Throttle position sensor advanced brake light device

• US 5,023,599 A
• Filed: 06/22/1989
• Issued: 06/11/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CTS Corporation
• Original Assignee: CTS Corporation
• Inventors: Daly, Vernon M. Jr., Mitchell, Steven R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US07/370,591
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 340/467, 340/463, 340/464, 340/479, 340/429, 340/669, 200/61.45 R
• US Class Current: 340/467
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal

Abstract

An advanced brake light signalling apparatus utilizes an output from a potentiometric position sensor, buffers the output, differentiates the buffered signal, compares the differentiated signal with a reference, and depending upon the results of the comparison activates the brake lights of a vehicle for a minimum time period. The position of the accelerator at the time of initiation of motion may be utilized to adjust the reference to which the differentiated signal is compared.

Claims

1. A method for signalling a rapid deceleration of an engine powered means for motion comprising the steps of:

monitoring a first amount of demand for said engine power;

converting said first amount of demand into a first voltage substantially proportional to a rate of change of said first amount;

providing a reference voltage;

adjusting said reference voltage with a second CTS-641, Throttle Position Sensor Advanced Brake Light Device voltage substantially proportional to said first amount of demand to thereby produce an adjusted reference voltage;

delaying changes in said adjusted reference voltage relative to changes in said first voltage to produce a delayed adjusted reference voltage;

comparing said delayed adjusted reference voltage with said first voltage to provide a result;

initiating the lighting of a signal responsive to said result.

2. An advanced brake light signalling device, suited for use in a vehicle comprised by brake lights and an engine, comprising:

a potentiometric means for producing a first voltage representative of a demand for engine power;

an input buffer means for receiving said first voltage and producing a similar second voltage;

a differentiator means for producing a third voltage, said third voltage having an amplitude waveform substantially representative of a mathematical derivative of a second voltage amplitude waveform;

a reference source which has an output a first reference voltage;

a level detector means which has as input said third voltage CTS-641, Throttle Position Sensor Advanced Brake Light Device and said reference voltage and said second voltage, said level detector means producing a fourth voltage indicative of a rapid decrease in demand for engine power, said fourth voltage determined in part by an amplitude of said second voltage at a time prior to said rapid decrease in engine power demand;

a lighting means for receiving said fourth voltage and responsive thereto lighting said brake lights.

3. The signalling device of claim 2 wherein said lighting means maintains said brake lights in a lit condition for a predetermined minimum time.