Electronic intelligent turn signal control system

• US 7,173,524 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2005
• Issued: 02/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard L. Ponziani
• Original Assignee: Richard L. Ponziani
• Inventors: Ponziani, Richard L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walk; Samuel J.
• Application Number:
  US11/098,736
• Publication Number:
  US 20050248449A1
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 340/475, 340/476, 340/477, 362/498, 116/36, 701/36, 701/41, 701/42
• US Class Current: 340/476
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/346 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/40 having mechanical, electric or electronic automatic return to inoperative position

Abstract

An intelligent turn signal control system for turning on and off left and right turn signals in a vehicle. The system includes a computer, such as an antilock braking system computer, with programmed software operably disposed on a vehicle, and a driver interface switch assembly as input to the computer. Sensors transmit angle, differential wheel movement or related data as input to the computer, while a circuit drives turn signal indicator lamps from conditionally computed output data from the computer to turn on and off turn signals in a situation-appropriate manner. Upon turn signal indication intent data input from the driver, extensive travel and turn data is computed, including yaw rotation and steering system position to turn off or cancel the turn signal at the appropriate point.

Claims

1. An intelligent turn signal control system comprising:

a plurality of sensors comprising;

at least one vehicle speed sensor; and

at least one vehicle dynamics sensor, but excluding a yaw rate sensor such that said at least one vehicle dynamics sensor is cooperative with said at least one vehicle sensor to allow determination of a vehicular yaw rate without the need for said yaw rate sensor;

a computer configured to control an activation status of a turn signal;

a turn signal driver interface switch assembly configured to send driver intent input to said computer; and

a turn signal lamp actuation circuit configured to signally connect said computer to a plurality of turn signal lamps, said turn signal lamp actuation circuit cooperative with said computer such that upon attainment of a threshold vehicle yaw and a threshold vehicle travel distance, at least one of which is computed from a comparison of real time differential data received from a combination of inputs from said turn signal driver interface switch assembly and said plurality of sensors, said computer selectively determines whether said turn signal lamp actuation circuit should be turned on or off.

2. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said at least one vehicle dynamics sensor is selected from the group consisting of a steering angle sensor and an accelerometer.

3. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said at least one vehicle speed sensor measures wheel rotation.

4. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said at least one vehicle speed sensor measures transmission rotation.

5. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer is programmed to monitor a vehicle cruise control function to determine turn signal operational status.

6. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer is operably connected to a driver interface four way hazard flasher switch to receive on/off signals and for transmitting simultaneous left and right turn signals on and off to emulate a four way hazard function.

7. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer is programmed to adapt and adjust turn signal control based upon recent historical driving habits.

8. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein all turn signal functions are reset to off upon shut off of a vehicle ignition system.

9. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said driver interface switch assembly comprises at least one redundant turn signal actuation control disposed on a steering wheel.

10. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer comprises bi-modal functions relating to lane change and automatic shut off modes as a function of momentary switch actuation duration input from said driver interface switch assembly.

11. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer is programmed to automatically monitor and diagnose when a component in said system has failed.

12. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer activates said turn signal lamp actuation circuit upon activation of a vehicle anti-lock braking system.

13. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said predetermined condition comprises a conditionally computed vehicle travel distance threshold.

14. A turn signal control system comprising:

a driver interface switch assembly;

a turn signal circuit responsive to input from said driver interface switch assembly;

at least one vehicle dynamic sensor, but excluding a yaw rate sensor such that said at least one vehicle dynamic sensor can be used to allow determination of a vehicular yaw rate without the need for said yaw rate sensor;

at least one vehicle speed sensor; and

a computer signally cooperative with said driver interface switch assembly, said turn signal circuit and said sensors and programmed such that upon attainment of a predetermined yaw condition and a predetermined distance threshold, at least one of which is based on real time differential data received from said at least one vehicle dynamic sensor and said at least one vehicle speed sensor, said computer controls the operational status of at least one of said driver interface switch assembly and said turn signal circuit.

15. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 14, wherein said predetermined condition comprises a conditionally computed steering wheel excursion.

16. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 14, wherein said predetermined condition comprises a turn signal cancel command from the driver interface switch assembly.

17. A method of operating a vehicular turn signal, said method comprising:

configuring a turn signal control system to comprise;

a computer programmed to control an operational status of said turn signal;

a driver interface switch assembly configured to send driver intent input to said computer;

a plurality of sensors comprising at least one vehicle speed sensor and at least one vehicle dynamics sensor, but excluding a yaw rate sensor such that said at least one vehicle dynamics sensor can be used to allow determination of a vehicular yaw rate without the need for said yaw rate sensor; and

a circuit configured to signally connect at least one of said computer and said driver interface switch assembly to a plurality of turn signal lamps;

initiating operation of said turn signal;

measuring vehicular travel distance with said at least one vehicle speed sensor;

determining in real time a vehicular yaw angle with output from a combination of said at least one speed sensor and said at least one vehicle dynamics sensor;

operating said computer such that based upon said measured vehicular travel distance and said determined vehicular yaw angle, said computer controls said turn signal.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said at least one vehicle dynamics sensor is selected from the group consisting of a steering angle sensor and an accelerometer.