Motorcycle turn signal control circuit

• US 4,972,174 A
• Filed: 07/21/1989
• Issued: 11/20/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: H-D Michigan Incorporated (Harley-Davidson Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Harley-Davidson Incorporated
• Inventors: Onan, Lance C., Putnam, Hugh R., Stehr, Douglas E., Scholler, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tumm, Brian R.
• Application Number:
  US07/383,025
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 340/477, 340/476, 340/475, 340/471, 340/641, 340/642, 364/424.01
• US Class Current: 340/477
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/38 using immovably-mounted light sources, e.g. fixed flashing lamps

Abstract

A turn signal control circuit has a power source, left and right turn signal inputs, a speed detection input and circuitry for conditioning the power source voltage and current as well as the input signals for proper operation. When a turn signal switch provides an input signal to a logic controller, the circuit begins flashing the respective turn signal. Upon release of the switch, a microprocessor reviews the vehicle speed by way of a speedometer input line and references a lookup table to determine the proper distance at which to turn off the signal. Generally, the faster the vehicle is travelling, the longer the turn signals are left on. Various manual cancellation options are also available to the motorcycle operator. A four-way flasher sysem is operated by simultaneously pushing the two turn signal switches, remaining on until both switches are again simultaneously pressed. Furthermore, an electrical "bulb out" detection system warns the motorcycle operator of a burned out light bulb and operates signals at a substantially slower rate when a bulb is burned out.

Claims

1. A system for operating the turn signal of a motorcycle having right lamp means and left lamp means, said system comprising:

(a) electronic control means, including memory means;

(b) a right turn button connected to said control means;

(c) a left turn button connected to said control means;

(d) means for measuring the speed of the motorcycle, said speed measuring means sending a signal representative of the motorcycle'"'"'s speed to said control means;

wherein when only said left turn button is pushed, said left lamp means flashes for a period based on said speed signal and determined by said memory means;

further wherein when only said right turn button is pushed, said left lamp means flashes for a period based on said speed signal and determined by said memory means; and

further wherein said said left and right turn buttons are pushed simultaneously, both said left and right lamp means flash until said left and right turn buttons are pushed simultaneously again.

2. A system for controlling the operation of turn signal lights on a motorcycle having right lamp means and left lamp means, said system comprising:

(a) means for generating a first signal indicating activation of a left signal switch;

(b) means for generating a second signal indicating activation of a right signal switch;

(c) means of generating a third signal representative of the speed of the motorcycle;

(d) electrical means for generating fourth and fifth signals indicating whether said right and left lamp means respectively, are operating in a preselected manner;

(e) means for processing said first, second, third, fourth and fifth signals and controlling said right and left lamp means;

(f) wherein when said fourth and fifth signals indicate said fright and left lamp means are operating in said preselected manner, then

(i) when said processing means receives said first signal, said right lamp means flashes at a first rate for a predetermined period;

(ii) when said processing means receives said second signal, said left lamp means flashes at a first rate for a predetermined period;

(iii) when said processing means simultaneously receives said first and second signals, both of said right and left lamp means flashes at a first rate for a selectable period;

(g) further wherein wherein when said right and left lamp means are not operating in said preselected manner, then

(i) when said processing means receives said first signal, said right lamp means flashes at a second rate for a predetermined period;

(ii) when said processing means receives said second signal, said left lamp means flashes at said second rate for a predetermined period;

(iii) when said processing means simultaneously receives said first and second signals, both of said right and left lamp means flashes at said second rate for a selectable period;

(h) further wherein said second rate is slower than said first rate and said predetermined periods are abased on said third signal.

3. A system for operating the turn signals of a motorcycle having right lamp means and left lamp means, said system comprising:

(a) electronic control means, including a microprocessor having memory means wherein said microprocessor has a lookup table programmed therein, said table defining maximum distances for which said left and right lamp means flash depending on the speed of said motorcycle;

(b) a right turn button connected to said control means;

(c) a left turn button connected to said control means;

(d) means for measuring the speed of the motorcycle, said speed measuring means sending a signal representative of the motorcycle'"'"'s speed to said control means;

wherein when only said left turn button is pushed, said left lamp means flashes for a distance not exceeding a minimum distance based on said speed signal and determined by said memory means; and

further wherein when only said right turn button is pushed, said right lamp means flashes for a distance not exceeding a minimum distance based on said speed signal and determined by said memory means.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said motorcycle has a speedometer cable which rotates at a rate representative of said motorcycle'"'"'s speed and further wherein said speed measuring means provides said control means with electrical signals representative of said cable'"'"'s rotations.

5. The system of claim 3 further comprising electrical means for detecting whether said lamp means are burned out, wherein said detecting means comprises means for measuring electrical current used by said lamp means and comparator means for comparing the measured current level with a preselected range and for providing said control means with the results of the comparison.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said control means includes means for slowing the flashing rate of said lamp means when said detecting means detects a burn out.

7. A circuit for controlling the operation of directional lights on a motorcycle having right lamp means and left lamp means, said circuit comprising:

(a) electronic control means including memory means;

(b) a first, left-turn switch which, when pushed, provides a first electrical signal to said control means;

(c) a second, right-turn switch which, when pushed, provides a second electrical signal to said control means;

(d) means for measuring the speed of the motorcycle and providing a third electrical signal representative of the measured speed to said control means;

(e) wherein when said control means receives one of said first signal said control means activates said left lamp means for a distance not exceeding a maximum distance determined by said memory means;

(f) further wherein when said control means receives one of said second signals said control means activates said right lamp means for a distance not exceeding a maximum distance determined by said memory means;

(g) further wherein when said control means simultaneously receives one of said first signals and one of said second signals said control means activates both said right and left lamp means until against receiving a simultaneous first and second signals;

(h) wherein said memory means determines activation distances based on said third signal; and

said circuit further comprising lamp current sensing means for determining whether said right and left lamp means are functioning properly and providing a warning indication if said lamp means are not functioning properly.

8. The circuit of claim 7 wherein said control means comprises a microprocessor containing said memory means.

9. The circuit of claim 8 further comprising means for conditioning said first, second and third signals prior to being used by said microprocessor.

10. The circuit of claim 9 wherein said memory means comprises a lookup table wherein different activation distances correspond and are generated in response to said third signal.

11. The circuit of claim 10 further comprising a power source providing current to said circuit;

and wherein said current sensing means comprises;

(a) a detector between said power source and said right and left lamp means;

(b) means for comparing the flow of current through said detector to a reference current flow; and

(c) means for generating fourth and fifth electrical signals to said control means each indicative of the comparison between said reference current flow and the current flow through said detector.

12. The circuit of claim 11 wherein said power source is a battery and said detector is a resistor.

13. The circuit of claim 12 wherein said comparing means comprises a plurality of resistors configured as voltage dividers providing signal to said fourth and fifth signal generating means and wherein said fourth and fifth signal generating means comprises a plurality of comparators receiving said voltage divider signals and generating said fourth and fifth signals.

14. The circuit of claim 13 wherein said control means activates said right and left lamp means in a first mode when both lamp means are functioning in a preselected manner and in a second mode when said right and left lamp means are not functioning in said preselected manner to provide said warning indication, activation in said first mode and said second mode being based on said fourth and fifth signals.