Turn signal indicating the vehicle is turning

• US 20050024196A1
• Filed: 06/27/2003
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Steven Clay Moore
• Original Assignee: Steven Clay Moore
• Inventors: Moore, Steven Clay
• Application Number:
  US10/607,291
• Publication Number:
  US 20050024196A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/475
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/381 with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect

Abstract

This invention is to communicate to other drivers, by altering the frequency or intensity with which the turn signal blinks, that the vehicle is turning. This can be accomplished using either digital or analog control circuits, microcontrollers or pulse generators. Whether analog or digital, they communicate the difference between a driver intending to turn and the vehicle turning.

Claims

1. A system that senses when the turn signal is active and the vehicle is turning and indicates that the vehicle is turning by varying the frequency and/or intensity with which the turn signal blinks, signaling to other motorists that the vehicle is turning.

2. A system as described in claim 1 further comprising using a microcontroller, or microcontrollers, to take the switching and sensory inputs and output the pulsing sequence to a circuit that drives the turn signal lamps when the vehicle is turning.

3. A system as described in claim 1 further comprising using pulse generators, or other circuits where the duty cycle and amplitude of the output signal is dependent upon analog voltage levels, to output the pulsing sequence to a circuit that drives the turn signal lamps when the vehicle is turning.

4. A system as described in claim 1 further comprising using a shaft position sensor, or other resistive, capacitive or inductive sensor, to determine the amount to alter the frequency or intensity of the turn signal.

5. A system as described in claim 1 further comprising adjusting the turn signal frequency and/or intensity proportionally to the position of the shaft and/or the amount of time the vehicle has been turning.