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Engine idle shut-down controller

  • US 5,219,413 A
  • Filed: 09/11/1991
  • Issued: 06/15/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An engine control system for preventing unnecessary idling of a vehicle engine when a driver leaves the driver'"'"'s position within the vehicle with the engine idling, said engine control system comprising:

  • a parking brake switch responsive to application of a parking brake of the vehicle;

    an electronic engine controller cooperating with said parking brake switch for shutting down the idling engine a predetermined time after application of the parking brake;

    a motion detector for detecting a driver'"'"'s presence in the driver'"'"'s position of the vehicle based upon the driver'"'"'s normal movements in the driver'"'"'s position during the driver'"'"'s operation of the vehicle, said motion detector having a predetermined detection zone being directed to the driver'"'"'s position; and

    control means responsive to said motion detector and cooperating with said electronic engine controller for shutting down the idling engine after said motion detector no longer detects the presence of the driver in the driver'"'"'s position;

    whereby the driver is encouraged from intentionally failing to engage the parking brake in an effort to let the vehicle engine idle when leaving the vehicle, and whereby the idling engine is also shutdown if the driver accidentally fails to engage the parking brake.

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