US3824542A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronically controlled two-terminal flasher unit
Assignee: US Philips Corp
•
Filing: 1972-03-31
•
Granted: 1974-07-16
•
Expires: 1992-03-31
Abstract
Abstract An electronically controlled two-terminal automatic flasher unit for the directional signal lamps of a motor vehicle. The flasher unit includes an astable multivibrator with supply leads connected to a capacitor. The multivibrator alternately connects a relay energizing winding to each of the supply leads. A diode is serially connected with the capacitor across the two terminals of the flasher, as is a hold winding on the relay and a relay contact. The flasher unit can be installed without a change in the wiring system and can perform the vehicle alarm function.
Inventors
- 👤 B Schorter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:59
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q11/00; B60Q11/005; B60Q11/007; H; H05; H05B; H05B39/00; H05B39/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
An automatic flasher unit for vehicle direction lamps, said flasher unit comprising only two terminals for connection to the lamps and a source of supply voltage, an astable multivibrator which determines the lamp flashing frequency, a relay having switch contacts which are to be connected to the lamp circuits and a first low resistance hold winding and a second high resistance energizing winding, means connecting between said two terminals a first diode in series with a capacitor, means connecting across said two terminals the series combination of a relay switch contact and said first winding of the relay, the multivibrator circuit having a pair of supply leads connected to the capacitor and including change-over switching means controlled by the multivibrator circuit which, during the operation of the automatic flasher unit, connects one end of said energizing winding of the relay alternately to one and the other of said supply leads, and means connecting the other end of the energizing winding to the one terminal to which the first diode is connected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
An automatic flasher unit for vehicle direction lamps, said flasher unit comprising only two terminals for connection to the lamps and a source of supply voltage, an astable multivibrator which determines the lamp flashing frequency, a relay having switch contacts which are to be connected to the lamp circuits and a first low resistance hold winding and a second high resistance energizing winding, means connecting between said two terminals a first diode in series with a capacitor, means connecting across said two terminals the series combination of a relay switch contact and said first winding of the relay, the multivibrator circuit having a pair of supply leads connected to the capacitor and including change-over switching means controlled by the multivibrator circuit which, during the operation of the automatic flasher unit, connects one end of said energizing winding of the relay alternately to one and the other of said supply leads, and means connecting the other end of the energizing winding to the one terminal to which the first diode is connected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flasher unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a current limiting resistor connected between the one terminal and the first diode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A flasher unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the change-over switching means includes first and second transistors the main current paths of which are connected in series between the supply leads with their junction point being connected to the high-resistance energizing winding.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
A flasher unit as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the transistors are of opposite conductivity types, one transistor having its emitter connected to the supply lead to which the first diode is connected so that the series combination of the first diode and the emitter-base junction of said one transistor are connected witth the same pass direction, and means connecting a second diode in parallel with said series combination and polarized in thE same pass direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A flasher unit as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the astable multivibrator circuit comprises the second transistor and a third transistor, and means connecting the base of said one transistor to a tapping on a collector resistor of the third transistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
132 words
An automatic two-terminal flasher unit for one or more lamps comprising, a relay having a first energizing winding and a second hold winding and a contact in series with the hold winding, a capacitor, a diode, means connecting the diode and the capacitor in series across the two terminals of the flasher unit, means connecting the series combination of the second winding and the relay contact across said two terminals, an astable multivibrator having a pair of supply leads connected to the capacitor and including first and second switching devices arranged in circuit to alternately connect one end of said first winding to each of the supply leads, and means connecting the other end of the first winding to the one terminal of the flasher unit to which said diode is connected.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
An automatic two-terminal flasher unit for one or more lamps comprising, a relay having a first energizing winding and a second hold winding and a contact in series with the hold winding, a capacitor, a diode, means connecting the diode and the capacitor in series across the two terminals of the flasher unit, means connecting the series combination of the second winding and the relay contact across said two terminals, an astable multivibrator having a pair of supply leads connected to the capacitor and including first and second switching devices arranged in circuit to alternately connect one end of said first winding to each of the supply leads, and means connecting the other end of the first winding to the one terminal of the flasher unit to which said diode is connected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A flasher unit as claimed in claim 6 further comprising means for connecting said one terminal to an external source of DC voltage and the other terminal to said lamps via a switching device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A flasher unit as claimed in claim 6 wherein said first and second switching devices comprise first and second transistors connected in series between said supply leads and said one end of the first winding is connected to the junction point between said series connected transistors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A flasher unit as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first diode is connected in series with said first and second transistors across the two terminals of the flasher unit, and a second diode connected between said one terminal and the base electrode of the first transistor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A flasher unit as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a third transistor and capacitor means for cross-coupling the base and collector of the third transistor to the collector and base, respectively, of the second transistor to form said astable multivibrator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A flasher unit as claimed in claim 10 further comprising means coupled to said supply leads for biasing said first and third transistors off when the second transistor is biased on, and vice-versa.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-15 | 1978-01-14 | 1978-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-15 | 1982-01-14 | 1982-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-15 | 1986-01-14 | 1986-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |