Device and method for generating an audible signal in a motor vehicle

• US 5,883,571 A
• Filed: 05/14/1997
• Issued: 03/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Darlington Cotter Associates
• Original Assignee: Darlington Cotter Associates
• Inventors: Gruskos, Richard, Nilsen, David P., Cotter, Chester F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US08/856,091
• Time in Patent Office: 671 Days
• Field of Search: 340/463, 340/429, 340/438, 340/439, 340/466, 340/566, 340/436, 340/665, 340/689, 200/61.45 R, 200/61.49, 200/61.51, 200/61.52, 701/29, 701/30, 180/170-172
• US Class Current: 340/463
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/445 controlled by inertial devices

Abstract

A device for generating an audible signal using an audible unit of a motor vehicle, particularly when the motor vehicle performs an evasive maneuver. The device includes a striking member situated substantially in the motor vehicle; the striking member includes a contacting portion. The device also includes an enclosing member situated in a close proximity to the striking member; the enclosing member includes a contacting unit electrically connected to the striking member for generating an activating signal when the motor vehicle is performing an evasive maneuver. The device further includes a third unit having a first end for electrically communicating with the enclosing member. The third unit also has a second end providing an output signal to the audible unit of the motor vehicle in response to the activating signal, and the output signal being provided for a predetermined time period.

Claims

1. A device for generating an audible signal via an audible unit in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a first unit situated substantially in the motor vehicle, the first unit including a first contacting portion and a spring member;

a second unit closely situated to the first unit and including a second contacting portion, the second contacting portion electrically connecting with the first contacting portion to generate an activating signal when the motor vehicle performs an evasive maneuver, wherein the spring member prevents the first contacting portion from electrically contacting the second contacting portion when the motor vehicle does not perform the evasive maneuver; and

a third unit having a first end electrically communicating with the second contacting portion and a second end providing an output signal to the audible unit, for generating the audible signal, in response to the activating signal.

2. The device according to claim 1,

wherein the first unit includes a striking member, and the second unit includes an enclosing member, the striking member being positioned within the enclosing member, and

wherein the first contacting portion extends along the striking member, and the second contacting portion extends around an inner portion of the enclosing member.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first unit includes an attaching portion connected to the motor vehicle, and wherein the attaching portion is coupled to the spring member, the spring member biasing the first contacting portion of the first unit to avoid contacting the second contacting portion of the second unit.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the striking member is vertically oriented by the spring member when the evasive maneuver is not being performed.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the output signal is provided for a predetermined time period.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a relay unit coupled between the second end of the third unit and the audible unit, the relay unit providing the output signal generated by the third unit to the audible unit.

7. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a speed sensor device detecting a speed of the motor vehicle and generating a speed signal indicative of the speed, wherein the third unit generates the output signal as a function of the speed signal.

8. A device for generating an audible signal via an audible unit in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a first unit situated substantially in the motor vehicle and including a first contacting portion;

a second unit closely situated to the first unit and including a second contacting portion, the second contacting portion electrically connecting with the first contacting portion to generate an activating signal when the motor vehicle performs an evasive maneuver;

a third unit having a first end electrically communicating with the second contacting portion and a second end providing an output signal to the audible unit, for generating the audible signal, in response to the activating signal;

a controller having

a first input end receiving a speed signal from a speed sensing system,

a second input end receiving a horn signal from a horn activating unit when the horn activating unit is actuated,

a third input end receiving an output signal from the third unit, and

an output end electrically communicating with the audible unit; and

a range setting system providing range signals to a fourth input end of the controller, the range signals corresponding to a predetermined range of speeds of the motor vehicle and including first range signals and second range signals, each of the first and second range signals having a highest speed value and a lowest speed value,

wherein the controller generates a first horn signal to the audible unit for emitting at least one of a low pitch sound and a low volume sound when a value of the speed signal of the motor vehicle is between the lowest and highest speed values of the first range signals and when the horn signal is generated by the horn activating unit, and

wherein the controller generates a second horn signal to the audible unit for emitting at least one of a high pitch sound and a high volume sound when the value of the speed signal of the motor vehicle is between the lowest and highest speed values of the second range signals and when the horn signal is generated by the horn activating unit.

9. The device according to claim 8,

wherein the lowest speed value of the first range signals is 0 and the highest speed value of the first range signals is 25, and

wherein the lowest speed value of the second range signals is 26 and the highest speed value of the second range is 50.

10. The device according to claim 8,

wherein the range signals generated by the range setting system further include third range signals, and

wherein the controller generates a third horn signal to the audible unit for emitting at least one of a highest pitch sound and a highest volume sound when a value of the speed signal of the motor vehicle is above the highest speed value of the second range signals.

11. The device according to claim 8, wherein the controller provides the second horn signal to the audible unit for emitting at least one of a high pitch sound and a high volume sound when the output signal is received at the third input end of the controller.

12. A device for generating an audible signal via an audible unit in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a first unit situated substantially in the motor vehicle and including a first contacting portion;

a second unit closely situated to the first unit and including a second contacting portion, the second contacting portion electrically connecting with the first contacting portion to generate an activating signal when the motor vehicle performs an evasive maneuver;

a third unit having a first end electrically communicating with the second contacting portion and a second end providing an output signal to the audible unit, for generating the audible signal, in response to the activating signal;

a controller having

a first input end receiving a speed signal from a speed sensing system,

a second input end receiving a horn signal from a horn activating unit when the horn activating unit is actuated,

a third input end receiving an output signal from the third unit, and

an output end electrically communicating with the audible unit; and

a range setting system providing range signals to a fourth input end of the controller, the range signals corresponding to a predetermined range of speeds of the motor vehicle and including first range signals and second range signals, each of the first and second range signals having a highest speed value and a lowest speed value,

wherein the controller provides the output signal to the audible unit for emitting at least one of a low pitch sound and a low volume sound when a value of the speed signal of the motor vehicle is between the lowest and highest speed values of the first range signals and when the horn signal is generated by the horn activating unit, and

wherein the controller provides the output signal to an additional audible unit for emitting at least one of a medium pitch sound and a medium volume sound when the value of the speed signal of the motor vehicle is between the lowest and highest speed values of the second range signals and when the horn signal is generated by the horn activating unit.

13. The device according to claim 12,

wherein the lowest speed value of the first range signals is 0 and the highest speed value of the first range signals is 25, and

wherein the lowest speed value of the second range signals is 26 and the highest speed value of the second range is 50.

14. The device according to claim 12,

wherein the range signals generated by the range setting system further include third range signals, and

wherein the controller provides the output signal to the audible unit and to the additional audible unit for emitting at least one of a high pitch sound and a high volume sound when a value of the speed signal of the motor vehicle is above the highest speed value of the second range signals.

15. The device according to claim 12,

wherein the range signals generated by the range setting system further include third range signals, and

wherein the controller provides the output signal to a further audible unit for emitting at least one of a high pitch sound and a high volume sound when a value of the speed signal of the motor vehicle is above the highest speed value of the second range signals.