MULTIPLEX SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

• US 3,864,578 A
• Filed: 12/26/1973
• Issued: 02/04/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert P. Lackey
• Original Assignee: Robert P. Lackey
• Inventors: Lackey, Robert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hohauser, Herman J.
• Application Number:
  US05/428,289
• Time in Patent Office: 405 Days
• Field of Search: 340/52F,52R,27,179,180,181,182,183,184,201,203 307/1R,1LS,147
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0816 Indicating performance data, e.g. occurrence of a malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 15/12 the signals being represented by pulse characteristics in transmission link

Abstract

A multiplex system for controlling operation of vehicle components such as windshield wipers, turn signals, and cornering lamps responsive to the positioning of respective corresponding operator actuatable controls. This system includes an encoding means responsive to the position of each of the controls to provide a timing signal and also a code signal having signal components corresponding to the respective positions of each of the controls. A decoding means, remote from the encoding means, is responsive to the signals selectively to provide a plurality of respective outputs in response to the respective code signal components. Both the encoding means and the decoding means have standby modes of operation wherein they draw no significant power. The system also includes relay means respectively responsive to the outputs of the decoding means for selectively energizing each of the vehicle components whereby the operator actuatable controls control energization of corresponding vehicle components.

Claims

1. A multiplex system for controlling operation of vehicle components such as windshield wipers, turn signals, and cornering lamps responsive to the positioning of respective corresponding operator actuatable controls, said multiplex system comprising:

encoding means responsive to the position of each of said controls for providing a timing signal and a code signal having signal components corresponding to the respective positions of each of said controls, said encoding means having a standby mode of operation wherein said encoding means provides no signals and draws no significant current;

decoding means remote from said encoding means and responsive to said signals selectively to provide a plurality of respective outputs in response to the respective code signal components, said decoding means being responsive to the absence of at least one of said signals to go into a standby mode of operation wherein it supplies none of said outputs and draws no significant current; and

relay means respectively responsive to said outputs of said decoding means for selectively energizing each of said vehicle components whereby said operator actuatable controls control energization of corresponding vehicle components without connection of each of said controls by individual conductors to said respective relay means.

2. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said operator actuatable controls includes means for providing a feedback signal, wherein said decoding means comprises means responsive to said feedback signal to apply a turn-on signal to said encoding means, and wherein said encoding means comprises means responsive to said turn-on signal thereby to switch said encoding means from its standby mode of operation.

3. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 2 wherein not more than one timing signal is generated and wherein said encoding means includes not more than one clock means for generating said timing signal and wherein said clock means includes not more than one MOS integrated circuit ship and not more than one capacitor external to said chip.

4. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 1 wherein not more than two conductors exclusive of d.c. power and ground conductors interconnect the encoding means and the decoding means.

5. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said encoding means and said decoding means are interconnected by a first conductor carrying said timing signal and by a second conductor carrying said code signal.

6. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said encoding means and said decoding means are interconnected by a first conductor carrying said timing signal and by a second conductor carrying both the code signal and the turn on signal.

7. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 6 wherein the timing signal is a pulse chain, wherein the code signal is pulse number modulated, and wherein the turn-on signal is a d.c. level less than the pulse amplitude of the code signal.

8. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said timing signal is a pulse chain and wherein said code signal is pulse number modulated.

9. A multiplex system as set forth in claiM 8 wherein said code signal comprises a plurality of pulses each of which corresponds to a timing signal pulse and further comprises a synchronization pulse which marks the start of each cycle of the code signal.

10. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said encoding means comprises an oscillator responsive to the positioning of certain of said operator actuatable controls or to said turn-on signal for providing said timing signal.

11. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said encoding means comprises counting means responsive to said timing signal for providing a counting code.

12. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said counting means comprises at least one ripple counter.

13. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said encoding means comprises logic means responsive to said counting code and to the positioning of certain if said operator actuatable controls for providing a logic code.

14. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said encoding means further comprises code conversion-generating means responsive to both the counting code and the logic code for generating said code signal.

15. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said decoding means comprises a front decoder for controlling components located near the front of the vehicle, a center decoder for controlling vehicle components located near the center portion of the vehicle, and a rear decoder for controlling vehicle components positioned near the rear portion of the vehicle.

16. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said decoding means comprises regulated voltage generation means responsive to the presence of said timing signal to switch the decoding means out of its standby mode of operation.

17. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said decoding means includes detection means responsive to both said timing signal and said code signal for providing a cycle start signal.

18. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said decoding means includes counting means responsive to said timing signal and said cycle start signal for providing a counting code.

19. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said counting means comprises a ripple counter.

20. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said decoding means includes programmed code conversion means responsive to said counting code for providing a control code.

21. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 20 in which said programmed code conversion means is constituted by a read-only memory.

22. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 20 in which said code signal is pulse number modulated and in which said decoding means further includes at least one data bit suppression means responsive to a corresponding feedback signal and to said control code for eliminating one of the pulses comprising said code signal.

23. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 20 in which said decoding means further includes memory means responsive to said timing signal, said code signal, and said control code for selectively providing a plurality of drive signals.

24. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 23 wherein said decoding means further includes driver means responsive to said drive signals for providing the outputs of the decoding means.

25. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said relay means comprises a plurality of relays such of which is responsive to one of the outputs of the decoding means for controlling energization of one of said vehicle components.

26. A multiplex system as set forth in claim 25 wherein at least one of said relays comprises a thermal relay having a resistive control element comprising a wire of a martensitic memory alloy.