Harm preventing apparatus for vehicle
First Claim
1. A harm preventing apparatus for vehicle comprisingfirst detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant onboard a vehicle;
- second detecting means for detecting an open/closed condition of a door of the vehicle;
an onboard door lock mechanism;
unlock means for unlocking the onboard door lock mechanism;
third detecting means for detecting the operation of the unlocking means upon the onboard door lock mechanism;
and means for establishing a harm preventive mode in response to the detection of the absence of an occupant by the first detecting means and to the detection of the closed condition of the door by the second detecting means and for terminating the harm preventive mode in response to the detection of the operation of the unlocking means by the third detecting means;
said means for establishing a harm preventive mode includes running distance detecting means for detecting the distance through which the vehicle has run, and establishes the harm preventive mode in response to the detection of a given distance run by the vehicle by the running distance detecting means after the detection of the absence of an occupant by the first detecting means and the detection of the closed condition of the door by the second detecting means and before the detection of the operation of the unlocking means by the third detecting means;
wherein said harm preventive mode comprises a theft monitoring mode which includes means for monitoring said first, second and third detecting means and a theft detecting mode which includes means for energizing alarm means when the harm preventive mode is established.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A harm preventive mode for a vehicle is established upon detection of a condition that there is no occupant within the vehicle and the doors of the vehicle are closed, or an out-of-use condition of the vehicle, until the doors are unlocked by authentic unlocking means such as a door key. Measures which can be taken to prevent harm when the harm preventive mode is established include controlling the attitude of a driver'"'"'s seat and/or steering wheel to reduce the spacing therebetween to resist against an attempted seating, energizing a horn or headlamp to bluff an aggressor or interrupting a fuel supply. In addition, various other conditions may be used in establishing the harm preventive mode. In this manner, a variety of effective measure to prevent harm to the vehicle can be taken.
-
Citations
70 Claims
-
1. A harm preventing apparatus for vehicle comprising
first detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant onboard a vehicle; -
second detecting means for detecting an open/closed condition of a door of the vehicle; an onboard door lock mechanism; unlock means for unlocking the onboard door lock mechanism; third detecting means for detecting the operation of the unlocking means upon the onboard door lock mechanism; and means for establishing a harm preventive mode in response to the detection of the absence of an occupant by the first detecting means and to the detection of the closed condition of the door by the second detecting means and for terminating the harm preventive mode in response to the detection of the operation of the unlocking means by the third detecting means; said means for establishing a harm preventive mode includes running distance detecting means for detecting the distance through which the vehicle has run, and establishes the harm preventive mode in response to the detection of a given distance run by the vehicle by the running distance detecting means after the detection of the absence of an occupant by the first detecting means and the detection of the closed condition of the door by the second detecting means and before the detection of the operation of the unlocking means by the third detecting means; wherein said harm preventive mode comprises a theft monitoring mode which includes means for monitoring said first, second and third detecting means and a theft detecting mode which includes means for energizing alarm means when the harm preventive mode is established. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A harm preventing apparatus for vehicle comprising
first detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant onboard a vehicle; -
second detecting means for detecting an open/closed condition of a door of the vehicle; an onboard door lock mechanism; unlocking means for unlocking the onboard door lock mechanism; third detecting means for detecting the operation of the unlocking means upon the onboard door lock mechanism; means for establishing a harm preventive mode in response to the detection of the absence of an occupant by the first detecting means and the detection of a closed condition of the door by the second detecting means and for terminating the harm preventive mode in response to the detection of the operation of the unlocking means by the third detecting means; said means for establishing a harm preventive mode includes running distance detecting means which detects a distance run by the vehicle, and establishes the harm preventive mode in response to the detection of a given distance run by the vehicle by the running distance detecting means during a time interval after the detection of the absence of an occupant by the first detecting means and the detection of a closed condition of the door by the second detecting means until the operation of the unlocking means is detected by the third detecting means; and means for preventing maneuvering of the vehicle during the time the harm preventive mode is established including alarm means and energization control means for energizing the alarm means when the harm preventive mode is established. - View Dependent Claims (7, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
8. A harm preventing apparatus for vehicle according to claim in which said means for establishing a harm preventive mode establishes the harm preventive mode in response to the detection of the open condition of the door by the second detecting means after the detection of the absence of an occupant by the first detecting means and the detection of the closed condition of the door by the second detecting means and before the detection of the operation of the unlocking means by the third detecting means.
-
12. A harm preventing apparatus for vehicle comprising
first detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant onboard a vehicle; -
second detecting means for detecting an open/closed condition of a door of the vehicle; an onboard door lock mechanism;
unlocking means for unlocking the onboard door lock mechanism;third detecting means for detecting the operation of the unlocking means upon the onboard door lock mechanism; means for establishing a harm preventive mode in response to the detection of the absence of an occupant by the first detecting means and the detection of a closed condition of the door by the second detecting means and for terminating the harm preventive mode in response to the detection of the operation of the unlocking means by the third detecting means; said means for establishing a harm preventive mode includes running distance detecting means which detects a distance run by the vehicle, and establishes the harm preventive mode in response to the detection of a given distance run by the vehicle by the running distance detecting means during a time interval after the detection of the absence of an occupant by the first detecting means and the detection of a closed condition of the door by the second detecting means until the operation of the unlocking means is detected by the third detecting means; and
means for preventing maneuvering of the vehicle during the time the harm preventive mode is established,wherein said means for establishing a harm preventive mode includes time limit means which begins its time limiting occupant by the first detecting means and the detection of a closed condition of the door by the second detecting means, and establishes the harm preventive mode when the time limit means reaches a given time interval before the time interval before the operation of the unlocking means is detected by the third detecting means.
-
-
13. A harm preventing apparatus for vehicle comprising
first detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant onboard a vehicle; -
second detecting means for detecting an open/closed condition of a door of the vehicle; an onboard door lock mechanism; unlocking means for unlocking the onboard door lock mechanism; third detecting means for detecting the operation of the unlocking means upon the onboard door lock mechanism; means for establishing a harm preventive mode in response to the detection of the absence of an occupant by the first detecting means and the detection of a closed condition of the door by the second detecting means and for terminating the harm preventive mode in response to the detection of the operation of the unlocking means by the third detecting means; and means for preventing maneuvering of the vehicle during the time the harm preventive mode is established including alarm means and energization control means for energizing the alarm means when the harm preventive mode is established wherein said means for preventing a maneuvering of the vehicle includes a driver'"'"'s seat which is supported in a manner to change its attitude of the driver'"'"'s seat, and attitude control means for controlling the seat drive mechanism to reduce the spacing between the driver'"'"'s seat and a steering wheel when the harm preventive mode is established. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A harm preventing apparatus for vehicle comprising
first detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant onboard a vehicle; -
second detecting means for detecting an open/closed condition of a door of the vehicle; an onboard door lock mechanism; unlocking means for unlocking the onboard door lock mechanism; third detecting means for detecting the operation of the unlocking means upon the onboard door lock mechanism; means for establishing a harm preventive mode in response to the detection of the absence of an occupant by the first detecting means and the detection of a closed condition of the door by the second detecting means and for terminating the harm preventive mode in response to the detection of the operation of the unlocking means by the third detecting means; and means for preventing maneuvering of the vehicle during the time the harm preventive mode is established including alarm means and energization control means for energizing the alarm means when the harm preventive mode is established wherein said means for preventing a maneuvering of the vehicle comprises a steering wheel which is supported in a manner to change its attitude, a steering wheel drive mechanism for changing the attitude of the steering wheel, and attitude control means for controlling the steering drive mechanism to reduce the spacing between the driver'"'"'s seat and the steering wheel when the harm preventive mode is established. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A harm preventing apparatus for vehicle comprising
first detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant onboard a vehicle; -
second detecting means for detecting an open/closed condtion of a door of the vehicle; an onboard door lock mechanism; unlocking means for unlocking the onboard door lock mechanism; third detecting means for detecting the operation of the unlocking means upon the onboard door lock mechanism; means for establishing a harm preventing mode in response to the detection of the absence of an occupant by the first detecting means and the detection of a closed condition of the door by the second detecting means and for terminating the harm preventive mode in response to the detection of the operation of the unlocking means by the third detecting means; and means for preventing maneuvering of the vehicle during the time the harm preventive mode is established including alarm means and energization control means for energizing the alarm means when the harm preventive mode is established wherein said means for preventing a maneuvering of the vehicle comprises a driver'"'"'s seat which is supported in a manner to change its attitude, a seat driver mechanism for changing the attitude of the driver'"'"'s seat, a steering wheel which is supported in a manner to change its attitude, a steering wheel which is supported in as manner to change its attitude, a steering wheel drive mechanism for changing the attitude of the steering wheel, and attitude control means for controlling the seat drive mechanism and the steering wheel drive mechanism to reduce the spacing between the driver'"'"'s seat and the steering wheel when the harm preventive mode is established. - View Dependent Claims (22)
-
-
23. A harm preventing apparatus for vehicle comprising
first detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant onboard vehicle; -
second detecting means for detecting an open/closed condition of a door of the vehicle; an onboard door lock mechanism; unlocking means for unlocking the onboard door lock mechanism; third detecting the operation of the unlocking means upon the onboard door lock mechanism; an electric drive mechanism for changing the attitude of at least one of a driver'"'"'s seat and a steering wheel; and a controller for controlling the electric drive mechanism to reduce a first spacing between the driver'"'"'s seat and the steering wheel to a second spacing in response to the detection of the absence of an occupant by the first detecting means and the detection of a closed condition of the door by the second detecting means, and for controlling the electric drive mechanism to increase the distance between the driver'"'"'s seat and the steering wheel from said second spacing to said first spacing when the operation of the unlocking means is detected by the third detecting means. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
30. A harm preventing apparatus for vehicle comprising
first detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant onboard a vehicle; -
second detecting means for detecting an open/closed condition of a door of the vehicle; an onboard door lock mechanism; unlocking means for unlocking the onboard door lock mechanism; third detecting means for detecting the operation of the unlocking means upon the onboard door lock mechanism; a vehicle harm preventing mechanism including at least engine stop means; means for detecting a distance run by the vehicle; and a controller for controlling the vehicle harm preventing mechanism to stop the engine in response to the detection of a given distance run by the vehicle by the running distance detecting means after the detection of the absence of an occupant by the first detecting means and the detection of a closed condition of the door by the second detecting means and before the detection of the operation of the unlocking means by the third detecting means. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 38)
-
-
34. A harm preventing apparatus for vehicle comprising
first detecting the presence or absence of an occupant onboard a vehicle; -
an onboard opening covering member which can be opened and closed; a first electric drive mechanism for driving the onboard opening covering member to open or close it; second detecting means for detecting an open/closed condition of a door of the vehicle; an onboard door lock mechanism; unlocking means for unlocking the onboard door lock mechanism; third detecting means for detecting the operation of the unlocking means upon the onboard door lock mechanism; a vehicle harm preventing mechanism including a second electric mechanism which drives at least one of a driver'"'"'s seat and a steering wheel of the vehicle; and control means for controlling the first electric drive mechanism and the vehicle harm preventing mechanism, the control means operating to establish the onboard opening covering member at a preselected position in response to the detection of the absence of an occupant by the first detecting means and the detection of a closed condition of the door by the second detecting means, and operating to reduce the spacing between the driver'"'"'s seat and the steering wheel from a first spacing to a second spacing in response to the detection of the presence of an occupant by the first detecting means or in response to the detection of an open condition of the door of the vehicle by the second detecting means, both before the operation of the unlocking means is detected by the third detecting means. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
-
-
45. A harm preventing apparatus for vehicle comprising
first detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant onboard a vehicle; -
a first onboard opening covering member which can be opened and closed; an electric drive mechanism for driving the first onboard opening covering member to open or close it; second detecting means for detecting an open/closed condition of a door of the vehicle; an onboard door lock mechanism; unlocking mean for unlocking the onboard door lock mechanism; third detecting means for detecting the operation of the unlocking means upon the onboard door lock mechanism; a second onboard opening covering member which can be opened and closed; a vehicle harm preventing mechanism including at least an electric lock mechanism for the second onboard opening covering member; and control means for controlling at least the electric drive mechanism and the onboard harm preventing mechanism, the control means establishing the first onboard opening covering member at a preselected position in response to detection of the absence of an occupant by the first detecting means and the detection of a closed condition of the door by the second detecting means and establishing the second onboard opening covering member in its locked condition in response to the detection of the presence of an occupant by the first detecting means or in response to the detection of an open condition of the vehicle by the second detecting means, both before the operation of the unlocking means is detected by the third detecting means. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
-
-
58. A harm preventing apparatus for vehicle comprising
first detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant onboard a vehicle; -
a first onboard opening covering member which can be opened and closed; a first electric drive mechanism for driving the first onboard opening covering member to open or close it; second detecting means for detecting an open/closed condition of a door of the vehicle; an onboard door lock mechanism; unlocking means for unlocking the onboard door lock mechanism; third detecting means for detecting the operation of the unlocking means upon the onboard door lock mechanism; a second onboard opening covering member which can be opened and closed; a vehicle harm preventing mechanism including a second electric drive mechanism for driving at least one of an onboard driver'"'"'s seat and a steering wheel and an electric lock mechanism for the second onboard opening covering member; and control means for controlling at least the electric drive mechanism and the vehicle harm preventing mechanism, the control means establishing the first onboard opening covering member at its standby position in response to detection of the absence of an occupant by the first detecting means and the detection of a closed condition of the door by the second detecting means and reducing the spacing between the onboard driver'"'"'s seat and the steering wheel and establishing the second onboard opening covering member in its locked condition in response to the detection of the presence of an occupant by the first detecting means or in response to the detection of an open condition of the vehicle by the second detecting means, both before the operation of the unlocking means is detected by the third detecting means. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70)
-
Specification