Refueling safety switch

• US 6,712,171 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2001
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Farmer, Shalette M.
• Primary Examiner(s): CULBRETH, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US09/969,674
• Publication Number:
  US 20030062210A1
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• Field of Search: 180/286, 180/281, 180/271, 307/10.1, 307/10.6
• US Class Current: 180/286
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/05 Inlet covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0546 Arrangements for checking the position of the inlet cover
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/10 responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle

Abstract

A refueling safety system for a vehicle with a switch attached to a fuel door to prevent a vehicle'"'"'s engine from functioning while the fuel door is opened and being refueled.

Claims

1. A refueling safety system for a vehicle with an automatic transmission system comprising:

(a) a fuel door mounted near a fuel tank opening of the vehicle and capable of pivoting between an open position and a closed position covering said fuel tank opening,

(b) a switch positioned adjacent said door and which is activated when said door is in the open position and said switch is deactivated when said door is in the closed position,

(c) a gearing system for a vehicle comprising a parking gear,

(d) a sensor capable of determining whether said vehicle is in said parking gear, and

(e) a computer electrically connected to both said switch and said sensor, wherein said computer prevents an engine from functioning when said computer determines that said switch is active by an electrical current and that said vehicle is simultaneously in said parking gear.

2. The refueling safety system according to claim 1 wherein said sensor is connected to said gearing system.

3. The refueling safety system according to claim 2 wherein said activated switch creates a closed electrical circuit.

4. The refueling safety system according to claim 3 wherein said deactivated switch creates en open electrical circuit.

5. The refueling safety system for a vehicle with a manual transmission system comprising:

(a) a fuel door mounted near a fuel tank opening of the vehicle and capable of pivoting between an open position and a closed position covering maid fuel tank opening,

(b) a switch positioned inside said door and which is activated when said door is in the open position and said switch is deactivated when said door is in the closed position,

(c) a gearing system for a vehicle comprising a neutral gear,

(d) a sensor capable of determining whether said vehicle is in said neutral gear,

(e) a parking brake, and

(f) a computer electrically connected to both said switch and said sensor, wherein said computer prevents an engine from functioning when said computer determines that said switch is active by an electrical current and that said vehicle is simultaneously in said neutral gear and said parking brake is engaged.

6. The refueling safety system according to claim 5 wherein said sensor is connected to said gearing system.

7. The refueling safety system according to claim 6 wherein said activated switch creates a closed electrical circuit.

8. The refueling safety system according to claim 7 wherein said deactivated switch creates an open electrical circuit.