Brake pedal operated mechanism for automatically controlling speed of a vehicle

• US 5,238,080 A
• Filed: 03/12/1992
• Issued: 08/24/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johns Hopkins University, William G. Fastie
• Original Assignee: Johns Hopkins University, William G. Fastie
• Inventors: Fastie, William G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, Charles A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Application Number:
  US07/850,440
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 180/170, 180/171, 180/174, 180/178, 188/382, 192/1.2, 192/1.27, 192/1.43
• US Class Current: 180/178
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/18 including a device to audibly, visibly, or otherwise signal the existence of unusual or unintended speed to the driver of the vehicle devices primarily intended for indicating speed to other traffic B60Q1/54
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/185 connected to the speedometer display, e.g. by sensors or switches responsive to the position of the indicator needle arrangement of pointers in automobile speedometers for indicating predetermined speeds by the detection of the position of the indicator needle G01P1/11
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/04 foot actuated

Abstract

A device for the efficient automatic controlling of the speed of a vehicle through a brake-pedal interface via an electronic switch to a vehicle'"'"'s cruise control system, and the method for operating that device. The switch connects to the vehicle'"'"'s brake pedal whereby successive taps of the pedal signal and control the cruise control through the switch.

Claims

1. A brake pedal apparatus for automatically controlling a vehicle'"'"'s speed comprising:

a) a brake pedal mechanism;

b) a rotating shaft connecting a brake pedal to said brake pedal mechanism;

c) a switch connected electrically to a cruise control device and to said brake pedal mechanism, whereby said brake pedal acts as an input device interface between a driver'"'"'s foot and said cruise control device to set the vehicle speed at a desired speed.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a dashboard manual switch and indicator connected between a power supply and said cruise control device to control the flow of signals to said cruise control device.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising:

said brake pedal mechanisms housing a spring means, connected between said housing and said brake pedal mechanism, suitable for restraining said brake pedal mechanism from making electrical contact with said switch when a force not exceeding a first predetermined limit is applied to said brake pedal by a driver'"'"'s foot.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3 whereby said spring means connects between said brake pedal mechanism and said cruise control through said switch so that said switch may be activated, without applying a vehicle'"'"'s brakes, upon application of a force, not exceeding a second predetermined limit to said brake pedal.

5. An apparatus as in claim 4 whereby said switch activates a vehicle'"'"'s braking system upon application of a force to said brake pedal exceeding said second limit.

6. An apparatus as in claim 5 further comprising:

An alert means for indicating when a command has been accepted by said switch.

7. A method of automatically controlling a vehicle'"'"'s speed equipped with a cruise control device connected through a switch to a brake pedal comprising the steps of:

a) manually adjusting the vehicle to a desired speed;

b) lightly depressing said brake pedal once;

c) lightly depressing said pedal a second time within a preset time period to set the vehicle speed at said desired speed.

8. A method as in claim 7, sing the step of:

a) lightly depressing said pedal once after braking to reacquire said desired speed.