Vehicle brake warning device

• US 5,059,947 A
• Filed: 03/19/1990
• Issued: 10/22/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shih-Chiang Chen
• Original Assignee: Shih-Chiang Chen
• Inventors: Chen, Shih-Chiang
• Primary Examiner(s): Ng, Jin F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Swarthart, Brent A.
• Application Number:
  US07/495,608
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 340/467, 340/464, 340/479, 200/61.45 R, 200/61.45 M, 200/61.47, 200/61.52
• US Class Current: 340/467
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/08 with conversion into electric or magnetic values
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/093 by photoelectric pick-up

Abstract

A vehicle brake warning device for use in a vehicle with a brake pedal includes a detector for producing different electrical signals in response to the magnitude of the inertia force experienced during braking, a control circuitry receiving signals from the detector and having a varying frequency output depending upon the received signal, and a warning device activated by the varying frequency output of the control circuitry. Whenever a pressing force is exerted on the brake pedal to reduce the speed of the vehicle, the detector experiences an inertia force whose magnitude depends upon the speed of the vehicle. The detector sends out an appropriate signal dependent upon the magnitude of the inertia force to the control circuitry. The control circuitry activates the warning device to send out a warning signal which varies depending upon the magnitude of the inertia force.

Claims

1. A vehicle brake warning device for use in a vehicle with a brake pedal, comprising:

a detector for producing different electrical signals in response to the magnitude of the inertia force experienced during braking, said detector including a rolling switch actuator and a plurality of switches at different predetermined positions, the inertia force experienced during braking causing said switch actuator to selectively move one of said switches for actuation;

a housing and an inclined support plate in said housing to hold said switches, said housing having an inclined rail extending adjacent to and along the length of said support plate to hold and guide said switch actuator, said switch actuator being moved along said rail by a distance depending upon the magnitude of the inertia force;

a control circuitry electrically connected to said detector and receiving said electrical signals from the same, said control circuitry having an output dependent upon said signals, wherein said control circuitry includes a capacitor and a plurality of resistors having different resistances, said resistors being respectively connected in series with said switches, said capacitor having a charging time which depends upon the magnitude of the resistance of the resistor in series with one of the switches actuated by said switch actuator, said output of said control circuitry depending upon said charging time of said capacitor; and

a warning device activated by said output of said control circuitry;

whenever a pressing force is exerted on said brake pedal to reduce the speed of said vehicle, said detector experiences an inertia force whose magnitude depends upon the speed of said vehicle, said detector sends out an appropriate signal dependent upon the magnitude of the inertia force to said control circuitry, said control circuitry activating said warning device to send out a warning signal which depends upon the magnitude of the inertia force.

2. A vehicle brake warning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said warning device further comprises a plurality of sequentially arranged light devices, said control circuitry activating said light devices to provide a visual representation of the magnitude of said inertia force.