Vehicle turn detection apparatus

• US 4,213,116 A
• Filed: 01/22/1979
• Issued: 07/15/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Herbert H. Halperin, Norman Holtzman, Robert J. Hromadka
• Original Assignee: Herbert H. Halperin, Norman Holtzman, Robert J. Hromadka
• Inventors: Halperin, Herbert H., Holtzman, Norman, Hromadka, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Waring, Alvin H.
• Application Number:
  US06/005,085
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 340/52 R, 340/52 D, 340/52 H, 340/53, 340/56, 340/73, 340/74, 200/52 A, 200/61.45 R, 200/61.52
• US Class Current: 340/476
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/40 having mechanical, electric or electronic automatic return to inoperative position

Abstract

An electrical translation circuit for detecting the initiation and termination of a lane change or turn of a motorcycle, automobile, boat or other like vehicle. A linear acceleration sensor detects the lateral movement of a vehicle commencing a lane change or turn and produces a signal responsive to same. The output of the sensor assembly is translated into a detectable signal and input as a reset signal to memory units which have stored an electrical signal equivalent to the manually selected direction of the turn. An appropriate change in signal level from the sensor assembly is processed to eliminate a response to false turn indications. Upon the completion of the turn or lane change, the memory unit indicating the direction of change will be reset terminating the illumination of the vehicle'"'"'s directional signal.

Claims

1. A vehicle turn detection apparatus for use with a vehicle having directional signals comprising:

(a) a manual directional turn switch control having at least first and second switch positions;

(b) linear motion acceleration sensor means for detecting lateral movement of the vehicles, said linear motion acceleration detection means being mounted upon the vehicle;

(c) first and second memory storage elements having set and reset signal inputs, each having an output which comprises a signal responsive to the first or second position respectively of the manual directional turn switch control, the set input of said first and second memory storage elements being coupled to the first and second positions respectively of the manual directional turn switch control;

(d) integrator means for processing the value of an electrical signal, said integrator means connected intermediate said linear motion acceleration sensor means and the reset inputs of said first and second memory storage elements;

(e) timing control means for outputting an electrical signal which alternates between a high and low signal level; and

(f) first and second means for combining the output signals of said first and second memory storage elements respectively with the output electrical signal of said timing control means, said first and second means being connected to the directional signals.

2. A vehicle turn detection apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said linear motion acceleration sensor means comprises first and second mercury switches, each of said switches having a pair of normally open contacts and a mercury mass for closure of same, each of said first and second mercury switches having a central axis which defines the relative movement between the mercury mass and said contacts, the contacts of said first and second mercury switches being electrically connected in parallel to each other, said mercury switches being secured to the vehicle, the central axis of each being perpendicular to the path of travel of the vehicle whereby a lateral rate of change of velocity of the vehicle is sensed.

3. A vehicle turn detection apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the central axis of each of said first and second mercury switches is equally and oppositely deflected from a horizontal plane at a predetermined angle.

4. A vehicle turn detection apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said angle is in the range of 0°

-15°

.

5. A vehicle turn detection apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said timing control means comprises an astable multivibrator having a duty cycle which periodically alternates the high and low states of the output electrical signal.

6. A vehicle turn detection apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said first and second means for combining comprises first and second diodes each having an anode and cathode, the anode of each of said diodes being coupled to the output of said astable multivibrator, the cathode of said first diode being connected to the output of said first memory storage element, the cathode of said second diode being connected to the output of said second memory storage element.

7. A vehicle turn detection apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said manual directional turn switch control includes a momentary switch having left, right and clear contacts, and clearing means for resetting one of said first or second memory storage elements, said clearing means being connected intermediate the left and right momentary switch contacts and the reset signal inputs of said first and second memory storage elements respectively.

8. A motorcycle turn detection apparatus for use with a motorcycle having right and left directional signals comprising:

(a) a manual directional turn switch control having at least first and second switch positions;

(b) right and left linear motion acceleration sensors comprising a pair of mercury switches, each of said switches having a pair of normally open contacts and a mercury mass for closure of same, each of said first and second mercury switches having a central axis which defines the releative movement between the mercury mass and said contacts, said contacts of said mercury switches being connected in parallel to each other, said mercury switches being secured to the motorcycle, the central axis of each being perpendicular to the path of travel of the motorcycle and being equally and oppositely deflected at a predetermined angle from a horizontal plane whereby a lateral rate of change of velocity of the motorcycle is detected;

(c) first and second bistable memory units having set and reset signal inputs, each of said bistable memory units having an output which comprises an electrical signal responsive to one of the switch positions of the manual directional turn switch control, each of the set inputs of said first and second bistable memory units being connected to one of the switch positions of said manual directional turn switch control;

(d) integrator means for processing the value of an electrical signal, said integrator means connected intermediate the connected contacts of said mercury switches and the reset inputs of said bistable memory units;

(e) an astable multivibrator having an output electrical signal which periodically alternates between high and low electrical states; and

(f) first and second means for combining the output signals of said first and second bistable memory units respectively with the output electrical signal of said astable multivibrator, said first and second means being connected to the right and left directional signals of the motorcycle.

9. A vehicle turn detection apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein central axis of each of said first and second mercury switches is deflected at an angel from a horizontal plane in the range of 0°

-15°

.

10. A vehicle turn detection apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said first and second means for combining comprises first and second current valves each having an anode and cathode, the anode of each being coupled to the output of said astable multivibrator, the cathode of said first current valve being connected to the output of said first bistable memory unit, the cathode of said second current valve being connected to the output of said second bistable memory unit.

11. A vehicle turn detection apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said manual directional turn switch control includes a momentary switch having left, right and clear controls, and clearing means for resetting one of said first and second bistable memory units, said clearing means being connected intermediate the left and right momentary switch contacts and the reset signal inputs of said first and second bistable memory units respectively.