US 2003/0197606 A1 · Vehicle rear light warning system

Abstract

A rear light warning system for vehicles to indicate to drivers of trailing vehicles that the leading vehicle is slowing down, moving slow or stopping to reduce the likelihood of rear-end collisions. The system has rearwardly illuminating warning lights attached to the rear of the vehicle, a speed sensor and an integrated circuit, all of which are independent of the brake or accelerator pedals. The speed sensor determines the relative speed of the vehicle and the integrated circuit compares the electrical signal with that for a predetermined minimum base speed level. If the vehicle is traveling at less than the base speed level, then the warning lights are activated. The speed sensor can determine the relative speed by measuring the rotation of the wheel, rotation of an inner cable in a mechanical speedometer cable, a signal from an electronic speedometer or sensing a reflective wavelength off the ground.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A vehicle rear light warning system adapted for use with a vehicle, comprising:

one or more warning lights fixedly attached to a rear side of the vehicle, said one or more warning lights configured to be generally rearwardly illuminating;
sensor means attached to the vehicle for sensing the speed of the vehicle, said sensor means configured to be independent of the vehicle's brake and acceleration pedals;
and
an integrated circuit for calculating the speed of the vehicle relative to a predetermined base speed level and for activating said one or more warning lights when the speed of the vehicle is below said predetermined base speed level.

1 more element

A vehicle rear light warning system adapted for use with a vehicle, comprising:

one or more warning lights fixedly attached to a rear side of the vehicle, said one or more warning lights configured to be generally rearwardly illuminating;
one or more stop lights fixedly attached to said rear side of the vehicle, said stop lights configured to be generally rearwardly illuminating;
sensor means attached to the vehicle for sensing the speed of the vehicle, said sensor means configured to be independent of the vehicle's brake and acceleration pedals;
and
an integrated circuit for calculating the speed of the vehicle relative to a predetermined base speed level and for activating said one or more warning lights when the speed of the vehicle is below said predetermined base speed level and for activating said stop lights when the vehicle stops moving, said integrated circuit operatively connected to a battery on the vehicle, said system electrically connected to an ignition switch on the vehicle and configured to be activated when said ignition switch is in an on or run condition.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vehicle rear light warning system

Life of this patent

Vehicle rear light warning system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20