CA2250392A1 - Dual lamp fixture with integral control - Google Patents
Dual lamp fixture with integral control Download PDFInfo
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- CA2250392A1 CA2250392A1 CA002250392A CA2250392A CA2250392A1 CA 2250392 A1 CA2250392 A1 CA 2250392A1 CA 002250392 A CA002250392 A CA 002250392A CA 2250392 A CA2250392 A CA 2250392A CA 2250392 A1 CA2250392 A1 CA 2250392A1
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- lamp
- dual
- fixture
- lamp fixture
- dual lamp
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
Abstract
A dual lamp fixture (10) having an integral power supply and control circuit. The dual lamp fixture (10) utilizes stroboscopic and incandescent lamps (20, 22) mounted near the focus of a parabolic reflector (16) which may be actuated alternately, individually or simultaneously. Multiple lamps may be connected in parallel to a DC power bus (100) and a differential line, twisted-pair communication bus (42) to achieve a variety of controlled flashing patterns. Each lamp (20, 22) will perform its given tasks when an appropriate command signal is placed on the communication bus. To take full advantage of this distributed control and the advantages in bus-wiring topology, the power supply (100) is located in close proximity to its controller (43) and light fixture (10).
Description
CA 022~0392 1998-09-28 DUAL LAMP FIXTURE WITH INTEGRAL CONTROL
The present invention is directed generally toward vehicle lights and more particularly toward a vehicle light having incandescent and strobe light sources which utilize a common reflector and lens assembly and which incorporates a highvoltage power source for the strobe.
Light sources are widely used as visually perceptible signaling devices.
Common examples are the braking and turning lights of vehicles, running lights on boats, snowmobiles or aircraft, emergency lights of police vehicles and ambulances, and lights employed by school buses for caution signals and stop lights. In all such uses, it 10 is important that the light source have high visibility, such that a driver or other observer will notice the signal. On the other hand, a light source used as a signal should not be so attention-getting that it is overly distracting or otherwise impair the vision of those who see it.
Presently, the most common light ~ign~ling sources used on vehicles are 15 incandescent lights. Differing colors and brightness' are generally employed to enhance visibility and to indicate certain kinds of sign~ling. For example, red is used to indicate the rear of an auto, whereas bright red indicates a braking auto. White lights on the rear of an auto are indicative of an auto that has been placed in reverse and yellow lights are used for parking lamps and turn signals. Some light sources are 20 turned on when the signal is desired and turned off when it is no longer desired, such as the backing lights on an auto. Others light sources are turned on and offwith a given frequency such as turn signal lights. Still others change from a base level of light intensity to a somewhat higher intensity as the message to be signaled changes, such as brake lights.
Emergency vehicles, such as ambulances and police vehicles, typically employ pulsing, high intensity, stroboscopic type lights to command attention. Similar high intensity lights are also used on aircraft or on high buildings. These lights can be quite effective as warning devices, but their brightness at close range can be so intense as to distract or to discomfort the observer.
A synchronized pulse-enhanced dual light source is disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 4,958,143 to Robert J. Knauff. The disclosure teaches the combination of incandescent and strobe lamp within a single lighthead. The lighthead includes control Sl~t~5 111 ~JTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 022~0392 1998-09-28 W O 97/35744 PCT~USg7/05017 and power circuitry which accepts an external trigger signal. The control circuitry receives the trigger signal and proceeds to control the synchroni7ation of the incandescent pulses with the strobe pulses. The controller pulses the strobe before the incandescent lamp achieves any substantial percentage of light output and in such close 5 time proximity to the peak intensity of the inc~ntlçscent lamp that persistence of vision in the human eye causes the two light sources to blend together visually. However, the timing and synchronization of the two light sources is not independently controllable from an external control system.
There is a need for a dual lamp fixture which may be externally 10 synchronized with other lightheads and which permits control over the pattern with which the lamps are flashed or pulsed. The present invention provides for external control and synchronization of the lamps within the lighthç~d. An external control may be provided which has independent control over the incandescent and strobe lamps.
For example, an external control may flash inc~n-lescent lamps only, strobe lamps only 15 or both.
Previous dual lamp fixture have generally had limited light output due to the placement of the inc~n~lescent and strobe lamps which has tended to block each other's emissions to a common reflector and through the lighthead lens. Typically, dual source lightheads which were designed to avoid this problem, have used dual20 reflectors and lenses for separated incandescent and strobe lamps. However, dual reflector designs have been limited to use in larger lightheads. Since exterior space may be limited on a vehicle, such limitations may prevent the use of such a dualreflector design. The present invention avoids this problem by lltiii7.ing a standard incandescent lamp in combination with a toroidal strobe lamp. Each lamp of the 25 present invention has direct access to the reflector and lens. Therefore, the light emitted from either lamp is not blocked by the other. Also, the present invention allows the use of a single reflector and lens assembly and thus permits a more compact package design. Since the improved dual lamp fixture of the present invention is not subject to the space limitations of previous de~ign~, it may be installed in previously 30 unavailable locations.
In order to operate strobe lamps, constant voltages in excess of 300 volts may be required with triggering voltages in excess of 6000 volts. Switching such high SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 022~0392 1998-09-28 WO 97/35744 PCT/US97,1 e~l7 - -voltage lines may generate large amounts of radio-frequency interference (RFI) which has the potential of adversely affecting a vehicle's electrical system. A high degree of shielding insulation and filtering is generally required to minimi7~ such RFI.
The present invention enables one to avoid the tr~n.~mi~.sion of high S voltages throughout a vehicle's wiring harness by locating strobe power supplies within the housing of each strobe lighthead. A central control module associated with the present invention provides for the triggering of the strobes but would not produce the high voltages which are required to operate strobe lamps. Rather, the power supply at the lighthead produces the necessary strobe voltage. Thus, the present inventionelimin~tes the need for high voltage lines and avoids the problems inherent with such lmes.
Also provided by the present invention is the ability to communicate with any controller lltili7in~ the al)plopliate binary data format and timing. A simple micro-controller may be used to interface to the driver's conlpalll~lent in a vehicle and broadcast general function comm~n(ls upon specific input selections. The dual lamp fixtures can receive this data and act upon it in a manner indicative of the function command and a group address assigned to the lamp fixture.
It is to be appreciated that the present invention may be adapted for use in lightheads with multiple reflectors or lenses with the possibility of multiple color output. For example, the present invention may be utilized in a dual reflector/lens lighthead In such an application, the lighthead may have two sets of incandescent and strobe lamps, one set for each reflector. Such dual reflector/lens designs would permit two different colors to be used in the same li~hthe~d These and other advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based upon the disclosure contained herein. For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawin~s:
FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of one embodiment of a larnp fixture assembly of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of the lamp fixture assembly of the present invention without the lens;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of one embodiment of the lamp SUBSTITUTE SHEET(RULE26) CA 022~0392 1998-09-28 W O 97/35744 PCT~US97/OS017 fixture assembly of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the electrical circuit of the present invention; and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present 5 invention depicting the power supply and control circuit.
It is to be understood that while the following is a description of a dual lamp fixture used in an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance, the present invention may be utilized anywhere such a fixture may be of service.
Referring to FIGS. I and 3, one embodiment of the dual lamp fixture 10 10 is shown to have locally contained power supply/control circuitry mounted on a common printed circuit (p.c.) board 12 of such dimensions as to fit in standardized light fixture openings (not shown) utilized in some vehicle manufacture. In this regard, the fixture 10 may be easily retrofitted into a great number of existing applications.
Circuit assembly 12 may be installed internal to housing 14 with reflector 16 affixed to the housing 14 intermediate said circuit assembly 12 and lens 18. The strobe tube 20 and the incandescent bulb 22 may be installed to sockets, as at 24, mounted to the circuit assembly 12 through an opening 26 in the reflector 16. The reflector 16 is secured to housing 14 when assembled fixture 10 is mounted to the vehicle body (not shown) using fasteners, such as mounting screws 28. A gasket 30 is employed 20 intermediate housing 14 and the vehicle body to form a weather seal. The lens 18 may be attached to housing 14 using fasteners, such as screws 32, with an intermediate gasket 34, once again being provided for effecting a weather seal. Additionally,secondary optical and color filter lenses (not shown) may be employed between reflector 16 and lens 18 to diversify the functionality and intended use of the dual lamp 25 fixture 10.
Referring next to FIG. 2, the reflector 16 and lighting arrangement of lamps 20 and 22 shown with lens 18 removed. A high intensity lamp, such as a toroidal strobe tube 20, is preferably concentrically aligned with a lower intensity lamp 22 such as a halogen or other incandescent lamp, and centered on the focus of the 30 generally parabolic, reflective upper surface 17 of reflector 16. During operation of the lamps, the mirrored surface 17 of reflector 16 receives a portion of the flux emitted therefrom and directs that light energy through lens 18 where it may be visually SUBSTITUTE S l l.t I (RULE 26) CA 022~0392 1998-09-28 W O 97/35744 PCT~US97/05017 percelved.
Referring now to FIG. 4, an embodiment of the lamp control circuiky 52 of the present invention is generally represented in block diagrammatic form. The lamp control circuit 52 is preferably mounted on p.c. board assembly, as at 12, and within lamp fixture 10, however, it must be appreciated that the p.c. board assembly 12 could be mounted externally, yet in proximity, to lamp fixture 10, without substantially detracting from the utility of the invention. Refer to FIG. 5 for a detailed description of the functioning of control circuitry 52.
Referring additionally to FIG. 5, one embodiment of the lamp control 10 circuit 52 of the present invention is specifically represented there by an electrical schematic diagram. The lamp eontrol eireuit 52 ineludes inputs for the vehicle DC
power, typically +12Vdc 100 and ground, and a differential twisted-pair data line 42 for communication with an external control cireuit, sueh as at 43. The circuit 52 is provided with a power and radio frequency interference (RFI) filter network, shown 15 generally at 36, to produce conditioned power to the power supply 56 and regulator circuit 38. Filter 36 also reduces the amount of noise generated by the power supply circuit 56 that is sent back through the vehicle power bus.
Operation of the circuit is governed by controller 44, such as may be supplied as a micro-controller or a microprocessor, which is in communication with the 20 high voltage lamp supply 56 and trigger circuit 54, low intensity larnp switch means 50, as well as an external control circuit 43. In general, upon system power-up and initialization, controller 44 awaits a command signal from an external source, such as external control circuit 43. Once a valid command is received by the controller 44 from external control circuit 43, it actuates specific elements of the power 25 supply 56, trigger circuit 54 and switeh 50 to generate a predefined flash pattern corresponding to the speeifie command received and which relates to the function-speeific class of lamp fixture. In operation, it is expected that a plurality of dual lamp fixtures will be employed in an overall vehicle lighting system, each having its own funetion specific identity established by setting address means 46 and being controlled, 30 overall, by external control circuit 43.
Referring additionally to FIG. 4, dual lamp fixture circuitry 52 and external controller 43 are shown as functional block form with the direction of logic SUBSTITUTE ~! :.t I (RULE 26) CA 022F,0392 1998-09-28 WO 97135744 P~US97/OS017 flows being indicated by arrows. Program instructions stored within controller 44 and external controller 43 allows the lamp fixture 10 to interpret its physical address, set by address switches 46, as being specific or generic. If group (more than one lamp fixture) addressing is desired, lamp fixture 10 will receive each interpretable command 5 from the external control circuit 43 and respond to it in accordance with the larnp fixture's group address. In an embodiment of the invention in which the fixtures are components in a distributed network, the commands issued by the external controller are address-specific, therefore the lamp fixtures will only receive and respond to comm~ntlc which include the predetermined address (set by switches 46) of lamp 10 fixture 10.
Operation of the high voltage power supply 56 is initiated when controller 44 issues a logic low to the base of NPN transistor 60 via converter enable output, designated as CE, which allows the reset pin of oscillator 62 to be pulled high, thus allowing the oscillator to run. The controller 44 issues a logic high to disable 15 oscillator 62 by pulling reset pin low via the NPN transistor 60.
High voltage, which in the preferred embodiment is around 330Vdc, is created through the secondary winding of high voltage (h.v.) transformer 64 when field effect transistor (FET) 66 is used, alternately, either to permit or to interrupt the current flow from the conditioned supply line 68. When the current flow through the primary 20 winding of h.v. transformer 64 is interrupted, the collapsing electromagnetic field induces a current (the "flyback effect") in its secondary winding which is at a voltage level proportional to its winding ratio. The voltage produced through the secondary winding is rectified by rectifying diode 70 and gradually charges a capacitor 72.
Resistor 74 iS placed in parallel with capacitor 72 to slowly drain the capacitor should 25 it not be discharged after being initi~li7t?~
The current through the primary of h.v. transformer 64 is interrupted at a frequency controlled by oscillator 62 which drives the gate of the FET 66. The current through the primary is limited by colllpaling the voltage level at current limiting test point designated CL, to a reference voltage taken from reference test point~ de.~ign~ted 30 CL', which is created by a voltage divider network. If the current limit is reached, i.e., CL exceeds the value of CL', comparator 76 detects the error and pulls the reset pin of oscillator 62 low, thus disabling its output and shutting down h.v. converter 56. Once SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 022~0392 1998-09-28 W O 97/35744 PCTrUS97/05017 the current limit error condition is no longer present, the comparator 76 releases the oscillator 62 and h.v. converter 56 restarts.
The high voltage is limited by comparing voltage limit test point, designated VL, in the circuit, which is proportional to the high voltage level, to a 5 reference voltage level, decign~ted VL'. Comparator 76 is also used to monitor these levels and hold oscillator 62 reset pin to ground in the presence of an error condition, that is when VL exceeds the value of VL'. The controller 44 also monitors the voltage at VL to determine if h.v. converter 56 is working properly. If VL fails to reach a predetermined voltage level shortly after CE is pulled low (enabling the converter), 10 controller 44 will determine a h.v. converter error and load its status registers with that error so that it may be subsequently transmitted to an external control circuit when polled.
In operation, a strobe trigger enable signal, ~lesign~ted as TE, is applied to the gate 82 of silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) 80, ultimately causing high intensity 15 strobe tube 20 to flash. As previously explained, when h.v. converter 56 is enabled, pulse voltage circuit 84 and the trigger circuit 54 become energized. When SCR 80 is in an "off" state, capacitors 86 and 88 are charged in parallel with the pulse voltage circuit 84. In the presence of a trigger signal, TE, SCR 80 is turned "on" thus providing a path for the capacitor 86 to discharge which in turn, generates an ionizing 20 voltage through transformer 90 which is in electrical communication with the trigger lead of the strobe tube 20. This high voltage ionizes the gas within high intensity strobe tube 20. In the ionized state, the gas becomes conductive and permits pulse voltage stored in capacitor 72 to discharge through strobe tube 20, thus producing a flash of light. Capacitor 88 is provided to insure that capacitor 86 will quickly 25 recharge after each trigger pulse. Diode 92 is provided in order to prevent capacitor 88 from being discharged through strobe tube 20.
Referring now generally to the area of FIG. 5 designated as 50, incandescent lamp 22 is connected to a switch, such as N-Channel FET 94, and to DC
power source 100. When FET 94 is biased "ON" by the controller 44 via lamp enable 30 signal, designated as LE, a circuit is completed to ground, providing sufficient current to illl-min~te lower intensity lamp 22. Lamp failure resistor 102 allows the detection of the failure of lamp 22 by m~int~ining the voltage at test point 104 "high" when the SUBSTITUTE SHEET(RULE26) CA 022~0392 l998-09-28 W O 97/3S744 PCT~US97/05017 filament is intact and the FET 94 is "OFF." If the voltage test point 104 drops "low"
and the FET 94 is off, then there is an open circuit which generally indicates a broken filament within lamp 22. In operation, the controller 44 monitors the lamp status voltage at test point 104, designated as LS, and sets an appropriate status register so 5 that the functional condition of the low intensity lamp 22 may be provided to external controller 43 when it is requested.
As previously discussed, the controller 44 within dual lamp fixture 10 is typically in communication with, accepts commands from and issues circuit statusinformation to an external controller 43. External controller 43 may be a simple10 micro-controller, having a limited number of instruction sets or a more versatile microprocessor which interfaces with the driver's c~ pall~,lent in a vehicle, such as an ambulance or other emergency vehicle. Upon selection of certain lighting functions by an operator of the vehicle, external controller 43 broadcasts corresponding comm~n~s on a data bus 42 which are picked up by the appropriate internal controllers, as at 44, 15 and acted upon in a predetermined manner as dictated by the group address assigned to that particular lamp fixture 10 via switch 46. For example, an arnbulance utilizes a series of warning lights which are divided into three distinct groups. Each group must flash synchronously with one another with a predetermined phase shift, or delay,between the other groups of lamps. Also, the intensity and operation of these groups 20 varies depending upon the system function.
The following table illustrates the broadcast function originated by the external controller 43 and the group addressing which is evaluated by the controller 44 in each of the dual larnp fixtures 10. One embodiment of the invention provides for 16 distinct group addresses.
Lighthead Function Group Address Primary Secondary Auxiliary l Auxiliary 2 A - e.g."0001" Pattern l Pattern 2 Pattern 3 Pattern 4 B - e.g."0010" 180~ Phase 180~ Phase 180~ Phase 180~ Phase C - e.g."0011" 180~ Phase OFF 180~ Phase OFF
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 022~0392 1998-09-28 Table 1 The dual larnp fixture 10 system also operates as a sub-net of a distributed-network vehicle control system. In such applications, the addressing off the lamp fixtures 10 via switch 46, becomes specific rather than being assigned a group 5 address as discussed above. The microprocessor (not shown) in the distributed control network is in direct communication with the lamp fixture(s) 10 and provides lampfixture-specific instructions as to what function that lamp is to perform and when to perform that function. While the present dual lamp fixture 10 supports 16 individual addresses, when the fixtures are used as components in sub-networks it should be10 appreciated that it is possible to have a great number of lamp fixtures synchronously performing even a greater variety of flash patterns S~ JTE SHEET (RULE 26)
The present invention is directed generally toward vehicle lights and more particularly toward a vehicle light having incandescent and strobe light sources which utilize a common reflector and lens assembly and which incorporates a highvoltage power source for the strobe.
Light sources are widely used as visually perceptible signaling devices.
Common examples are the braking and turning lights of vehicles, running lights on boats, snowmobiles or aircraft, emergency lights of police vehicles and ambulances, and lights employed by school buses for caution signals and stop lights. In all such uses, it 10 is important that the light source have high visibility, such that a driver or other observer will notice the signal. On the other hand, a light source used as a signal should not be so attention-getting that it is overly distracting or otherwise impair the vision of those who see it.
Presently, the most common light ~ign~ling sources used on vehicles are 15 incandescent lights. Differing colors and brightness' are generally employed to enhance visibility and to indicate certain kinds of sign~ling. For example, red is used to indicate the rear of an auto, whereas bright red indicates a braking auto. White lights on the rear of an auto are indicative of an auto that has been placed in reverse and yellow lights are used for parking lamps and turn signals. Some light sources are 20 turned on when the signal is desired and turned off when it is no longer desired, such as the backing lights on an auto. Others light sources are turned on and offwith a given frequency such as turn signal lights. Still others change from a base level of light intensity to a somewhat higher intensity as the message to be signaled changes, such as brake lights.
Emergency vehicles, such as ambulances and police vehicles, typically employ pulsing, high intensity, stroboscopic type lights to command attention. Similar high intensity lights are also used on aircraft or on high buildings. These lights can be quite effective as warning devices, but their brightness at close range can be so intense as to distract or to discomfort the observer.
A synchronized pulse-enhanced dual light source is disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 4,958,143 to Robert J. Knauff. The disclosure teaches the combination of incandescent and strobe lamp within a single lighthead. The lighthead includes control Sl~t~5 111 ~JTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 022~0392 1998-09-28 W O 97/35744 PCT~USg7/05017 and power circuitry which accepts an external trigger signal. The control circuitry receives the trigger signal and proceeds to control the synchroni7ation of the incandescent pulses with the strobe pulses. The controller pulses the strobe before the incandescent lamp achieves any substantial percentage of light output and in such close 5 time proximity to the peak intensity of the inc~ntlçscent lamp that persistence of vision in the human eye causes the two light sources to blend together visually. However, the timing and synchronization of the two light sources is not independently controllable from an external control system.
There is a need for a dual lamp fixture which may be externally 10 synchronized with other lightheads and which permits control over the pattern with which the lamps are flashed or pulsed. The present invention provides for external control and synchronization of the lamps within the lighthç~d. An external control may be provided which has independent control over the incandescent and strobe lamps.
For example, an external control may flash inc~n-lescent lamps only, strobe lamps only 15 or both.
Previous dual lamp fixture have generally had limited light output due to the placement of the inc~n~lescent and strobe lamps which has tended to block each other's emissions to a common reflector and through the lighthead lens. Typically, dual source lightheads which were designed to avoid this problem, have used dual20 reflectors and lenses for separated incandescent and strobe lamps. However, dual reflector designs have been limited to use in larger lightheads. Since exterior space may be limited on a vehicle, such limitations may prevent the use of such a dualreflector design. The present invention avoids this problem by lltiii7.ing a standard incandescent lamp in combination with a toroidal strobe lamp. Each lamp of the 25 present invention has direct access to the reflector and lens. Therefore, the light emitted from either lamp is not blocked by the other. Also, the present invention allows the use of a single reflector and lens assembly and thus permits a more compact package design. Since the improved dual lamp fixture of the present invention is not subject to the space limitations of previous de~ign~, it may be installed in previously 30 unavailable locations.
In order to operate strobe lamps, constant voltages in excess of 300 volts may be required with triggering voltages in excess of 6000 volts. Switching such high SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 022~0392 1998-09-28 WO 97/35744 PCT/US97,1 e~l7 - -voltage lines may generate large amounts of radio-frequency interference (RFI) which has the potential of adversely affecting a vehicle's electrical system. A high degree of shielding insulation and filtering is generally required to minimi7~ such RFI.
The present invention enables one to avoid the tr~n.~mi~.sion of high S voltages throughout a vehicle's wiring harness by locating strobe power supplies within the housing of each strobe lighthead. A central control module associated with the present invention provides for the triggering of the strobes but would not produce the high voltages which are required to operate strobe lamps. Rather, the power supply at the lighthead produces the necessary strobe voltage. Thus, the present inventionelimin~tes the need for high voltage lines and avoids the problems inherent with such lmes.
Also provided by the present invention is the ability to communicate with any controller lltili7in~ the al)plopliate binary data format and timing. A simple micro-controller may be used to interface to the driver's conlpalll~lent in a vehicle and broadcast general function comm~n(ls upon specific input selections. The dual lamp fixtures can receive this data and act upon it in a manner indicative of the function command and a group address assigned to the lamp fixture.
It is to be appreciated that the present invention may be adapted for use in lightheads with multiple reflectors or lenses with the possibility of multiple color output. For example, the present invention may be utilized in a dual reflector/lens lighthead In such an application, the lighthead may have two sets of incandescent and strobe lamps, one set for each reflector. Such dual reflector/lens designs would permit two different colors to be used in the same li~hthe~d These and other advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based upon the disclosure contained herein. For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawin~s:
FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of one embodiment of a larnp fixture assembly of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of the lamp fixture assembly of the present invention without the lens;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of one embodiment of the lamp SUBSTITUTE SHEET(RULE26) CA 022~0392 1998-09-28 W O 97/35744 PCT~US97/OS017 fixture assembly of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the electrical circuit of the present invention; and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present 5 invention depicting the power supply and control circuit.
It is to be understood that while the following is a description of a dual lamp fixture used in an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance, the present invention may be utilized anywhere such a fixture may be of service.
Referring to FIGS. I and 3, one embodiment of the dual lamp fixture 10 10 is shown to have locally contained power supply/control circuitry mounted on a common printed circuit (p.c.) board 12 of such dimensions as to fit in standardized light fixture openings (not shown) utilized in some vehicle manufacture. In this regard, the fixture 10 may be easily retrofitted into a great number of existing applications.
Circuit assembly 12 may be installed internal to housing 14 with reflector 16 affixed to the housing 14 intermediate said circuit assembly 12 and lens 18. The strobe tube 20 and the incandescent bulb 22 may be installed to sockets, as at 24, mounted to the circuit assembly 12 through an opening 26 in the reflector 16. The reflector 16 is secured to housing 14 when assembled fixture 10 is mounted to the vehicle body (not shown) using fasteners, such as mounting screws 28. A gasket 30 is employed 20 intermediate housing 14 and the vehicle body to form a weather seal. The lens 18 may be attached to housing 14 using fasteners, such as screws 32, with an intermediate gasket 34, once again being provided for effecting a weather seal. Additionally,secondary optical and color filter lenses (not shown) may be employed between reflector 16 and lens 18 to diversify the functionality and intended use of the dual lamp 25 fixture 10.
Referring next to FIG. 2, the reflector 16 and lighting arrangement of lamps 20 and 22 shown with lens 18 removed. A high intensity lamp, such as a toroidal strobe tube 20, is preferably concentrically aligned with a lower intensity lamp 22 such as a halogen or other incandescent lamp, and centered on the focus of the 30 generally parabolic, reflective upper surface 17 of reflector 16. During operation of the lamps, the mirrored surface 17 of reflector 16 receives a portion of the flux emitted therefrom and directs that light energy through lens 18 where it may be visually SUBSTITUTE S l l.t I (RULE 26) CA 022~0392 1998-09-28 W O 97/35744 PCT~US97/05017 percelved.
Referring now to FIG. 4, an embodiment of the lamp control circuiky 52 of the present invention is generally represented in block diagrammatic form. The lamp control circuit 52 is preferably mounted on p.c. board assembly, as at 12, and within lamp fixture 10, however, it must be appreciated that the p.c. board assembly 12 could be mounted externally, yet in proximity, to lamp fixture 10, without substantially detracting from the utility of the invention. Refer to FIG. 5 for a detailed description of the functioning of control circuitry 52.
Referring additionally to FIG. 5, one embodiment of the lamp control 10 circuit 52 of the present invention is specifically represented there by an electrical schematic diagram. The lamp eontrol eireuit 52 ineludes inputs for the vehicle DC
power, typically +12Vdc 100 and ground, and a differential twisted-pair data line 42 for communication with an external control cireuit, sueh as at 43. The circuit 52 is provided with a power and radio frequency interference (RFI) filter network, shown 15 generally at 36, to produce conditioned power to the power supply 56 and regulator circuit 38. Filter 36 also reduces the amount of noise generated by the power supply circuit 56 that is sent back through the vehicle power bus.
Operation of the circuit is governed by controller 44, such as may be supplied as a micro-controller or a microprocessor, which is in communication with the 20 high voltage lamp supply 56 and trigger circuit 54, low intensity larnp switch means 50, as well as an external control circuit 43. In general, upon system power-up and initialization, controller 44 awaits a command signal from an external source, such as external control circuit 43. Once a valid command is received by the controller 44 from external control circuit 43, it actuates specific elements of the power 25 supply 56, trigger circuit 54 and switeh 50 to generate a predefined flash pattern corresponding to the speeifie command received and which relates to the function-speeific class of lamp fixture. In operation, it is expected that a plurality of dual lamp fixtures will be employed in an overall vehicle lighting system, each having its own funetion specific identity established by setting address means 46 and being controlled, 30 overall, by external control circuit 43.
Referring additionally to FIG. 4, dual lamp fixture circuitry 52 and external controller 43 are shown as functional block form with the direction of logic SUBSTITUTE ~! :.t I (RULE 26) CA 022F,0392 1998-09-28 WO 97135744 P~US97/OS017 flows being indicated by arrows. Program instructions stored within controller 44 and external controller 43 allows the lamp fixture 10 to interpret its physical address, set by address switches 46, as being specific or generic. If group (more than one lamp fixture) addressing is desired, lamp fixture 10 will receive each interpretable command 5 from the external control circuit 43 and respond to it in accordance with the larnp fixture's group address. In an embodiment of the invention in which the fixtures are components in a distributed network, the commands issued by the external controller are address-specific, therefore the lamp fixtures will only receive and respond to comm~ntlc which include the predetermined address (set by switches 46) of lamp 10 fixture 10.
Operation of the high voltage power supply 56 is initiated when controller 44 issues a logic low to the base of NPN transistor 60 via converter enable output, designated as CE, which allows the reset pin of oscillator 62 to be pulled high, thus allowing the oscillator to run. The controller 44 issues a logic high to disable 15 oscillator 62 by pulling reset pin low via the NPN transistor 60.
High voltage, which in the preferred embodiment is around 330Vdc, is created through the secondary winding of high voltage (h.v.) transformer 64 when field effect transistor (FET) 66 is used, alternately, either to permit or to interrupt the current flow from the conditioned supply line 68. When the current flow through the primary 20 winding of h.v. transformer 64 is interrupted, the collapsing electromagnetic field induces a current (the "flyback effect") in its secondary winding which is at a voltage level proportional to its winding ratio. The voltage produced through the secondary winding is rectified by rectifying diode 70 and gradually charges a capacitor 72.
Resistor 74 iS placed in parallel with capacitor 72 to slowly drain the capacitor should 25 it not be discharged after being initi~li7t?~
The current through the primary of h.v. transformer 64 is interrupted at a frequency controlled by oscillator 62 which drives the gate of the FET 66. The current through the primary is limited by colllpaling the voltage level at current limiting test point designated CL, to a reference voltage taken from reference test point~ de.~ign~ted 30 CL', which is created by a voltage divider network. If the current limit is reached, i.e., CL exceeds the value of CL', comparator 76 detects the error and pulls the reset pin of oscillator 62 low, thus disabling its output and shutting down h.v. converter 56. Once SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 022~0392 1998-09-28 W O 97/35744 PCTrUS97/05017 the current limit error condition is no longer present, the comparator 76 releases the oscillator 62 and h.v. converter 56 restarts.
The high voltage is limited by comparing voltage limit test point, designated VL, in the circuit, which is proportional to the high voltage level, to a 5 reference voltage level, decign~ted VL'. Comparator 76 is also used to monitor these levels and hold oscillator 62 reset pin to ground in the presence of an error condition, that is when VL exceeds the value of VL'. The controller 44 also monitors the voltage at VL to determine if h.v. converter 56 is working properly. If VL fails to reach a predetermined voltage level shortly after CE is pulled low (enabling the converter), 10 controller 44 will determine a h.v. converter error and load its status registers with that error so that it may be subsequently transmitted to an external control circuit when polled.
In operation, a strobe trigger enable signal, ~lesign~ted as TE, is applied to the gate 82 of silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) 80, ultimately causing high intensity 15 strobe tube 20 to flash. As previously explained, when h.v. converter 56 is enabled, pulse voltage circuit 84 and the trigger circuit 54 become energized. When SCR 80 is in an "off" state, capacitors 86 and 88 are charged in parallel with the pulse voltage circuit 84. In the presence of a trigger signal, TE, SCR 80 is turned "on" thus providing a path for the capacitor 86 to discharge which in turn, generates an ionizing 20 voltage through transformer 90 which is in electrical communication with the trigger lead of the strobe tube 20. This high voltage ionizes the gas within high intensity strobe tube 20. In the ionized state, the gas becomes conductive and permits pulse voltage stored in capacitor 72 to discharge through strobe tube 20, thus producing a flash of light. Capacitor 88 is provided to insure that capacitor 86 will quickly 25 recharge after each trigger pulse. Diode 92 is provided in order to prevent capacitor 88 from being discharged through strobe tube 20.
Referring now generally to the area of FIG. 5 designated as 50, incandescent lamp 22 is connected to a switch, such as N-Channel FET 94, and to DC
power source 100. When FET 94 is biased "ON" by the controller 44 via lamp enable 30 signal, designated as LE, a circuit is completed to ground, providing sufficient current to illl-min~te lower intensity lamp 22. Lamp failure resistor 102 allows the detection of the failure of lamp 22 by m~int~ining the voltage at test point 104 "high" when the SUBSTITUTE SHEET(RULE26) CA 022~0392 l998-09-28 W O 97/3S744 PCT~US97/05017 filament is intact and the FET 94 is "OFF." If the voltage test point 104 drops "low"
and the FET 94 is off, then there is an open circuit which generally indicates a broken filament within lamp 22. In operation, the controller 44 monitors the lamp status voltage at test point 104, designated as LS, and sets an appropriate status register so 5 that the functional condition of the low intensity lamp 22 may be provided to external controller 43 when it is requested.
As previously discussed, the controller 44 within dual lamp fixture 10 is typically in communication with, accepts commands from and issues circuit statusinformation to an external controller 43. External controller 43 may be a simple10 micro-controller, having a limited number of instruction sets or a more versatile microprocessor which interfaces with the driver's c~ pall~,lent in a vehicle, such as an ambulance or other emergency vehicle. Upon selection of certain lighting functions by an operator of the vehicle, external controller 43 broadcasts corresponding comm~n~s on a data bus 42 which are picked up by the appropriate internal controllers, as at 44, 15 and acted upon in a predetermined manner as dictated by the group address assigned to that particular lamp fixture 10 via switch 46. For example, an arnbulance utilizes a series of warning lights which are divided into three distinct groups. Each group must flash synchronously with one another with a predetermined phase shift, or delay,between the other groups of lamps. Also, the intensity and operation of these groups 20 varies depending upon the system function.
The following table illustrates the broadcast function originated by the external controller 43 and the group addressing which is evaluated by the controller 44 in each of the dual larnp fixtures 10. One embodiment of the invention provides for 16 distinct group addresses.
Lighthead Function Group Address Primary Secondary Auxiliary l Auxiliary 2 A - e.g."0001" Pattern l Pattern 2 Pattern 3 Pattern 4 B - e.g."0010" 180~ Phase 180~ Phase 180~ Phase 180~ Phase C - e.g."0011" 180~ Phase OFF 180~ Phase OFF
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 022~0392 1998-09-28 Table 1 The dual larnp fixture 10 system also operates as a sub-net of a distributed-network vehicle control system. In such applications, the addressing off the lamp fixtures 10 via switch 46, becomes specific rather than being assigned a group 5 address as discussed above. The microprocessor (not shown) in the distributed control network is in direct communication with the lamp fixture(s) 10 and provides lampfixture-specific instructions as to what function that lamp is to perform and when to perform that function. While the present dual lamp fixture 10 supports 16 individual addresses, when the fixtures are used as components in sub-networks it should be10 appreciated that it is possible to have a great number of lamp fixtures synchronously performing even a greater variety of flash patterns S~ JTE SHEET (RULE 26)
Claims (15)
1. A dual lamp fixture comprising:
a housing;
a reflector having a concave surface within said housing;
a lens offset from said concave surface and mounted to cover an opening of said housing;
a first lamp of high intensity positioned between said concave surface and said lens;
a second lamp of lower intensity positioned between said concave surface and said lens;
a high intensity lamp drive circuit mounted within said housing in communication with said first lamp, wherein said high intensity lamp drive circuit comprises energizable pulse voltage and trigger voltage networks;
a switching means in communication with sad second lamp; and an internal control circuit mounted within said housing and being in communication with a external control circuit, said high intensity lamp drive circuit and said switching means for respectively actuating said high intensity and lower intensity lamps in a predetermined manner in response to command signals.
a housing;
a reflector having a concave surface within said housing;
a lens offset from said concave surface and mounted to cover an opening of said housing;
a first lamp of high intensity positioned between said concave surface and said lens;
a second lamp of lower intensity positioned between said concave surface and said lens;
a high intensity lamp drive circuit mounted within said housing in communication with said first lamp, wherein said high intensity lamp drive circuit comprises energizable pulse voltage and trigger voltage networks;
a switching means in communication with sad second lamp; and an internal control circuit mounted within said housing and being in communication with a external control circuit, said high intensity lamp drive circuit and said switching means for respectively actuating said high intensity and lower intensity lamps in a predetermined manner in response to command signals.
2. The dual lamp fixture of claim 1 wherein said internal control circuit is further responsive to said external control circuit for providing an output to said external controller corresponding to the condition of each of said lamps.
3. The dual lamp fixture of claim 1 wherein said first lamp is a strobe tube.
4. The dual lamp fixture of claim 3 wherein said strobe tube is toroidal.
5. The dual lamp fixture of claim 1 wherein said second lamp is an incandescent lamp.
6. The dual lamp fixture of claim 1 wherein said first lamp and said second lamp are positioned approximately at the focus of said concave surface of said reflector.
7. The dual lamp fixture of claim 1 wherein said high intensity lamp drive circuit further comprises a flyback circuit.
8. The dual lamp fixture of claim 7 wherein said flyback circuit comprises a voltage regulator.
9. The dual lamp fixture of claim 7 wherein said flyback circuit comprises a current regulator.
10. The dual lamp fixture of claim 1 wherein said pulse voltage network comprises a capacitor and a first resistor in parallel connection with said capacitor.
11. The dual lamp fixture of claim 1 wherein said trigger voltage networkcomprises a silicon controlled rectifier, a capacitor in communication with said silicon controlled rectifier, and a transformer in series connection with said capacitor.
12. The dual lamp fixture of claim 1 wherein said switch comprises a field effect transistor and a filter circuit in communication with said field effect transistor.
13. The dual lamp fixture of claim 1 wherein said internal controller provides an output corresponding to the functional status of said pulse voltage network.
14. The dual lamp fixture of claim 13 wherein said internal control circuit is in communication with and responsive to a multiplexing circuit.
15. A lighting system for an emergency vehicle comprising:
a plurality dual lamp fixtures each having an addressable internal control for performing lighting functions in a predetermined manner in response to externally provided commands and corresponding to address-specific functions; and an external control circuit for providing said plurality of dual lamp fixtures with commands for performing said address-specific functions.
a plurality dual lamp fixtures each having an addressable internal control for performing lighting functions in a predetermined manner in response to externally provided commands and corresponding to address-specific functions; and an external control circuit for providing said plurality of dual lamp fixtures with commands for performing said address-specific functions.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US62325096A | 1996-03-28 | 1996-03-28 | |
| US08/623,250 | 1996-03-28 | ||
| US08/826,005 | 1997-03-27 | ||
| US08/826,005 US5785413A (en) | 1996-03-28 | 1997-03-27 | Dual lamp fixture with integral control |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2250392A1 true CA2250392A1 (en) | 1997-10-02 |
Family
ID=27089408
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002250392A Abandoned CA2250392A1 (en) | 1996-03-28 | 1997-03-27 | Dual lamp fixture with integral control |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5785413A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0889803A1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1214655A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2551197A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2250392A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1997035744A1 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6155694A (en) * | 1998-04-16 | 2000-12-05 | Whelen Engineering Company, Inc. | Composite warning light with emission pattern matching |
| US6037679A (en) * | 1998-11-30 | 2000-03-14 | Pirillo; Paul M. | Yard decorations for low voltage table |
| US6067010A (en) * | 1998-12-17 | 2000-05-23 | Papacy Products Co., Ltd. | Auxiliary safety warning lamp system for a vehicle |
| US6326888B1 (en) | 1998-12-17 | 2001-12-04 | Ching-Yung Wang | Auxiliary safety warning light system for a vehicle |
| US6315435B1 (en) | 1999-02-18 | 2001-11-13 | Alliedsignal Inc. | Electronically controlled searchlight having multiple preset positions |
| GB2356244B (en) * | 1999-11-13 | 2004-03-17 | Bridisco Ltd | A lighting appliance |
| US6696938B2 (en) * | 2001-06-29 | 2004-02-24 | Omega Patents, L.L.C. | Vehicle security system including a strobe light confirmation indicator and related methods |
| US6637922B2 (en) * | 2001-10-26 | 2003-10-28 | Demax Enterprise Co., Ltd. | Brightness enhanced head lamp apparatus |
| US6819059B2 (en) * | 2002-10-25 | 2004-11-16 | Federal Signal Corporation | Flash strobe power supply system and method |
| US20040154075A1 (en) * | 2002-12-30 | 2004-08-12 | Darrian Ferguson | Garment pairing device |
| DE10302460A1 (en) * | 2003-01-23 | 2004-08-12 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | Vehicle lamp and method for displaying different signal images of a vehicle lamp |
| US7121684B2 (en) * | 2004-06-10 | 2006-10-17 | Genlyte Thomas Group, Llc | Garage light luminaire with circular compact fluorescent emergency lighting optics |
| US7268679B2 (en) * | 2004-09-18 | 2007-09-11 | Lear Corporation | Rear lighting system applied to an automotive vehicle |
| CN102186290A (en) * | 2011-04-19 | 2011-09-14 | 孟强 | Energy-saving controller for light-emitting diode (LED) road lamp |
| USD667987S1 (en) * | 2011-07-20 | 2012-09-25 | Ningbo Yinzhou Self Photoelectron Technology Co., Ltd. | LED lighthead |
| USD668378S1 (en) * | 2011-08-22 | 2012-10-02 | Ningbo Yinzhou Self Photoelectron Technology Co., Ltd. | LED reflector |
| USD832730S1 (en) * | 2017-03-28 | 2018-11-06 | Juluen Enterprise Co., Ltd. | Lighthead |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3732540A (en) * | 1970-11-16 | 1973-05-08 | R Platte | Emergency warning light switching system |
| DE2654026A1 (en) * | 1976-11-27 | 1978-06-01 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR THE SELECTIVE DRIVING OF CONSUMERS, IN PARTICULAR IN A MOTOR VEHICLE |
| US4734625A (en) * | 1984-10-18 | 1988-03-29 | American Sterilizer Company | Control circuit for system for controlling the operation of electric lights |
| FR2585449B1 (en) * | 1985-07-24 | 1988-03-04 | Franclair Electronique | FLASHING LIGHT DEVICE |
| US4734697A (en) * | 1986-07-25 | 1988-03-29 | Robinson Melvis I | Motor vehicle tail light assembly with dimmer controller |
| US4859988A (en) * | 1988-05-19 | 1989-08-22 | Emergency Technology, Inc. | Automotive vehicle exterior light flashing circuit |
| US5015918A (en) * | 1988-07-22 | 1991-05-14 | John Copeland | Bicycle single-wire lighting system with steady-flashing-reflector rear warning device |
| US4930049A (en) * | 1988-12-27 | 1990-05-29 | General Electric Company | Optical multiplexed electrical distribution system particularly suited for vehicles |
| US4958143A (en) | 1989-03-01 | 1990-09-18 | Knauff Robert J | Synchronized pulse-enhanced dual light source |
| FI86942C (en) * | 1991-03-07 | 1992-10-26 | Idman Oy | Power supply and control unit for a lighting system and a lighting unit for such a lighting system |
| US5452188A (en) * | 1992-04-14 | 1995-09-19 | Green; Timothy M. | Modular strobe bar |
| US5499009A (en) * | 1994-03-08 | 1996-03-12 | Microflash, Inc. | Light flashing system |
| US5608290A (en) * | 1995-01-26 | 1997-03-04 | Dominion Automotive Group, Inc. | LED flashing lantern |
-
1997
- 1997-03-27 EP EP97917059A patent/EP0889803A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1997-03-27 CN CN97193423A patent/CN1214655A/en active Pending
- 1997-03-27 WO PCT/US1997/005017 patent/WO1997035744A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1997-03-27 US US08/826,005 patent/US5785413A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-03-27 CA CA002250392A patent/CA2250392A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-03-27 AU AU25511/97A patent/AU2551197A/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2551197A (en) | 1997-10-17 |
| US5785413A (en) | 1998-07-28 |
| EP0889803A1 (en) | 1999-01-13 |
| WO1997035744A1 (en) | 1997-10-02 |
| CN1214655A (en) | 1999-04-21 |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |