Patent Publication Number: US-6992461-B2

Title: Automotive-use charger flashing light array

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1) Field of the Invention 
   The invention herein relates to automobile accessories, specifically an automotive-use charger flashing light array wherein a programmable integrated circuit is utilized in a charging circuit for controlling the illumination sequence of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) to enhance indicating performance and added value. 
   2) Description of the Prior Art 
   In a conventional automotive charger, the indicator lights are typically LEDs that are disposed at the power input terminal of the charger and only indicate the presence of direct current. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   I. Unsolved Problems 
   
       
       
         
           1. The indicator lights in a conventional automotive charger communicate that power is being furnished but are incapable of clearly conveying to the user whether charging is finished. 
           2. To handle the said problem, two-color LEDs are utilized, the color changing characteristic allowing the user to distinguish between power and charging status. However, the said two-color discernment is uninteresting and fails to draw the full attention of the user; when charging is completed, the said two-color LEDs immediately change color and if the user is not watching, the completion of charging often goes unnoticed.
 
II. Means of Solution
 
           1. The automotive-use charger of the invention herein consists of a charging circuit in which is connected a programmable integrated circuit connected as well as a plurality of LEDs installed on an automotive charger such that as charging occurs, the illumination sequence of the said LEDs are controlled, increasing state of charge noticeability and enhancing the added value of the said automotive charger. 
           2. The plurality of LEDs of the invention herein are displayed in an operating sequence similar to that of horse race starting gate lights as charging occurs to keep the user informed of the charging progress at all times and, furthermore, one LED remains illuminated when charging is finished to indicate power status. 
         
       
     
  

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an orthographic drawing of the automotive-use charger layout of the invention herein. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the automotive-use charger of the invention herein. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention herein is an automotive-use charger flashing light array, the embodiment of which is elaborated below. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the said automotive charger  1  has a power supply input terminal  11  at one side and a power supply output terminal  12  at the opposite side, with the said power supply input terminal  11  inserted into an automotive-use socket (not shown in the drawings); a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are disposed on the said automotive charger  1  that provides for sequential indication during battery charging. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the said plurality of LEDs are respectively connected to the data output pins of a programmable integrated circuit U 3  and the said input terminal is connected to the collector output lead of a transistor Q 1 . 
   The base input lead of the said transistor Q 1  is connected to a parallel resistance circuit R, following which it is connected to the direct current power output terminal  12  of the automotive charger  1 . 
   The emitter input lead of the said transistor Q 1  is respectively connected to the output pin of a voltage stabilizing integrated circuit U 2  and the parallel resistance circuit R. 
   The said voltage stabilizing integrated circuit U 2  input pin is connected to a wave filtering circuit U 1  and the power supply input terminal  11 . 
   As such, the direct current power supply  11  flows through the wave filtering circuit U 1 , the voltage stabilizing integrated circuit U 2  outputs a charging current, and the battery is charged from the direct current power supply output terminal  12 ; from the said charging current, the parallel resistance circuit R produces the bias voltage required by the programmable integrated circuit U 3  to establish continuity such that the transistor Q 1  collector outputs a signal capable of controlling the operation of the programmable integrated circuit U 3 , causing the sequential illumination of the LEDs; when the battery reaches the fully charged state, the parallel resistance circuit R lowers the voltage, terminating continuity with the transistor Q 1  to stop data output from the transistor Q 1 , the programmable integrated circuit U 3  then outputs signals, one of which maintains LED illumination but halts sequential LED operation to indicate the completion of the charging cycle and, furthermore, continues displaying direct current status. 
   The said programmable integrated circuit U 3  defines and controls numerous LCD illumination sequences to effectively enhance sensory perceptivity. 
   A voltage regulator VR is shunted between the said parallel resistance circuit R and the base of the transistor Q 1  and ground to vary control over the continuity cutoff timing of the transistor Q 1 , which in conjunction with the resistance value of the parallel resistance circuit R adaptively adjusts the amount of charging current necessary and, furthermore, enables control over the said plurality of LEDs such that they illuminate in a range of numerous differing sequences defined by the programmable integrated circuit U 3 .