An automotive lamp flasher provides a visibly irregular series of flashes to indicate the existence of a distress situation. The flasher also provides a regular series of flashes as is done by existing flashers. Circuitry is provided to generate a nonuniform pulse train and repeatedly apply this pulse train to a lamp activation circuit. Broadly, a multiplexer with a plurality of input terminals is used, each having a logic level thereon. The multiplexer is sequentially stepped to provide an output representative of the sequence of logic levels on the input terminals. Preferred stepping means includes a timer for supplying a continuous sequence of uniformly spaced pulses, and a scaler responsive to these pulses for supplying a sequence of binary codes to the multiplexer.
A control circuit for the turn-signal flasher system of an automotive vehicle. The flasher system includes a relay having switch contacts which are serially connected, together with a direction indicator switch, between the vehicle battery and the turn-signal lamps. A measuring or sampling resistor is connected between the battery and the relay contacts. First and second pulse generators are connected between a first voltage indicator and the relay coil, and are selectively gated to interrupt the relay during normal lamp load conditions. The first pulse generator provides a normal mark-to-space ratio whereas the second pulse generator provides a reduced mark-to-space ratio for use during night driving conditions. Third and fourth pulse generators are responsive to corresponding voltage indicators connected to the measuring resistor. The third and fourth generators function to respectively provide different mark-to-space ratios in response to, and indicative of, lamp outage or current-overload conditions.
An electrical circuit, comprising: at least one conductive pressing, inset moulded in an insulating plastics support, the pressing(s) providing an electrical circuit on which is mounted at least one surface mounted electronic component, and connector terminals to provide electrical power to the circuit and one or more electrical inputs to and/or one or more electrical outputs from the circuit.
A flashing light sequence which is readily distinguished by drivers as the signal for a hazard alert as contrasted with turn signal flashes. An electronic hazard alert flasher unit is described which generates a hazard warning signal which is distinctively different in flash rate and pattern from standard turn signals and other on-off warning lights. One version of the hazard alert flasher unit is intended to replace the standard element presently used in highway vehicles to generate the turn signal and hazard flash pulse. A second version of the hazard alert flasher can be used to control the flash rate of free-standing emergency electric lanterns, illuminated emergency warning triangles, and LED substitutes for pyrotechnic flares. The proposed hazard alert flash pattern consists of three or more short flashes followed by a longer pause.
A circuit arrangement for an anti-theft alarm for vehicles which emits optical signals to the outside by means of the driving direction indicator lights of the vehicle and also permits driving direction changes to be displayed. Actuation of the indicator lights is cancelled by the anti-theft alarm for the duration of the direction flashing indication.
In a process and an apparatus for the avoidance of airplane collisions in which at least one light source of a light flash warning apparatus on an airplane generates light flashes at periodic intervals, light flashes with a constant frequency are emitted from a first light source and light flashes with a variable frequency are emitted from a second light source, thereby increasing the warning effectiveness, localizing capability and, thereby, safety during operation of the airplane.
