Hazard Light Actuation System
First Claim
1. An apparatus for automatically actuating a first hazard light in response to an electrical input signal generated within a safety system of a land vehicle having at least one safety system generating an electrical signal in response to a detected condition, wherein the first hazard light is in a first hazard light operating circuit including a current source and a manual switch, in which the manual switch is switchable between closed and open positions for respectively actuating and de-actuating the first hazard light, the apparatus comprising:
- an electronic switch arranged in a by-pass circuit with respect to the manual switch, switchable between a first position opening the by-pass circuit and a second position closing the by-pass circuit, wherein the by-pass circuit is operatively connected for electrically actuating the first hazard light when the electronic switch is in second position;
a current source electrically connected to said electronic switch;
at least one input signal source from the vehicle safety system selectively sending a signal to the electronic switch, wherein said input signal source is selected from the group consisting of a signal triggering the deployment of an air bag, a signal triggering the deployment of a seat belt tensioning retractor system, a signal indicating rapid loss of tire pressure, a signal indicating a collision, or any combination thereof;
means in said electronic switch for closing the by-pass circuit in response to receiving said input signal, whereby the first hazard light is automatically actuated in response to the input signal.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical input signal from a vehicle'"'"'s safety system actuates an electronic switch to close a by-pass circuit that circumvents a manual control for hazard lights. As a result, the hazard lights are automatically activated in response to the input signal upon actuation from the safety system and without manual intervention.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An apparatus for automatically actuating a first hazard light in response to an electrical input signal generated within a safety system of a land vehicle having at least one safety system generating an electrical signal in response to a detected condition, wherein the first hazard light is in a first hazard light operating circuit including a current source and a manual switch, in which the manual switch is switchable between closed and open positions for respectively actuating and de-actuating the first hazard light, the apparatus comprising:
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an electronic switch arranged in a by-pass circuit with respect to the manual switch, switchable between a first position opening the by-pass circuit and a second position closing the by-pass circuit, wherein the by-pass circuit is operatively connected for electrically actuating the first hazard light when the electronic switch is in second position;
a current source electrically connected to said electronic switch;
at least one input signal source from the vehicle safety system selectively sending a signal to the electronic switch, wherein said input signal source is selected from the group consisting of a signal triggering the deployment of an air bag, a signal triggering the deployment of a seat belt tensioning retractor system, a signal indicating rapid loss of tire pressure, a signal indicating a collision, or any combination thereof;
means in said electronic switch for closing the by-pass circuit in response to receiving said input signal, whereby the first hazard light is automatically actuated in response to the input signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An improved apparatus for actuating a second hazard light in a land vehicle having both first and second hazard lights and at least one safety system generating an electrical signal in response to a detected condition, the apparatus automatically actuating the second hazard light in response to an electrical input signal generated within the vehicle'"'"'s safety system, wherein the first hazard light is in a first hazard light operating circuit including a manual switch, the improved apparatus comprising:
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a second hazard light operating circuit containing a second hazard light and an electronic switch that is switchable between a first position opening the second hazard light operating circuit and a second position closing the second hazard light operating circuit and actuating the second hazard light;
a current source electrically connected to said electronic switch;
at least one input signal source from the vehicle safety system selectively sending a signal to the electronic switch, wherein said input signal source is selected from the group consisting of a signal triggering the deployment of an air bag, a signal triggering the deployment of a seat belt tensioning retractor system, a signal indicating rapid loss of tire pressure, a signal indicating a collision, or any combination thereof; and
means in said electronic switch for closing the second hazard light operating circuit in response to receiving said input signal, whereby the second hazard light is automatically actuated in response to the input signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A method of automatically actuating a first hazard light in response to an electrical input signal generated within a safety system of a land vehicle provided with (1) at least one safety system generating an electrical input signal in response to a triggering condition, and (2) a first hazard light operating circuit containing a manual switch, in which the manual switch is electrically located between the first hazard light and a current source, such that when the manual switch is in an open position it has a powered side in operative connection to the current source and a non-powered side in operative connection to the first hazard light, the method comprising:
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providing a second hazard light operating circuit containing an electronic switch electrically connected to a current source and switchable between a first position opening the second hazard light operating circuit and a second position closing the second hazard light operating circuit and electrically actuating the first hazard light;
connecting the safety system to switch the electronic switch to the second position in response to receiving an input signal from the safety system;
generating an electrical input signal in response to triggering the safety system;
transmitting the input signal from the safety system to the electronic switch; and
actuating the first hazard light in response to the input signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification