Automobile erratic behavior monitoring apparatus

• US 5,719,554 A
• Filed: 02/24/1997
• Issued: 02/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard B. Gagnon
• Original Assignee: Richard B. Gagnon
• Inventors: Gagnon, Richard B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US08/806,533
• Time in Patent Office: 358 Days
• Field of Search: 340/439, 340/440, 340/429, 340/467, 340/689, 340/465, 340/466, 340/4, 364/424.034, 364/424.035, 364/424.047, 200/61.45 R, 200/61.52, 73/489, 73/499, 73/504.02, 73/504.03, 73/510, 73/512
• US Class Current: 340/439
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0232 for measuring vehicle parameters and indicating critical, abnormal or dangerous conditions

Abstract

A driving behavior monitoring system mountable within a vehicle and having a board member on which are mounted first and second accelerometer devices for measuring acceleration in mutually orthogonal directions. Each accelerometer device includes an arm member in the form of a generally L-shaped crank or elbow. The crank is pivotable at the elbow joint thereof, and one arm of the crank is provided with a weight at the end thereof with the other arm having the free end thereof attached to one end of a tension spring, the other end of which is fixedly attached to the board member. A pair of electrical switch contacts are positioned in spaced relation on either side of the spring, with each contact being placed at approximately the same distance from the axial centerline of the spring. Movement of the weight translates to deflection of the spring in a direction orthogonal to its axis. The spring is in circuit relation with a suitable power source and upon deflection of the spring, contact of the spring is made with one of the switch contacts, each of which is connected to its own terminal of electrical circuitry which records the closures. The circuitry includes a keypad, a segmented LED display and a microcontroller which responds to the accelerometer devices for counting the number of each such closure of the individual switches in accordance with the direction of force caused by erratic maneuvers. Provision is made in the circuitry for password access, resetting and detection of removal or disablement of the circuitry.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring vehicular movement comprising:

a board member adapted for placement in a vehicle;

first and second accelerometer devices mounted on said board member for measuring acceleration forces in mutually orthogonal directions, each of said accelerometer devices including

a generally L-shaped crank pivotably mounted to said board at the elbow joint thereof, one arm of the crank being provided with a weight at the end thereof;

a tension spring attached to said board member and to the free end of the other arm of said crank;

at least one electrical switch contact positioned on said board member in spaced relation to one side of said spring, movement of the weight in response to acceleration force deflecting said spring in a direction orthogonal to its axis toward said switch contact; and

electronic means in circuit relation with each of said switch contacts for recording the number of closures of each spring with its associated switch contact.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said electronic means includes a microcontroller having a keypad for providing access to the circuitry only in response to a preset password.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said electronic means further includes a display for providing a visual indication of the recorded counts.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein one of said accelerometer devices is configured for switch closure in response to acceleration forces caused by rapid forward movement of the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the other of said accelerometer devices includes a second electrical switch contact positioned on said board member in spaced relation to the other side of said spring, the two switch contacts being positioned in spaced relation on either side of the spring, with each contact being placed at approximately the same distance from the axial centerline of the spring, said other accelerometer device being configured for switch closure in response to acceleration forces caused by rapid right and left hand turns of the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said switch contacts includes means for adjusting the distance between said contact and said spring for enabling setting of the acceleration force required for switch closure.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said electronic means includes a microcontroller having a keypad for providing access to the circuitry only in response to a preset password and a display for providing a visual indication of the recorded counts.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said electronic means includes means for detecting and recording of tampering with said system.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein one of said accelerometer devices is configured and oriented for switch closure in response to acceleration forces caused by rapid forward movement braking or reverse movement acceleration of the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the said other of said accelerometer devices includes a second electrical switch contact positioned on said board member in spaced relation to the other side of said spring, the two switch contacts being positioned in spaced relation on either side of the spring, said other accelerometer device being configured for switch closure in response to acceleration forces caused by rapid right and left hand turns of the vehicle.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein one of said accelerometer devices is configured and oriented for switch closure in response to acceleration forces caused by rapid forward movement acceleration or reverse movement braking.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the said other of said accelerometer devices includes a second electrical switch contact, the two switch contacts being positioned in spaced relation on either side of the spring, said other accelerometer device being configured for switch closure in response to acceleration forces caused by rapid right and left hand turns of the vehicle.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein one of said accelerometer devices is configured and oriented for switch closure in response to acceleration forces caused by rapid forward movement braking or reverse movement acceleration of the vehicle, one of said accelerometer devices is configured and oriented for switch closure in response to acceleration forces caused by rapid forward movement acceleration or reverse movement braking, and one of said accelerometer devices being configured for switch closure in response to acceleration forces caused by rapid right and left hand turns of the vehicle.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said electronic means includes a microcontroller having a keypad for providing access to the circuitry only in response to a preset password.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein said electronic means further includes a display for providing a visual indication of the recorded counts.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein said electronic means includes means for detecting and recording of tampering with said system.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein said electronic means further includes means for password access, resetting of said electronic means, and detection of removal or disablement of the circuitry of said electronic means.

13. A system for monitoring vehicular movement comprising:

a board member adapted for placement in a vehicle;

accelerometer devices mounted on said board member for measuring acceleration forces in mutually orthogonal directions, each of said accelerometer devices including

a generally L-shaped crank pivotably mounted to said board at the elbow joint thereof, one arm of the crank being provided with a weight at the end thereof;

a tension spring attached to said board member and to the free end of the other arm of said crank;

at least one electrical switch contact positioned on said board member in spaced relation to one side of said tension spring, movement of the weight in response to acceleration force deflecting said spring in a direction orthogonal to its axis toward said switch contact; and

electronic means in circuit relation with each of said switch contacts for recording the number of closures of each spring with its associated switch contact.