ES1267954U - LIGHT SIGNALING DEVICE (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Light signaling device (1), comprising: - a housing, comprising a dome (2) and a base (3), said dome (2) having an upper end, a lower end that can be coupled to said base (3), and an intermediate zone that allows the passage of light: and - an activation button (4), arranged on the outside of said casing; wherein said device (1) comprises, inside said casing: - a reflector (5), having a flared shape, provided with a reflective outer surface (51); - a plate (6) on which some LEDs (7) are arranged, oriented towards said outer surface (51) of said reflector (5); - a control circuit (9), configured to receive a few presses of said button (4) and control said LEDs (7); - supply means (10) configured to supply energy to said control circuit (9) and to said LEDs (7); said device (1) presenting an inactive state, in which said LEDs (7) do not emit light, and a signaling state, in which said control circuit (9) controls said LEDs (7) so that they emit light according to with a pre-established signaling sequence; said control circuit (9) being configured to go from said inactive state to said signaling state and vice versa by pressing said button (4); characterized in that said reflector (5) is arranged vertically, with an upper end and a lower end, and has a diameter that is monotonically decreasing from said lower end to said upper end of said reflector (5); wherein said plate (6) is arranged at said upper end of said reflector (5), such that said LEDs (7) are oriented downward, and said button (4) is arranged at said upper end of said dome ( two).

Description

DESCRIPTION

LIGHT SIGNALING DEVICE

Field of the invention

The invention relates to signaling devices, in particular light-emitting signaling devices, and more particularly autonomous devices intended to signal a stopped vehicle.

In particular, the invention relates to a light signaling device, comprising:

- a casing, comprising a dome and a base, said dome having an upper end, a lower end that can be coupled to said base, and an intermediate zone that allows the passage of light; Y

- an activation button, arranged on the outside of said casing;

wherein said device comprises, within said casing:

- a reflector, having a flared shape, provided with a reflective outer surface;

- a plate on which LEDs are arranged, oriented towards said outer surface of said reflector;

- a control circuit, configured to receive a few presses of said button and control said LEDs;

- power means configured to supply power to said control circuit and to said LEDs;

said device presenting an inactive state, in which said LEDs do not emit light, and a signaling state, in which said control circuit controls said LEDs to emit light according to a pre-established signaling sequence; said control circuit being configured to go from said inactive state to said signaling state and vice versa by pressing said button.

State of the art

Devices that allow the rest of users of a public road or highway to be notified of the presence of a stopped vehicle are known. A common example of this type of device is reflective triangles that are placed separately from the vehicle in front of and behind it. However, to place these triangles the user must leave the vehicle and move away from it, which can be dangerous, especially on roads with high traffic and without a shoulder.

For this reason, new solutions have appeared that are based on lamps that emit light flashes with a relatively high frequency and with a light that usually has an orange coloration. Both the frequency and the color are usually determined by the regulations of the corresponding authorities. This type of device can be placed directly on the vehicle through the window of said vehicle, so it is not necessary for the user to leave the vehicle, thus eliminating the risk indicated above.

The devices known to date emit the flashes through a plurality of LEDs and with a control circuit that allows these LEDs to be controlled to emit light with the required sequence. Likewise, this type of device is usually powered internally with a battery so that it can be autonomous. A switch allows the device to be activated or deactivated. Most of the known devices do not emit light directly from the LEDs, but rather this light is reflected by an internal reflector that has the shape of a central inverted bell. Thus, the LEDs are arranged at the base facing the reflector and the light they emit is reflected horizontally thanks to the inverted reflector, and leaves the device through a dome with an area that allows the passage of light, for example, transparent or translucent. The battery is placed in the base so that it is accessible. In this way, the control circuit, LEDs and battery are close at the bottom of the device, which is convenient for manufacturing. The switch is generally accessible also at the bottom and on one side of the device.

However, devices of this type have some drawbacks, in particular, the lateral position of the switch makes it difficult to activate and deactivate it when the device is switched on. has already placed on the vehicle. Another drawback is that the device usually needs a considerable vertical extension to be able to house all the electronic components of the base, and the wide part of the reflector.

Summary of the invention

The purpose of the invention is to provide a light signaling device of the type indicated at the beginning, which makes it possible to solve the problems mentioned above.

This purpose is achieved by means of a signaling device of the type indicated at the beginning, characterized in that said reflector is arranged vertically, with an upper end and a lower end, and has a diameter that is monotonically decreasing from said lower end to said upper end of said reflector; wherein said plate is arranged at said upper end of said reflector, such that said LEDs are oriented downward, and said button is arranged at said upper end of said dome.

In the context of this document, and for the sake of ease of understanding, it has been considered that the device is in a vertical position as also shown in the figures, so that, in the position of use, the lower end of the device is in contact with the vehicle, and the upper end is furthest from the vehicle. In this way, the expert will not have problems in identifying the vertical or horizontal directions, nor in identifying the location of the different elements when referring to upper and lower extremes.

The location of the button at the upper end of the dome is particularly advantageous for the user. In particular, it facilitates pressing when the device is placed on a vehicle and the user operates it through the window, since the position of the button is accessible and easily locatable regardless of the orientation in which the device has been placed. . In addition, being a button instead of a switch as is usually common in the art, it facilitates its handling even with gloves, which may be necessary in environmental conditions that require it.

In the device of the invention, the inverted bell-shaped reflector known in the art is replaced by a reflector that is wider at its lower end and narrower at its upper end. Consequently, the LEDs are arranged at the top and oriented downwards towards the external surface of the reflector. This arrangement has several advantages. In the first place, the positioning of the button at the upper end of the dome is facilitated, which is advantageous as mentioned above.

Furthermore, the arrangement of the internal elements allows the device to be less vertically elongated compared to those known in the art. In turn, this has the advantage of facilitating its handling and, in particular, access to the button. Aerodynamic behavior is also improved, making the device more stable once placed on the vehicle, and less prone to being affected by wind currents.

Furthermore, the invention encompasses a series of preferred characteristics which are the subject of the dependent claims and whose usefulness will be highlighted later in the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention.

Preferably, said button is functionally attached to the upper face of said plate, which facilitates manufacture. By way of non-exclusive examples, options can be envisaged in which the button comprises a piece with a membrane integral with the dome and which, when pressed, acts on a switch arranged on the plate. This type of design also favors the waterproofness of the device.

Preferably, said control circuit is arranged on said board. In this way, manufacturing is facilitated since all electronic components can be manufactured on said board.

Preferably, said LEDs are arranged on the underside of said plate, so that it is not necessary to provide the plate with orifices for the passage of light from the LEDs.

Preferably, said power supply means comprise a battery, so that the device does not need external power. Different alternatives can be envisaged, by way of non-exclusive examples, rechargeable batteries, or 9V batteries type PP3.

Preferably, said device comprises an internal part arranged inside said casing and comprising at least:

- an upper section, provided with plate fixing means for fastening said plate to said internal piece, and piece fixing means for fastening said internal piece to said dome; Y

- an intermediate section comprising said reflector.

In this way, the internal elements of the device can be fixed to each other, thanks to the internal part, and at the same time, said internal part can be fixed to the dome, so that, once assembled, the device is compact and robust, with basically two blocks: one for the base and one for the dome, with the internal elements fixed to it.

Preferably, said internal part also comprises a lower section that preferably extends parallel to the internal face of said dome, which improves the support between the dome and the internal part and makes it difficult for movements to occur between the two.

Preferably, said piece fixing means are at the same time said plate fixing means, thus improving the connection between all the elements and the dome, while reducing manufacturing costs.

Preferably, said internal part is hollow and defines an internal cavity, which makes it possible to take advantage of the space of said internal cavity, while reducing the weight of the device, as well as the amount of material necessary for its manufacture. In an advantageous embodiment for this use of space, said feeding means are arranged inside said internal cavity, and accessible from the lower end of said internal part. In this way, the space required to house the feeding means does not add to the vertical extension of the device and it can be more flattened. Since the feeding means are usually heavy, their location at the lower end is advantageous so as to lower the center of gravity of the device, thus improving its stability.

Preferably, said reflector has at least one frustoconical section, which facilitates that part of the light is emitted from the device in an upward direction.

Preferably, said reflector has at least one section with a curved profile, to reflect the light from the LEDs in a horizontal direction. Preferably, the curve is parabolic and the LEDs are arranged at focal points of said parabola, so that all the light from the LED that reaches said section of curved profile is transmitted horizontally.

Preferably, said device further comprises additional LEDs arranged on said plate facing said reflector, in which, preferably, said device is additionally configured to turn said additional LEDs on and off by pressing said button. Thus the device can be used as a light source for other functions in addition to a signaling device. It can be envisaged that said additional LEDs are of a different color from the other LEDs, preferably of the type that emits white light.

Preferably, said device has a lighting state, in which said LEDs are inactive and said additional LEDs are active and emit light continuously, so that the device can be used as a lighting lamp.

Preferably, said control circuit is additionally configured to iterate between said signaling state and said lighting state by pressing said button, which is convenient for handling the device. Thus, the device has an active state in which there are active LEDs and it can be iterated between the lighting state and the signaling state. It can be envisaged, for example, that a long press of the button allows to go from the inactive state to the active state and vice versa, and that, within the active state, a short press allows to iterate between the signaling state and the illumination state.

Preferably, said reflector has a frustoconical section and an upper curved section, which has a curved profile, preferably parabolic, said curved section being provided on said frustoconical section; said LEDs being oriented towards said curved section and said additional LEDs oriented towards said frustoconical section. In this way, the horizontal emission for the LEDs corresponding to the signaling, while in the case of lighting, more emission is allowed in an upward direction.

Preferably, said outer surface of said reflector has vertical reflector grooves, configured to horizontally scatter the light from said LEDs. The flared shape of the reflector scatters the light reflected by each LED horizontally, this effect is further enhanced by the presence of diffusion areas, preferably in the form of striations, provided on the outer surface of the reflector. In this way, a smaller number of LEDs is necessary to produce a uniform light around the signaling device.

Preferably, said LEDs are arranged at regular intervals and equidistant from each other, in such a way that the design of the device is simplified to favor the most uniform illumination possible.

Preferably, said intermediate zone of said dome has vertical dome grooves, which act as a diffuser for the light emitted by the device, which improves its uniformity and reduces the density of necessary LEDs.

Preferably, it also comprises fixing magnets provided on said base, so that the device can be attached by magnetic effects to the upper part of the vehicle where it is to be fixed for use, and its use in windy conditions is safer.

Preferably, non-slip pads are provided on the lower external part of said base, so that the coefficient of friction is increased and, consequently, the force necessary to move the device one surface. This has the consequence that it is more difficult for a gust of wind to move the device once it is in use on the vehicle, which improves safety.

Preferably, said dome is attachable to said base by means of a bayonet closure, so that the closure between the two is secure, especially against wind blows. Preferably, said closure is preferably provided between said base and said internal piece, so that the entire structure is fixed to each other and improves the resistance of the device.

Preferably, the device also comprises a rubber gasket arranged between said base and said lower end of said dome, which favors sealing and minimizes the risk that water from rain or snow may enter inside the device, in particular towards electronic components. Different arrangements can be made for the rubber gasket, by way of non-exclusive examples, between the walls of the base and the lower end of the dome or under the lower end of the dome and a step of the base.

Furthermore, the invention also encompasses other features of detail illustrated in the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention and in the accompanying figures.

Description of the drawings

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention can be seen from the following description, in which, without being limiting, some preferred embodiments of the invention are shown, making mention of the accompanying drawings. Figures show:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a detailed view of the internal part of the device. The elements in section have been represented by a fill with dashed lines.

Fig. 3 is a front sectional view of the device.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of another embodiment of the device.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of another embodiment of the device.

Detailed description of some embodiments of the invention

Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show a first embodiment of the light signaling device 1 of the invention, comprising a housing, with an activation button 4, arranged outside said housing. The housing of the device 1 is formed by a dome 2 and a base 3, so that the lower end of the dome 2 can be attached to the base 3, thus forming the housing of the device 1 between the two. The device of the example has a base circular.

In Fig. 1 a perspective view of the first embodiment of the device 1 of the invention can be seen, in which it can be seen that the button 4 is arranged in the upper end of the dome 2. Likewise, the figure shows an intermediate area of said dome 2 that is transparent, so that light can be emitted from inside the dome 2 of the device. For the first embodiment, the transparent intermediate area of the dome 2 has vertical dome grooves 22 that are configured to facilitate the diffusion of the light emitted by LEDs 7 that the device 1 uses as light sources, so that the emitted light is more uniform. Other embodiments can be envisaged in which the dome does not have said grooves, either because the device 1 is provided with equivalent elements, such as small notches, lugs or other similar elements, or because the material of the intermediate zone of the dome is translucent and acts as a diffuser, or because the light is emitted from many points so that it is already homogeneous. Combinations of the above can also be envisaged.

Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 make it possible to see the interior of the device 1 according to the first embodiment. Inside the housing of the device 1 a reflector 5 is provided, which has a flared shape with a reflective outer surface 51 and which has symmetry of revolution about a central axis. The reflector 5 is arranged vertically, with an upper end and a lower end, and has a diameter that is monotonically decreasing from said lower end to said upper end of said reflector 5. In Fig. 2 they have been indicated with keys in the left part of the figure, the different sections of some elements. In the case of reflector 5, it has a frustoconical section 53 and a curved section 54, with a curved profile of revolution that defines the upper part of reflector 5, above the frustoconical section 53. In some embodiments, the curved profile is parabolic. In the first embodiment, the reflector 5 forms part of an internal part 100 that is arranged inside the housing. The internal part 100 consists of three differentiated sections and which have been indicated with keys in the left part of Fig. 2. Thus, the internal part 100 has an upper section 110, an intermediate section 120 that corresponds to the reflector 5, and a lower section 130 that extends parallel to the internal face of the dome 2. In Fig. 2 only a part of the lower section 130 is shown, however, in the sectional view of Fig. 3 all can be seen the lower section 130. Fig. 2 also shows vertical striations of reflector 52 that are configured to horizontally scatter the light from LEDs 7. In the first embodiment, the vertical striations of reflector 52 are grouped in areas striated, so that each of said LEDs 7 is oriented towards one of said striated areas.

The device 1 also has, inside the housing, a plate 6 arranged at said upper end of the reflector 5 and in which the LEDs 7 are arranged, on the lower face of the plate 6 and oriented downwards, so that the light emitted by the LEDs 7 is directed towards the outer surface 51 of the reflector 5 and towards the striated areas. Likewise, additional LEDs 8 are also arranged on the lower face of plate 6, oriented towards said reflector 5. In particular, LEDs 7 are oriented towards curved section 54 of reflector 5 and additional LEDs 8 are oriented towards section frustoconical 53 of reflector 5. The device consists of six orange LEDs 7 that are arranged at regular intervals and equidistant from each other following a circumference centered on the central axis of reflector 5, so that there is a LED 7 every 60 °. In other embodiments, the number of LEDs 7 may be different, for example, depending on the dimensions of the device. Equivalently, the device consists of six additional white LEDs 8 located at regular intervals of 60 ° with respect to the central axis, describing a circle with a diameter greater than the circle corresponding to the orange LEDs 7. On the upper face of the plate 6 a control circuit 9 is provided, configured to receive a few presses of the button 4 and control the LEDs 7 and the additional LEDs 8. The button 4 is functionally connected to the upper face of the plate 6, in particular, as can be seen in Fig. 3, the button is provided at the upper end of the dome 2 and allows to operate a switch element 41 that is provided on the upper face of the plate 6. Feeding means 10 , in particular a 9V battery, supply energy to the control circuit 9, to the LEDs 7 and to the additional LEDs 8.

Device 1 presents an inactive state, in which the LEDs 7 and the additional LEDs 8 do not emit light, a signaling state, in which the control circuit 9 controls the LEDs 7 so that they emit light according to a sequence of pre-established signaling, and a lighting state, in which the LEDs 7 are inactive while the additional LEDs 8 are active and emit light continuously. The control circuit 9 is configured to go from the inactive state to the signaling state and vice versa by a long press of the button 4, of about 2s or more. The control circuit 9 is further configured to iterate between the signaling state and the illumination state by a short press of the button 4, of less than 1s.

As can be seen in Fig. 3, the upper section 110 of the internal part 100 is provided with screws and threads that act as plate fixing means to fasten said plate 6 to said internal part 100, and which are at the same time a piece fixing means to hold said internal piece 100 to said dome 2. For its part, the internal piece 100 is hollow and defines an internal cavity 101 in which the battery is arranged, so that It is accessible from the lower end of said internal piece 100.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the dome 2 is attachable to the base 3 by means of a bayonet closure provided between said base 3 and the internal part 100. A rubber gasket 33 arranged between said base 3 and said lower end of said dome 2 improves the tightness of device 1. In Fig. 3 the rubber gasket 33 is arranged between a step of the base 3 and below the lower end of the dome 2. In another equivalent embodiment the rubber gasket 33 is provided between the inner wall of the lower end of the dome 2 and the outer wall of the corresponding section on the base 3. Likewise, in order to improve the stability of the device 1 in the position of use on the vehicle, said device 1 has four fixing magnets 31 provided on said base 3. Likewise, non-slip rubber pads 32 provided on the lower external part of said base 3 improve adherence to the vehicle surface.

Next, other embodiments of the device according to the invention are shown that share a large part of the characteristics described in the previous paragraphs. Accordingly, only the differentiating elements will be described hereinafter, while for the common elements reference is made to the description of the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 shows a detail of a second embodiment in which the reflector 5 only has a frustoconical section 53. In the case of the second embodiment, the device 1 does not comprise additional LEDs 8 and the reflector is not provided with reflector vertical ridges 52.

Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment in which the reflector 5 only has a curved section 54, in some anticipated forms, the curve is parabolic. In the case of the third embodiment, the device 1 does not comprise additional LEDs 8 and the reflector is not provided with vertical striations of the reflector 52.

Claims (1)

1- Light signaling device (1), comprising: - a casing, comprising a dome (2) and a base (3), said dome (2) having an upper end, a lower end that can be coupled to said base (3), and an intermediate zone that allows the passage of light; Y - an activation button (4), arranged on the outside of said casing; wherein said device (1) comprises, within said casing: - a reflector (5), having a flared shape, provided with a reflective outer surface (51); - a plate (6) on which some LEDs (7) are arranged, oriented towards said outer surface (51) of said reflector (5); - a control circuit (9), configured to receive a few presses of said button (4) and control said LEDs (7); - supply means (10) configured to supply energy to said control circuit (9) and to said LEDs (7); said device (1) presenting an inactive state, in which said LEDs (7) do not emit light, and a signaling state, in which said control circuit (9) controls said LEDs (7) so that they emit light according to with a pre-established signaling sequence; said control circuit (9) being configured to go from said inactive state to said signaling state and vice versa by pressing said button (4); characterized in that said reflector (5) is arranged vertically, with an upper end and a lower end, and has a diameter that is monotonically decreasing from said lower end to said upper end of said reflector (5); wherein said plate (6) is arranged at said upper end of said reflector (5), such that said LEDs (7) are oriented downwards, and said button (4) is arranged at said upper end of said dome ( two). 2- Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said button (4) is functionally connected to the upper face of said plate (6). 3- Device (1) according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said control circuit (9) is arranged on said plate (6). 4- Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said LEDs (7) are arranged on the lower face of said plate (6). 5- Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said power supply means (10) comprise a battery. 6- Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said device (1) comprises an internal part (100) arranged inside said casing and comprising at least: - an upper section (110), provided with plate fixing means to fasten said plate (6) to said internal part (100), and part fixing means to fasten said internal part (100) to said dome ( two); Y - an intermediate section (120) comprising said reflector (5); wherein, preferably, said internal part (100) further comprises a lower section (130) that extends parallel to the internal face of said dome (2). 7- Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said means for fixing the part are at the same time said means for fixing the plate. 8. Device (1) according to any of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that said internal part (100) is hollow and defines an internal cavity (101), and in which said feeding means (10) are preferably arranged inside of said internal cavity (101), and accessible from the lower end of said internal part (100). 9. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said reflector (5) has at least one frustoconical section (53). 10. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said reflector (5) has at least one section of curved profile (54), preferably parabolic. 11. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it also comprises additional LEDs (8) arranged on said plate (6) oriented towards said reflector (5), in which, preferably, said device ( 1) is additionally configured to turn said additional LEDs (8) on and off by pressing said button (4). 12. Device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that said device (1) has a lighting state, in which said LEDs (7) are inactive and said additional LEDs (8) are active and emit light continuously ; and wherein, preferably, said control circuit (9) is further configured to iterate between said signaling state and said lighting state by pressing said button (4). 13. Device (1) according to any of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that said reflector (5) has a frustoconical section (53) and a curved section (54), which has a curved profile, preferably parabolic, said section being curved (54) provided on said frustoconical section (53); said LEDs (7) being oriented towards said curved section (54) and said additional LEDs (8) oriented towards said frustoconical section (53). 14. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said outer surface (51) of said reflector (5) has vertical reflector striations (52), configured to horizontally scatter the light from said LEDs ( 7). 15. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that said LEDs (7) are arranged at regular intervals and equidistant from each other. 16. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that said intermediate zone of said dome (2) has vertical dome grooves (22). 17. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it also comprises fixing magnets (31) provided on said base (3). 18. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that non-slip pads (32) are provided on the lower external part of said base (3). 19. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that said dome (2) is attachable to said base (3) by means of a bayonet closure, in which said closure is preferably provided between said base (3) ) and said internal part (100). 20. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that it also comprises a rubber gasket (33) arranged between said base (3) and said lower end of said dome (2).