Combination vehicular braking and accessory control system

• US 5,010,972 A
• Filed: 07/06/1989
• Issued: 04/30/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nartron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nartron Corporation
• Inventors: Nykerk, Todd M., Strom, Peter H., Ingraham, Ronald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): Culbreth, Eric
• Application Number:
  US07/375,946
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 192/0.082, 192/1.26, 338/99, 338/108, 338/153, 338/114, 340/479, 340/488, 340/489, 200/61.89, 280/703, 180/197, 180/176, 180/177, 180/178
• US Class Current: 180/178
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0195 characterised by the regulation being combined with other vehicle control systems conjoint control of vehicle sub-units including control of suspension systems B60W10/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/50 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/30 Height or ground clearance
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/22 Braking, stopping
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/02 including electrically actuated servomechanism including an electric control system or a servomechanism in which the vehicle velocity affecting element is actuated electrically
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/66 Electrical control in fluid-pressure brake systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/22 Devices for monitoring or checking brake systems; Signal devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/06 Disposition of pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/00 Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force by changing number of effective brake cylinders in power brake systems B60T17/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/18 including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1819 Propulsion control with control means using analogue circuits, relays or mechanical links
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/24 for determining value of torque or twisting moment for tightening a nut or other member which is similarly stressed

Abstract

An automotive vehicle having accessories as for example cruise control, transmission torque converter lock-up control, or anti-dive suspension control, has an electrical logic circuit which is effective for applying control type signals to such accessories in response to magnitude of the force applied to the vehicular braking system by the driver; a force sensitive resistor placed in the vehicular braking system is effective to create output signals to the logic circuit which signals are employed by the logic circuit to determine when respective control type signals are to be applied to such accessories.

Claims

1. A braking and accessory control system for a vehicle having accessory means, comprising an arrangement effective for creating output signals, said arrangement comprising a first movable element, a second movable element, said first movable element being operatively connected to and effective for moving said second movable element, signal generating means effective for indicating when preselected magnitudes of a first force are applied to said first movable element when said first movable element is operatively engaging and at least urging said second movable element to move, said signal generating means comprising force sensitive electrical resistance means, wherein said force sensitive electrical resistance means varies its electrical resistance in response to the magnitudes of forces applied thereto, and wherein said force sensitive electrical resistance means is situated as to have applied thereagainst a reaction-force of a magnitude dependent upon the magnitude of said first force being applied in increasing magnitudes to said first movable element, said force sensitive electrical resistance means being effective upon said reaction-force attaining preselected magnitudes to produce related magnitudes of electrical resistance resulting in an output signal of varying electrical magnitude indicative of the corresponding attainment of said preselected magnitudes by said first force applied to said first movable element, and wherein said output signal is effective for initiating a response in said accessory means of said vehicle, wherein said first movable element comprises a manually actuatable vehicular brake lever, wherein said second movable element comprises a vehicular brake system actuating linkage, wherein said brake lever is pivotally mounted by first pivot means at least near a first of its ends to associated vehicular support structure as to have a second of its ends opposite to said first end generally freely swingable, wherein said actuating linkage is operatively connected to said brake lever by second pivot means, wherein one of said pivot means comprises said force sensitive resistance means, and further comprising first logic control electrical circuit means electrically connected to said force sensitive resistance means, second electrical circuit means electrically connected to said first circuit means, vehicular stop lamp means, wherein said accessory means comprises vehicular anti-skid brake system control means, wherein when said force sensitive resistance means produces an output signal of a first preselected electrical magnitude said first circuit means causes a first electrical control signal to be applied to said second circuit means to cause energization of said second circuit means and thereby energization of said vehicular stop lamp means, wherein when said force sensitive resistance means produces an output signal of a second preselected electrical magnitude said first circuit means causes a second electrical control signal to be applied to said vehicular anti-skid brake system control means, and wherein said first circuit means is effective to maintain energization of said second circuit means and said vehicular stop lamp means as the magnitude of said output signal changes from said first preselected electrical magnitude to said second preselected electrical magnitude.

2. A braking and accessory control system for a vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said first circuit means comprises voltage regulator means for connection to a source of electrical potential and for supplying a regulated voltage output, first sub-circuit means electrically connected to said voltage regulator means for thereby being supplied by said regulated voltage output and effective for in turn supplying a constant current output, second sub-circuit means for electrical connection to said force sensitive resistance means and electrically connected from electrical ground potential to a point existing at said constant current provided by said constant current output, third sub-circuit means comprising voltage signal conditioning and amplifying means, wherein said voltage signal conditioning and amplifying means comprises operational amplifier means having output terminal means and first and second inputs, wherein said first input is electrically connected to a point electrically between said first sub-circuit means and said second sub-circuit means as to thereby have applied to said first input a voltage signal indicative of the then value of electrical resistance of said force sensitive resistance means, wherein said second input is electrically connected to a source of voltage which is a fraction of the magnitude of said regulated voltage output, fourth sub-circuit means comprising comparator network means, said comparator network means comprising at least first and second operational comparators each having first and second input terminals and an output terminal, wherein the first input terminals of each of said operational comparators are electrically connected to the output terminal means of said operation amplifier means, wherein the second input terminal of said first operational comparator is electrically connected via first resistor means to said regulated voltage output, wherein the second input terminal of said second operational comparator is electrically connected via second resistor means to said output terminal means of said operational amplifier means, wherein the output terminal of said first operational comparator is electrically connected to said second circuit means, and wherein the output terminal of said second operational comparator is electrically connected to said vehicular anti-skid brake system control means.

3. A braking and accessory control system for a vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said accessory means comprises vehicular cruise control means, wherein when said force sensitive resistance means produces an output signal of a third preselected electrical magnitude said first circuit means causes a third electrical control signal to be applied to said vehicular cruise control means.

4. A braking and accessory control system for a vehicle according to claim 3 wherein said first circuit means causes said third electrical control signal to be applied to said vehicular cruise control means before said first circuit means causes said first electrical control signal to be applied to said second circuit means.

5. A braking and accessory control system for a vehicle according to claim 3 wherein said accessory means comprises vehicular automatic power transmission torque converter lock-up control means, wherein when said force sensitive resistance means produces an output signal of a fourth preselected electrical magnitude said first circuit means causes a fourth electrical control signal to be applied to said vehicular automatic power transmission torque converter lock-up control means.

6. A braking and accessory control system for a vehicle according to claim 5 wherein said first circuit means causes said first electrical control signal to be applied to said second circuit means before said first circuit means causes said fourth electrical control signal to be applied to said vehicular automatic power transmission torque converter lock-up control means.

7. A braking and accessory control system for a vehicle according to claim 5 wherein said first circuit means comprises voltage regulator means for connection to a source of electrical potential and for supplying a regulated voltage output, first sub-circuit means electrically connected to said voltage regulator means for thereby being supplied by said regulated voltage output and effective for in turn supplying a constant current output, second sub-circuit means for electrical connection to said force sensitive resistance means and electrically connected from electrical ground potential to a point existing at said constant current provided by said constant current output, third sub-circuit means comprising voltage signal conditioning and amplifying means, wherein said voltage signal conditioning and amplifying means comprises operational amplifier means having output terminal means and first and second inputs, wherein said first input is electrically connected to a point electrically between said first sub-circuit means and said second sub-circuit means as to thereby have applied to said first input a voltage signal indicative of the then value of electrical resistance of said force sensitive resistance means, wherein said second input is electrically connected to a source of voltage which is a fraction of the magnitude of said regulated voltage output, fourth sub-circuit means comprising comparator network means, said comparator network means comprising at least first second third and fourth operational comparators each having first and second input terminals and an output terminal, wherein the first input terminals of each of said operational comparators are electrically connected to the output terminal means of said operational amplifier means, wherein the second input terminal of said first operational comparator is electrically connected via first resistor means to said regulated voltage output, wherein the second input terminal of said second operational comparator is electrically connected via second resistor means to said output terminal means of said operational amplifier means, wherein the second input terminal of said third operational comparator is electrically connected via third resistor means to said regulated voltage output, wherein the second input terminal of said fourth operational comparator is electrically connected via fourth resistor means to said regulated voltage output, wherein the output terminal of said first operational comparator is electrically connected to said second circuit means, wherein the output terminal of said second operational comparator is electrically connected to said vehicular anti-skid brake system control means, wherein the output terminal of said third operational comparator is electrically connected to said vehicular cruise control means, and wherein the output terminal of said fourth operational comparator is electrically connected to said vehicular automatic power transmission torque converter lock-up control means.

8. A braking and accessory control system for a vehicle according to claim 3 wherein said accessory means comprises vehicular anti-dive suspension control means, wherein when said force sensitive resistance means produces an output signal of a fifth preselected electrical magnitude said first circuit means causes a fifth electrical control signal to be applied to said vehicular anti-dive suspension control means.

9. A braking and accessory control system for a vehicle according to claim 8 wherein said first circuit means causes said fifth electrical control signal to be applied to said vehicular anti-dive suspension control means before said first circuit means causes said second electrical control signal to be applied to said anti-skid brake system control means.

10. A braking and accessory control system for a vehicle according to claim 8 wherein said first circuit means comprises voltage regulator means for connection to a source of electrical potential and for supplying a regulated voltage output, first sub-circuit means electrically connected to said voltage regulator means for thereby being supplied by said regulated voltage output and effective for in turn supplying a constant current output, second sub-circuit means for electrical connection to said force sensitive resistance means and electrically connected from electrical ground potential to a point existing at said constant current provided by said constant current output, third sub-circuit means comprising voltage signal conditioning and amplifying means, wherein said voltage signal conditioning and amplifying means comprises operational amplifier means having output terminal means and first and second inputs, wherein said first input is electrically connected to a point electrically between said first sub-circuit means and said second sub-circuit means as to thereby have applied to said first input a voltage signal indicative of the then value of electrical resistance of said force sensitive resistance means, wherein said second input is electrically connected to a source of voltage which is a fraction of the magnitude of said regulated voltage output, fourth sub-circuit means comprising comparator network means, said comparator network means comprising at least first second third fourth and fifth operational comparators each having first and second input terminals and an output terminal, wherein the first input terminals of each of said operational comparators are electrically connected to the output terminal means of said operational amplifier means, wherein the second input terminal of said first operational comparator is electrically connected via first resistor means to said regulated voltage output, wherein the second input terminal of said second operational comparator is electrically connected via second resistor means to said output terminal means of said operational amplifier means, wherein the second input terminal of said third operational comparator is electrically connected via third resistor means to said regulated voltage output, wherein the second input terminal of said fourth operational comparator is electrically connected via fourth resistor means to said regulated voltage output, wherein the second input terminal of said fifth operational comparator is electrically connected via fifth resistor means to said regulated voltage output, wherein the output terminal of said first operational comparator is electrically connected to said second circuit means, wherein the output terminal of said second operational comparator is electrically connected to said vehicular anti-skid brake system control means, wherein the output terminal of said third operational comparator is electrically connected to said vehicular cruise control means, wherein the output terminal of said fourth operational comparator is electrically connected to said vehicular automatic power transmission torque converter lock-up control means, and wherein the output terminal of said fifth operational comparator is electrically connected to said vehicular anti-dive suspension control means.

11. A braking and accessory control system for a vehicle according to claim 3 wherein said accessory means comprises vehicular automatic power transmission selector lever interlock control means, wherein when said force sensitive resistance means produces an output signal of a sixth preselected electrical magnitude said first circuit means causes a sixth electrical control signal to be applied to said vehicular automatic power transmission selector lever interlock control means.

12. A braking and accessory control system for a vehicle according to claim 11 wherein said first circuit means causes said first electrical control signal to be applied to said second circuit means before said first circuit means causes said sixth electrical control signal to be applied to said vehicular automatic power transmission selector lever interlock control means.

13. A braking and accessory control system for a vehicle according to claim 11 wherein said accessory means comprises vehicular automatic power transmission torque converter lock-up control means, wherein said accessory means comprises vehicular anti-dive suspension control means, wherein said first circuit means comprises voltage regulator means for connection to a source of electrical potential and for supplying a regulated voltage output, first sub-circuit means electrically connected to said voltage regulator means for thereby being supplied by said regulated voltage output and effective for in turn supplying a constant current output, second sub-circuit means for electrical connection to said force sensitive resistance means and electrically connected from electrical ground potential to a point existing at said constant current provided by said constant current output, third sub-circuit means comprising voltage signal conditioning and amplifying means, wherein said voltage signal conditioning and amplifying means comprises operational amplifier means having output terminal means and first and second inputs, wherein said first input is electrically connected to a point electrically between said first sub-circuit means and said second sub-circuit means as to thereby have applied to said first input a voltage signal indicative of the then value of electrical resistance of said force sensitive resistance means, wherein said second input is electrically connected to a source of voltage which is a fraction of the magnitude of said regulated voltage output, fourth sub-circuit means comprising comparator network means, said comparator network means comprising at least six operational comparators each having first and second input terminals and an output terminal, wherein the first input terminals of each of said operational comparators are electrically connected to the output terminal means of said operational amplifier means, wherein the second input terminal of a first of said operational comparators is electrically connected via first resistor means to said regulated voltage output, wherein the second input terminal of a second of said operational comparators is electrically connected via second resistor means to said output terminal means of said operational amplifier means, wherein the second input terminal of a third of said operational comparators is electrically connected via third resistor means to said regulated voltage output, wherein the second input terminal of a fourth of said operational comparators is electrically connected via fourth resistor means to said regulated voltage output, wherein the second input terminal of a fifth of said operational comparators is electrically connected via fifth resistor means to said regulated voltage output, wherein the second input terminal of a sixth of said operational comparators is electrically connected via sixth resistor means to said regulated voltage output, wherein the output terminal of said first operational comparator is electrically connected to said second circuit means, wherein the output terminal of said second operational comparator is electrically connected to said vehicular anti-skid brake system control means, wherein the output terminal of said third operational comparator is electrically connected to said vehicular cruise control means, wherein the output terminal of said fourth operational comparator is electrically connected to said vehicular automatic power transmission torque converter lock-up control means, wherein the output terminal of said fifth operational comparator is electrically connected to said vehicular anti-dive suspension control means, and wherein the output terminal of said sixth operational comparator is electrically connected to said vehicular power transmission selector lever interlock control means.

14. A braking and accessory control system for a vehicle according to claim 3 wherein said first circuit means comprises voltage regulator means for connection to a source of electrical potential and for supplying a regulated voltage output, first sub-circuit means electrically connected to said voltage regulator means for thereby being supplied by said regulated voltage output and effective for in turn supplying a constant current output, second sub-circuit means for electrical connection to said force sensitive resistance means and electrically connected from electrical ground potential to a point existing at said constant current provided by said constant current output, third sub-circuit means comprising voltage signal conditioning and amplifying means, wherein said voltage signal conditioning and amplifying means comprises operational amplifier means having output terminal means and first and second inputs, wherein said first input is electrically connected to a point electrically between said first sub-circuit means and said second sub-circuit means as to thereby have applied to said first input a voltage signal indicative of the then value of electrical resistance of said force sensitive resistance means, wherein said second input is electrically connected to a source of voltage which is a fraction of the magnitude of said regulated voltage output, fourth sub-circuit means comprising comparator network means, said comparator network means comprising at least first, second and third operational comparators each having first and second input terminals and an output terminal, wherein the first input terminals of each of said operational comparators are electrically connected to the output terminal means of said operational amplifier means, wherein the second input terminal of said first operational comparator is electrically connected via first resistor means to said regulated voltage output, wherein the second input terminal of said second operational comparator is electrically connected via second resistor means to said output terminal means of said operational amplifier means, wherein the second input terminal of said third operational comparator is electrically connected via third resistor means to said regulated voltage output, wherein the output terminal of said first operational comparator is electrically connected to said second circuit means, wherein the output terminal of said second operational comparator is electrically connected to said vehicular anti-skid brake system control means, and wherein the output terminal of said third operational comparator is electrically connected to said vehicular cruise control means.

15. The combination of a vehicular braking system, vehicular accessory means and vehicular accessory control system, comprising manually actuatable brake actuator means, said brake actuator means being effective upon manual application of an actuating force thereagainst for energization of said vehicular braking system, electrical sensor means operatively connected to said brake actuator means, said electrical sensor means being effective to produce an electrical signal of variable values, wherein the value of said electrical signal is indicative of the magnitude of said actuating force then being applied to said brake actuator means, wherein said vehicular accessory control system comprises electrical logic circuit means electrically connected to said electrical sensor means as to be responsive to said electrical signal and electrically connected to said vehicular accessory means, wherein said accessory means comprises a plurality of vehicular accessories, and wherein said logic circuit means is effective for selectively applying a control signal to respective ones of said plurality of accessories in accordance with and in response to said value of said electrical signal produced by said electrical sensor means.

16. The combination according to claim 15 wherein said plurality of vehicular accessories comprises vehicular stop lamp means and stop lamp energizing electrical circuit means, and vehicular cruise control means, and wherein the magnitude of said value of said electrical signal produced by said electrical sensor means is such as to cause said logic circuit means to apply a control signal first to said vehicular cruise control means and thereafter apply a control signal to said stop lamp energizing electrical circuit means for energization of said vehicular stop lamp means.

17. The combination according to claim 15 wherein said plurality of vehicular accessories comprises vehicular stop lamp means and stop lamp energizing electrical circuit means, and vehicular automatic power transmission torque converter lock-up control means, and wherein the magnitude of said value of said electrical signal produced by said electrical sensor means is such as to cause said logic circuit means to apply a control signal first to said stop lamp energizing electrical circuit means for energization of said vehicular stop lamp means and thereafter apply a control signal to said vehicular automatic power transmission torque converter lock-up control means.

18. The combination according to claim 15 wherein said plurality of vehicular accessories comprises vehicular cruise control means, vehicular stop lamp means and stop lamp energizing electrical circuit means, and vehicular automatic power transmission torque converter lock-up control means, and wherein the magnitude of said value of said electrical signal produced by said electrical sensor means is such as to cause said logic circuit means to apply a control signal first to said vehicular cruise control means and said stop lamp energizing electrical circuit means for energization of said vehicular stop lamp means and thereafter apply a control signal to said vehicular automatic power transmission torque converter lock-up control means.

19. The combination according to claim 15 wherein said brake actuator means comprises pedal means pivotally mounted in said vehicle for manually initiating the braking system, wherein said braking system comprises master cylinder means, a force transmitting pin-like member carried by said pedal means for movement in unison therewith, push rod means for translating the arcuate motion of said pedal means into linear motion for actuation of said master cylinder means, force transmitting means carried by said push rod means for movement in unison therewith, wherein said force transmitting pin-like member is at least partly received in said force transmitting means, wherein a space exists as between juxtaposed surfaces of said force transmitting pin-like member and said force transmitting means, wherein said electrical sensor means comprises force sensitive electrical resistance means and elastomeric means collectively urging said juxtaposed surfaces toward abutting engagement with each other when said pedal means is not being manually actuated, wherein said force sensitive electrical resistance means is adapted for operative connection to a source of electrical potential and to said electrical logic circuit means, wherein when said pedal means is manually actuated all of the force manually applied to said pedal means is transmitted from said force transmitting pin-like member through said elastomeric means and through said force sensitive electrical resistance means to said force transmitting means and to said push rod means for actuation of said master cylinder means, wherein when said force sensitive electrical resistance means has preselected magnitudes of force applied thereagainst the electrically resistive value thereof attains corresponding magnitudes of electrical resistance, wherein said corresponding magnitudes of electrical resistance comprise said electrical signal, wherein said logic circuit means comprises voltage regulator means for connection to a source of electrical potential and for supplying a regulated voltage output, first sub-circuit means electrically connected to said voltage regulator means for thereby being supplied by said regulated voltage output and effective for in turn supplying a constant current output, second sub-circuit means for electrical connection to said force sensitive resistance means and electrically connected from electrical ground potential to a point existing at said constant current provided by said constant current output, third sub-circuit means comprising voltage signal conditioning and amplifying means, wherein said voltage signal conditioning and amplifying means comprises operational amplifier means having output terminal means and first and second inputs, wherein said first input is electrically connected to a point electrically between said first sub-circuit means and said second sub-circuit means as to thereby have applied to said first input a voltage signal indicative of the then value of electrical resistance of said force sensitive resistance means, wherein said second input is electrically connected to a source of voltage which is a fraction of the magnitude of said regulated voltage output, fourth sub-circuit means comprising comparator network means, said comparator network means comprising at least first and second operational comparators each having first and second input terminals and an output terminal, wherein the first input terminals of each of said operational comparators are electrically connected to the output terminal means of said operational amplifier means, wherein the second input terminal of said first operational comparator is electrically connected via first resistor means to said regulated voltage output, wherein the second input terminal of said second operational comparator is electrically connected via second resistor means to said output terminal means of said operational amplifier means, and wherein the output terminals of each of said operational comparators are electrically connected to said respective ones of said plurality of accessories.

20. The combination of a vehicular braking system, vehicular accessory means and vehicular accessory control system, comprising manually actuatable brake actuator means, said brake actuator means being effective upon manual application of an actuating force thereagainst for energization of said vehicular braking system, electrical sensor means, means for applying to said electrical sensor means a force the magnitude of which is dependent upon said actuating force, said electrical sensor means being effective to produce an electrical signal of variable values, wherein the value of said electrical signal is indicative of the magnitude of said actuating force then being applied to said brake actuator means, wherein said vehicular accessory control system comprises electrical logic circuit means electrically connected to said electrical sensor means as to be responsive to said electrical signal and electrically connected to said vehicular accessory means, wherein said accessory means comprises a plurality of vehicular accessories, and wherein said logic circuit means is effective for selectively applying a control signal to respective ones of said plurality of accessories in accordance with and in response to said value of said electrical signal produced by said electrical sensor means.

21. A braking and accessory control system for a vehicle having accessory means, comprising a pivotal connector for pivotally connecting first and second members to each other and for creating an output signal indicative of an external force being applied to one of said first and second members and reacted against by the other of said first and second members, comprising first pivot-like means having a longitudinal axis and operatively joining said first and second members, force transmitting surface means carried by one of said first and second members, wherein said force transmitting surface means is situated generally to one side of said longitudinal axis, reaction force surface means carried by the other of said first and second members, means effective during periods of time when no external force is being applied to said one of said first and second members for translationally moving said first pivot-like means in a first direction generally diametrically opposite to said one side of said longitudinal axis, force sensitive electrical resistance means situated between and operatively contained by said force transmitting surface means and said reaction force surface means, said force sensitive resistance means being adapted for operative connection to a source of electrical potential and to associated operational electrical circuit means, wherein when an external force is being applied to said one of said first and second members said first pivot-like means is translationally moved in a second direction generally opposite to said first direction, wherein when said first pivot-like means translationally moves in said second direction said force transmitting surface means and said reaction force surface means are caused to be brought closer to each other, wherein as said force transmitting surface means and said reaction force surface means are brought closer to each other said force sensitive electrical resistance means operatively contained therebetween experiences a compressive force related to the magnitude of said external force being applied to said one of said first and second members, wherein as said force sensitive electrical resistance means experiences said compressive force the electrically resistive value thereof varies thereby causing a related electrical signal to be available for application to said associated operational electrical circuit means, wherein said first member comprises a manually actuatable vehicular brake lever, wherein said second member comprises a vehicular brake system actuating linkage, wherein said brake lever is pivotally mounted by second pivot-like means at least near a first of its ends to associated vehicular support structure as to have a second of its ends opposite to said first end generally freely swingable, wherein said actuating linkage is operatively connected to said brake lever by said first pivot-like means, wherein said associated operational electrical circuit means comprises first logic control electrical circuit means electrically connected to said force sensitive resistance means, second electrical circuit means electrically connected to said first circuit means, vehicular stop lamp means, wherein said accessory means comprises vehicular anti-skid brake system control means, wherein when said related electrical signal is of a first preselected electrical magnitude said first circuit means causes a first electrical control signal to be applied to said second circuit means to cause energization of said second circuit means and thereby energization of said vehicular stop lamp means, wherein when said related electrical signal is of a second preselected electrical magnitude said first circuit means causes a second electrical control signal to be applied to said vehicular anti-skid brake system control means, and wherein said first circuit means is effective to maintain energization of said second circuit means and said vehicular stop lamp means as the magnitude of said related electrical signal changes from said first preselected electrical magnitude to said second preselected electrical magnitude.

22. Circuit means for receiving an electrical signal generated in response to the braking of a vehicle by the application of a brake-actuating force by the operator of said vehicle and in turn causing electrical energization of associated vehicular accessory means, comprising first signal generating means for generating an electrical output signal of a magnitude reflective of the magnitude of the brake-actuating force being applied by said operator, wherein said vehicular accessory means comprises vehicular anti-skid brake system control means, voltage regulator means for connection to a source of electrical potential and for supplying a regulated voltage output, first sub-circuit means electrically connected to said voltage regulator means for thereby being supplied by said regulated voltage output and effective for in turn supplying a constant current output, second sub-circuit means for electrical connection to said first signal generating means and electrically connected from electrical ground potential to a point existing at said constant current provided by said constant current output, third sub-circuit means comprising voltage signal conditioning and amplifying means, wherein said voltage signal conditioning and amplifying means comprises operational amplifier means having output terminal means and first and second inputs, wherein said first input is electrically connected to a point electrically between said first sub-circuit means and said second sub-circuit means as to thereby have applied to said first input a voltage signal indicative of the then magnitude of said electrical output signal, wherein said second input is electrically connected to a source of voltage which is a fraction of the magnitude of said regulated voltage output, fourth sub-circuit means comprising comparator network means, said comparator network means comprising at least first and second operational comparators each having first and second input terminals and an output terminal, wherein the first input terminals of each of said operational comparators are electrically connected to the output terminal means of said operational amplifier means, wherein the second input terminal of said first operational comparator is electrically connected via first resistor means to said regulated voltage output, wherein the second input terminal of said second operational comparator is electrically connected via second resistor means to said output terminal means of said operational amplifier means, wherein the output terminal of said first operational comparator is electrically connected to said second circuit means, and wherein the output terminal of said second operational comparator is electrically connected to said vehicular anti-skid brake system control means.