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EXAMPLES OF THREE VERSIONS OF THE SLAB
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1. |
The simplest (conservative) version -
a display of the deceleration: |
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An example of the simplest version of the SLAB is shown in the diagram above. This version consists of a switch that responds to the vehicle's acceleration and that is connected to the existing stop-light, parallel with the existing stop-light switch that responds to vehicle braking.
This version works as follows: when a vehicle equipped with the SLAB travels with retarded motion, the inertia force moves slider 1 to its forward position, causing the existing stop-light to turn on. This warns the driver of the following car that the vehicle in front is slowing down or is about to brake.
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2. |
The advanced version - a display of
the deceleration and acceleration: |
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An example of the advanced version of the SLAB is shown
in the diagram above.
This version consists of two signals whose individual displays are controlled by a switch, which responds to
the vehicle's acceleration.
The signal displays are installed on the rear of a vehicle
so as to be visible by the driver of a following vehicle.
The signal displays for the negative and positive values of the vehicle's acceleration may be in the form of the minus
(-) and plus (+) signs, or
a downward arrow and an upward arrow, or a red and green-coloured lights, or any other commonly distinguishable and accepted forms.
The switch for the advanced version of the SLAB has two working positions, each being set up automatically by
the vehicle's acceleration.
It works as follows: |
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a. |
when a vehicle equipped with the SLAB travels with accelerated motion, the inertia force moves slider 1
of the switch to its backward position; this energizes the green light, indicating to
the driver of the following car a remote chance of
the brake being applied; and |
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b. |
when this vehicle travels with retarded motion, the inertia force moves slider 1 to its forward position; this energizes the red and/or existing stop-light, indicating an increase chance of the brake being applied.
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3. |
The full version - a display of
the deceleration, acceleration and
uniform movement: |
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An example of the full version of the SLAB is shown in
the diagram above.
This version consists of three signals whose individual displays are controlled by a switch, which responds to
the vehicle's acceleration.
The signal displays are installed on the rear of a vehicle
so as to be visible by the driver of a following vehicle.
The signal displays for the negative, zero and positive values of the vehicle's acceleration may be in the form
of the minus ( - ), zero ( 0 ) and plus ( + ) signs, or
a downward arrow, a sign of ( - ) and an upward arrow, or
a red, amber and green-coloured lights, or any other commonly distinguishable and accepted forms.
The switch for the full version of the SLAB has three working positions, each being set up automatically by the vehicle's acceleration.
It works as follows: |
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a. |
when a vehicle equipped with the SLAB travels with accelerated motion, the inertia force moves slider 1 of the switch to its backward position; this energizes the green light, indicating to the driver of the following vehicle a remote chance of the brake being applied; |
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b. |
when this vehicle travels with uniform motion, springs 5 maintain slider 1 at its middle position; this energizes the amber light, indicating a medium chance of the brake being applied; and |
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c. |
when this vehicle travels with retarded motion, the inertia force moves slider 1 to its forward position; this energizes the red and/or existing stop-light, indicating an increase chance of the brake being applied.
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In the above diagrams, the switch of the SLAB is of
a mechanical type. This switch has the following elements, numbered below as in the diagrams: |
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1 |
slider made of electrically non-conductive material; |
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2 |
case made of electrically non-conductive material; |
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3 |
slider ring made of electrically conductive material; |
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4 |
electrical brush which is pushed against the slider 1 and slider ring 3 by a spring (not shown in the diagrams); |
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5 |
spring; and |
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6 |
adjusting nut. |
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These diagrams show only an example of a switch that may be used.
Different mechanical or
electronic switches responsive to
the status of the acceleration may be used instead.
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