SLEEP-SENSING DEVICE FOR USE ON AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES

• US 3,631,446 A
• Filed: 08/12/1968
• Issued: 12/28/1971
• 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:
  US04/751,984
• Time in Patent Office: 1,233 Days
• US Class Current: 180/272
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/06 responsive to incapacity of driver
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

This invention relates to means for detecting sleepiness or drowsiness in a driver of an automotive vehicle. An electrical sensing switch is coupled to the steering mechanism of the vehicle whereby the normal moving of a steering wheel results in frequency movement and actuation of the contacts of the switch. Actuation of the multicontact switch either charges a charge transfer condenser or, depending on movement of the vehicle'"'"''"'"'s steering wheel, transfers the charge of the transfer condenser to a rate or counter circuit whose output is coupled a relay which when deactivated, for example, actuates an alarm powered by voltage generated by means coupled to the drive means of an automotive vehicle. Lack of normal steering movement results in the deactivation of the relay and actuation of the alarm when predetermined speed of the vehicle occurs.

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 the steering apparatus of a motor vehicle, said switch being a single-pole double-throwtype 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 throw or the other:

B. a charge transfer condenser;

C. a countercircuit including an amplifier, said circuit including an input and output;

D. variable potential generator means for energizing said circuit, said generator means being mechanically coupled to the drive train of said vehicle and electrically coupled only to said circuit;

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

F. means for transferring electrical energy from said transfer condenser to the input of said countercircuit when said pole is at the other throw of said switch, and a relay having at least a coil, a movable contact and a fixed contact;

G. switching means coupled to and actuated by the output of said countercircuit, said switching means having contacts across which a series connected alarm device and alarm energization source are connected whereby when the output of said countercircuit reaches a predetermined value said switch is actuated to cause conduction across said contacts and actuate said alarm device.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for electrically energizing said charge transfer condenser is a fixed source of direct current.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said alarm device provides an audible output signal.

4. Apparatus for sensing sleep or drowsiness of a driver of a motor vehicle of the like, comprising A. an electrical switch coupled to steering apparatus of a motor vehicle, said switch being a single-pole double -throw switch, the coupling to said steering apparatus being such that a small movement of the steering apparatus moves the single pole of the switch to one terminal or another;

B. a charge transfer condenser;

C. a countercircuit including an amplifier, said circuit including an input and output;

D. means for electrically energizing said countercircuit;

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

F. means for transferring electrical energy from said transfer condenser to the input of said countercircuit when said pole is at the other throw of said switch;

G. a transistorized switch coupled to and actuated by the output of said countercircuit, and H. a series connected alarm device and alarm device variable energization source whose output is a continuous function of vehicle speed coupled across said transistorized switch whereby, when the output of said counter circuit reaches a predetermined level and the output of said energization source exceeds a predetermined value, said transistorized switch is actuated to energize said alarm device.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein Said switching means is an electromagnetic coil actuated relay coupled to the output of said countercircuit.