Automotive brake light with graduated display

Abstract

An automotive brake light system producing a graduated display according to the level of vehicle deceleration as sensed by an onboard piezoelectric accelerometer. Taillight assemblies are divided into segments which are illuminated in sequence to produce a graduated display. The vehicle anti-lock brake system may be connected into the system to provide a special lighting effect such as blinking the taillights during a panic stop condition.

1 . An automotive brake light system comprising:
 an accelerometer mounted in a vehicle to produce an output representing different degrees of vehicle slowing;   a rear light assembly having a display comprising a plurality of light sources; said light sources being arranged as a first portion comprising multiple segments and a second unsegmented portion contiguous to the first portion; and   an interface connected between the accelerometer and the light assembly responsive to the accelerometer output to illuminate only the segments of the first portion in a progressively increasing number to display different degrees of vehicle slowing; said second unsegmented portion being connected for illumination as a non-progressive light.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The assembly defined in  claim 1  wherein the rear light assembly includes at least one lens arranged to transmit light from the light sources to the rear of the vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . A system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the rear light assembly comprises a geometric shape and the first portion segments are arranged in a contiguous fashion within the shape. 
     
     
         5 . An assembly as defined in  claim 4  wherein the sources are arranged in side-by-side fashion. 
     
     
         6 . An assembly as defined in  claim 4  wherein the first portion segments are graduated in size. 
     
     
         7 . An assembly as defined in  claim 4  wherein the second portion is arranged as a perimeter segment extending around the perimeter of the first portion. 
     
     
         8 . A system as defined in  claim 4  wherein the first portion segments are illuminated with individually graduated intensity in proportion to accelerometer output. 
     
     
         9 . A system as defined in  claim 4  wherein the shape is substantially circular. 
     
     
         10 . A system as defined in  claim 9  wherein the second portion is arranged as a center segment within the circular shape and the first portion segments are arranged circumferentially around the center segment. 
     
     
         11 . A system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the interface comprises a program containing an illumination sequence selectable according to the content of the accelerometer output. 
     
     
         12 . A system as defined in  claim 1  further comprising an anti-lock system actuation sensor connected to the interface to actuate the display in a fashion indicating operation of the anti-lock system. 
     
     
         13 . A system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the interface is programmed to provide a blinking illumination from the display under a predetermined condition. 
     
     
         14 . A system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the light sources are LEDs. 
     
     
         15 . A system as defined in  claim 1  further including means for illuminating all sources when the vehicle comes to a full stop. 
     
     
         16 . A vehicle having a rear-mounted light illumination system comprising:
 an accelerometer mounted in the vehicle to produce an output representing different degrees of vehicle slowing along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle;   at least one light assembly having a display comprising a plurality of contiguous segments; and   an interface connected between the accelerometer and the light assembly responsive to the output of the accelerometer to illuminate the segments progressively increasing number to represent different degrees of vehicle slowing; said light assembly further comprising a taillight arranged peripherally around said segments and connected for constant, non-progressive illumination.   
     
     
         17 . A combination defined in  claim 16  wherein the brake light assembly includes LEDs. 
     
     
         18 . A vehicle brake light system comprising:
 a brake light having an illumination area adapted to be progressively illuminated;   a sensor for producing an output related to vehicle deceleration; and   a controller connected between the sensor and the brake light to illuminate the brake light area in individually progressive intensities in response to said output.   
     
     
         19 . A vehicle taillight/stop light assembly comprising:
 a housing;   a first, subdivided stop light in said housing having individually illuminable light sources in the subdivisions thereof;   a second, unitary taillight in said housing adjacent said first stop light and having an illuminable light source therein; and   a controller for illuminating the light sources in the first portion in increasing number according to vehicle slowing.   
     
     
         20 . A vehicle taillight/stop light assembly as defined in  claim 19  wherein the second, unitary taillight is arranged peripherally around the first, subdivided stop light. 
     
     
         21 . A vehicle taillight/stop light assembly as defined in  claim 20  wherein the subdivisions of the stop light are of progressively larger sizes.