Safety switch for a vehicle starting system

• US 6,591,803 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2001
• Issued: 07/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wintecronics Limited
• Original Assignee: Wintecronics Limited
• Inventors: Chang, Chen-Apin
• Primary Examiner(s): Moulis, Thomas N.
• Application Number:
  US10/007,238
• Publication Number:
  US 20030047155A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 123/179.2, 123/179.3, 123/179.4, 307/10.6, 180/286
• US Class Current: 123/179.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/10 responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/209 Remote starting of engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0064 using a remote, e.g. cordless, transmitter or receiver unit, e.g. remote keypad or mobile phone
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18027 Drive off, accelerating from standstill
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0807 Remote means
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/101 for preventing engine starter actuation or engagement
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/0814 Bonnet switches
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 11/06 Indicating unsafe conditions

Abstract

A safety switch is coupled to a control line of a vehicle starting system, and includes a first electrical connector that terminates a second branch of the control line, a first resistor that connects a first branch of the control line to a first voltage source, a switch element having a first end connected to a second voltage source, and a second end terminated by a second electrical connector that mates with the first electrical connector, and a second resistor connected in parallel with the switch element. The switch element makes or breaks electrical connection between the first and second ends according to a detected position state of an engine hood of the vehicle. The starting system is enabled so as to permit remote-controlled activation of the vehicle only when a voltage drop, the magnitude of which is between the voltage outputs of the first and second voltage sources, is present at the control line.

Claims

1. A safety switch adapted to be coupled to a control line of a starting system of a vehicle, the starting system being operable so as to detect a voltage signal present at the control line upon receipt of a remote control signal for remote-controlled activation of the vehicle from a remote controller, the voltage signal indicating position state of an engine hood of the vehicle, said safety switch being adapted to inhibit the starting system so as to prevent the remote-controlled activation of the vehicle when the position state of the engine hood corresponds to an opened state, and being adapted to enable the starting system so as to permit the remote-controlled activation of the vehicle when the position state of the engine hood corresponds to a closed state, the control line having an end portion formed with first and second branches, said safety switch comprising:

a first electrical connector adapted to terminate the second branch of the control line;

a first resistor adapted to connect the first branch of the control line to a first voltage source that has a first voltage output;

a switch element having a first end adapted to be connected to a second voltage source that has a second voltage output lower than the first voltage output, and an opposite second end, said switch element being adapted to detect the position state of the engine hood, and making electrical connection between said first and second ends when the position state of the engine hood corresponds to the opened state, and breaking the electrical connection between said first and second ends when the position state of the engine hood corresponds to the closed state;

a second electrical connector for terminating said second end of said switch element, said second electrical connector complementing said first electrical connector so as to be adapted to connect said switch element to the second branch when said second electrical connector engages said first electrical connector; and

a second resistor connected in parallel with said switch element between said first and second ends;

wherein, when said first and second electrical connectors are properly connected, and the position state of the engine hood corresponds to the opened state, the voltage signal at the control line corresponds to the second voltage output in view of the connection between the second branch and the second voltage source via said first and second electrical connectors and said switch element, thereby inhibiting the starting system so as to prevent the remote-controlled activation of the vehicle;

wherein, when said first and second electrical connectors are properly connected, and the position state of the engine hood corresponds to the closed state, the voltage signal at the control line corresponds to a voltage drop that is less than the first voltage output and greater than the second voltage output in view of the connection between the second branch and the second voltage source via said first and second electrical connectors and said second resistor, thereby enabling the starting system so as to permit the remote-controlled activation of the vehicle; and

wherein, when said first and second electrical connectors are improperly connected such that said switch element is disconnected from the second branch, the voltage signal at the control line corresponds to the first voltage output, thereby inhibiting the starting system so as to prevent the remote-controlled activation of the vehicle.

2. The safety switch as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a light emitting diode connected in series with said second resistor between said first and second ends of said switch element.