Abstract:
A brake lighting system for a lightweight utility vehicle is provided. The brake lighting system can comprise a pressure sensitive brake light switch (PSBLS) operably connected to a brake pedal subassembly of the vehicle. The PSBLS is configured such that depression of a brake pedal included in the brake pedal subassembly compresses the pressure sensitive brake light switch. The brake lighting system additionally can comprise a brake light circuit that can comprise at least one brake light and an electronic switching device communicatively connected to the PSBLS. The electronic switching device is responsive to a brake light signal transmitted by the PSBLS when the PSBLS is compressed. Upon receipt of the brake light signal, the electronic switching device enables a current flow through the brake light to illuminate the brake light.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to a brake light system for a vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Known vehicles, e.g., automobiles and light-weight utility vehicles, typically include an acceleration control assembly and a braking control assembly for controlling movement of the vehicle. Generally, the acceleration control assembly controls a primary mover, e.g., a motor or engine, that imparts motive forces on at least one drive wheel of the vehicle to affect movement of the vehicle. The braking control assembly typically controls operation of mechanical drum, shoe, and pad brake mechanisms, mechanical steel band and polished drum brake mechanisms, mechanical rotor and caliper brake mechanism, or in some instances, regenerative braking available when the primary mover is an electric motor. 
         [0003]    Typically, the braking assembly includes a brake pedal connected to a brake arm that pivots at a distal when a vehicle operator depresses the brake pedal. The pivoting motion or movement of the brake arm typically activates a brake light switch to illuminate one or more brake lights. Activation of the brake light switch is dependent on physical interaction between the brake arm and the switch as the brake arm moves or pivots. Such brake light switches add considerably to parts, labor and tooling costs, complexity, and weight to the brake assemblies. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In various embodiments, a brake lighting system for a lightweight utility vehicle is provided. The brake lighting system can comprise a pressure sensitive brake light switch (PSBLS) operably connected to a brake pedal subassembly of the vehicle. The PSBLS is configured such that pressure or force applied to a brake pedal included in the brake pedal subassembly compresses the pressure sensitive brake light switch. The brake lighting system additionally can comprise a brake light circuit that can include at least one brake light and an electronic switching device communicatively connected to the PSBLS. The electronic switching device is responsive to a brake light signal transmitted by the PSBLS when the PSBLS is compressed. Upon receipt of the brake light signal, the electronic switching device enables a current flow through the brake light to illuminate the brake light. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a vehicle including a brake lighting system for controlling illumination of at least one vehicle brake light, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the brake lighting system shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of an accelerator pedal subassembly and a brake pedal subassembly of the vehicle shown in  FIG. 1 , including a pressure sensitive brake light switch of the brake lighting system, shown in  FIG. 2 , in accordance with various embodiments; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the brake pedal subassembly shown in  FIG. 3  including the pressure sensitive brake light switch of the brake lighting system, shown in  FIG. 2 , in accordance with various embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    The following description of the various embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  depicts a light-weight utility vehicle  10 , such as a small cargo/maintenance vehicle, a shuttle vehicle or a golf car, including a brake lighting system  14 , in accordance with the various embodiments of the present disclosure. Generally, the brake lighting system  14  controls illumination of at least one brake light  18 . The vehicle  10  additionally includes a primary mover  22 , e.g., a motor or engine, that delivers torque to affect movement of the vehicle  10 , an accelerator pedal subassembly  26  for controlling acceleration of the vehicle  10  and a brake pedal subassembly  30  for controlling braking of the vehicle  10 . The accelerator pedal subassembly  26  includes an accelerator pedal arm  34  fixedly coupled to an accelerator pedal  38  via any suitable coupling means, including, by way of non-limiting example, rivets, screws, nuts and bolts or welding. Alternatively, the accelerator pedal arm  34  and pedal  38  can be a one piece plastic or cast metal component. Similarly, the brake pedal subassembly  30  includes a brake pedal arm  42  fixedly coupled to a brake pedal  46  via any suitable coupling means, for non-limiting example, rivets, screws, nuts and bolts, or welding. Alternatively, the brake pedal arm  42  and pedal  46  could be a one piece plastic or cast metal component. The vehicle  10  further includes a pair of front wheels  50  that generally operate to steer the vehicle  10 , and a pair of rear wheels  54 , at least one of which functions as a drive wheel for propelling the vehicle  10 . 
         [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of the brake lighting system shown in  FIG. 1 . In various implementations, the brake lighting system  14  includes a pressure sensitive brake light switch  58  communicatively connected to a brake light circuit  62 . The brake light circuit  62  can comprise a power source  66 , e.g., a 12V battery, that provides power, i.e., voltage across and current though the brake light(s)  18 . The brake light circuit  62  also comprises an electronic switching device  70  that is communicatively connected to the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58  and controls the flow of current through the brake light circuit  62 . Generally, the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58  is operably connected to the brake pedal subassembly  30  such that pressure applied to the brake pedal  46 , e.g., pressure applied to depress the brake pedal  46 , closes the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58 . Upon closure, the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58  outputs a brake light signal  72 , e.g., a voltage output, to the electronic switching device  70  that drives, activates or closes the electronic switching device  70  to allow a current flow through brake light circuit  62 . Accordingly, the current flows through the brake light(s)  18  illuminating the brake light(s)  18 . It should be understood that the brake lighting system  14 , as described herein, is applicable to various types or configurations of brake pedal subassemblies  30 . For example, in various embodiments, the brake lighting system  14  can be employed with a stand alone brake pedal subassembly  30 , such as that shown in  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, in accordance with various other implementations, the brake lighting system  14  is can be employed with a brake pedal subassembly  30  that is part of a modular accelerator and brake assembly, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Such a modular accelerator and brake assembly is described in co-pending patent application titled, Modular Pedal Box Assembly, application Ser. No. 11/163,844, filed Nov. 1, 2005, and assigned to the assignee of the present application. 
         [0013]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in various embodiments, the brake pedal subassembly  30  can include a brake pedal pad  78  connected to or fitted over the brake pedal  46 . The brake pedal pad  78  can be fabricated from any somewhat pliable material suitable to provide a textured surface for the respective brake pedal  46  that will assist the driver in maintaining safe control and operation of the brake pedal  46 , For example, in various embodiments, the brake pedal pad  78  can be fabricated from rubber or similar material. 
         [0014]    In various embodiments, the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58  is included in the brake pedal subassembly  30 . More particularly, as exemplarily illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in various implementations, the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58  can be placed between the brake pedal  46  and the brake pedal pad  78 . Locating the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58  between brake pedal and pad  46  and  78  conceals the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58  from view. Additionally, locating the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58  between brake pedal and pad  46  and  78  protects the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58  from exposure to water, debris and other contaminates that could harm the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58 . 
         [0015]    The pressure sensitive brake light switch  58  can be any suitable pressure sensitive switch that operates to output the brake light signal  72  to the electronic switching device  70  when pressure is applied to the brake pedal pad  78 , i.e., when the brake pedal  46  is depressed. For example, the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58  can be a non-contact pressure sensitive switch, a membrane switch or a tape switch. 
         [0016]    In various embodiments, the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58  can be molded into, or integrally formed with, the brake pedal pad  78 . In various other embodiments, the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58  can be affixed to the brake pedal pad  78 , or affixed to the brake pedal  46 . For example, the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58  can be glued, screwed, stapled or riveted to the brake pedal  46  or the brake pedal pad  78 . Alternatively, in various implementations, the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58  can be a wire molded into the brake pedal pad  78  such that when the brake pedal pad  78  is compressed, as the brake pedal  46  is depressed, an exposed portion of the wire contacts the metallic brake pedal  46 . Contact of the wire with the metallic brake pedal  46  completes an electrical circuit to transmit the brake light signal  72  to drive the electronic switching device  70  to close the brake light circuit  62  and illuminate the brake light(s)  18 . 
         [0017]    When the brake pedal and pad  46  and  78  are depressed to initiate a braking operation of the vehicle  10 , the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58  is compressed, i.e., activated or closed, and transmits the brake light signal  72 , e.g., a voltage output, to the electronic switching device  70 . When the electronic switching device  70  receives the brake light signal  72  from the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58 , the electronic switching device  70  closes to complete, or close, the brake light circuit  62 . Closing the brake light circuit  62  electrically connects the power source  66  to the brake light(s)  18  such that current flows through the brake light circuit  62  illuminating brake light(s)  18  to indicate the braking operation of the vehicle  10 . 
         [0018]    Conversely, when the brake pedal and pad  46  and  78  are released, or not depressed, the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58  is not compressed and terminates, or does not transmit, the brake light signal  72 . In response to the termination or absence of the brake light signal  72 , the electronic switching device  70  opens, breaking the brake light circuit  62 , and terminating or preventing current flow through the brake light circuit  62  such that the brake light(s)  18  are extinguished or not illuminated. Thus, the brake light(s)  18  are only illuminated when pressure is applied to the brake pedal  46  and pad  78 , for example, when pressure is applied by a vehicle operator stepping on the brake pedal and pad  46 , and  78 . The applied pressure compresses the pressure sensitive brake light switch  58 , which then transmits the brake light signal  72  to the electronic switching device  70 . In response to the brake light signal  72 , the electronic switching device  70  closes, allowing current to flow through the brake light circuit  62  to illuminate the brake light(s)  18 . 
         [0019]    The electronic switching device  70  can be any electronic switching device suitable for receiving the brake light signal  72  and controlling the flow of current through the brake light circuit  62 . For example, the electronic switching device  70  can be an electro-mechanical relay switch, a transistor, a field effect transistor (FET) or a insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). In various implementations, the electronic switching device  70  is normally open such that current does not flow through the brake light circuit  62  and the brake light(s)  18  is/are normally extinguished, i.e., not illuminated. 
         [0020]    The description herein is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of that which is described are intended to be within the scope of the teachings. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the teachings. Additionally, in the event that one or more of the incorporated literature and similar materials differs from or contradicts this application, including but not limited to defined terms, term usage, described techniques, or the like, this application controls.