with a short activation period, typically comprising a main right indicator light 20a, a main left indicator light 20b and a main brake light 20c.

[0096] Depending on the type of vehicle 1, the vehicle 1 is still potentially equipped with one or several other main light(s) 20d, 20e, in particular main lights with a long activation period comprising at least one main position light 20d. The main lights 20a-20d of the vehicle 1 are supplied with energy from an electric power supply circuit 21 conventionally equipping the vehicle 1. At least one preventive device 4 is used to reinforce the light signalling of the vehicle 1. The preventive equipment 4 includes a support 9, for example arranged as a harness carried by the driver or a rear passenger, which is provided with preventive lights 2a-2e and with a receiver 7 of activation commands 24a, 24b of the lights preventives 2a-2e.

[0097] The preventive lights 2a-2e comprise preventive lights 2a-2c with short activation periods, and preventive lights 2d, 2e, 2a-2b with a long activation period. Typically, lights signalling the progress of a vehicle with a short activation period comprise in particular a brake light 2c, a right indicator light 2a and a left indicator light 2b. Typically again, lights signalling the progress of a vehicle with a long activation period comprise in particular a fog light 2e, a position light 2d and a hazard light 2a-2b by simultaneous activation of the right indicator 2a and left indicator 2b lights.

[0098] The operation of a first control device 11a is placed under the control of an individual, in particular the driver or a passenger, to activate preventive lights 2d, 2e, 2a-2b with a long activation period. The first control device 11a may be stored and be accessible when needed, for example by being installed on the vehicle 1 and accessible during a halt of the vehicle 1, or for example by being carried by the individual such as inside a pocket of a garment, for example.

[0099] Prior to the use of the first control device 11a, the driver or the passenger places the case 12 on the base 14 in the activation position of the inhibitor contactor 18. The generations by the emitter 16 of the first control device 11a of commands 24a for individual activations of a preventive right indicator light 2a, of a preventive left indicator light 2b, and of a preventive brake light 2c, are then deactivated.

[0100] A second control device 11b is installed on the vehicle 1, while being connected to the electric power supply circuit 21 of the main lights 20a-20e, via a multi-strand cable 22 connected to the second control device 11b.

[0101] According to the illustrated example, the second control device 11b is preferably supplied with electrical energy from strands of the multi-strand cable 22 which are connected to the wires of the electric power supply circuit 21 assigned to the activation of the main position light 20d of the vehicle 1. The optional supply of electrical energy to the second control device 11b from an electrical circuit on-board the vehicle 1 allows preserving the energy reserve of the battery 23 with which the second control device 11b is equipped. Such a connection causes a cutoff in the electrical connection between the battery 23 and the emitter 16 of the second control device 11b. The operation of the emitter 16 of the second control device 11b is then regulated under the control of the driver of the vehicle 1, from the activation members of the main lights of the vehicle 1 which are conventionally used by the driver.

[0102] Prior to the use of the second control device 11b, the driver uses the control members 17a, 17b of the second control device 11b to inhibit the individual activation by the second control device 11b of one or several preventive light(s) 2a-2e of said at least one piece of preventive equipment 4 which are different from the preventive right indicator light 2a, from the preventive left indicator light 2b and from the preventive brake light 2c, such as in particular at least the preventive position light 2d and depending on the type of vehicle the preventive hazard light 2a-2b and the preventive fog light 2e.

[0103] When using the device, the functionalities for activating the preventive lights 2a-2e respectively by the control devices 11a, 11b are limited, while being distributed over them. The first control device 11a is used to activate only the preventive lights with a long activation period, in particular the preventive position light 2d, the preventive fog light 2e, and the preventive hazard light 2a-2b by a command 24a for simultaneous activation of the preventive right indicator light 2a and of the preventive left indicator light 2b. The second control device 11b is used to activate only the preventive lights 2a-2c with a short activation period, in particular the preventive brake light 2c, the preventive right indicator light 2a and the preventive left indicator light 2b.