Vehicle interface system and method

• US 5,442,332 A
• Filed: 02/19/1993
• Issued: 08/15/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation (Hoppy Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Michael T. Hughes
• Inventors: Hughes, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US08/020,322
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.44, 200/61.45, 200/61.51, 200/61.52, 307/10.8, 340/870.28, 340/870.29
• US Class Current: 340/467
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/305 Indicating devices for towed vehicles

Abstract

A self-contained portable interface system (10) coordinates vehicle light response on separate vehicles. A power interface (13) plugs into a cigarette lighter (14) on the first vehicle (16). A turn signal detector (18) releasably engages a turn signal lever arm (22) on the first vehicle (16) for the purpose of detecting actuation of turn signal lights on the first vehicle (16). A flasher switch (25) is disposed on the turn signal detector (18) for concurrently actuating turn signal lights on the second vehicle (12). A control unit (24) communicates via a ribbon cable (42) to the power interface (13) and the turn signal detector (18). The control unit (24) has a light sensing switch (28), which is actuated by atmospheric light, for switching park lights of the second vehicle (12) during the absence of light. An inertia sensor (56) detects deceleration of the first vehicle (16) and causes actuation of brake lights of the second vehicle (12) in response to the deceleration. Finally, a first harness connector (32) interfaces the control unit (24) with a second harness connector (34) of the second vehicle (12).

Claims

1. An interface system utilizing an inertia sensor for actuating a vehicle light said inertia sensor comprising:

at least two conductive surfaces;

a mobile conductive mass against and electrically connecting said surfaces and capable of moving along said surfaces in response to inertia;

processing means connected to said inertia sensor for monitoring resistance between said surfaces, to thereby determine or perform actuation of said light upon a predetermined change in said resistance.

2. The interface system of claim 1, further comprising:

a light sensing means for receiving light connected to said processing means for actuating park lights of said second vehicle during the absence of said light;

a turn signal detector means connected to said processing means for detecting an actuation of a turn signal light on said first vehicle for actuating a corresponding turn signal light on said second vehicle in response to said actuation.

3. The inertia sensor of claim 1, wherein said mobile conductive mass rides upon an arcuate surface.

4. The interface system of claim 1, further comprising a power interface means connected to said processing means for interfacing with electrical power available at said first vehicle.

5. The interface system of claim 2, wherein said turn signal detector means comprises a mounting means for releasably engaging said turn signal detector means to a turn signal lever arm of said first vehicle and a means for determining the turn signal orientation of said turn signal lever arm.

6. The interface system of claim 1, wherein said first vehicle tows said second vehicle.

7. The interface system of claim 1, wherein said conductive surfaces comprises a first surface made of semiconductor material and a second surface made of conductor material.

8. The interface system of claim 4, wherein said interface means connects to a cigarette lighter socket and further comprises an indicator configured to indicate operation of a light of said second vehicle.

9. An inertia sensor for detecting actuation of brakes on a vehicle, comprising:

at least two conductive surfaces;

a mobile conductive mass against and electrically connecting said surfaces and capable of moving along said surfaces in response to inertia;

processing means for monitoring resistance between said surfaces, said processing means for performing said actuation of said brakes upon a predetermined change in said resistance.

10. The inertia sensor of claim 9, wherein said processing means comprises a differentiator for receiving a voltage signal imposed across said resistance and a comparator for receiving a pulse from said differentiator.

11. The inertia sensor of claim 9, wherein said conductive surfaces are encapsulated within a substantially sealed housing.

12. The inertia sensor of claim 9, wherein said surfaces comprise a semiconductor surface and a conductor surface.

13. A method for detecting actuation of brakes by monitoring inertia of a vehicle utilizing an inertia sensor, the sensor comprising:

providing at least a pair of conductive surfaces;

riding a mobile conductive material mass against said surfaces by force of gravity, said mobile conductive mass rides upon an arcuate surface;

a processing means connected to said inertia sensor monitoring resistance between said rails to thereby determine said actuation of said brakes upon a predetermined change in said resistance.

14. An inertia sensor for coordinating vehicle brake response on a first vehicle with vehicle brake response on a second vehicle comprising:

at least two conductive surfaces;

a mobile conductive mass against and electrically connecting said surfaces in response to inertia;

processing means connected to said inertia sensor for monitoring resistance between said surfaces to thereby determine or perform actuation of brakes on said second vehicle upon a predetermined change in said resistance occurring in response to actuation of brakes of said first vehicle.