US 2001/0054957 A1 · Progressive brake light system

Abstract

The progressive vehicle brake light system of the invention consists of a brake sensor arranged to sense the travel of a brake pedal and a brake light display arranged to illuminate or extinguish in sequence or progressively in response to the travel of the brake pedal. A microcontroller is provided for receiving a signal from the brake sensor and controlling the brake light display accordingly. The brake sensor is typically an optical sensor utilising infrared transmitters and receivers arranged to sense the distance and direction of travel of the brake pedal. The brake light display consists of a row of light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are arranged to illuminate from the opposite ends towards the middle as the brake pedal is depressed and to extinguish in reverse sequence when the brake pedal is released.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A progressive brake light system for a vehicle comprising:

sensor means arranged to sense the degree of application or release of the brakes of the vehicle;
a brake light display arrangement comprising a plurality of individual lights or light units arranged to be illuminated or extinguished in sequence or progressively, in response to the degree of application or release of the brakes, respectively;
and
a control means for receiving a signal from the sensor means and controlling the sequence of illumination or extinguishment of the lights or light units, the control means including setting means for setting the system in relation to the respective distance the brake pedal for a particular vehicle is arranged to travel and/or the braking profile of the particular vehicle.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Progressive brake light system

Life of this patent

Progressive brake light system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9