Ignition switch bypass circuit

• US 5,180,924 A
• Filed: 08/26/1991
• Issued: 01/19/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rick Rudisel
• Original Assignee: Rick Rudisel
• Inventors: Rudisel, Rick
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Osborn, David
• Application Number:
  US07/749,879
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1-10.8, 180/287, 340/426, 340/438, 340/449, 340/450.3, 340/456, 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 340/825.34, 123/198 B, 123/ 146.5 B, 123/179 BG, 123/179.3, 123/179.5
• US Class Current: 307/10.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/045 by limiting or cutting the electrical supply to the propulsion unit

Abstract

This invention is a circuit for a vehicle which will enable the engine to run, and the heater or air conditioner to operate without the key in the ignition switch by supplying power to the ignition and acessory circuits. The operation starts the vehicle, presses a switch, then removes the key. Now the engine is idling, and the heater or air condition will work, but the vehicle cannot be driven. The circuit automatically shuts off if the vehicle is put into gear. It also shuts off if the vehicle'"'"'s engine overheats, or looses oil pressure. The vehicle may be driven by reinserting the key into the ignition switch and turning it to the "ON" position. The starter is disabled while the circuit is enabled, in case the operator turns the ignition switch to "START" while turning it to the "ON" position. This prevents damage to the starter and flywheel. The circuit can only be energized while the vehicle'"'"'s engine is running.

Claims

1. An ignition switch bypass apparatus for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having a battery, an ignition circuit, an accessory circuit, and an ignition switch activated by a key, comprising:

a relay having a coil and multiple sets of contacts connected to the ignition circuit the accessory circuit, and the battery;

a first switch coupled to the ignition switch and the one end of the relay coil, the battery supplying current to the first switch for the coil through the ignition switch;

a second switch coupled to the other end of the relay coil and operable with the first switch to energize the relay coil to connect the battery to the ignition circuit, accessory circuit, and first switch while bypassing the ignition switch, thereby allowing the key to be removed from the ignition switch with the motor vehicle continuing in operation; and

an inhibitor switch that changes state to de-energize the relay coil and disconnect the battery from the accessory circuit, ignition circuit, and first switch if an attempt is made to put the vehicle in gear wherein a starter circuit of the vehicle is connected to the ignition switch through the relay while the coil is de-energized, and is disconnected from the ignition switch while the coil is energized, and the first switch is normally closed and is opened to deenergize the coil in response to detection of, low oil pressure or overheating of the motor vehicle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first switch is normally closed and is opened to de-energize the coil in response to a change in state of the inhibitor switch.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inhibitor switch is serially connected to the coil.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second switch is a push button switch.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first switch is a transistor.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inhibitor switch is constructed to prevent the motor vehicle from being started in gear.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inhibitor switch is a clutch switch.

8. An ignition switch bypass apparatus for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having a battery, an ignition circuit, and accessory circuit, and an ignition switch activated by a key, comprising:

a relay having a coil and multiple sets of contacts connected to the ignition circuit, the accessory circuit, and the battery, one end of the relay coil coupled to the ignition switch;

a pushbutton switch coupled to the other end of the relay coil and operable to energize the relay coil to connect the battery to the ignition circuit, accessory circuit, and relay coil while bypassing the ignition switch, thereby allowing the key to be removed from the ignition switch with the motor vehicle continuing in operation;

an inhibitor switch in series with the relay coil that prevents the motor vehicle from being started in gear, the inhibitor switch changing state to de-energize the relay coil and disconnect the battery from the accessory circuit, ignition circuit, and relay coil if an attempt is made to put the vehicle in gear; and

a first switch coupled between the relay coil and ignition switch, the first switch opening to de-energize the coil in response to detection of low oil pressure or overheating of the motor vehicle.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the inhibitor switch is coupled to the first switch.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein a starter circuit of the vehicle is connected to the ignition switch through the relay while the coil is de-energized and is disconnected from the ignition switch while the coil is energized.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the inhibitor switch is a clutch switch.

12. An ignition switch bypass apparatus for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having a battery, an ignition circuit, and accessory circuit, and an ignition switch activated by a key, comprising:

a relay having a coil and multiple sets of contacts connected to the ignition circuit, the accessory circuit, the starter circuit and the battery;

a transistor coupled to the ignition switch and to one end of the relay coil, the battery supplying current to the transistor for the coil through the ignition switch;

a push button switch coupled to the other end of the relay coil and operable with the transistor to energize the relay coil to connect the battery to the ignition circuit, accessory circuit and transistor while bypassing the ignition switch, thereby allowing the key to be removed from the ignition switch with the motor vehicle continuing in operation;

an inhibitor switch that changes state to de-energize the relay coil and disconnect the battery from the accessory circuit, ignition circuit and transistor if an attempt is made to put the vehicle in gear; and

a switch coupled to the transistor which changes state in response to a change in oil pressure in or overlapping of the motor vehicle to disable the transistor and thereby de-energize the coil.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the inhibitor switch is a clutch switch.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the inhibitor switch is constructed to prevent the motor vehicle from being started in gear.

15. An ignition bypass switch for a motor vehicle having a battery, an ignition circuit, and a key - activated ignition switch, comprising:

a bypass switch means which bypasses the ignition switch for connecting the battery to the accessory and ignition circuits,

a driver actuatable switch,

sensor means sensing at least two of placing the vehicle in gear, engine overheating, and oil pressure loss, and

control means receiving the driver actuable switch and the sensor means as inputs and controlling the bypass switch means such that the bypass switch means is closed or made conductive in response to actuation of the driver actualable switch and the bypass switch means is opened or made nonconductive in response to the sensor means sensing at least one of placing a vehicle in gear, engine overheating, and oil pressure loss,

wherein a driver may remove a key from the ignition and have the vehicle remain in a running condition.