Speed control method and system for a motor vehicle

• US 20070028888A1
• Filed: 08/03/2005
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jasem Jasem
• Original Assignee: Jasem Jasem
• Inventors: Jasem, Jasem
• Granted Patent: US 7,469,767 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/198.D
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/04 responsive to presence or absence of the driver, e.g. to weight or lack thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/12 responsive to conditions relating to doors or doors locks, e.g. open door
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/009 for maximum speed control
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/021 Introducing corrections for particular conditions exterior to the engine conjoint control of vehicle sub-units for propelling the vehicle B60W30/18
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/10 Safety devices F02N11/08 takes precedence

Abstract

A method for regulating the speed of a motor vehicle includes the steps of sensing an open door, verifying the authorization of a driver, and preventing the flow of fuel to the engine until an authorized driver has securely closed the vehicle doors. The method also includes the steps of sensing that the driver'"'"'s seat belt is securely fastened and limiting the flow of fuel to thereby provide a relatively slow speed until the seat belt is fastened and thereafter limiting the flow of fuel to provide a second pre-selected speed. Further, the method includes the steps of overriding the second pre-selected speed and activating a vehicle'"'"'s flashers when the second pre-selected speed is exceeded. Apparatus for accomplishing the method is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A speed control system for a motor vehicle comprising:

an engine, a door for entering and leaving the motor vehicle, a seat belt for fastening a driver to a seat in the motor vehicle and an exterior warning light having means for flashing said warning light on and off;

a source of fluid fuel and control means for controlling the flow of fuel to said engine;

means for sensing the secure fastening of said door and means including said control means for preventing the flow of fuel to said engine in the absence of the secure fastening of said doors;

means for sensing the fastening of said driver'"'"'s seat belt including said control means for limiting the flow of fuel to said engine to a first level to thereby restrict the speed of said motor vehicle to a first relatively slow speed when said seat belt is not fastened;

means including said control means for limiting the flow of fuel to said engine to a second level to thereby restrict the speed to a second pre-selected speed when said seat belt is fastened;

means for increasing the flow of fuel to said engine in excess of said second level to thereby increase the speed of said motor vehicle in excess of said second pre-selected speed; and

means for activating said means for flashing said warning lights on and off when the speed of the motor vehicle exceeds the second pre-selected speed.

2. A speed control system for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 which includes means for limiting the speed of said motor vehicle in areas of restricted speed to a third pre-selected speed activated automatically when said motor vehicle enters a restricted speed area.

3. A speed control system for a motor vehicle according to claim 2 which includes remote means for preventing the flow of fuel to said engine in the event of an unauthorized use of said motor vehicle.

4. A speed control system for a motor vehicle according to claim 3 in which said engine is an internal combustion engine.

5. A speed control system for a motor vehicle according to claim 4 in which said fluid fuel is a liquid hydrocarbon.

6. A speed control system for a motor vehicle according to claim 5 which includes a communication receiver for receiving information on a speed limit in a specific area and means responsive to said information to limit the flow of fuel to said engine to thereby provide a third pre-selected level and thereby limit the speed of said motor vehicles to a pre-selected speed for said specific area.

7. A speed control system for a motor vehicle according to claim 6 which includes means for detecting a stop sign and for reducing the speed of said motor vehicle as it approaches the stop sign.

8. A speed control system for a motor vehicle according to claim 7 in which said means for detecting a stop sign is a video camera.

9. A method for regulating the speed of a motor vehicle comprising the steps of:

sensing an open door in the motor vehicle and preventing the flow of fuel to thereby disable the motor vehicle until all doors are securely closed;

verifying authorization of a driver and preventing the flow of fuel in the event of an unauthorized driver;

delivering fuel to the engine when a driver is authorized to drive the vehicle and all doors are securely closed;

starting the vehicle engine and sensing the secure fastening of the driver'"'"'s seat belt;

limiting the flow of fuel to provide a first relatively slow rate of speed until the seat belt is securely fastened;

limiting a flow of fuel to provide a second pre-selected rate of speed when the seat belt is securely fastened;

providing an override mechanism and overriding the limitation on the fuel flow to exceed the second pre-selected speed;

providing exterior flashers and activating the exterior flashers when said second pre-selected rate of speed is being exceeded.

10. A method for regulating the speed of a motor vehicle according to claim 9 which includes the steps of sensing any passengers in the seats of the vehicle and limiting the flow of fuel to the engine to a first level until the belts of each passenger are securely fastened.

11. A method for regulating the speed of a motor vehicle according to claim 9 which includes the steps of sensing an area of reduced speed and limiting the speed of the vehicle to the reduced speed limit.