VEHICLE THROTTLE LOCKING CIRCUIT AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A throttle locking circuit for a vehicle equipped with an accelerator pedal sensor and an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) where the pedal sensor outputs at least one detection voltage corresponding to a depth of the pedal being stepped on to the ECU, comprisinga control unit coupled to the pedal sensor for receiving a clamping actuation signal and, when the clamping actuation signal is ON, outputting at least one digital clamping voltage according to the at least one detection voltage;
- a digital-analog (D/A) conversion unit coupled to the control unit for converting the at least one digital clamping voltage into at least one analog clamping voltage; and
a variable voltage clamping unit coupled to the D/A conversion unit for clamping the at least one detection voltage according to the at least one analog clamping voltage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle throttle locking circuit and method are provided. A control unit receives detection voltages from a pedal sensor and, when a clamping actuation signal is ON, digital clamping voltages are gradually reduced according to the detection voltages. AD/A conversion unit converts the digital clamping voltages to analog clamping voltages. A variable voltage clamping unit clamps the detection voltages according to the analog clamping voltages. The gradual reduction of the digital clamping voltages are stopped when the detection voltages are already clamped at an idle condition so that the pedal is effectively locked at the idle condition. As such, the present invention not only provides anti-theft function, but also avoids traffic accident and hazard to the safety of the driver or passers due to the vehicle'"'"'s sudden loss of power.
6 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A throttle locking circuit for a vehicle equipped with an accelerator pedal sensor and an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) where the pedal sensor outputs at least one detection voltage corresponding to a depth of the pedal being stepped on to the ECU, comprising
a control unit coupled to the pedal sensor for receiving a clamping actuation signal and, when the clamping actuation signal is ON, outputting at least one digital clamping voltage according to the at least one detection voltage; -
a digital-analog (D/A) conversion unit coupled to the control unit for converting the at least one digital clamping voltage into at least one analog clamping voltage; and a variable voltage clamping unit coupled to the D/A conversion unit for clamping the at least one detection voltage according to the at least one analog clamping voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A throttle locking method for a vehicle equipped with an accelerator pedal sensor and a ECU where the pedal sensor outputs at least one detection voltage corresponding to a depth of the pedal being stepped on to the ECU, comprising
providing at least one digital clamping voltage according to the at least one detection voltage when a clamping actuation signal is ON; -
converting the at least one digital clamping voltage to at least one analog clamping voltage; and clamping the at least one detection voltages according to the at least one analog clamping voltage. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification