Modulated intensity flasher for vehicle brake light with lockout
DCFirst Claim
1. A control system for modulating a brake light region of an automobile for enhanced display indication of braking of the automobile comprising:
- an integral modulation unit sized to be disposed within a casing of the brake light and interposed between a lamp of the brake light and an energy supply;
wherein the modulation unit includes means for sequentially adjusting power from the energy supply to the lamp for a first predetermined time interval concurrent with the braking of the automobile for generating a desired brightening and dimming of the lamp, and continuously supplying a constant power to the lamp after expiration of the first predetermined time interval during continued braking; and
, a lockout timer for precluding the sequential adjusting by the modulation unit for a second predetermined time interval after release of the braking for avoiding repetitive flashing in stop and go traffic wherein the modulation unit and lockout timer cooperate to time the braking and a period between brakings for the modulating of the brake light based on the timing of the braking and the period between the brakings.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for brightening and dimming a brake light of automotive vehicle for enhanced display indication of braking includes a pulse width modulation unit to be electrically connected to a brake lamp for sequentially modulating the supply energy to the lamp to generate a brightening and dimming of the lamp. A time extent of the modulation is detected so that the modulation can be stopped after a preselected time period and the light will be continually on as in a conventional braking operation After the brake is released by the operator, a second preselected time period for locking out the sequential interrupting is timed down, for avoiding repetitive flashing during stop-and-go traffic.
30 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A control system for modulating a brake light region of an automobile for enhanced display indication of braking of the automobile comprising:
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an integral modulation unit sized to be disposed within a casing of the brake light and interposed between a lamp of the brake light and an energy supply;
wherein the modulation unit includes means for sequentially adjusting power from the energy supply to the lamp for a first predetermined time interval concurrent with the braking of the automobile for generating a desired brightening and dimming of the lamp, and continuously supplying a constant power to the lamp after expiration of the first predetermined time interval during continued braking; and
,a lockout timer for precluding the sequential adjusting by the modulation unit for a second predetermined time interval after release of the braking for avoiding repetitive flashing in stop and go traffic wherein the modulation unit and lockout timer cooperate to time the braking and a period between brakings for the modulating of the brake light based on the timing of the braking and the period between the brakings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A brake light comprising:
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a first region operative as a conventional brake light;
a second region separately controlled from the first region;
a controller operative to time a braking event and a period between braking events and to selectively modulate the second region based on the timing of the braking event and a period between braking events. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification