Alarm mechanism

• US 6,437,687 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2001
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Douglas Autotech Corporation (Fuji KIKO Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Douglas Autotech Corporation (Fuji KIKO Company Limited)
• Inventors: Spencer, Joseph C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUNG T
• Application Number:
  US09/871,188
• Publication Number:
  US 20010048362A1
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/429, 340/435, 340/436, 340/437, 340/438, 340/439, 340/901, 340/905, 340/457, 340/458
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01 Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents electrical circuits for transmission of signals between steering wheel and the vehicle itself B60R16/027; for electrically actuating belt retractor locking means B60R22/343
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/02105 Arrangement of the steering column thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/184 Mechanisms for locking columns at selected positions
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/029 Steering assistants using warnings or proposing actions to the driver without influencing the steering system

Abstract

An alarm assembly is provided alerting the operator through one of a visual, audible, or tactile signal, the occurrence of a specified event. The alarm assembly includes a locking mechanism coupled to a substrate which has a natural frequency. The locking mechanism is maintained in a condition which inhibits the natural frequency of the substrate unless commanded to do so by an electronic circuit which includes sensors for monitoring one or more specific criterion. The locking mechanism is preferably a non-Newtonian flow fluid locking mechanism which uses a magneto-rheological fluid to dynamically adjust the locking strength of the locking mechanism as well as the natural frequency of the substrate based upon user inputs and dynamic events. The alarm assembly can be dynamically “tuned” in and out of the natural frequency of the substrate so the substrate vibrates, produces an audible noise, or generates a current upon the occurrence of a predetermined event. Sensors mounted on the substrate provide feedback via a logic system or computer to alter the stiffness of the locking system and increase or decrease the vibration to obtain or avoid the natural frequency.

Claims

1. An apparatus for alerting a vehicle operator to a specific condition, comprising:

a magneto-rheologic assembly;

a vehicle component coupled to said magneto-rheologic assembly;

at least one sensor at a first location for detecting an occurrence of the specific condition and producing an output signal; and

a circuit interconnected to said sensor and to said magneto-rheologic assembly for changing a condition in said magneto-rheologic assembly and said vehicle component in response to said output signal received from said at least one sensor, said change in condition permitting said vehicle component to vibrate at a natural frequency generating at least one of a vibration and an audible signal in said vehicle component for sensing by the operator to alert the operator to the specific condition.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said vehicle component is coupled to a control.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said magneto-rheologic assembly is coupled to a resonating vehicle component which produces an audible signal when at said natural frequency.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said magneto-rheologic assembly is attached to a portion of a seat for the operator through which said signal is sensed by said operator.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor monitors a relative distance between two points.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor monitors operator awareness.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said circuit includes one of a controller, a programmable logic circuit, a computer, and a dedicated hard-wired circuit.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including apparatus attached to said vehicle component for providing dynamic feedback to said circuit.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said control includes at least one of a steering wheel, a control stick, an accelerator, and a shifter assembly.

10. A dynamically controlled alarm assembly, comprising:

a vehicle control component having a natural frequency;

a magneto-rheological device attached to said vehicle control component and controlling an occurrence of said natural frequency in said vehicle control component;

a first sensor for monitoring a desired characteristic;

a second sensor at a location different from that of said first sensor and for monitoring said natural frequency of said vehicle control component; and

a circuit interconnected to said first sensor, said second sensor, and said magneto-rheologic device for controlling said natural frequency of said vehicle control component by changing a characteristic of said magneto-rheologic device in response to feedback from said first and second sensors.

11. The dynamically controlled alarm assembly as defined in claim 10, wherein said vehicle control component produces an audible signal when at said natural frequency.

12. The dynamically controlled alarm assembly as defined in claim 10, wherein said vehicle control component produces a tactile signal when at said natural frequency.

13. The dynamically controlled alarm assembly as defined in claim 10, wherein said vehicle control component produces a visual signal when at said natural frequency.

14. The dynamically controlled alarm assembly as defined in claim 10, wherein said natural frequency of said vehicle control component is tunable.

15. The dynamically controlled alarm assembly as defined in claim 10, wherein said vehicle control component includes at least one of a control, a seat, and a display.

16. The dynamically controlled alarm assembly as defined in claim 10, wherein said first sensor detects a relative change in predetermined parameters.

17. The dynamically controlled alarm assembly as defined in claim 10, wherein said circuit includes at least one of a controller, a computer, and a dedicated hard-wired circuit.

18. The dynamically controlled alarm assembly as defined in claim 10, wherein said magneto-rheological assembly includes a non-Newtonian flow fluid locking assembly.

19. An alarm system, comprising:

a non-Newtonian flow fluid locking assembly;

a vehicle component having a natural frequency, coupled to said non-Newtonian flow fluid locking assembly, said vehicle component producing at least one of an audible, tactile, and visual signal when at said natural frequency;

at least a first sensor mounted to said vehicle component to monitor said natural frequency of said vehicle component;

at least a second sensor spaced from said first sensor for detecting the occurrence of a predetermined condition; and

a circuit assembly operably interconnected to said first and second sensors and to said non-Newtonian flow fluid locking assembly for monitoring said first and second sensors and changing a condition of said non-Newtonian flow fluid locking assembly in response thereto such that upon the occurrence of said predetermined condition, said non-Newtonian flow fluid locking system permits said vehicle component to achieve said natural frequency and produce said at least one of said audible, tactile and visual signal.