Ignition bypass system

• US 7,592,714 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2006
• Issued: 09/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Safestop Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Safe Stop International, LLC
• Inventors: Brown, Charles Barroy Jr., Trebilcott, Michael Joseph Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnie; Rexford N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Amaya; Carlos
• Application Number:
  US11/382,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20070262642A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,232 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.6, 307/9.1, 307 102- 103, 180/271, 180/279, 180/283, 180/287
• US Class Current: 307/10.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/045 by limiting or cutting the electrical supply to the propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2063 Ignition switch geometry
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0803 characterised by means for initiating engine start or stop F02N11/0814 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0807 Remote means
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/105 when the engine is already running F02N11/0848 takes precedence

Abstract

A system and method for bypassing the ignition switch and controlling operation of an engine and an accessory drive of a vehicle, the system comprising an ignition switch, a user-activated secondary switch, a control logic circuit, and a third switch. The ignition switch controls operation of the engine that enables the engine to operate when the ignition switch is in an ON state. The user-activated secondary switch makes a connection in a parallel electrical power supply circuit to the engine and vehicle accessory drive, when the secondary switch is in the CLOSED state. The control logic circuit is responsive to the ignition switch, the secondary switch, and a user-activated vehicle control device. The third switch is associated with a user-activated vehicle control device wherein the third switch causes the logic circuit to interrupt the parallel electrical power supply circuit, when the user-activated vehicle control device is activated.

Claims

1. A system for controlling operation of an engine and an accessory drive of a vehicle, the system comprising:

an ignition switch for controlling the operation of the engine that enables the engine to operate when the ignition switch is in an ON state;

a user-activated secondary switch for making a connection in a parallel electrical power supply circuit to the engine and vehicle accessory drive when the secondary switch is in the CLOSED state,

a control logic circuit responsive to the ignition switch, the secondary switch, and a user-activated vehicle control device; and

a third switch associated with a user-activated vehicle control device wherein the third switch causes the control logic circuit to interrupt the parallel electrical power supply circuit when the third switch is closed, and

wherein the secondary switch remains in the CLOSED state during and after actuation of the user-activated vehicle control device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the ignition switch has two power wires providing power to the engine and the vehicle accessory drive.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control logic circuit comprises a first and second logic circuit that make connections in the parallel electrical power supply circuit to the engine and vehicle accessory drive when the secondary switch is left in the CLOSED state.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein when the secondary switch is in the CLOSED state and the ignition switch is in the OFF state, the engine is operating, the vehicle is immobile and the vehicle accessory devices are operational.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein if the user-activated vehicle control device is activated, a third logic circuit responds by causing the second logic circuit to remove power to the engine and the vehicle accessory drives.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the user-activated vehicle control device is at least one of a brake pedal, an acceleration pedal, a clutch pedal, a gear shift device, or a parking brake release device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the ignition switch is a key switch and the key is removable.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondary switch is left in the CLOSED state.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the control logic circuit comprises:

a first relay and a second relay responsive to the ignition switch, wherein the first relay and the second relay have plural contact terminals, wherein a contact terminal of the second relay makes a connection in the parallel electrical power supply path.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein contact terminals on the first relay are closed and electrical power is supplied to contact terminals of the second relay, when the ignition switch is in the ON state.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein when the secondary switch is in the CLOSED state and the ignition switch is in the ON state, the engine is operating, the vehicle is mobile and the vehicle accessory devices are operational.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the control logic circuit completes the parallel electrical power circuit to the engine and vehicle accessory drives when the ignition switch is in the ON state and the secondary switch is left in the CLOSED position, thereby allowing the ignition switch to be turned to the OFF state and the engine will remain operating and electrical power will be supplied to the engine and the vehicle accessory drive.

13. A method for controlling operation of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a passenger compartment, a vehicle accessory device, an engine, a logic circuit a user-activated vehicle control device, a starter motor and an electrical power supply, comprising:

switching an ignition key switch to an ON position when the vehicle engine is running, wherein electrical power is supplied to the engine and the vehicle accessory drive;

activating a secondary switch to a CLOSED state to establish via the logic circuit a parallel electrical power supply path to the engine and vehicle accessory drive, wherein the logic circuit comprises a first device and a second device, wherein the first device provides an electrical signal to the second device causing the second device to close contact terminals for providing a parallel electrical power supply path to the engine and vehicle accessory drive, the secondary switch remaining closed during and after the user-activated vehicle control device is actuated;

removing a key from the ignition key switch by switching the ignition key switch to an OFF position; and

leaving the passenger compartment unoccupied with the engine running and electrical power supplied to the engine and vehicle accessory drive.

14. The method of claim 13, comprising:

occupying the passenger compartment;

activating the user-activated vehicle control device, whereby the signal from the first device to the second device is interrupted; and

stopping the running of the engine, deactivating the vehicle accessory drive of the vehicle.

15. The method of claim 13, comprising:

occupying the passenger compartment;

inserting the key into the ignition key switch;

actuating the ignition key switch in an attempt to start the running engine; and

preventing the starter motor from engaging using a third device to prevent electrical power from being provided to the starter motor.

16. The method of claim 13, comprising:

occupying the passenger compartment;

inserting the key into the ignition key switch;

actuating the ignition key switch to the ON position, wherein the vehicle is in a mobile state;

moving the vehicle to another location, placing the vehicle in a parked position; and

leaving the vehicle without activating the secondary switch.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the first and second devices are relays or power integrated circuits.

18. A system for controlling the operation of an engine and an accessory drive of a vehicle, the system comprising:

an ignition switch for controlling operation of the engine that enables the engine to operate when the ignition switch is in an ON state;

a user-activated vehicle control device;

a user-activated secondary switch for making a connection in a parallel electrical power supply circuit to the engine and vehicle accessory drive, said user-activated secondary switch remaining closed during and after the user-activated vehicle control device is actuated;

a logic circuit responsive to the ignition switch, the secondary switch, and the user-activated vehicle control device; and

a third switch associated with the user-activated vehicle control device wherein the third switch causes the logic circuit to interrupt the parallel electrical power supply path, the logic circuit comprising a first relay and a second relay, wherein the first relay causes the the contacts of the second relay to open, thereby interrupting the parallel electrical power supply path when the user-activated vehicle control device is activated.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the third switch supplies an electrical signal to the first relay causing the contacts of the second relay to open.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the secondary switch is left in the CLOSED position while the accessory drive of the vehicle is operated.