IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,459,426
Granted Patent B2
US 12,459,426 · App. 17/660,921 · Granted Nov 4, 2025

Warning sign arrangement for a vehicle

Inventor: Henrik Hallberg (Gothenburg, SE)
Assignee: VOLVO AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS AB
B60Q1/50B60R16/033
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,459,426
App. No.
17/660,921
Granted
Nov 4, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A warning sign arrangement for a vehicle, comprises a warning sign, a warning sign hiding device comprising an electric locking mechanism, the warning sign hiding device being configured to hide the warning sign when the electric locking mechanism is active, and to expose the warning sign when the electric locking mechanism is deactivated, The electric locking mechanism comprises a first electric lock configured to be powered by a main electric power supply of the vehicle, and a second electric lock configured to be powered by a backup electric power supply of the vehicle, wherein both of the first electric lock and the second electric lock must be deactivated to expose the warning sign.

Claims (22)

1 . A warning sign arrangement for a vehicle, comprising:

a warning sign,

a warning sign hiding device comprising an electric locking mechanism, the warning sign hiding device being configured to hide the warning sign when the electric locking mechanism is active, and to expose the warning sign when the electric locking mechanism is deactivated,

wherein

the electric locking mechanism comprises a first electric lock configured to be powered by a main electric power supply of the vehicle, and a second electric lock configured to be powered by a backup electric power supply of the vehicle, the backup electric power supply being a redundant electric power supply of the vehicle configured to supply electric power to functions of the vehicle if the main electric power supply is no longer functional, wherein both of the first electric lock and the second electric lock must be deactivated to expose the warning sign,

wherein the first electric lock is configured to be deactivated automatically in response to an interruption of the main electric power supply, and the second electric lock is configured to be deactivated automatically in response to an interruption of the backup electric power supply.

2 . The warning sign arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the warning sign is configured to be exposed on a rear end surface of the vehicle.

3 . The warning sign arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the electric locking mechanism is further configured to be deactivatable in response to receiving a deactivation signal.

4 . The warning sign arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the warning sign hiding device comprises a covering device configured to hide the warning sign when the electric locking mechanism is active.

5 . The warning sign arrangement according to claim 4 , wherein the warning sign is provided at least partly on a surface of the covering device.

6 . The warning sign arrangement according to claim 4 , wherein the covering device is a foldable covering device.

7 . The warning sign arrangement according to claim 6 , wherein the covering device comprises at least two segments, a hinge mechanism being provided between each two adjacent segments so that the at least two segments are foldable onto one another.

8 . The warning sign arrangement according to claim 4 , wherein the covering device is a rollable covering device.

9 . The warning sign arrangement according to claim 4 , wherein the warning sign hiding device further comprises at least one spring member, the electric locking mechanism being configured to, when active, hold the covering device against the force of the at least one spring member.

10 . The warning sign arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the electric locking mechanism is provided vertically above or at a top level of the warning sign.

11 . A vehicle comprising: a warning sign arrangement comprising:

a warning sign,

a warning sign hiding device comprising an electric locking mechanism, the warning sign hiding device being configured to hide the warning sign when the electric locking mechanism is active, and to expose the warning sign when the electric locking mechanism is deactivated,

wherein

the electric locking mechanism comprises a first electric lock configured to be powered by a main electric power supply of the vehicle, and a second electric lock configured to be powered by a backup electric power supply of the vehicle, the backup electric power supply being a redundant electric power supply of the vehicle configured to supply electric power to functions of the vehicle if the main electric power supply is no longer functional, wherein both of the first electric lock and the second electric lock must be deactivated to expose the warning sign,

wherein the first electric lock is configured to be deactivated automatically in response to an interruption of the main electric power supply, and the second electric lock is configured to be deactivated automatically in response to an interruption of the backup electric power supply.

12 . The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the warning sign arrangement is arranged on a rear end of the vehicle, and wherein the warning sign is configured to be exposed on a rear end surface of the vehicle.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 20, 2022
From: HALLBERG, HENRIK
To: VOLVO AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS AB
Reel/Frame 059973/0316 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 21172719 · May 7, 2021 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220355729A1 · Nov 10, 2022
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