Trunk detection and release assembly

• US 6,130,614 A
• Filed: 11/10/1999
• Issued: 10/10/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Strumolo, Gary S., Miller, Ronald H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phung
• Application Number:
  US09/437,648
• Time in Patent Office: 335 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.4, 340/573.1, 340/573, 340/632, 340/633, 340/634, 340/425.5, 340/426, 73/23.2, 73/23.3, 98/1.5
• US Class Current: 340/573.4
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/26 Emergency opening means for persons trapped in the luggage compartment

Abstract

A vehicle trunk detection and release system 10 which detects the presence of an individual within a trunk 14 and which releases the trunk 14, energizes the horn 16, and/or activates the headlights 17 upon such a detection. The system 10 further includes an illuminated touch pad 28 which opens the trunk 14 upon being touched.

Claims

1. A detection system for use within a vehicle of the type having a trunk which is selectively movable between an open and a closed position, said detection system being adapted to detect the presence of a breathing individual within said trunk, said detection system comprising:

a breathing detector which is disposed within said trunk, which is adapted to detect the breathing of said individual, and which generates a signal upon the detection of said breathing; and

a controller assembly which is communicatively coupled to said breathing detector, which receives said signal, and which opens said trunk upon receipt of said signal.

2. The detection system of claim 1 wherein carbon dioxide is emitted by said individual as said individual breathes and wherein said breathing detector detects the presence of said carbon dioxide within said trunk.

3. The detection system of claim 1 wherein said vehicle is of the further type which includes an ignition switch which may be selectively moved to a certain position and wherein said controller assembly is coupled to said ignition switch, senses said placement of said ignition switch in said certain position, and causes said trunk to be opened in response to said signal from said breathing detector only if said ignition switch is placed in said certain position.

4. The detection system of claim 1 wherein said vehicle is of the type which is selectively driven and wherein said controller assembly prevents said trunk from being open when said vehicle is driven.

5. The detection system of claim 1 further including an illuminated touch sensitive pad which is disposed within said trunk, which is coupled to said controller assembly, and which selectively communicates a second signal to said controller assembly upon being touched.

6. The detection system of claim 5 wherein said controller assembly, upon receipt of said second signal, opens said trunk.

7. The detection system of claim 2 wherein said breathing detector measures the amount of carbon dioxide which is resident within said trunk, stores a certain value, compares said measured amount of carbon dioxide to said certain value, and generates said signal only if said measured amount of said carbon dioxide is greater than said certain value.

8. The detection system of claim 1 wherein said controller assembly further includes a timer which allows said detection system to be operable for a certain period of time.

9. The detection system of claim 5 wherein said touch sensitive pad comprises an illuminated capacitance sensing pad.

10. The detection system of claim 1 wherein said individual comprises a child.

11. The detection system of claim 1 further comprising a camera which is mounted within said trunk and which is coupled to said controller assembly.

12. A method for detecting the presence of a child within a trunk of a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

measuring an amount of carbon-dioxide within said trunk of said vehicle; and

using said measured amount of carbon dioxide to determine the presence of said child within said trunk of said vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

providing a voice detection module within said trunk; and

using said voice detection module to sense the presence of said child within said trunk.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of detecting said presence of said child only when said vehicle is stationary.

15. An assembly for detecting the presence of an individual within a trunk of a vehicle, said assembly comprising:

a sensor which is mounted within said trunk and that detects the occurrence of at least one bodily function of said individual; and

a controller assembly which is communicatively coupled to said sensor and which provides a signal when said sensor detects the occurrence of at least one bodily function of said individual, wherein said at least one bodily function comprises breathing.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein said sensor comprises a carbon dioxide sensor.