SLEEP SENSING DEVICE

• US 3,594,772 A
• Filed: 08/12/1968
• Issued: 07/20/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald D. Setser
• Original Assignee: Donald D. Setser
• Inventors: Setser, Donald D.
• Application Number:
  US04/752,018
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• US Class Current: 180/272
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/06 responsive to incapacity of driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/18 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

The invention relates to apparatus for sensing drowsiness of an operator of a motor vehicle which includes a multiple contact sensing switch coupled to or actuated by movement of the steering mechanism of the motor vehicle, means for maintaining a predetermined charge on a condenser in a relay time constant circuit under one condition of motor vehicle operation, means for discharging said condenser at a predetermined rate if the mode of steering the vehicle is changed, and alarm means actuated by said relay when said condenser'"'"''"'"'s charge level reaches a predetermined level and the output of a generator mechanically coupled to the vehicle drive means and electrically coupled to the alarm circuit exceeds a predetermined voltage. The output of this generator increases with an increase in road speed of the vehicle. An alarm relay placed in series with the time delay relay contacts controls the operation of the alarm signal. The pull in voltage for this relay is selected so that only when the vehicle reaches a certain selected minimum speed will it be possible to have the alarm relay actuate. It will actuate at any speed above the minimum speed if the driver does not actuate the steering wheel within the time delay interval.

Claims

1. Apparatus for sensing sleep or drowsiness of a driver of a motor vehicle or the like, comprising A. An electrical switch coupled to steering apparatus of a motor vehicle, said switch being a single pole multiple throw type switch, the coupling to said steering apparatus being such that a small movement of the steering apparatus moves the single pole of said switch to one pole or another, B. a charge transfer condenser;

C. a time constant circuit including a storage condenser and at least a coil of a first relay, said coil being coupled across said storage condenser, said first relay having a movable contact and at least one fixed terminal contact;

D. means for electrically energizing said charge transfer condenser when said pole is at one throw of said switch;

E. means for transferring electrical energy from said transfer condenser to said storage condenser when said pole is at another throw of said switch;

F. a second relay having at least a coil, a movable contact and a fixed contact and having its coil electrically coupled to a generator which is mechanically coupled to the drive means of said vehicle, said coil and said generator being connected in series between said movable contact and one fixed contact of said first relay, said movable contact being held away from said fixed contact if said electrical energy from said transfer condenser is transferred to said storage condenser in excess of a predetermined rate; and

G. an electrically actuated alarm device and electrical energy source connected in series across said fixed and movable contacts of said second relay whereby when said generator and coil circuit are completed and the generator output exceeds a predetermined minimum output the fixed and movable contacts of said second relay are joined and said alarm device is actuated.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for electrically energizing said charge transfer condenser and said electrical energy source are a single direct current source.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, whereiN a variable resistor is coupled across said storage condenser.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein resistance value portioning means are coupled between said generator and said variable resistor.

5. Apparatus for sensing sleep or drowsiness of a driver of a motor vehicle or the like, comprising A. an electrical switch coupled to steering apparatus of a motor vehicle, said switch being a single pole multiple throw type switch, the coupling to said steering apparatus being such that a small movement of the steering apparatus moves the single pole of said switch to one terminal or another B. a charge transfer condenser;

C. a time constant circuit including a storage condenser and at least a coil of a first relay, said coil being coupled across said storage condenser, said first relay having a movable contact and at least one fixed terminal contact;

D. means for electrically energizing said storage condenser;

E. means for transferring electrical energy from said storage condenser to said charge transfer condenser when said pole is at one throw of said switch;

G. a second relay having at least a coil, a movable contact and a fixed contact and having its coil electrically coupled to a generator which is mechanically coupled to the drive means of said vehicle, said coil and said generator being connected in series between said movable contact and one fixed contact of said first relay, said movable contact being held away from said fixed contact if said electrical energy from said transfer condenser is transferred to said storage condenser at less than a predetermined rate; and

H. an electrically actuated alarm device and electrical energy source connected in series across said fixed and movable contacts of said second relay whereby when said generator and coil circuit are completed and the generator output exceeds a predetermined minimum output the fixed and movable contacts of said second relay are joined and said alarm device is actuated.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein said means for electrically energizing said storage condenser and said electrical energy source are a single direct current source.