Brake light system
First Claim
1. A brake lighting system for a lightweight utility vehicle, said system comprising:
- a brake pedal rotary position sensor operable connected to a brake pedal shaft having a brake pedal coupled thereto and operable to rotate in conjunction with depression of the brake pedal, the rotary position sensor configured to transmit a brake pedal position signal indicative of an amount of rotation of the brake pedal shaft that is indicative of an amount of depression of the brake pedal;
a controller communicatively connected to the brake pedal rotary position sensor and operable to receive the brake pedal position signal; and
an electronic switching device communicatively connected to the controller.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lightweight utility vehicle brake lighting system comprising a brake pedal position sensor, a controller and a brake light circuit. The brake pedal position sensor senses the position, e.g., amount of depression, of a vehicle brake pedal. The controller of interprets a brake pedal position signal from the brake pedal position sensor to determine the position of the brake pedal. When the controller determines that the brake pedal has been depressed to initiate a braking operation of the vehicle, the controller transmits a brake light signal to an electronic switching device, such as a relay switch, of the brake light circuit. Upon receipt of the brake light signal, the electronic switching closes to complete, or close, the brake light circuit to enable a current flow through the brake light circuit, thereby illuminating at least one brake light of the vehicle.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A brake lighting system for a lightweight utility vehicle, said system comprising:
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a brake pedal rotary position sensor operable connected to a brake pedal shaft having a brake pedal coupled thereto and operable to rotate in conjunction with depression of the brake pedal, the rotary position sensor configured to transmit a brake pedal position signal indicative of an amount of rotation of the brake pedal shaft that is indicative of an amount of depression of the brake pedal; a controller communicatively connected to the brake pedal rotary position sensor and operable to receive the brake pedal position signal; and an electronic switching device communicatively connected to the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for controlling illumination of a lightweight utility vehicle brake light, said method comprising:
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transmitting a brake pedal position signal from a brake pedal rotary position sensor to a controller, the rotary position sensor operably connected to a rotary brake pedal shaft having a brake pedal coupled thereto and operable to rotate in conjunction with depression of the brake pedal, the brake pedal position signal indicative of an amount of rotation of the brake pedal shaft that is indicative of an amount of depression of the brake pedal and variable between a minimum value and a maximum value; transmitting a brake light signal from the controller to an electronic switching device when the brake pedal position signal exceeds an upper predetermined amount of the maximum value; and closing the electronic switching device in response to brake light signal to close a brake light circuit and provide current to a brake light for illuminating the brake light. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A brake lighting system for a lightweight utility vehicle, said system comprising:
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a brake pedal rotary position sensor operably connected to a brake pedal shaft having a brake pedal coupled thereto and operable to rotate in conjunction with depression of the brake pedal, the rotary position sensor configured to transmit a brake pedal position signal indicative of an amount of rotation of the brake pedal shaft that is indicative of an amount of depression of the brake pedal, the brake pedal position signal variable between a minimum value and a maximum value; a controller configured to receive the brake pedal position signal and transmit a brake light signal; and a brake light circuit comprising a power source, at least one brake light and an electronic switching device configured to receive the brake light signal from the controller and control current flow through the brake light circuit. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A lightweight utility vehicle comprising:
a brake lighting system comprising; a brake pedal rotary position sensor operably connected to a brake pedal shaft having a brake pedal coupled thereto and operable to rotate in conjunction with depression of the brake pedal, the rotary position sensor configured to transmit a brake pedal position signal indicative of an amount of rotation of the brake pedal shaft that is indicative of an amount of depression of the brake pedal, the brake pedal position signal variable between a minimum value and a maximum value; a controller configured to; receive the brake pedal position signal and transmit a brake light signal when the brake position signal exceeds an predetermined upper amount of the maximum value; and terminate transmission of the brake light signal when the brake position signal is less than a predetermined lower amount of the maximum value; and a brake light circuit comprising a power source, at least one brake light and an electronic switching device configured to; receive the brake light signal and enable a current flow through the brake light circuit in response thereto to illuminate the brake light; and prevent current flow through the brake light circuit upon termination of the brake light signal, to extinguish illumination of the brake light. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
Specification