Vehicle systems reaction and acceleration timing device

• US 6,678,214 B1
• Filed: 11/22/2000
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Auto Meter Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Auto Meter Products Incorporated
• Inventors: McMahon, Randy P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOODWIN, JEANNE M
• Application Number:
  US09/718,769
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 340/438, 340/441, 340/456, 340/466, 340/992, 123/398, 123/401, 307/10.1, 701/1
• US Class Current: 368/6
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2300/28 Racing vehicles, e.g. Formula one cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention

Abstract

A timing device utilized for determining overall response of a vehicle to initial starting activities. The vehicle is comprised of an engine, a transbrake, a transbrake button and delay box for engaging and disengaging the transbrake, a drive shaft, a throttle stop mechanism, and an acceleration pedal. The timing device is in an operative relationship with the vehicle and produces electrical signals in response to various events that occur prior to and during a drag race. The timing device calculates an elapsed time between various pairs of the electrical signals produced. The device displays the elapsed times to the driver or user in an alphanumeric format.

Claims

1. A timing device for measuring a plurality of elapsed times between related events in a drag racing vehicle having an engine, a transbrake, means for engaging and disengaging said transbrake, a driveshaft, a throttle stop mechanism, means for engaging and disengaging said throttle stop mechanism, and an acceleration pedal, said timing device comprising:

means for producing electrical signals in response to (1) a release of said means for engaging and disengaging said transbrake and (2) a release of said transbrake;

measuring means in an operative relationship with said electrical signal producing means for measuring a first elapsed time between said electrical signals; and

display means in an operative relationship with said measuring means for displaying said first elapsed time in an alphanumeric format.

2. The timing device according to claim 1, wherein said means for producing electrical signals further produces an electrical signal in response to a beginning of a turning of said drive shaft, said measuring means further measures a second elapsed time between said electrical signals produced by said release of said transbrake and said beginning of said turning of said drive shaft, and said display means further displays said second elapsed time in an alphanumeric format.

3. The timing device according to claim 1, further including a means for producing an electrical signal in response to an acceleration of said vehicle reaching a predetermined value, said measuring means further measures a time between said electrical signals produced by said release of said transbrake and said vehicle acceleration reaching said predetermined value, and said display means further displays the time between said electrical signals produced by said release of said transbrake and said vehicle acceleration reaching said predetermined value in said alphanumeric format.

4. The timing device according to claim 3, wherein said predetermined acceleration value is 0.5 or 1 G force.

5. The timing device according to claim 1, wherein said means for producing electrical signals further produces an electrical signal in response to an engagement of said throttle stop mechanism, said measuring means further measures a time between said electrical signals of said release of said transbrake and said engagement of said throttle stop mechanism, and said display means further displays the time between said electrical signals of said release of said transbrake and said engagement of said throttle stop mechanism in said alphanumeric format.

6. The timing device according to claim 1, wherein said means for producing electrical signals further produces an electrical signal in response to a disengagement of said throttle stop mechanism, said measuring means further measures a time between said electrical signals produced by release of said transbrake and said disengagement of said throttle stop mechanism, and said display means further displays the time between said electrical signals produced by release of said transbrake and said disengagement of said throttle stop mechanism in said alphanumeric format.

7. The timing device according to claim 1, wherein said means for producing electrical signals further produces an electrical signal in response to a release of pressure on said accelerator pedal, said measuring means further measures a time between said electrical signals produced by said release of said transbrake and said release of pressure on said accelerator pedal, and said display means further displays the time between said electrical signals produced by said release of said transbrake and said release of pressure on said accelerator pedal in said alphanumeric format.

8. The timing device according to claim 1, wherein said display means further displays said first elapsed time in a graphical format.

9. The timing device according to claim 1, wherein said display means further comprises a delay means for delaying the display for a predetermined time.

10. The timing device according to claim 1, wherein said display means further comprises a means for delaying the display until a read means is activated.

11. The timing device according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical source in an operative relationship with said measuring means, such that when said electrical source is turned on, a memory in said measuring means is erased.

12. The timing device according to claim 1, further comprising a reset means, whereby when said reset means is activated, a memory in said measuring unit is erased.

13. A timing device for measuring at least one elapsed time between related events in a drag racing vehicle having an engine, a transbrake, means for engaging and disengaging said transbrake, a G-meter, a driveshaft, a throttle stop mechanism, and an acceleration pedal, said timing device comprising:

means for producing electrical signals in response to a release of said transbrake button and a plurality of the following;

(a) a release of said means for engaging and disengaging said transbrake;

(b) a beginning of a turning of said drive shaft;

(c) an acceleration of said vehicle reaching a predetermined value;

(d) an engagement of said throttle stop mechanism;

(e) a disengagement of said throttle stop mechanism; and

(f) a release of said accelerator pedal;

measuring means in an operative relationship with said electrical signal producing means for measuring a plurality of elapsed times between said electrical signals produced by release of said transbrake button and a plurality of (a)-(f); and

display means in an operative relationship with said measuring means for displaying said plurality of elapsed times in an alphanumeric format.

14. A timing device according to claim 13, wherein said predetermined acceleration value is 0.5 or 1 G force.

15. A timing device for measuring a plurality of elapsed times between related events in a drag racing vehicle having an engine, a transbrake, means for engaging and disengaging said transbrake, a G-meter, a driveshaft, a throttle stop mechanism, means for engaging and disengaging said throttle stop mechanism, and an acceleration pedal, said timing device comprising:

means for producing electrical signals in response to;

(a) release of said transbrake;

(b) release of said means for engaging and disengaging said transbrake;

(c) beginning of turning of said drive shaft;

(d) an acceleration of said vehicle reaching a predetermined level;

(e) disengagement of said throttle stop mechanism; and

(f) release of pressure on said accelerator pedal;

measuring means in an operative relationship with said electrical signal producing means for measuring a separate elapsed time between (a) and (b), (a) and (c), (a) and (d), (a) and (e), (a) and (f), and (a) and (g); and

display means in operative relationship with said measuring means for displaying said separate elapsed times between (a) and (b), (a) and (c), (a) and (d), (a) and (e), (a) and (f), and (a) and (g) in an alphanumeric format.

16. The timing device according to claim 15, wherein said display means further displays said separate elapsed times in a graphical format.

17. The timing device according to claim 15, wherein said predetermined value is either 0.5 or 1 G force.

18. A method for measuring a plurality of elapsed time between related events in a drag racing vehicle having an engine, a transbrake, a G-meter, means for engaging and disengaging said transbrake, a drive shaft, a throttle stop mechanism, means for engaging and disengaging said throttle stop mechanism, an acceleration pedal, said method comprising the steps of:

producing electrical signals in response to (1) a release of said means for engaging and disengaging said transbrake and (2) a release of said transbrake;

measuring a first elapsed time between said electrical signals of said means for engaging and disengaging said transbrake and said release of said transbrake;

displaying said first elapsed time in an alphanumeric format.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

producing an electrical signal in response to a beginning of a turning of said drive shaft;

measuring a second elapsed time between said electrical signals produced by said release of said transbrake and said beginning of said turning of said drive shaft; and

displaying said second elapsed time in an alphanumeric format.

20. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

producing an electrical signal in response to acceleration reaching a predetermined value; and

displaying the time between the release of said transbrake and said acceleration reaching a predetermined value in said alphanumeric format.

21. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

producing an electrical signal in response to an engagement of said throttle stop mechanism;

measuring a time between said electrical signals of said release of said transbrake and said engagement of said throttle stop mechanism; and

displaying the time between said electrical signals of said release of said transbrake and said engagement of said throttle stop mechanism in said alphanumeric format.

22. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

producing an electrical signal in response to a disengagement of said throttle stop mechanism;

measuring a time between said electrical signals produced by said release of said transbrake and said disengagement of said throttle stop mechanism; and

displaying the time between said electrical signals produced by said release of said transbrake and said disengagement of said throttle stop mechanism in said alphanumeric format.

23. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

producing an electrical signal in response to a release of pressure on said accelerator pedal;

measuring a time between said electrical signals produced by said release of said transbrake and said release of pressure on said accelerator pedal; and

displaying the time between said electrical signals produced by said release of said transbrake and said release of pressure on said accelerator pedal in said alphanumeric format.

24. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of:

displaying said first elapsed time in a graphical format.

25. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of:

delaying said display of said first elapsed time for a predetermined length of time.

26. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of:

delaying said display of said first elapsed time until a read means is activated.

27. A method for measuring an elapsed time between related events in a drag racing vehicle having a transbrake, means for engaging and disengaging said transbrake, a G-meter, a drive shaft, a throttle stop mechanism, means for engaging and disengaging said throttle stop mechanism, and an acceleration pedal, said method comprising the steps of:

producing an electrical signal in response to a release of said transbrake;

producing an electrical signal in response to a plurality of the following;

(a) a release of said means for engaging and disengaging said transbrake;

(b) a beginning of a turning of said drive shaft;

(c) an acceleration of said vehicle reaching a predetermined value;

(d) an engagement of said throttle stop mechanism;

(e) a disengagement of said throttle stop mechanism; and

(f) a release of pressure on said accelerator pedal;

measuring a plurality of elapsed times between said electrical signals produced by said release of said transbrake and a plurality of (a) through (f); and

displaying said plurality of elapsed times in an alphanumeric format.

28. The method according to claim 27, further comprising a step of:

displaying said at least one elapsed time in a graphical format.

29. A method for measuring a plurality of elapsed times between related events in a drag racing vehicle having an engine, a transbrake, means for engaging and disengaging said transbrake, a drive shaft, a throttle stop mechanism, means for engaging and disengaging said throttle stop mechanism, and an acceleration pedal, said method comprising the steps of:

producing electrical signals in response to;

(a) a release of said transbrake;

(b) a release of said means for engaging and disengaging said transbrake;

(c) a beginning of a turning of said drive shaft;

(d) an acceleration of said vehicle reaching a predetermined value;

(e) an engagement of said throttle stop mechanism;

(f) a disengagement of said throttle stop mechanism; and

(g) a release of pressure on said accelerator pedal;

measuring a first elapsed time between (a) and (b);

measuring a second elapsed time between (a) and (c);

measuring a third elapsed time between (a) and (d);

measuring a fourth elapsed time between (a) and (e);

measuring a fifth elapsed time between (a) and (f);

measuring a sixth elapsed time between (a) and (g); and

displaying said first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth elapsed times in an alphanumeric format.

30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of:

displaying said first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth elapsed times in a graphical format.

31. A timing device for measuring a plurality of elapsed times between related events in a drag racing vehicle having an engine, a transbrake, a button for engaging and disengaging said transbrake, a drive shaft, a throttle stop mechanism, a mechanism for engaging and disengaging said throttle stop mechanism, and an acceleration pedal, said timing device comprising:

a first sensor in an operative relationship with said transbrake, said first sensor producing an electrical signal at a time of a disengagement of said transbrake;

a delay box in an operative relationship with said transbrake, said delay box producing an electrical signal at a time of a release of said transbrake;

a microprocessor in operative relationship with said first sensor and said delay box for receiving said electrical signals from said first sensor and said delay box, wherein said microprocessor further computes an elapsed time between said electrical signal of said first sensor and said electrical signal of said delay box; and

a display screen in an operative relationship with said microprocessor for displaying said elapsed time in an alphanumeric format.

32. The timing device according to claim 31, wherein said display screen further displays said first elapsed time in a graphical format.

33. The timing device according to claim 31, further comprising an electrical source, whereby when said electrical source is activated, a memory in said microprocessor is erased.

34. The timing device according to claim 31, further comprising a reset button, whereby when said reset button is activated, a memory in said microprocessor is erased.

35. A timing device for measuring an elapsed time between related events in a drag racing vehicle having an engine, a transbrake, a button for engaging and disengaging said transbrake, a drive shaft, a throttle stop mechanism, a mechanism for engaging and disengaging said throttle stop mechanism, and an acceleration pedal, said timing device comprising:

a first sensor in an operative relationship with said transbrake, said first sensor producing an electrical signal at a time of a disengagement of said transbrake;

a delay box in an operative relationship with said transbrake, said delay box producing an electrical signal at a time of a release of said transbrake;

a second sensor in an operative relationship with said drive shaft, said second sensor producing an electrical signal at a time of a beginning of a turning of said drive shaft;

said microprocessor is in an operative relationship with said second sensor for receiving said electrical signal from said second sensor, wherein said microprocessor computes a elapsed time between said electrical signal of said display box and said electrical signal of said second sensor; and

a display screen in an operative relationship with said microprocessor for displaying said elapsed time in an alphanumeric format.

36. The timing device according to claim 35, wherein said second sensor is comprised of two reflective sensors.

37. A timing device for measuring an elapsed time between related events in a drag racing vehicle having an engine, a transbrake, a button for engaging and disengaging said transbrake, a drive shaft, a throttle stop mechanism, a mechanism for engaging and disengaging said throttle stop mechanism, and an acceleration pedal, said timing device comprising:

a first sensor in an operative relationship with said transbrake, said first sensor producing an electrical signal at a time of a disengagement of said transbrake;

a delay box in an operative relationship with said transbrake, said delay box producing an electrical signal at a time of a release of said transbrake;

a G-meter in an operative relationship with said vehicle producing an acceleration value, a microprocessor in an operative relationship with said G-meter for receiving and comparing said acceleration value with a predetermined value and computing an elapsed time between said electrical signal of said delay box and said acceleration value reaching said predetermined value; and

a display screen in an operative relationship with said microprocessor for displaying said elapsed time in an alphanumeric format.

38. The timing device according to claim 37, wherein said predetermined acceleration value reaches either 0.5 or 1 G force.

39. A timing device for measuring an elapsed time between related events in a drag racing vehicle having an engine, a transbrake, a button for engaging and disengaging said transbrake, a drive shaft, a throttle stop mechanism, a mechanism for engaging and disengaging said throttle stop mechanism, and an acceleration pedal, said timing device comprising:

a first sensor in an operative relationship with said transbrake, said first sensor producing an electrical signal at a time of a disengagement of said transbrake;

a delay box in an operative relationship with said transbrake, said delay box producing an electrical signal at a time of a release of said transbrake;

a second sensor in an operative relationship with said throttle stop mechanism, for producing an electrical signal when said throttle stop mechanism is activated;

a microprocessor in an operative relationship with said second sensor for receiving said electrical signal from said second sensor, and said microprocessor computes an elapsed time between said electrical signal of said display box and said electrical signal of said third sensor; and

a display screen in an operative relationship with said microprocessor for displaying said elapsed time in an alphanumeric format.

40. A timing device for measuring an elapsed time between related events in a drag racing vehicle having an engine, a transbrake, a button for engaging and releasing said transbrake, a drive shaft, a throttle stop mechanism, a mechanism for engaging and releasing said throttle stop mechanism, and an acceleration pedal, said timing device comprising:

a first sensor in an operative relationship with said transbrake, said first sensor producing an electrical signal at a time of a disengagement of said transbrake;

a delay box in an operative relationship with said transbrake, said delay box producing an electrical signal at a time of a release of said transbrake;

a second sensor in an operative relationship with said throttle stop mechanism for producing an electrical signal at a time of a disengagement of said throttle stop mechanism;

a microprocessor in an operative relationship with said second sensor for receiving said electrical signal from said second sensor and computing an elapsed time between said electrical signal of said delay box and said electrical signal of said second sensor; and

a display screen in an operative relationship with said microprocessor for displaying said elapsed time in said alphanumeric format.

41. A timing device for measuring an elapsed time between related events in a drag racing vehicle having an engine, a transbrake, a button for engaging and releasing said transbrake, a drive shaft, a throttle stop mechanism, a mechanism for engaging and releasing said throttle stop mechanism, and an acceleration pedal, said timing device comprising:

a first sensor in an operative relationship with said transbrake, said first sensor producing an electrical signal at a time of a disengagement of said transbrake;

a delay box in an operative relationship with said transbrake, said delay box producing an electrical signal at a time of a release of said transbrake;

a second sensor for producing an electrical signal at time of release of pressure on said accelerator pedal;

a microprocessor in an operative relationship with said second sensor for receiving said electrical signal of said second sensor and computing an elapsed time between said time of said delay box and said electrical signal of said second sensor; and

a display screen in an operative relationship with said microprocessor for displaying said elapsed time in said alphanumeric format.

42. A timing device for measuring at least one elapsed time between related events in a drag racing vehicle having an engine, a transbrake, a button for engaging and disengaging said transbrake, a drive shaft, a throttle stop mechanism, and an acceleration pedal, said timing device comprising:

(a) a delay box in an operative relationship with said transbrake, said delay box producing an electrical signal at a time of a release of said transbrake

(b) a first sensor in an operative relationship with said transbrake button, said first sensor producing an electrical signal at a time of release of said transbrake button;

(c) a second sensor in an operative relationship with said driveshaft, said second sensor producing an electrical signal at a time of a beginning of a turning of said drive shaft;

(d) a G-meter in an operative relationship with said vehicle, said G-meter producing an electrical signal at a time when said drive shaft reaches a predetermined acceleration;

(e) a third sensor in an operative relationship with said throttle stop mechanism, for producing an electrical signal at a time when said throttle stop mechanism is activated;

(f) a fourth sensor in an operative relationship with said throttle stop mechanism for sensing a time of a disengagement of said throttle stop mechanism;

(g) a fifth sensor for sensing a time of a release of pressure on said accelerator pedal;

a microprocessor in an operative relationship with (a) through (g) for receiving at least two of said electrical signals from said (a) through (g) and computing at least one elapsed time between any two of (a) through (g); and

a display screen in an operative relationship with said microprocessor for displaying said at least one elapsed time in an alphanumeric format.

43. The timing device according to claim 42, wherein said display screen further displays said at least one elapsed time in a graphical format.

44. The timing device according to claim 42, wherein said predetermined acceleration reaches either 0.5 or 1 G force.

45. The timing device according to claim 42, wherein one of said at least two electrical signals is from (a).

46. A timing device for measuring at least one elapsed time between related events in a drag racing vehicle having an engine, a transbrake, a button for engaging and disengaging said transbrake, a drive shaft, a throttle stop mechanism, a mechanism for activating and deactivating said throttle stop mechanism, and an acceleration pedal, said timing device comprising:

(a) a delay box in an operative relationship with said transbrake, said delay box producing an electrical signal at a time of a release of said transbrake;

(b) a first sensor in an operative relationship with said transbrake button, said first sensor producing an electrical signal at a time of a release of said transbrake button;

(c) a second sensor in an operative relationship with said drive-shaft, said second sensor producing an electrical signal at a time of a beginning of a turning of said drive shaft;

(d) a G-meter in an operative relationship with said vehicle, said G-meter producing an electrical signal at a time when said vehicle reaches a predetermined acceleration;

(e) a third sensor in an operative relationship with said throttle stop mechanism, for producing an electrical signal at a time when said throttle stop mechanism is activated;

(f) a fourth sensor in an operative relationship with said throttle stop mechanism for sensing a time of a disengagement of said throttle stop mechanism;

(g) a fifth sensor for sensing a time of a release of pressure on said accelerator pedal;

a microprocessor in an operative relationship with said (a) through (g) for receiving said electrical signal of said (a) through (g) and computing a separate elapsed time between (a) and (b), (a) and (c), (a) and (d), (a) and (e), (a) and (f), and (a) and (g) in an alphanumeric format.

47. The timing device according to claim 46, wherein said display screen further displays said separate elapsed times in a graphical format.

48. The timing device according to claim 46, wherein said predetermined acceleration reaches either 0.5 or 1 G force.