Automated vehicle shutdown sequence

• US 6,516,251 B1
• Filed: 01/23/2001
• Issued: 02/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Original Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC
• Inventors: Lawruk, Gerald D., French, Lee A., Shintaku, Wayne, Mueller, Brian Jeffrey, Worrall, Jack R., Ramsey, Reno V., Kramer, Dennis A., Chene, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANCHO, RONNIE M
• Application Number:
  US09/767,999
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/120, 701/35, 701/101, 701/102, 703/8, 703/22, 123/630, 123/643, 123/198.DC, 123/198.D, 123/198.DB, 123/179.4, 123/179.5, 123/447, 123/467, 180/54.1, 455/432, 455/466, 455/550, 455/419, 455/404, 340/426, 340/5.31, 340/5.33, 417/407, 415/114, 73/497, 73/47, 731/182, 303/89, 303/85, 303/1, 137/204, 137/203, 137/412, 188/352
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for automatically shutting down a vehicle. The system includes a vehicle system for performing a vehicle function such as brakes for performing braking of the vehicle. A vehicle control system controls the vehicle system by controlling valve switches or actuators to manipulate the vehicle system. A portable handheld computing device includes a program defining a vehicle shutdown sequence. Preferably, the portable handheld computing device is what is known as a personal digital assistant (PDA), such as a Handspring® or Palmpilot®. A cradle removably receives the portable handheld computing device to connect the portable handheld computing device with the vehicle control system, such as through the vehicle databus. A switch enables the portable handheld computing device to command the vehicle control system to perform the vehicle shutdown sequence. The switch may be an ignition switch, a dedicated vehicle shutdown sequence switch, or an icon on a PDA display touch screen. Once the switch has been actuated, the program residing on the portable handheld computing device commands the vehicle control systems to perform the vehicle shutdown sequence. For example, the vehicle shutdown sequence may command the pneumatic power control system to purge a wet tank to remove the water from the wet tank to prevent it from rusting.

Claims

1. A system for automatically shutting down a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle system for performing a vehicle function;

a vehicle control system controlling said vehicle system;

a portable handheld computing device including a program defining a vehicle shutdown sequence;

a cradle removably receiving said portable handheld computing device to connect said portable handheld computing device with said vehicle control system;

a switch enabling said portable handheld computing device to command said vehicle control system to perform said vehicle shutdown sequence; and

wherein the system includes a wet tank and said vehicle control system is a pneumatic power control system, and said vehicle shutdown sequence includes purging said wet tank.

2. A system for automatically shutting down a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle system for performing a vehicle function;

a vehicle control system controlling said vehicle system;

a portable handheld computing device including a program defining a vehicle shutdown sequence;

a cradle removably receiving said portable handheld computing device to connect said portable handheld computing device with said vehicle control system;

a switch enabling said portable handheld computing device to command said vehicle control system to perform said vehicle ,shutdown sequence; and

wherein the system includes an engine with a turbocharger and said vehicle control system is an engine control system, and said vehicle shutdown sequence includes shutting down said engine at a predetermined turbocharger temperature.

3. A method of automatically shutting down a vehicle including a wet tank comprising the steps of:

a) programming a vehicle shutdown sequence into a portable handheld computing device;

b) installing the portable handheld computing device into a cradle;

c) activating a switch to permit the portable handheld computing device to communicate with a pneumatic power control system; and

d) commanding the pneumatic power control system with the portable handheld computing device to perform the vehicle shutdown sequence which includes purging the wet tank.

4. A method of automatically shutting down a vehicle including an engine with a turbocharger comprising the steps of:

a) programming a vehicle shutdown sequence into a portable handheld computing device;

b) installing the portable handheld computing device into a cradle;

c) activating a switch to permit the portable handheld computing device to communicate with a engine control system; and

d) commanding the vehicle control system with the portable handheld computing device to perform the vehicle shutdown sequence which includes shutting down the engine at a predetermined turbocharger temperature.