Motion preventing device for motor vehicles

• US 4,142,601 A
• Filed: 01/10/1977
• Issued: 03/06/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Ochiai, Takeshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Siemens, Terrance L.
• Application Number:
  US05/757,835
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10 R, 307/10 AT, 340/52 R, 340/52 E, 340/53, 340/279, 180/82 A, 180/99, 180/114, 180/82 C
• US Class Current: 180/268
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles

Abstract

A device for preventing the motion of a motor vehicle unless some predetermined condition is satisfied, such as the suitability to drive of the operator. The device includes a driving suitability discriminating means for discriminating the suitability of the operator to drive the motor vehicle, a neutral switch for detecting if the transmission is in a neutral position and a motion preventing means responsive to both the suitability discriminating means and the neutral switch such that the engine of the motor vehicle can be started if the transmission is in neutral but the motor vehicle cannot be driven unless the operator is discriminated to be suitable by the suitability discriminating means.

Claims

1. A device for preventing the motion of a motor vehicle comprising:

an ignition switch including an ignition terminal, a starter terminal and a movable contact point connected to a power source;

an ignition device connected to said ignition terminal;

a starter motor connected to said starter terminal;

a driver suitability discriminating means for discriminating the suitability of an operator to drive the motor vehicle and generating a first signal corresponding to the suitability;

a neutral switch means for generating a second signal corresponding to what gear position a transmission of said motor vehicle is changed to;

said neutral switch means comprising a neutral switch connected with said starter motor for being controlled to turn on only when said transmission is in a neutral gear position, a differential amplifier having two input terminals coupled to the two sides of the neutral switch and an output terminal, and a resistor connected between the power source side terminal of said neutral switch and said ignition terminal; and

a motion preventing device coupled to said output terminal of said differential amplifier and actuated by both said driver suitability discriminating means and said neutral switch means, said device serving to disconnect said ignition device from said ignition terminal when said device is supplied said first signal showing an unsuitable condition and a second signal showing that said transmission is changed to a gear position other than a neutral gear position, and when otherwise, connecting said ignition device to said ignition terminal.

2. A device for preventing the motion of a motor vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said motion preventing device comprises a relay in said ignition system.

3. A device for preventing the motion of a motor vehicle according to claim 2 wherein said relay includes a normally closed contact.

4. A device for preventing the motion of a motor vehicle according to claim 2 wherein said motion preventing devices comprises an AND gate having said first and second signals coupled to the inputs of said AND gate and said relay coupled to the output of said AND gate.

5. A device for preventing the motion of a motor vehicle comprising:

an ignition switch including an ignition terminal, a starter terminal and a movable contact point connected to a power source;

an ignition device connected to said ignition terminal;

a starter motor connected to said starter terminal;

a driver suitability discriminating means for discriminating the suitability of the operator to drive the motor vehicle and for generating a first signal corresponding to the suitability;

a neutral switch means for generating a second signal corresponding to what gear position a transmission of said motor vehicle is changed to, said neutral switch means comprising a neutral switch connected with said starter motor for being controlled to turn on only when said transmission is in a neutral gear position, a comparator having an input terminal coupled to the power source side terminal of said neutral switch and an output terminal and a resistor connected between said power source side terminal and said ignition terminal; and

a motion preventing device coupled to an output terminal of said comparator and actuated by both said driver suitability discriminating means and said neutral switch means, said device serving to connect said ignition device from said ignition terminal when said device is supplied said first signal showing an unsuitable condition and said second signal showing that said transmission is changed to a gear position other than a neutral gear position, and when otherwise, connecting said ignition device to said ignition terminal.

6. A device for preventing the motion of a motor vehicle according to claim 5 wherein said driver suitability discriminating means comprises a means for discriminating a drunken driver.

7. A device for preventing the motion of a motor vehicle according to claim 5 wherein said driver suitability discriminating means comprises a detecting device for detecting whether a seat belt is fastened.