WIRELESS WINCH SWITCH

• US 20100332077A1
• Filed: 06/26/2009
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Iyer, Siva, Hanson, Todd, Hamm, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/492,803
• Publication Number:
  US 20100332077A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/44 Electrical transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/46 electric

Abstract

A wireless winch switch system has a removable switch module that is removably retained by a receptacle. The removable switch module has a rechargeable power source and wireless communications module that transmits a winch control signal based on the position of a switch. Control circuitry receives the winch control signal and controls a winch. The receptacle is mounted to a vehicle and obtains energy from a power source such as the vehicle'"'"'s battery. The removable switch module can obtain the energy from the receptacle and thereby charge the rechargeable battery.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a vehicle comprising a winch, winch control circuitry, and a receptacle for a removable switch module;

wherein the removable switch module comprises a switch, a wireless communications module that transmits a winch control signal based on a state of the switch, and a rechargeable power source that powers the wireless communication module;

wherein the receptacle comprises a locking mechanism that releasably retains the removable switch module, and charging circuitry that provides power from a power source of the vehicle to the rechargeable power source when the removable switch module is retained in the receptacle; and

wherein the winch control circuitry receives the winch control signal and controls the winch based on the received winch control signal.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the switch has a plurality of positions comprising a default position at which the switch remains absent an applied force that holds the switch in another one of the plurality of positions.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a locator module that when activated transmits a locator signal to the switch module wherein the switch module further comprises a location indicator that is activated when the switch module receives the locator signal.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the location indicator produces a sound when activated.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the location indicator emits light when activated.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the switch module further comprises a strap harness for strapping the switch module to an object to thereby attach the switch module to the object.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the switch module comprises a weatherproof housing.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein an ATV comprises the power source and the winch.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the ATV further comprises a handlebar to which the receptacle is fixed.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the removable switch module further comprises a light source and a light switch.

11. A system comprising:

winch control circuitry that receives a winch control signal and controls a winch based on the received control signal; and

a vehicle comprising the winch and a receptacle for a removable switch module;

wherein the removable switch module comprises a switch, a wireless communications module that transmits the control signal based on a state of the switch, and a rechargeable power source that powers the wireless communications module; and

wherein the receptacle comprises a locking mechanism that releasably retains the removable switch module, and charging circuitry that obtains energy from a vehicle power source and provides the energy to the rechargeable power source to thereby charge the rechargeable power source.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the charging circuitry provides power to the rechargeable power source through a direct electrical connection.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein locking the removable switch module to the receptacle produces an electrical connection for wired operation of the winch.

14. The system of claim 11 further comprising a locator module that when activated causes a location indicator to activate and thereby indicate the location of the switch module.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the removable switch module comprises the location indicator.

16. A system comprising:

winch control circuitry that receives a winch control signal and controls a winch based on the received control signal; and

a vehicle comprising the winch and a receptacle for a removable switch module;

wherein the removable switch module comprises a switch, a wireless communications module that transmits the control signal based on a state of the switch, a rechargeable power source that powers the wireless communications module, a light switch, and a light source controlled by the light switch; and

wherein the receptacle comprises a locking mechanism that releasably retains the removable switch module, and charging circuitry that obtains energy from a vehicle power source and provides the energy to the rechargeable power source to thereby charge the rechargeable power source.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the charging circuitry wirelessly transmits energy that recharges the rechargeable power source.

18. The system of claim 16 further comprising a locator module that when activated causes a location indicator to activate and thereby indicate where the switch module is located.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the location indicator comprises the light source.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the switch module further comprises a strap harness for strapping the switch module to a fixture.