Device to Prevent Accidents in Case of Drowsiness or Distraction of the Driver of a Vehicle

• US 20080143504A1
• Filed: 12/02/2005
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ANGEL RICARDO MARTIN ALVAREZ 1/3), JOSE ANTONIO MARTIN ALVAREZ (1/3), JUAN CARLOS MARTIN ALVAREZ (1/3)
• Original Assignee: ANGEL RICARDO MARTIN ALVAREZ 1/3), JOSE ANTONIO MARTIN ALVAREZ (1/3), JUAN CARLOS MARTIN ALVAREZ (1/3)
• Inventors: Martin Alvarez, Angel Ricardo
• Application Number:
  US11/793,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20080143504A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/439
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/066 actuating a signalling device B60K28/063 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/046 Adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/06 Rims, e.g. with heating means; Rim covers B62D1/11 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for preventing accidents in the event of drowsiness overcoming the driver of a vehicle. The inventive device comprises a series of sensors which are disposed on the vehicle steering wheel in order to detect the driver'"'"'s grip on the wheel and the driver'"'"'s pulse. The aforementioned sensors are connected to a control unit which is equipped with the necessary programming and/or circuitry to activate an audible indicator in the event of the steering wheel being released by both hands and/or a fall in the driver'"'"'s pulse to below the threshold of consciousness. The device employs a shutdown switch.

Claims

1. Device to prevent accidents in case of drowsiness of the driver of a vehicle;

characterized by comprising a series of sensors fitted to the steering wheel of the vehicle that detect it is being held, as well as the pulse of the driver;

the aforementioned sensors being connected to a control unit fitted with the necessary circuitry and/or programming to trigger an acoustic warning in case of both hands releasing the steering wheel and/or the driver'"'"'s pulse dropping below the sleep threshold;

the device includes a switch to turn it off.

2. Device according to claim 1, comprising the control unit optionally being fitted with a connection to display a signal among the electronic signals of the vehicle to display its speed, in order to turn the device off when the vehicle stops.

3. Device according to claim 2, comprising being fitted with a sensor itself to register vehicle speed, fitted to at least one of the wheels in order to turn the device off when the vehicle stops.

4. Device according to claim 1, comprising the control unit optionally being fitted with the necessary programming and circuitry connected to the electronic/electrical system of the vehicle to cause it to reduce speed or stop when the steering wheel is released and/or the pulse drops, or a speed set as maximum is exceeded, the device also having a selector switch to select the warning only signal, drop in speed or both, in addition to another selector switch to trigger the device only in case of driver drowsiness or also when exceeding maximum speed.

5. Device according to claim 1, comprising the on/off switch and operating mode selector switch being embodied in a single switch/switching device.

6. Device according to claim 1, comprising the sensors being made up of one or more pressure sensors arranged in the shape of cord, and long enough to cover, at least, the surface of the steering wheel normally held, including those areas that by even only gently resting or holding the steering wheel make contact with the sensor to detect a drop in the grip strength exerted on the steering wheel, indicating drowsiness or distraction of the driver;

the sensor has a wired or wireless connection to the control unit, that, apart from triggering the acoustic warning adviser and decrease in speed of the vehicle, causes the emergency condition turning lights of the vehicle to switch on so as to warn other drivers, and/or the illuminating of visual warning lights inside the vehicle to complement the acoustic warning.

7. Device according to claim 6, comprising the cord being inserted and fixed in one or more holes made in the steering wheel, part of it remaining touchable by hand.

8. Device according to claim 6, comprising the cord being installed inside a positionable case on the steering wheel.

9. Device according to claim 6, comprising the cord taking the shape of two circumferences that are noticeably positioned at the front and back of the rim of the steering wheel.

10. Device according to claim 6, comprising the cord having a spiral shape that continuously surrounds the steering wheel.