Circuit arrangement for activating warning signal generators

Details Circuit arrangement for activating warning signal generators Circuit arrangement for activating warning signal generators

1999-02-05

2001-05-01

Jackson, Stephen W. (Department: 2836)

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Safety and protection of systems and devices

With specific circuit breaker or control structure

C361S064000, C361S081000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06226164

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is concerned with a circuit configuration for actuating active- and/or passive-operated warning signal generators which, upon failure of the supply voltage of the electronic system, will generate a warning signal.
Circuit assemblies of the afore-described type are needed, for example, in automotive vehicles furnished with electronic control systems. Control systems of this type include anti-locking control systems, traction slip control systems, driving stability control systems etc. Upon occurrence of an error, such as failure of the supply voltage of the electronic system, an alarm lamp is actuated or a different warning signal released. As malfunctions of this type are likely to involve danger, the circuit arrangements should be so configured as to insure flashing of a warning lamp also in case of a defective condition of the monitoring system itself or of the actuation system of the warning lamp.
DE 43 10 530 A1 already teaches a circuit configuration for actuating a warning lamp, comprising a self-conductive transistor circuit which, in the event of a failure of supply voltage in the electronic system insures a power flow to chassis from the supply source of the warning lamp across the said warning lamp and across the self-conductive transistor circuit. However, flashing of the warning lamp in the event of such a failure requires a “passive” operation of the warning lamp, i.e. a conduction of the warning lamp flow across the actuating connection and across the final phase of the warning lamp actuation. However, also “active”-operated warning lamps are known in the art that will flash even in the absence of an actuating signal. Consequently, the output of the warning signal actuating phase must become high-resistive in the event of a failure of the actuating electronic system; a self-conducting transistor circuit would, in that case, prevent the (active-operated) warning lamp from flashing.
It is, therefore, the object of the present invention to provide a circuit configuration for actuating warning lamps and other alarm signal generators to which can be connected both active and passive (i.e. active- and passive-operated) warning signal generators, nevertheless insuring, upon failure of the electronic system, in particular, of the supply voltage, flashing of the warning lamp will or releasing of a warning signal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been found that this problem can be solved by a circuit configuration of the type as described in claim
1
; the special feature thereof resides in that it comprises a circuit having individual steps of actuation and connections for the individual warning signal generators as well as an adapter connection (adapter pin) which upon connection to chassis configures the circuit for actuating two passive-operated warning signal generators, and which upon connection to an ohmic resistance leading to chassis permits actuation of one active- and one passive-operated warning signal generator; once the connecting pin remains open, the circuit is able to actuate two active-operated warning signal generators.
The circuit configuration of the invention, hence, is suitable for selectively connecting two active-operated and of two passive-operated generators or of one active- and one passive-operated warning signal generator. An adaptation to the mode of operation of the connected warning lamps or warning signal generators can be performed in an extremely simply way via a single connecting pin only required to be short-circuited to chassis, connected to chassis via a resistor or kept open.
According to an advantageous form of embodiment of the invention an activating control step active upon actuation is associated to each actuating step of the warning signal generator, with the functions of the said activating control step being also dependent on wiring of the adapter pin and insuring upon activation of the actuating circuit that the warning signal generators remain actuated or activated until after a check of the system; hence, the warning lamp, in the start-up phase, will flash or release an alarm signal.
The activating control steps effective only in the start-up phase and largely corresponding to the actuating steps of the warning signal generator, hence, are also adapted—in an active or passive way—by wiring the adapter pin to the mode of operation of the warning signal generator as connected.
Feasibly, the actuating steps of the warning signal generator are designed as self-conductive transistor circuits permitting, upon failure of the supply voltage, a power flow provided by the power supply of the warning signal generator to flow across the warning signal generator and across the actuating step, and causing the warning lamp to flash or the warning signal generator to be activated. Upon connection of the adapter pin to the resistance leading to chassis, the self-conductance of one of the two actuating steps is rendered inoperative. With an open adapter pin the self-conductance of both steps is set off.
It is feasible in respect of the case occurring particularly often in practice, to provide the simplest configuration, namely leaving the adapter pin open. The modern automotive industry mostly works with active-operated warning lamps.
The rest of the dependent claims describe additional, particularly advantageous forms of embodiment of the invention.
Further features, advantages and fields of end-use application of the invention will become manifest from the following description of details thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein


REFERENCES:
patent: 4016457 (1977-04-01), Frait
patent: 2 046 945 (1970-09-01), None
patent: 1 926 665 (1970-11-01), None
patent: 2 135 606 (1973-01-01), None
patent: 40 37 175 (1991-06-01), None
patent: 43 10 530 (1994-10-01), None
patent: WO92/17358 (1992-10-01), None

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