A warning device for a vehicle

Abstract

A warning device 99 for a vehicle comprises a housing having an illuminated front face 5, a proximity sensor 3, a microcontroller 6, and a support arm 4. The support arm includes a distal suction cup

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a warning device for a vehicle, in particular for use in a vehicle in relation to a vehicle travelling behind it. Background In many societies there are increasing numbers of vehicles on the road. This can be dangerous, and is compounded by dangerous drivers within these vehicles. A particularly dangerous form of driving is called tailgating and consists of travelling too close to the vehicle in front, which may mean that in event of sudden incidents, the following vehicle will not be able to avoid hitting the vehicle in front. Ensuring that drivers are aware of their behaviour is recognised to be key to road safety. Prior Art US 2021 0 229 692 (JOHNSON) discloses a tailgating detection and notification assembly comprising: a sensor configured to be mountable to a vehicle such that the sensor is rear facing, the sensor being proximity type wherein the sensor is configured for detecting entry of a following vehicle into a tailgating range; and a notification module comprising a microprocessor and a display, the notification module comprises a first unit that is configured to emit yellow light and a second unit that is configured to emit red light configured to be mountable to the vehicle such that the display is rear facing, the microprocessor being operationally coupled to the sensor and the display such that the microprocessor is positioned for selectively actuating the display upon receipt of a signal from the sensor when the following vehicle enters into the tailgating range wherein the display is configured for selectively presenting a tailgating notification to a driver of the following vehicle. GB 2017 12 919 (PHILIP) discloses a vehicle proximity warning apparatus, the apparatus comprising a speed and distance sensor; and a processor; wherein said speed and distance sensor senses the proximity and speed of a first vehicle which is travelling behind a second vehicle, and said processor identifies a tailgating event whereby the proximity of the two vehicles is unsafe given the speed at which at least the first vehicle is travelling said apparatus further comprising a warning display means, said processor communicating with and actuating said warning display means when said processor identifies a tailgating event; whereby the warning display means propagates a warning signal which is below the threshold of consciousness of the driver of the first vehicle. GB 0 603 296 (WADE) discloses a safe following distance warning display is attached to the rear window of a vehicle preferably by clear plastic suckers. The sensor detects the speed of and distance to a following vehicle and activates the display if it is judged that the vehicle is following too closely. Clear or smoked perspex covers the LED display protecting it from damage but also to allow display to be clear to other motorists through daylight or night time driving. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a warning device for a vehicle comprising a housing with an illuminated front face, which front face is arranged to provide a first warning signal, the housing comprising a proximity sensor and a microcontroller, the housing providing a connection to a support arm, which support arm includes a distal suction cup for connection of the device to a rear windscreen, and the front face providing a second warning signal that comprises an illumination means illuminated when the microcontroller receives a signal from the proximity sensor that a vehicle is less than a predetermined distance from the vehicle. In some embodiments of the device the device the support arm comprises articulation, such that the support arm allows for the sensor to be directed where needed, for example during installation. In this way the device of the present invention may be envisaged to provide a generalised hazard warning that remains in place (as a first warning signal) at all times, and which becomes more visible (as the second warning signal) when a vehicle becomes a hazard. In some embodiments of the device the articulation comprises one or more hinge for example, or a ball joint. In some embodiments of the device the front face comprises an opaque section and a transparent or translucent section, which allows for a light to shine through, and thereby provide the second warning signal. In some embodiments of the device the device front face is retroreflective, luminescent or fluorescent at least in part, so as to provide the first warning signal. In this way the front face may be embodied to provide a warning signal according to available light, which warning signal may be subtle, subconscious and / or only visible when travelling close to the vehicle. In some embodiments of the device the front face comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), which may be envisaged to be located behind some or all of the front face, so as to illuminate the second warning signal when needed. In some embodiments of the device the housing comprises rails to hold the display screen, such that the front face may be slid in and out of the housing, so as to allow for changing of the warning. In some embodiments of the device the support arm comprises two suction cups, which may be supported on separate support arms extending from a housing and / or sensor. In some embodiments of the device for example the housing comprises a separate sensor unit, which may depend or extend from the housing. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a GPS module such that the vehicle speed may be monitored in order to determine a safe distance for activation of the second warning signal. In some embodiments of the device the device a laser pointer, which may be used to set up the sensor and / or support arm. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a warning device 99 for a vehicle comprising a housing 16 with an illuminated front face 5, which front face is arranged to provide a first warning signal 7, the housing comprising a proximity sensor and microcontrolIer6 , the housing providing a connection to a support arm 4, which support arm includes a distal suction cup 1 for connection of the device to a rear windscreen, and the front face providing a second warning signal provided by an illumination means 63 when the microcontroller receives a signal from the proximity sensor 3 that a vehicle is less than a predetermined distance from the vehicle. In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a substantially square housing, having a shallow depth between a rear substantially square face and a substantially square front face. The housing thereby provides a shallow tray 6 with a sidewall surrounding an open front face, the sidewall and rear face provided as a monolithic whole in an opaque plastic material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or similar. The front face in use comprises a cover 5, which cover comprises a translucent or opaque plastic material such as polyethylene or similar which features a cutout warning sign 7 and also features graphics printed onto the front. This cover has the first warning signal cut into it, wherein the remaining material of the cover may be envisaged to be retroreflective for example and / or provided with a matte surface texture, so as to provide a different light refracting and reflecting surface to the cut out warning signal. It may be envisaged that the cut-out warning signal may thereby provide the first warning signal at rest, whereby a following vehicle will be able to read the warning signal at all times. In the pictured embodiment the warning signal provides a cut-out 7 comprising a representation of a cot to signify that a child is on board the vehicle. In this way the first warning signal may be provided. It may be further envisaged that the cut-out warning signal may have a backing layer, which may through shadowing, provide a darker or contrasting area to the remainder of the front face. Adhered to the front plate, this layer also diffuses the light of a LED (light emitting diode) matrix 63 which is held in a holder 62. The matrix further comprises a plurality of which may be envisaged to be located on an inner surface of the housing sidewall. Such LEDs provide a means of illumination of the space underneath the cover, whereby light will be directed through the cutout of the warning signal, when the LEDs are activated, so as to provide the second warning signal. The external face of the sidewall further provides a support arm 4, on the lefthand side and on the righthand side. These support arms extend laterally from approximately the middle of the sidewall on either side, and distally provide suction cups 1, so as to allow for easy suction attachment to a rear windscreen internally. At the bottom of the housing there is a mount of a sensor housing 3. The sensor housing provides a front face that comprises the sensor, and a laser range finder. The laser range finder uses a laser to estimate distances up to 80 metres. A laser pointer may be used to direct the sensor for effective positioning in use. The mount 14 enables this positioning by providing an articulation hinge, which hinge is mounted to the top of the sensor housing and is connected to the main housing by two diagonally depending arms 14. The hinge further comprises knuckle 41, a threaded locking thumbscrew 42, and a resilient mount 43, so as to ensure the mount may be secured in a preferred orientation. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

25Claims1. A warning device for a vehicle comprising a housing with an illuminated front face, which front face is arranged to provide a first warning signal, the housing comprising a proximity sensor and a microcontroller, the housing providing a connection to a support arm, wherein the support arm comprises articulation, which support arm includes a distal suction cup for connection of the device to a rear windscreen, and the front face providing a second warning signal that comprises an illumination means illuminated when the microcontroller receives a signal from the proximity sensor that a vehicle is less than a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

2. A warning device for a vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the articulation comprises one or more hinges.

3. A warning device for a vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the articulation comprises a ball joint.

4. A warning device for a vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein the front face comprises an opaque section and a transparent or translucent section.

5. A warning device for a vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein the front face is retroreflective at least in part.

6. A warning device for a vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein the front face is luminescent at least in part.

7. A warning device for a vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein the frontface is fluorescent at least in part.

8. A warning device for a vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein the front face comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs).

9. A warning device for a vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein thehousing comprises rails to hold the display screen.

10. A warning device for a vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein thesupport arm comprises two suction cups.03 06 2511. A warning device for a vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein thehousing comprises separate sensor unit.

12. A warning device for a vehicle according to any preceding claim comprising a GPS module.

13. A warning device for a vehicle according to any preceding claim comprising a laser pointer.

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