Patent Publication Number: US-2010109859-A1

Title: Hazard Flasher System for Personal Motor Vehicles

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/110,097, filed Oct. 31, 2008, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Disabled motor vehicles are a major danger on roadways and trails. Hundreds of people die or are seriously wounded by collisions with disabled motor vehicles. Drivers of other vehicles typically do not expect to encounter disabled motor vehicles and may collide with the disabled vehicles with catastrophic consequences. Collisions with disabled motor vehicles are especially prevalent at night because disabled motor vehicles are difficult for other drivers to see. 
     To reduce the chances of collisions with disabled vehicles, many types of motor vehicles have hazard flasher features. For example, the hazard flasher systems of most automobiles and motorcycles cause the vehicle&#39;s left and right turn signals to blink simultaneously. The simultaneous blinking on the motor vehicle&#39;s turn signals is generally sufficient to attract the notice of other drivers, enabling the other drivers to avoid the motor vehicle. In another example, the hazard flasher systems of other types of motor vehicles cause the headlights and taillights of the motor vehicle to blink 
     In a typical motor vehicle, a starter motor uses electrical energy from a primary battery to start the motor vehicle&#39;s internal combustion engine. In addition, the hazard flasher system of the motor vehicle uses electrical energy from the primary battery to make the headlights, taillights, and/or turn signals flash. The headlights, taillights, and turn signals of the motor vehicle use significant amounts of electricity. For this reason, extended use of the motor vehicle&#39;s emergency flasher system depletes the primary battery to the point where there is not enough energy remaining in the primary battery for the starter motor to start the motor vehicle&#39;s internal combustion engine. This is especially problematic for smaller, personal motor vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles, and personal watercraft because of their smaller primary batteries. 
     Furthermore, incandescent light bulbs conventionally used in headlights, taillights, and turn signals are vulnerable to breakage due to vibration. Vibration is especially problematic for smaller, personal motor vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles, lawn mowers, and personal watercraft because of their use on rougher surfaces and their smaller engines. 
     SUMMARY 
     This disclosure describes a hazard flasher system for a personal motor vehicle. As described herein, the hazard flasher system comprises at least a first light-emitting diode (LED), a second LED, and a circuit board. The first LED is mounted on the personal motor vehicle such that light from the first LED is projected generally forward from the personal motor vehicle. The second LED is mounted on the personal motor vehicle such that light from the second LED is projected generally rearward from the personal motor vehicle. The circuit board uses electrical energy from the personal motor vehicle&#39;s primary battery to output periodic pulses of electric energy that cause the first and second LEDs to flash. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example block diagram of a hazard flasher system for a personal motor vehicle. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example diagram of an LED assembly of the hazard flasher system. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram that illustrates a first example implementation of a circuit board of the hazard flasher system. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram that illustrates a second example implementation of the circuit board of the hazard flasher system. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart that illustrates an example operation to install the hazard flasher system. 
         FIG. 6  is an example personal motor vehicle that includes the hazard flasher system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As briefly described above, this disclosure is directed to a hazard flasher system for a personal motor vehicle. As described herein, the hazard flasher system includes front-facing and rear-facing light-emitting diodes (LEDs). One or more electrical leads connect these LEDs to a circuit board. The circuit board conditions electrical energy from a primary battery of the personal motor vehicle and outputs periodic pulses of electrical energy to the electrical lead or leads that connect the LEDs to the circuit board. Each of the periodic pulses of electrical energy causes the LEDs to flash. 
     In some embodiments, the LEDs use far less energy than light bulbs used in conventional hazard flasher systems. In such embodiments, because the LEDs require less energy than conventional automotive headlights, taillights, or turn signals, it may take significantly more time for the hazard flasher system described herein to deplete the primary battery of the personal motor vehicle than a conventional hazard flasher system. Allowing the hazard flasher system to operate for lengthy periods of time may be important in situations where the operator of the personal motor vehicle is forced to leave the personal motor vehicle at a road or trail side when personal motor vehicle runs out of fuel. 
     In some embodiments, an alternator in the personal motor vehicle recharges the primary battery of the personal motor vehicle when the internal combustion engine of the personal motor vehicle is operating. In such embodiments, the operator of the personal motor vehicle may not need to be concerned about changing batteries for the hazard flasher system because the hazard flasher system draws electrical energy from the primary battery of the personal motor vehicle, which is recharged by the alternator. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example block diagram of a hazard flasher system  2  for a personal motor vehicle (see e.g., personal motor vehicle  280  in  FIG. 6 ). Hazard flasher system  2  may be installed on a wide variety of personal motor vehicles. For example, hazard flasher system  2  may be installed on motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, three and four wheeled all-terrain vehicles, motorized tricycles, personal watercraft, golf carts, tomcars, tractors, riding lawnmowers, snowmobiles, go-karts, motorized wheelchairs, Segway personal transporters, motorized rickshaws, and other types of small motorized vehicles. Examples of vehicles that are not personal motor vehicles are cars, trucks, vans, buses, ships, yachts, motor homes, trailers, airplanes, helicopters, spacecraft, or other large vehicles. 
     As illustrated in the example of  FIG. 1 , hazard flasher system  2  comprises a first forward-facing LED assembly  4 , a second forward-facing LED assembly  6 , a first rear-facing LED assembly  8 , and a second rear-facing LED assembly  10 . It should be appreciated that some versions of hazard flasher system  2  may comprise more or fewer LED assemblies. For example, one version of hazard flasher system  2  may only include a single forward-facing LED assembly and a single rear-facing LED assembly. In another example, another version of hazard flasher system  2  may comprise two forward-facing LED assemblies, two rear-facing LED assemblies, and two side-facing LED assemblies. 
     Each of LED assemblies  4 - 10  includes a high-brightness LED. In some embodiments, the LEDs in front-facing LED assemblies  4  and  6  emit yellow light and the LEDs in rear-facing LED assemblies  8  and  10  emit red light. The color of the light emitted by the LEDs in the LED assemblies thus serves to alert the drivers of other vehicles about the orientation of the personal motor vehicle in which hazard flasher system  2  is installed. 
     Front-facing LED assemblies  4  and  6  are suitable for mounting to a front end of the personal motor vehicle. In various embodiments, front-facing LED assemblies  4  and  6  are attached to the personal motor vehicle in various ways. For example, front-facing LED assemblies  4  and  6  may include adhesive pads that stick to the personal motor vehicle, clamps that attach to the personal motor, a fastening assembly (e.g., nuts and bolts), or other elements that render the front-facing LED assemblies suitable for mounting to the personal motor vehicle. Furthermore, in various embodiments, front-facing LED assemblies  4  and  6  are mounted at a variety of places on the front side of the personal motor vehicle. For example, front-facing LED assemblies  4  and  6  may be mounted adjacent to the front headlight or headlights of the personal motor vehicle. In another example, front-facing LED assemblies  4  and  6  may be mounted on a handlebar of the personal motor vehicle. In yet another example, front-facing LED assemblies  4  and  6  may be mounted inside or outside housings that enclose the front headlights or front turn signals of the personal motor vehicle. In addition to these examples, front-facing LED assemblies  4  and  6  may be mounted in many other locations. 
     Rear-facing LED assemblies  8  and  10  are suitable for mounting to a rear end of the personal motor vehicle. In various embodiments, rear-facing LED assemblies  8  and  10  are mounted at a variety of places on the rear side of the personal motor vehicle. For example, rear-facing LED assemblies  8  and  10  may be mounted adjacent to the personal motor vehicle&#39;s taillight or taillights. In another example, rear-facing LED assemblies  8  and  10  may be mounted at the outer rear corners of the personal motor vehicle. In yet another example, the rear-facing LED assemblies  8  and  10  may be mounted inside or outside housings that enclose the taillights or rear turn signals. 
     An electrical lead connects LED assemblies  4 - 10 . In various embodiments, LED assemblies  4 - 10  are connected to the electrical lead in series or in parallel. In the example of  FIG. 1 , the lead is illustrated as a set of arrows connecting LED assemblies  4 - 10 . 
     Hazard flasher system  2  includes a primary battery  14 . A starter motor of the personal motor vehicle uses electrical current from primary battery  14  to start the internal combustion engine of the personal motor vehicle. In some embodiments, an alternator of the personal motor vehicle uses energy from the internal combustion engine of the personal motor vehicle to recharge primary battery  14 . In various embodiments, primary battery  14  is mounted at various locations within the personal motor vehicle. For instance, primary battery  14  may be mounted at a location within the personal motor vehicle such that primary battery  14  receives some thermal energy from the internal combustion engine. The thermal energy from the internal combustion engine may have an effect of increasing the electrical energy output of primary battery  14 . This effect may be valuable in cold weather conditions when batteries that do not receive thermal energy from the internal combustion engine produce insufficient electrical energy output to power a hazard flasher system. 
     Hazard flasher system  2  also comprises a circuit board  12 . When hazard flasher system  2  is activated, direct current (DC) electrical energy flows from primary battery  14  of the personal motor vehicle to circuit board  12 . Circuit board  12  transforms the electrical energy from primary battery  14  and outputs periodic pulses of electrical energy to LED assemblies  4 - 10 . Each of these pulses of electrical energy cause the LEDs in LED assemblies  4 - 10  to emit light. When circuit board  12  is not outputting a pulse of electrical energy, the LEDs in LED assemblies  4 - 10  do not emit light. Hence, because circuit board  12  outputs pulses of electrical energy on a periodic basis, the LEDs flash on and off. 
     In various embodiments, the circuit board  12  outputs the pulses of electrical energy at various frequencies. In one example, circuit board  12  includes a 555 timer integrated circuit that receives the DC electrical energy from primary battery  14  and produces a 0.67 hertz pulse with a 10% duty cycle (i.e., circuit board  12  outputs one pulse every 1.5 seconds). This pulse drives an NPN transistor that enables and disables an LED driver integrated circuit. The LED driver integrated circuit is a continuous mode, step-down converter that utilizes a current sense resistor to set a nominal average output current (450 mA) to drive the LEDs in LED assemblies  4 - 10 . 
     In various embodiments, circuit board  12  is mounted within the personal motor vehicle in various places. For example, circuit board  12  may be mounted beneath or within the dashboard of the personal motor vehicle. In another example, circuit board  12  may be mounted in an electrical subsystem that controls other lights of the personal motor vehicle. 
     In some embodiments, circuit board  12  is wired to primary battery  14  such that circuit board  12  is able to receive electrical energy from primary battery  14  even when the personal motor vehicle is not in an “on” state. For example, circuit board  12  may receive electrical energy from primary battery  14  when a driver has turned off the personal motor vehicle. Because circuit board  12  is able to receive electrical energy from primary battery  14  even when the personal motor vehicle is not in the “on” state, the driver of the personal motor vehicle can leave the personal motor vehicle to seek assistance while hazard flasher system  2  is operational. Furthermore, in some embodiments, circuit board  12  is wired to primary battery  14  such that circuit board  12  is able to receive electrical energy from primary battery  14  when the driver has removed the personal motor vehicle&#39;s ignition key from the ignition switch. Thus, hazard flasher system  2  can remain operational when the ignition key is not in the ignition switch. Because the driver can maintain possession of the ignition key while away from the personal motor vehicle while hazard flasher system  2  is operational, the personal motor vehicle may be at a decreased risk of theft during the driver&#39;s absence. 
     In some embodiments, circuit board  12  is designed to utilize DC electrical energy having a voltage that ranges from 6.25 volts to 15 volts. The ability to utilize DC electrical energy having this voltage range allows hazard flasher system  2  to be utilized in a variety of different types of personal motor vehicles having different types of primary batteries. 
     Hazard flasher system  2  comprises a switch  16 . When switch  16  is in a closed position, electrical energy can flow from primary battery  14  to circuit board  12  and onward, thereby activating hazard flasher system  2 . When switch  16  is in an open position, electrical energy cannot flow from primary battery  14  to circuit board  12 , thereby deactivating hazard flasher system  2 . Switch  16  may be mounted at a variety of places on the personal motor vehicle. For example, switch  16  may be mounted within the dashboard of the personal motor vehicle. 
     In addition, hazard flasher system  2  includes a dashboard LED  18  that is designed to be included in the dashboard of the personal motor vehicle. The purpose of dashboard LED  18  is to inform a driver of the personal motor vehicle whether hazard flasher system  2  is activated or deactivated. In other words, the role of dashboard LED  18  is similar to the role of the in-dash turn signal lamps that inform a driver of a car whether the car&#39;s turn signals have been activated. Dashboard LED  18  receives the pulses of electrical energy outputted by the circuit board  12 . Consequently, dashboard LED  18  flashes on and off at the same rate as the LEDs in LED assemblies  4 - 10 . Because dashboard LED  18  should not blind or distract the driver of the personal motor vehicle, dashboard LED  18  does not emit as much light at the LEDs in LED assemblies  4 - 10 . 
     Hazard flasher system  2  may be installed on the personal motor vehicle during or after production of the personal motor vehicle. For instance, hazard flasher system  2  may be installed on the personal motor vehicle at the factory that assembles the personal motor vehicle. In another example, hazard flasher system  2  may be implemented as an after-market kit that can be installed on the personal motor vehicle at home or at a mechanic&#39;s shop. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example diagram of front-facing LED assembly  4 . Although  FIG. 2  illustrates an example diagram of front-facing LED assembly  4 , it should be appreciated that any of LED assemblies  6 ,  8 , or  10  may include all of the details illustrated in the example of  FIG. 2 . 
     As illustrated in the example of  FIG. 2 , front-facing LED assembly  4  may comprise a LED  20 . LED  20  may be a variety of different types of LEDs. For example, LED  20  may be any type of LED that is capable of handling at least a 350-400 milliampere pulse. In this example, LED  20  may be a red, 625 nm SMD PLATINUM DRAGON or a yellow 590 nm SMD PLATINUM DRAGON manufactured by Osram Opto Semiconductors, Inc. of Regensburg, Germany. 
     In addition, front-facing LED assembly  4  comprises a thermal substrate  22  attached to a base  24 . Thermal substrate  22  includes a first connection point  26 A and a second connection point  26 B. An incoming segment of lead  28  is soldered to connection point  26 A and an outgoing segment of lead  28  is soldered to connection point  26 B. In this way, connection points  26 A and  26 B receive electrical energy from lead  28 , provide the electrical energy to LED  20 , and transmit electrical energy back to lead  28 . 
     Thermal substrate  22  effectively conducts heat away from LED  20  and onto base  24 , thereby keeping LED  20  cool. Thermal substrate  22  may be a variety of different types of thermal substrate. For example, thermal substrate  22  may be a T-Clad metal core printed circuit board for Dragon series LEDs manufactured by the Bergquist Company of Chanhassen, Minn. Base  24  may be made of aluminum or another material that readily conducts heat. 
     Each of front-facing LED assembly  4  also comprises a lens  30 . Lens  30  physically protects LED  20  and disperses light emitted by LED  20 . Lens  30  may be a Golden Dragon Clear Lens Holder sold by Dialight Corporation of Farmingdale, N.J. In some instances, lens  30  may have an inner surface  32  that, in profile, is parabola-shaped. In these instances, LED  20  may be positioned within lens  30  such that LED  20  is at the focus of the parabola-shaped inner surface  32 . As a result, lens  30  may generally project much of the light emitted by LED  20  in a single outward direction. However, light emitted by LED  20  may, in some implementations, escape from the sides of lens  30 . In such implementations, the light may serve to alert drivers to the presence of the personal motor vehicle when the drivers are approaching the personal motor vehicle from the side of the personal motor vehicle. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram that illustrates a first example implementation of circuit board  12  of hazard flasher system  2 . As illustrated in the example of  FIG. 3 , a first wire is connected to a first connector  102  and a second connector  104  is connected to a second wire. First connector  102  is the positive side of the applied DC voltage and second connector  104  is the negative side of the applied DC voltage. 
     Second connector  104  is connected to a first diode  108 . First diode  108  is connected to a second diode  110  that is connected to first connector  102 . Second diode  110  provides reverse polarity protection against incorrectly applied voltage. First diode  108  provides transient voltage suppression. First diode  108  may, in some example implementations, provide transient voltage suppression at a 15 volt threshold. In the example of  FIG. 3 , first diode  108  may be a P6KE15CA-T diode manufactured by Diodes, Inc. of Dallas, Tex. Furthermore, in the example of  FIG. 3 , second diode  110  may be a 1N4007-T rectifier diode manufactured by Diodes, Inc. 
     Second connector  104 , first diode  108 , and second diode  110  are connected to a fourth capacitor  112 . Fourth capacitor  112  provides filtering for the applied DC voltage. In one example implementation, fourth capacitor  112  has a capacitance of 100 microfarads. 
     Second connector  104 , first diode  108 , second diode  110 , and fourth capacitor  112  are connected to a voltage input pin of a voltage regulator  114 . Voltage regulator  114  may reduce the applied DC voltage to five volts. In one example implementation, voltage regulator  114  is a LM78L05ACZ/NOPB integrated circuit voltage regulator manufactured by National Semiconductor, Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif. A ground pin of voltage regulator  114  is connected to a ground  116 . 
     A voltage output pin of voltage regulator  114  is connected to a reset pin of a timer  118 , a positive voltage supply pin of timer  118 , a second capacitor  120 , and a second resistor  122 . Timer  118  may be a 555 timer configured for astable operation. In one example implementation, timer  118  is a LMC555CN integrated circuit timer manufactured by National Semiconductor, Inc. 
     Second capacitor  120  provides filtering for the five volt supply provided by voltage regulator  114 . In one example implementation, second capacitor  120  has a capacitance of 100 microfarads. Second capacitor  120  is connected to a ground  124 , a ground pin of timer  118 , and a third capacitor  126 . Third capacitor  126  provides a bypass for noise for timer  118 . Third capacitor  126  is also connected to a control voltage pin of timer  118 . In one example implementation, third capacitor  126  has a capacitance of 0.1 microfarads. 
     Second resistor  122  has a resistance value that, in conjunction with a first capacitor  128 , dictates the timer charge time of timer  118 . Second resistor  122  is connected to a discharge pin of timer  118 , a first resistor  130 , and an anode end of a third diode  132 . First resistor  130  is connected to a threshold pin, a trigger pin of timer  118 , and a cathode end of third diode  132 . First resistor  130  has a resistance value that, in conjunction with first capacitor  128 , dictates the discharge time of timer  118 . In one example implementation, first resistor  130  has a resistance of 200 kilo-ohms. 
     Third diode  132  acts as a bypass for first resistor  130  during the charge cycle of timer  118  in order to obtain a 10% duty cycle. As illustrated in the example of  FIG. 3 , the cathode end of third diode  132  is connected to the threshold pin of timer  118 , first resistor  130 , the trigger pin of timer  118 , and first capacitor  128 . The anode end of third diode  132  is connected to first resistor  130 , second resistor  122 , and the discharge pin of timer  118 . In one example implementation, third diode  132  is a 1N4007-T rectifier diode manufactured by Diodes, Inc. 
     A first electrode of first capacitor  128  is connected the trigger pin of timer  118 , first resistor  130 , and third diode  132 . A second electrode of first capacitor  128  is connected to a ground  134 . First capacitor  128  provides timing for the charge and discharge cycles of timer  118 . In one example implementation, first capacitor  128  has a capacitance of 4.7 microfarads. 
     A first end of a third resistor  136  and a first end of a sixth resistor  138  are connected to an output pin of timer  118 . A second end of third resistor  136  is connected to a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET)  140 . Third resistor  136  serves as a bias resistor for MOSFET  140 . In one example implementation, third resistor  136  has a resistance of 10 ohms. 
     MOSFET  140  is an N-channel logic level MOSFET that supplies ground pulses to the high-brightness LEDs. MOSFET  140  is connected to a ground  142 , a connector  144 , and a connector  146 . Connector  144  is a negative (cathode) connection to a first high-brightness LED that is connected to a connector  148  that is a positive (anode) connection to the first high-brightness LED. Connector  148  is connected to a connector  150  that is a negative connection to a second high-brightness LED that is connected to a connector  152  that is a positive connection to the second high-brightness LED. 
     Connector  146  is a negative connection to a third high-brightness LED that is connected to a connector  154  that is a positive connection to the third high-brightness LED. Connector  154  is connected to a connector  156  that is a negative connection to a fourth high-brightness LED that is connected to a connector  158  that is a positive connection to the fourth high-brightness LED. 
     Connector  152  is connected to a first end of a fifth resistor  160  and an adjustment pin of an adjustable voltage regulator  162 . A second end of fifth resistor  160  is connected to a voltage output pin of adjustable voltage regulator  162 . Adjustable voltage regulator  162  is configured as a constant current source to provide positive voltage to the first high-brightness LED and the second high-brightness LED. Fifth resistor  160  acts in conjunction with adjustable voltage regulator  162  to set the constant current source. In one example implementation, fifth resistor  160  has a resistance of 3.0 ohms. A voltage input pin of adjustable voltage regulator  162  is connected to first diode  108 , second diode  110 , fourth capacitor  112 , voltage regulator  114 , and a voltage input pin of an adjustable voltage regulator  164 . 
     Connector  158  is connected to a first end of a fourth resistor  166  and an adjustment pin of adjustable voltage regulator  164 . A second end of fourth resistor  166  is connected to a voltage output pin of adjustable voltage regulator  164 . Adjustable voltage regulator  164  is configured as a constant current source to provide positive voltage to the third high-brightness LED and the fourth high-brightness LED. Fourth resistor  166  acts in conjunction with adjustable voltage regulator  164  to set the constant current source. In one example implementation, fourth resistor  166  has a resistance of 3.0 ohms. A voltage input pin of adjustable voltage regulator  164  is connected to first diode  108 , second diode  110 , fourth capacitor  112 , voltage regulator  114 , and the voltage input pin of adjustable voltage regulator  162 . 
     A second end of sixth resistor  138  is connected to a connector  168 . Connector  168  is a positive connection to a dashboard LED. A connector  170  is a negative connection to the dashboard LED. Connection  170  is connected to a ground  172 . 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram that illustrates a second example implementation of circuit board  12  of hazard flasher system  2 . As illustrated in the example of  FIG. 4 , circuit board  12  includes a first connector  200 , a second connector  202 , a first diode  204 , a first capacitor  206 , a timer  208 , a first resistor  210 , a second resistor  212 , a second capacitor  214 , a third capacitor  216 , an LED driver  218 , a switching transistor  220 , a third resistor  222 , a fourth resistor  224 , a fifth resistor  226 , a dashboard LED  228 , a positive connector  230 , a negative connector  232 , a negative connector  236 , a positive connector  238 , an inductor  240 , and a second diode  242 . 
     First connector  200  provides a negative side of the applied DC voltage. Second connector  202  provides a positive side of the applied DC voltage. First connector  200  is connected to an anode end of first diode  204  and second connector  202  is connected to a cathode end of first diode  204 . First diode  204  provides transient voltage suppression at a 15 volt threshold. The cathode end of first diode  204  is connected to first capacitor  206 . First capacitor  206  provides filtering for the applied DC voltage. First capacitor  206  is connected to first connector  200  and second connector  202 . In one example implementation, first capacitor  206  has a capacitance of 4.7 microfarads. 
     First capacitor  206  is interconnected with a reset pin of timer  208 . Timer  208  is configured for astable operation. In one example implementation, timer  208  is a 555 timer. In one particular instance, timer  208  is a LMC555CM/NOPB integrated circuit timer manufactured by National Semiconductor, Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif. First resistor  210  is connected to second resistor  212 , a discharge pin of timer  208 , and a positive voltage supply pin of timer  208 . Second resistor  212  is connected to a discharge pin, a threshold pin of timer  208 , and a trigger pin of timer  208 . The resistance of first resistor  210 , in conjunction with first capacitor  206  and second resistor  212 , dictates the charge time of timer  208 . The resistance of second resistor  212 , in conjunction with first capacitor  206 , dictates the discharge time of timer  208 . In one example implementation, first resistor  210  has a resistance of 360 kilo-ohms and second resistor  212  has a resistance of 47 kilo-ohms. 
     In the example of  FIG. 4 , a control voltage pin of timer  208  is connected to a first end of second capacitor  214 . A second end of second capacitor  214  is connected to a ground pin of timer  208 , first capacitor  206 , first diode  204 , first connector  200 , third capacitor  216 , a ground pin of LED driver  218 , and NPN switching transistor  220 . In one example implementation, second capacitor  214  has a capacitance of 0.1 microfarads. Second capacitor  214  provides a bypass for noise for timer  208 . 
     A threshold pin of timer  208  is connected to third capacitor  216 , second resistor  212 , and a trigger pin of timer  208 . Third capacitor  216  provides timing for the charge and discharge cycles of timer  208 . In one example implementation, third capacitor  216  has a capacitance of 4.7 microfarads. 
     Second capacitor  214  and third capacitor  216  are connected to LED driver  218  and NPN switching transistor  220 . LED driver  218  is a continuous mode step-down converter LED driver. In one example implementation, LED driver  218  is a ZXLD1362ET5CT-ND integrated circuit LED driver manufactured by Zetex, Inc. of Oldham, UK. NPN switching transistor  220  enables and disables LED driver  218 . NPN switching transistor  220  is also connected to third resistor  222  that is also connected to an output pin of timer  208 . In one example implementation, third resistor  222  has a resistance of 1.0 kilo-ohms. Third resistor  222  is a base current limiting resistor for NPN switching transistor  220 . 
     LED driver  218  is connected to fourth resistor  224 . Fourth resistor  224  is a current sense resistor that sets the nominal output current. For example, fourth resistor  224  may set the nominal output current at 450 mA. In one example implementation, fourth resistor  224  has a resistance of 0.22 ohms. Fourth resistor  224  is also connected to fifth resistor  226 . Fifth resistor  226  is a current limiting resistor for dashboard LED  228 . In one example implementation, fifth resistor  226  has a resistance of 665 ohms. Fifth resistor  226  is connected to a positive (anode) connector  230  to dashboard LED  228 . Negative connector  232  is also connected to negative connector  236  that is connected to dashboard LED  228 . 
     A positive connector  238  is connected to LED driver  218  and the high-brightness LEDs. Negative connector  236  is also connected to the high-brightness LEDs. 
     Negative connector  236  and negative connector  232  are connected to inductor  240 . Inductor  240  is also connected to LED driver  218  and second diode  242 . Second diode  242  provides for switching and blocking inductive kickback. Second diode  242  is connected to LED driver  218 . Second diode  242  may be a Schottky diode. Inductor  240  may have an inductance of a 68 micro-Henrys (μH). In one example implementation, inductor  240  may be an ELL-ATV680M inductor manufactured by Panasonic Industrial Company of Osaka, Japan. 
     LED driver  218  is also connected to first capacitor  206  and to the anode end of first diode  204 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example operation to install hazard flasher system  2 . As illustrated in the example of  FIG. 5 , the operation may begin with receiving a personal motor vehicle ( 250 ). Next, a technician installs a front-facing LED assembly (e.g., front-facing LED assembly  4 ) in the personal motor vehicle ( 252 ). The technician may then install a rear-facing LED assembly (e.g., rear-facing LED assembly  8 ) in the personal motor vehicle ( 254 ). 
     After the technician installs the front-facing LED assembly and the rear-facing LED assembly, the technician may install a circuit board (e.g., circuit board  12 ) in the personal motor vehicle ( 256 ). For instance, the technician may install the circuit board beneath a dashboard of the personal motor vehicle. After the technician installs the circuit board in the personal motor vehicle, the technician may attach the circuit board to an electrical system that derives electrical energy from a primary battery (e.g., primary battery  14 ) of the personal motor vehicle ( 258 ). The technician may attach the circuit board to the primary battery by connecting the circuit board to the electrical system of the personal motor vehicle. 
     It should be appreciated that the operation illustrated in the example of  FIG. 5  is merely one example. In other example operations, there may be more or fewer steps and/or the steps may be performed in a different order. 
       FIG. 6  is an example personal motor vehicle  280  that includes hazard flasher system  2 . In the example of  FIG. 6 , personal motor vehicle  280  is a motorcycle. However, it should be appreciated that hazard flasher system  2  may be installed on a wide variety of personal motor vehicles. 
     In the example of  FIG. 6 , personal motor vehicle  280  comprises a first wheel  282 A and a second wheel  282 B. Personal motor vehicle  280  also comprises a frame  284 . An internal combustion engine  286  is mounted to frame  284 . Internal combustion engine  286  drives personal motor vehicle  280 . 
     Personal motor vehicle  280  is also equipped with a starter motor  288  and a primary battery  290 . Primary battery  290  stores electrical energy. Starter motor  288  uses electrical energy from primary battery  290  to start internal combustion engine  286 . 
     Furthermore, in the example of  FIG. 6 , personal motor vehicle  280  includes a set of front turn signals  292  and a set of rear turn signals  294 . Front turn signals  292  and rear turn signals  294  may include incandescent light bulbs. In addition, personal motor vehicle  280  includes a headlight  296 . In some embodiments, headlight  296  includes an incandescent or halogen light bulb. 
     Personal motor vehicle  280  includes a dashboard  298 . Dashboard  298  may include instruments that convey information about personal motor vehicle  280 . For instance, dashboard  298  may include a speedometer, a tachometer, a gas gauge, and other instruments. Circuit board  12  ( FIG. 1 ) is installed in dashboard  298 . Circuit board  12  is connected to front-facing LED assembly  4  ( FIG. 1 ) and rear-facing LED assembly  8  ( FIG. 1 ). As is apparent from the example of  FIG. 6 , front-facing LED assembly  4  is installed at the front of personal motor vehicle  280  and rear-facing LED assembly  8  is installed at the rear of personal motor vehicle  280 . In this way, light emitted from front-facing LED assembly  4  is projected generally forward and light emitted from rear-facing LED assembly  8  is projected generally rearward. 
     The techniques of this disclosure may be realized in many ways. For example, the techniques of this disclosure may be realized as a hazard flasher system for a personal motor vehicle, the hazard flasher system comprising a first light-emitting diode (LED) suitable for mounting to a front end of the personal motor vehicle. The hazard flasher system also comprises a second LED suitable for mounting to a rear end of the personal motor vehicle. In addition, the hazard flasher system comprises a circuit board that, when the hazard flasher system has been activated, utilizes direct current electrical energy from a primary battery of the personal motor vehicle to output periodic pulses of electrical energy to the first LED and the second LED, the pulses of electrical energy causing the first LED and the second LED to flash. 
     In another example, the techniques of this disclosure may be realized as a personal motor vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine that drives the personal motor vehicle. The personal motor vehicle also comprises a primary battery that stores electrical energy. In addition, the personal motor vehicle comprises a starter motor that uses electrical energy from the primary battery to start the internal combustion engine. The personal motor vehicle also comprises a hazard flasher system that comprises a first light-emitting diode (LED) suitable for mounting to a front end of the personal motor vehicle. The hazard flasher system comprises a second LED suitable for mounting to a rear end of the personal motor vehicle. In addition, the hazard flasher system comprises a circuit board that, when the hazard flasher system has been activated, utilizes direct current electrical energy from the primary battery of the personal motor vehicle to output periodic pulses of electrical energy to the first LED and the second LED, the pulses of electrical energy causing the first LED and the second LED to flash. 
     In another example, the techniques of this disclosure may be realized as a method of installing a hazard flasher system on a personal motor vehicle. In this example, the method comprises installing a forward-facing light-emitting diode (LED) assembly on the personal motor vehicle such that light emitted by an LED in the forward-facing LED assembly is projected generally forward from the personal motor vehicle. The method also comprises installing a rear-facing LED assembly on the personal motor vehicle such that light emitted by an LED in the rear-facing LED assembly is projected generally rearward from the personal motor vehicle. Furthermore, the method comprises attaching a lead wire to an electrical system of the personal motor vehicle, the electrical system of the personal motor vehicle deriving electrical energy from a primary battery of the personal motor vehicle. In addition, the method comprises attaching a return wire to the electrical system of the personal motor vehicle. The method also comprises installing a circuit board attached to the lead wire and the return wire, the circuit board utilizing direct current (DC) electrical energy provided by the electrical system to output periodic pulses of electrical energy to the forward-facing LED assembly and the rear-facing LED assembly, the pulses of electrical energy causing the LED in the forward-facing LED assembly and the LED in the rear-facing LED assembly to flash. 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.