Flashlight for alarm systems

• US 8,217,580 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2008
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Schweiz AG (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Grimm, Max, Müller, Kurt, Pedrosa, Antonio, Wälti, Hansjürg
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Tung X
• Application Number:
  US12/666,906
• Publication Number:
  US 20100264840A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,488 Days
• Field of Search: 315129-136, 315/224, 315/250, 315/287, 315/291, 315/297, 315/307, 315/200.A
• US Class Current: 315/129
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/38 using flashing light

Abstract

A flashlight for alarm systems includes a light source containing at least one light emitting diode and a circuit which controls said light source. The circuit has a feed supply, a current converter, and flash control device. The current converter, the light source, and the flash control device are connected in series. The current converter includes a control unit, an inductor, an induction stop, and a resistor which are connected in series. The flash control device includes at least one switch for actuating the light source and a microprocessor for controlling the at least one switch.

Claims

1. A flashing light for an alarm system, comprising:

a light source containing at least one light-emitting diode and a circuit for controlling said light source;

said circuit including a feed supply and a flash control device; and

a current converter connected in series with said light source and said flash control device;

wherein said current converter is an inductive down converter including a control unit connected in series with an inductor, an induction stop, and a resistor;

wherein said resistor, in conjunction with said control unit, is configured to maintain a current flowing to said light source constant during a duration of illumination;

wherein said flash control device includes at least one switch for actuating said light source and a microprocessor for actuating said at least one switch; and

wherein said microprocessor includes a data communication connection to a message bus of the alarm system.

2. The flashing light according to claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes connected in two branches, and wherein a switch is connected in each of said two branches.

3. The flashing light according to claim 2, wherein said switch is controlled with a pulse signal have an adjustable pulse shape.

4. The flashing light according to claim 3, wherein said microprocessor is configured to control the pulse shape of the pulse signal in dependence on an ambient temperature, and wherein said microprocessor includes or is connected to a temperature sensor.

5. The flashing light according to claim 4, wherein a width of the pulse increases with increasing temperature.

6. The flashing light according to claim 2, wherein said light source is controlled by alternately switching said two branches containing said light-emitting diode on and off.

7. The flashing light according to claim 2, wherein said light source is controlled with a sequential flash emission in form of preliminary flashes and main flashes.