CA1247214A - Computer controlled safety seat switch - Google Patents
Computer controlled safety seat switchInfo
- Publication number
- CA1247214A CA1247214A CA000488442A CA488442A CA1247214A CA 1247214 A CA1247214 A CA 1247214A CA 000488442 A CA000488442 A CA 000488442A CA 488442 A CA488442 A CA 488442A CA 1247214 A CA1247214 A CA 1247214A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- switch
- seat
- time delay
- motor
- time
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K28/00—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions
- B60K28/02—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions responsive to conditions relating to the driver
- B60K28/04—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions responsive to conditions relating to the driver responsive to presence or absence of the driver, e.g. to weight or lack thereof
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
A motor driven vehicle has a safety control preventing operation of the motor if the operator is not in the drivers seat to close a seat switch for a predetermined period of time. The motor includes an electric circuit which when complete enables motor operation and which prevents motor operation when the circuit is open. A
microprocessor opens the circuit when the seat switch is open and is programmed to provide a predetermined time delay before opening the circuit to stop motor operation. The computer decrements the time delay whenever the seat switch is open. The computer includes means for testing to determine whether the time delay has been reduced to O at periodic intervals shorter than the predetermined time delay.
The decremented time delay is restored to full value if the seat switch is closed during such testing before said time delay has been decremented to O.
A motor driven vehicle has a safety control preventing operation of the motor if the operator is not in the drivers seat to close a seat switch for a predetermined period of time. The motor includes an electric circuit which when complete enables motor operation and which prevents motor operation when the circuit is open. A
microprocessor opens the circuit when the seat switch is open and is programmed to provide a predetermined time delay before opening the circuit to stop motor operation. The computer decrements the time delay whenever the seat switch is open. The computer includes means for testing to determine whether the time delay has been reduced to O at periodic intervals shorter than the predetermined time delay.
The decremented time delay is restored to full value if the seat switch is closed during such testing before said time delay has been decremented to O.
Description
7~
COMPUTER CONTROLLED SAFETY SEAT SWITCH
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electric vehicles are customarily provided with a seat switch to verify that the driver is on the seat. If not, the vehicle cannot be operated. The driver may bounce off the seat momentarily so a time delay switch is employed. The time delay switch is costly.
As the cost of various chips, etc. is reduced, it ~ecomes feasible to have computer control of the function. If the computer control is associated with additional computer controlled functions, the cost becomes even more attractive.
SUMMARY OF T~E INVENTION
This invention provides a motor driven vehicle having a seat for the operator and a safety control to disable operation of the motor if the operator is off the seat for a given period of time and comprising an electric circuit to enable or disable motor operation when the circuit is closed or open, means for opening the circuit in response to a control signal, a switch which is actuated to a first position when the driver is in the seat and is actuated to a second position when the driver is off the seat, and a computer operatively connected to the circuit to provide a control signal to open the circuit if the switch is in the second position a given period of time, which computer is programmed to delay response to the switch being in the second position for an initial time delay equal to the given period of time.
COMPUTER CONTROLLED SAFETY SEAT SWITCH
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electric vehicles are customarily provided with a seat switch to verify that the driver is on the seat. If not, the vehicle cannot be operated. The driver may bounce off the seat momentarily so a time delay switch is employed. The time delay switch is costly.
As the cost of various chips, etc. is reduced, it ~ecomes feasible to have computer control of the function. If the computer control is associated with additional computer controlled functions, the cost becomes even more attractive.
SUMMARY OF T~E INVENTION
This invention provides a motor driven vehicle having a seat for the operator and a safety control to disable operation of the motor if the operator is off the seat for a given period of time and comprising an electric circuit to enable or disable motor operation when the circuit is closed or open, means for opening the circuit in response to a control signal, a switch which is actuated to a first position when the driver is in the seat and is actuated to a second position when the driver is off the seat, and a computer operatively connected to the circuit to provide a control signal to open the circuit if the switch is in the second position a given period of time, which computer is programmed to delay response to the switch being in the second position for an initial time delay equal to the given period of time.
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The invention also provides a safety control for the motor of a motor driven vehicle of the type having a seat for an operator, which safety control disables the motor when the operator is off the seat for a given period of time and which safety control comprises circuit means for disabling motor operation in response to application of a control signal, a switch which is actuated to a first position when the operator is in the seat and which is actuated to a second position when the operator is off the seat, and a computer operatively connected to the circuit means and including register means for storing a time delay having an initial value equal to the qiven period of time, test means for periodically ascertaining the position of the switch at intervals shorter than the given period of time, decrementing means for decreasing the time delay remaining in the register means whenever the switch is in the second position, restoring means for restoring the time ~0 delay remaining in the register means to the initial value if the switch is in the first position when the position of the switch is ascertained by the test means, and means for providing the control signal to the circuit means to disable operation of the motor when the decrementing means decrease the time delay from the initial value by an amount equal to the given period of time.
The invention also includes a safety control for the motor of a motor driven vehicle of the type having a seat for an operatorr which safety control disables the motor when the operator is off the seat for a given period of time and comprising circuit means for disabling motor operation in response to application of a control signal, a switch which is actuated to a first position when the 7~
operator is in the seat and which is actuated to a second position when the operator is off the seat, and a computer operatively connected to the circuit means, which computer includes test means for periodically ascertaining the position of the switch at intervals shorter than the given period of time, and means for applying the control signal to the circuit means to disable motor operation when the aggregate time the switch is in the second position equals the given period of time provided the switch is in the first position upon each successive test of the position of the switch.
The invention also provides a vehicle having a seat for the operator, control means preventing operation of the motor unless the operator is on the seat, which control means includes a circuit enabling motor operation when closed and terminating motor operation when open, a switch actuated to a first position in response to the driver being on the seat, a microprocessor sensing the status of the switch and operative to cause the circuit to be opened if the operator is off the seat for a given period of time and having for such purpose a time delay register which is decremented when the operator is off the seat, means for periodically determining whether the operator is off the seat during the time delay and for whether the time delay has been reduced to 0, and rneans operative to increase the time deIay register to its original value if the operator returns to the seat before the time delay has been used up.
The invention also provides, in combination with a motor driven vehicle having a seat for the driver, a computer operated control for preventing motor operation unless the driver is on 7;~
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the driver seat or has been off the seat less than a predetermined time, which control comprises means operative to enable motor operation and actuable to terminate motor operation, a switch which is actuated to a first position when the driver is on the seat and which is actuated to a second position when the driver is off the seat, and a microprocessor having a time register in which the predetermined time is stored, which microprocessor is connected to monitor the status of the switch to decrement the timing register whenever the switch is in the second position, which microprocessor is programmed to test the status of the switch and the timing register whenever the switch is in the second position, and lS which microprocessor is programmed to test the s~atus of the switch and the timing register at intervals shorter than the predetermined time and being operative to cause actuation o~ the means to terminate motor operation if the register has been decremented to O and the switch is in the second 2~ position.
The invention also provides, in combination with a motor driven vehi~le having a seat .
for the driver, a computer controlled safety device to disable vehicle operation if tne seat is unoccupied a given period of time, which safety device comprises a circuit which enables operation of the motor when complete and disables operation when open, a seat switch which is actuated to a first position when the seat is occupied and actuated to a second position if the seat is unoccupied, computer means sensing the seat switch being in the first position and operative to cause the circuit to be opened, which computer means is programmed to provide a given time delay for the seat switch to be in the second position before opening the circuit, means reducing the time delay whenever the seat switch is in the second position, and test means operative to periodically determine the remaining period and whether the switch is open.
The invention also provides a motor driven vehicle having a driver seat and a safety control to prevent operation of the motor if the operator is not in and has not been in the driver seat for a predetermined period of time, which control comprises an electric circuit which when complete enables motor operation and which prevents motor operation when the circuit is open, a switch actuated to a first position by the operator being on the seat and actuated to a second position when the operator is not on the seat, computer means operative to open the circuit in response to the switch being in the second position and programmed to provide a predetermined time delay before opening the circuit to stop motor operation, which computer means ~0 includes means to decrement the time delay whenever the switch is in the second position, and which computer means includes means for determining whether the time delay has been reduced to 0, means causing operation of the determining means periodically at intervals shorter than the predetermined time delay, and means for restoring the decremented time delay to full value if the switch is in the first position during operation of the determining means before the time delay has been decremented to 0.
This invention is not limited to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology ,~ ~
2~
employed herein i8 for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIO~ OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 shows an elect~ic vehicle.
Fig. 2 is a si~plified block diagram showing the relationship of the batteries, the ~C
~otor (which powers the elect~ic vehicle in Fig. 1) and the control system and seat switch.
Fig. 3 is a simplified flow chart showing the operation of the sea~ switch control.
This chart does not include many other functions which can be incorporated in a computerized control for an electric vehicle.
Fig. 4 is a more detailed flow chart of the decision box depicted at the bottom of Fig. 3.
DETAILED DESC~IPTIO~ OF THE DRA~INGS
The electric vehicle 10 shown in Fig. 1 has a DC motor 12 driving the rear wheels 14. The motor is powered by a bank of batteries 16 with additional batteries being placed in circuit as the speed is increased. ~hile the sho~ing in Fig. 2 does not include means for psogressiYely adding batterie~
to the motor circuit, such controls are common. The oper~tor sits on seat 18 and steers ~he front wheel 2S 20 by means o~ the tiller a~rangement 22 or any other suitable arrangement. The seat 18 is provided with a switch 24 ~Fig. 2) which is closed (actuated) when the driver sits on the seat. These seat switches pro~ide safety in that th0 main battery circuit can't be connected to the motor unless the seat switch is closed. In the past, closure of the seat switch has energizQd a solenoid which closed the main contacts or motor switch means in the motor power supply. The present arrangement uses a very simple switch connected to the microprocessor 26 which has a read-only memory (ROM) chip 28 connected thereto as well as a random-access memory (RAM) chip 30. These chips and the computer 26 can be utilized for many more functions than described here.
The microprocessor 26 senses closure of the switch 24. The computer program has a register 22 (in the microprocessor 26) which establishes a given time delay which must be used up before actuating the shutdown of the power supply to the DC
motor. This time delay can be reprogrammed readily to provide any time delay thought appropriate. In the present instance let us assume that 1-1/2 seconds is about right. This will allow for the operator to be off the seat due to bouncing and the like for up to 1-1/2 seconds without the vehicle shuttin~ down.
If the driver is off the seat for more than 1-1/2 seconds the vehicle will be shut down. Furthermore, it is desired that the vehicle not be started in the first place if the driver is not in the seat. If the seat switch is closed or has not been open for more than 1-1/2 seconds, the microprocessor will instruct (send a control signal to) the output latch and solenoid driver 32 to actuate the main solenoid 34 to close (or keep closed) the main solenoid contacts (motor switch means) 36 and supply power to the DC
motor.
Fig. 3 is a very simplified flow chart for the software associated with the microprocessor 26 and the associated RAM 30 and ROM 28. The flow chart leaves out many functions not relevant to the present consideration.
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Star-ting from "start" or "reset" 38, the computer first initializes the control at 40.
Initializing simply means that everything is put into an initial known starting state. Following that, the count register R2 in the computer 26 is loaded at 42 to provide for the seat switch time delay, in this case 1-1/2 seconds. At 44 the program puts out a signal to turn off the main solenoid. At decision box 46 the logic looks at the seat switch 24 to see if anyone is on the seat. If no one is on the seat, the program exits at A and is returned to B and is in an endless loop until somebody occupies the seat which will release the program via C to turn on the main solenoid at 48 by energizing the output latch and solenoid driver 32 to pull in the solenoid 34 and close motor contacts 36.
The software provides for a 1/2 second delay at 50. This can be a simple computer controlled time delay or, in a system such as shown ~0 in co-pending Canadian application SN 488,782, this could be the time period in which a motor rpm count (speed) is established (determined). After the count for 1/2 second is established, it is stored in a register to be used in further control functions and the program progresses the decision box 52. In this simplified flow chart processing box 50 simply indicates the 1/2 second delay and for the present invention that is all that is of concern, namely there is some time delay before the logic is d~rected to decision box 52. In decision box 52, the simplified question to be answered is whether the driver has been off the seat for 1-1/2 seconds. The logic looks to the R2 register to determine whether the time delaying has been used up. If the driver has been off the seat n ~
for l-l/2 seconds ~2 will be 0 and the logic exits at ~yes~ and return~ to the flow chart ahead o~ the processing box 42. This means that the time delay regi~ter R2 will be reloaded at 42 and the main solenoid will be turned off at ~. If the dLiver has not been off the seat for 1-l/2 seconds when the program enters decision box 52, the program exists at "no" and returns to the flow chart ahead of ~he l/2 second delay at 50. As previously indicated, this is a very simplified explanation of this logic.
What happens in decision bo~ 52 is more completely shown in the flow chart of Fig. 4 in which the logic from the 1~2 second delay processing box 50 enters the deci~ion box 52 ~which is all of Fîg. 4, for all practical purposes). The logic from 50 enters decision box 54 which te~ts the status of the seat switch. If the seat swi~ch is open, the logic is directed through b~anch 56. The time delay register R2 will be decre~ented whenever the seat switch is open. In the processing box 58 the delay count is decremented by the accumulated ~ime the operator has been off the seat. Now the logic proceeds to decision box 60 to determine whether the time delay count in R2 has been reduced to 0. If R2 has been reduced to 0, the progra~ leaves box 60 via the "yes" branch and a~ processing box 62 directs the output 64 to open the main solenoid driver circuit.
Thus, at the p~ocessing step 62 a signal is put out at 64 to open the main solenoid and the program goes from the processing box S2 back to "start" in Fig. 3.
If at deci~ion box 60 it is de~ermined that the time delay egister R2 has not been reduced to O, then the logic signal exits at the "no" branch 6s and returns to the flow chart shown in Fig. 3 at the junction 66 between decision boxes 48 and 50, thus, in effect, saying that another 1/2 second delay will occur before the program directs the logic into decision box 52.
If the test of the seat switch at decision box 54 (Fig. 4) shows the switch to be closed, the logic exits on the "closed" branch and enters decision box 68 which now determines if the remaining time delay in R2 is unequal to the original time delay (1.5 seconds). If it is unequal, the indication is that the operator has bounced o~f the seat for something less than 1-1/2 seconds but everything is now okay since the operator is back on the seat. Therefore, with the remaining time and the original time delay being unequal, the logic exits box 58 on the "then" branch and enters ~he processing box 7Q which increments the R2 count back to the original count (1.5 seconds). This wipes out further consideration of the short bounce of the driver off the seat. Having incremented the time delay register R2 to its original value. the logic signal lea~es processing box 70 and goes to junction 66 to start another pass through the 1~2 second wait and then retest the system.
If at the decision box 54 (Fig. 4) it is determined that the switch is closed and a~
decision box 68 it is determined that the remaining time delay and the original time delay are the same, the logic exits decision box 68 at the "else" branch 72 to return to junction 66.
As previously indicated, with this arrangement if a longer or shorter time delay is ~'72~
g desired, it is simply a matter of reprogramming the computer, which is easy. I~ will be appreciated the system determines if the opera~or is on the seat and whether the time delay has been decreased (by reason of a short bounce) so that full time delay can be restored (in the R2 register). If ~he operator is off the seat on the first pass through Fig. 4, the main solenoid will not be disarmed since at decision box 60 it will be determined the R2 rount is not down to 0 and the logic will be directed out of the "no"
branch. In effect the remaining time delay count now would be at say, 1 second. On the next pulse from the processing box 50 (1~2 second after the firs~
test) the remaining time delay in RZ is checked. The remaining time delay can be down to 0.5 second and still nothing will happen. If the operator continues to be off the seat when the nex~ pulse comes through, the time delay count will be down to 0 and ~he logic is directed from the decision box 60 on the "yes"
branch to the processing box 62 to disarm the driver for the main solenoid. Thus, with the most adverse conditions, this sytem will shut down within 1-1/2 seconds after the driver yets off the seat for whatever reason.
It will be appreciated this same concept can be applied to vehicles other than electric vehicles. In other words, this can be used to disable the ignition system in an internal combustion engine, etc. As a matter of fact, it need not be confined to land vehicles. It could be utilized in conjuction with boats, although in some of the very high speed boats, the operator does not sit on the seat because the ride is too rough. In those boats, the operator stands up and leans against 7;~
a back res~ to keep from flying side ~o side. There, instead of a seat switch you could have a ~back"
switch. That is, if ~he operator no longeL leans against the back support, it i~ pre~umed he has gone overboard or fallen and the system should be shu~
down. It is appreciated that in many high speed motor boats, the operator has a lanyard connected between himself and an element in the ignition circuit so ~hat the ignition sy~tem will be disabled if the operator is thrown overboard. The present arrangemen~ could have some advantage over the lanyard arrangement in that it could simply shut down if the operator gets into the unsafe habit of not leaning against the back ~upport. And, for those uses. the time delay period can be decreased by simple reprogramming. As used in the claims, "seat"
is intended to embrace the back rest. As used in the claims, "vehicle" include~ boats. Thus, the word is used in its dictionary sense of "any means in or by which someone travels or by which some~hing is carried or conveyed."
The ~ame functional result can be achieved by having the seat switch operation reserved, i.e., the s~itch can open when the driver is on the seat. The~efore, the claims refer to the switch having first and second positions and e;ther position can be the closed position.
We claim:
The invention also provides a safety control for the motor of a motor driven vehicle of the type having a seat for an operator, which safety control disables the motor when the operator is off the seat for a given period of time and which safety control comprises circuit means for disabling motor operation in response to application of a control signal, a switch which is actuated to a first position when the operator is in the seat and which is actuated to a second position when the operator is off the seat, and a computer operatively connected to the circuit means and including register means for storing a time delay having an initial value equal to the qiven period of time, test means for periodically ascertaining the position of the switch at intervals shorter than the given period of time, decrementing means for decreasing the time delay remaining in the register means whenever the switch is in the second position, restoring means for restoring the time ~0 delay remaining in the register means to the initial value if the switch is in the first position when the position of the switch is ascertained by the test means, and means for providing the control signal to the circuit means to disable operation of the motor when the decrementing means decrease the time delay from the initial value by an amount equal to the given period of time.
The invention also includes a safety control for the motor of a motor driven vehicle of the type having a seat for an operatorr which safety control disables the motor when the operator is off the seat for a given period of time and comprising circuit means for disabling motor operation in response to application of a control signal, a switch which is actuated to a first position when the 7~
operator is in the seat and which is actuated to a second position when the operator is off the seat, and a computer operatively connected to the circuit means, which computer includes test means for periodically ascertaining the position of the switch at intervals shorter than the given period of time, and means for applying the control signal to the circuit means to disable motor operation when the aggregate time the switch is in the second position equals the given period of time provided the switch is in the first position upon each successive test of the position of the switch.
The invention also provides a vehicle having a seat for the operator, control means preventing operation of the motor unless the operator is on the seat, which control means includes a circuit enabling motor operation when closed and terminating motor operation when open, a switch actuated to a first position in response to the driver being on the seat, a microprocessor sensing the status of the switch and operative to cause the circuit to be opened if the operator is off the seat for a given period of time and having for such purpose a time delay register which is decremented when the operator is off the seat, means for periodically determining whether the operator is off the seat during the time delay and for whether the time delay has been reduced to 0, and rneans operative to increase the time deIay register to its original value if the operator returns to the seat before the time delay has been used up.
The invention also provides, in combination with a motor driven vehicle having a seat for the driver, a computer operated control for preventing motor operation unless the driver is on 7;~
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the driver seat or has been off the seat less than a predetermined time, which control comprises means operative to enable motor operation and actuable to terminate motor operation, a switch which is actuated to a first position when the driver is on the seat and which is actuated to a second position when the driver is off the seat, and a microprocessor having a time register in which the predetermined time is stored, which microprocessor is connected to monitor the status of the switch to decrement the timing register whenever the switch is in the second position, which microprocessor is programmed to test the status of the switch and the timing register whenever the switch is in the second position, and lS which microprocessor is programmed to test the s~atus of the switch and the timing register at intervals shorter than the predetermined time and being operative to cause actuation o~ the means to terminate motor operation if the register has been decremented to O and the switch is in the second 2~ position.
The invention also provides, in combination with a motor driven vehi~le having a seat .
for the driver, a computer controlled safety device to disable vehicle operation if tne seat is unoccupied a given period of time, which safety device comprises a circuit which enables operation of the motor when complete and disables operation when open, a seat switch which is actuated to a first position when the seat is occupied and actuated to a second position if the seat is unoccupied, computer means sensing the seat switch being in the first position and operative to cause the circuit to be opened, which computer means is programmed to provide a given time delay for the seat switch to be in the second position before opening the circuit, means reducing the time delay whenever the seat switch is in the second position, and test means operative to periodically determine the remaining period and whether the switch is open.
The invention also provides a motor driven vehicle having a driver seat and a safety control to prevent operation of the motor if the operator is not in and has not been in the driver seat for a predetermined period of time, which control comprises an electric circuit which when complete enables motor operation and which prevents motor operation when the circuit is open, a switch actuated to a first position by the operator being on the seat and actuated to a second position when the operator is not on the seat, computer means operative to open the circuit in response to the switch being in the second position and programmed to provide a predetermined time delay before opening the circuit to stop motor operation, which computer means ~0 includes means to decrement the time delay whenever the switch is in the second position, and which computer means includes means for determining whether the time delay has been reduced to 0, means causing operation of the determining means periodically at intervals shorter than the predetermined time delay, and means for restoring the decremented time delay to full value if the switch is in the first position during operation of the determining means before the time delay has been decremented to 0.
This invention is not limited to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology ,~ ~
2~
employed herein i8 for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIO~ OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 shows an elect~ic vehicle.
Fig. 2 is a si~plified block diagram showing the relationship of the batteries, the ~C
~otor (which powers the elect~ic vehicle in Fig. 1) and the control system and seat switch.
Fig. 3 is a simplified flow chart showing the operation of the sea~ switch control.
This chart does not include many other functions which can be incorporated in a computerized control for an electric vehicle.
Fig. 4 is a more detailed flow chart of the decision box depicted at the bottom of Fig. 3.
DETAILED DESC~IPTIO~ OF THE DRA~INGS
The electric vehicle 10 shown in Fig. 1 has a DC motor 12 driving the rear wheels 14. The motor is powered by a bank of batteries 16 with additional batteries being placed in circuit as the speed is increased. ~hile the sho~ing in Fig. 2 does not include means for psogressiYely adding batterie~
to the motor circuit, such controls are common. The oper~tor sits on seat 18 and steers ~he front wheel 2S 20 by means o~ the tiller a~rangement 22 or any other suitable arrangement. The seat 18 is provided with a switch 24 ~Fig. 2) which is closed (actuated) when the driver sits on the seat. These seat switches pro~ide safety in that th0 main battery circuit can't be connected to the motor unless the seat switch is closed. In the past, closure of the seat switch has energizQd a solenoid which closed the main contacts or motor switch means in the motor power supply. The present arrangement uses a very simple switch connected to the microprocessor 26 which has a read-only memory (ROM) chip 28 connected thereto as well as a random-access memory (RAM) chip 30. These chips and the computer 26 can be utilized for many more functions than described here.
The microprocessor 26 senses closure of the switch 24. The computer program has a register 22 (in the microprocessor 26) which establishes a given time delay which must be used up before actuating the shutdown of the power supply to the DC
motor. This time delay can be reprogrammed readily to provide any time delay thought appropriate. In the present instance let us assume that 1-1/2 seconds is about right. This will allow for the operator to be off the seat due to bouncing and the like for up to 1-1/2 seconds without the vehicle shuttin~ down.
If the driver is off the seat for more than 1-1/2 seconds the vehicle will be shut down. Furthermore, it is desired that the vehicle not be started in the first place if the driver is not in the seat. If the seat switch is closed or has not been open for more than 1-1/2 seconds, the microprocessor will instruct (send a control signal to) the output latch and solenoid driver 32 to actuate the main solenoid 34 to close (or keep closed) the main solenoid contacts (motor switch means) 36 and supply power to the DC
motor.
Fig. 3 is a very simplified flow chart for the software associated with the microprocessor 26 and the associated RAM 30 and ROM 28. The flow chart leaves out many functions not relevant to the present consideration.
~7~
Star-ting from "start" or "reset" 38, the computer first initializes the control at 40.
Initializing simply means that everything is put into an initial known starting state. Following that, the count register R2 in the computer 26 is loaded at 42 to provide for the seat switch time delay, in this case 1-1/2 seconds. At 44 the program puts out a signal to turn off the main solenoid. At decision box 46 the logic looks at the seat switch 24 to see if anyone is on the seat. If no one is on the seat, the program exits at A and is returned to B and is in an endless loop until somebody occupies the seat which will release the program via C to turn on the main solenoid at 48 by energizing the output latch and solenoid driver 32 to pull in the solenoid 34 and close motor contacts 36.
The software provides for a 1/2 second delay at 50. This can be a simple computer controlled time delay or, in a system such as shown ~0 in co-pending Canadian application SN 488,782, this could be the time period in which a motor rpm count (speed) is established (determined). After the count for 1/2 second is established, it is stored in a register to be used in further control functions and the program progresses the decision box 52. In this simplified flow chart processing box 50 simply indicates the 1/2 second delay and for the present invention that is all that is of concern, namely there is some time delay before the logic is d~rected to decision box 52. In decision box 52, the simplified question to be answered is whether the driver has been off the seat for 1-1/2 seconds. The logic looks to the R2 register to determine whether the time delaying has been used up. If the driver has been off the seat n ~
for l-l/2 seconds ~2 will be 0 and the logic exits at ~yes~ and return~ to the flow chart ahead o~ the processing box 42. This means that the time delay regi~ter R2 will be reloaded at 42 and the main solenoid will be turned off at ~. If the dLiver has not been off the seat for 1-l/2 seconds when the program enters decision box 52, the program exists at "no" and returns to the flow chart ahead of ~he l/2 second delay at 50. As previously indicated, this is a very simplified explanation of this logic.
What happens in decision bo~ 52 is more completely shown in the flow chart of Fig. 4 in which the logic from the 1~2 second delay processing box 50 enters the deci~ion box 52 ~which is all of Fîg. 4, for all practical purposes). The logic from 50 enters decision box 54 which te~ts the status of the seat switch. If the seat swi~ch is open, the logic is directed through b~anch 56. The time delay register R2 will be decre~ented whenever the seat switch is open. In the processing box 58 the delay count is decremented by the accumulated ~ime the operator has been off the seat. Now the logic proceeds to decision box 60 to determine whether the time delay count in R2 has been reduced to 0. If R2 has been reduced to 0, the progra~ leaves box 60 via the "yes" branch and a~ processing box 62 directs the output 64 to open the main solenoid driver circuit.
Thus, at the p~ocessing step 62 a signal is put out at 64 to open the main solenoid and the program goes from the processing box S2 back to "start" in Fig. 3.
If at deci~ion box 60 it is de~ermined that the time delay egister R2 has not been reduced to O, then the logic signal exits at the "no" branch 6s and returns to the flow chart shown in Fig. 3 at the junction 66 between decision boxes 48 and 50, thus, in effect, saying that another 1/2 second delay will occur before the program directs the logic into decision box 52.
If the test of the seat switch at decision box 54 (Fig. 4) shows the switch to be closed, the logic exits on the "closed" branch and enters decision box 68 which now determines if the remaining time delay in R2 is unequal to the original time delay (1.5 seconds). If it is unequal, the indication is that the operator has bounced o~f the seat for something less than 1-1/2 seconds but everything is now okay since the operator is back on the seat. Therefore, with the remaining time and the original time delay being unequal, the logic exits box 58 on the "then" branch and enters ~he processing box 7Q which increments the R2 count back to the original count (1.5 seconds). This wipes out further consideration of the short bounce of the driver off the seat. Having incremented the time delay register R2 to its original value. the logic signal lea~es processing box 70 and goes to junction 66 to start another pass through the 1~2 second wait and then retest the system.
If at the decision box 54 (Fig. 4) it is determined that the switch is closed and a~
decision box 68 it is determined that the remaining time delay and the original time delay are the same, the logic exits decision box 68 at the "else" branch 72 to return to junction 66.
As previously indicated, with this arrangement if a longer or shorter time delay is ~'72~
g desired, it is simply a matter of reprogramming the computer, which is easy. I~ will be appreciated the system determines if the opera~or is on the seat and whether the time delay has been decreased (by reason of a short bounce) so that full time delay can be restored (in the R2 register). If ~he operator is off the seat on the first pass through Fig. 4, the main solenoid will not be disarmed since at decision box 60 it will be determined the R2 rount is not down to 0 and the logic will be directed out of the "no"
branch. In effect the remaining time delay count now would be at say, 1 second. On the next pulse from the processing box 50 (1~2 second after the firs~
test) the remaining time delay in RZ is checked. The remaining time delay can be down to 0.5 second and still nothing will happen. If the operator continues to be off the seat when the nex~ pulse comes through, the time delay count will be down to 0 and ~he logic is directed from the decision box 60 on the "yes"
branch to the processing box 62 to disarm the driver for the main solenoid. Thus, with the most adverse conditions, this sytem will shut down within 1-1/2 seconds after the driver yets off the seat for whatever reason.
It will be appreciated this same concept can be applied to vehicles other than electric vehicles. In other words, this can be used to disable the ignition system in an internal combustion engine, etc. As a matter of fact, it need not be confined to land vehicles. It could be utilized in conjuction with boats, although in some of the very high speed boats, the operator does not sit on the seat because the ride is too rough. In those boats, the operator stands up and leans against 7;~
a back res~ to keep from flying side ~o side. There, instead of a seat switch you could have a ~back"
switch. That is, if ~he operator no longeL leans against the back support, it i~ pre~umed he has gone overboard or fallen and the system should be shu~
down. It is appreciated that in many high speed motor boats, the operator has a lanyard connected between himself and an element in the ignition circuit so ~hat the ignition sy~tem will be disabled if the operator is thrown overboard. The present arrangemen~ could have some advantage over the lanyard arrangement in that it could simply shut down if the operator gets into the unsafe habit of not leaning against the back ~upport. And, for those uses. the time delay period can be decreased by simple reprogramming. As used in the claims, "seat"
is intended to embrace the back rest. As used in the claims, "vehicle" include~ boats. Thus, the word is used in its dictionary sense of "any means in or by which someone travels or by which some~hing is carried or conveyed."
The ~ame functional result can be achieved by having the seat switch operation reserved, i.e., the s~itch can open when the driver is on the seat. The~efore, the claims refer to the switch having first and second positions and e;ther position can be the closed position.
We claim:
Claims (14)
1. A motor driven vehicle having a seat for the operator and a safety control to disable operation of the motor if the operator is off said seat for a given period of time, comprising, an electric circuit to enable or disable motor operation when said circuit is closed or open, means for opening said circuit in response to a control signal, a switch which is actuated to a first position when the driver is in said seat and is actuated to a second position when the driver is off said seat, and a computer operatively connected to said circuit to provide a control signal to open said circuit if said switch is in said second position a given period of time, said computer being programmed to delay response to said switch being in said second position for an initial time delay equal to said given period of time.
2. A motor driven vehicle according to Claim 1 in which said computer is programmed to decrease the time remaining in the time delay whenever said switch is in said second position, means for periodically checking the status of said switch at intervals shorter than said initial time delay, and said computer program including means to restore the time delay to said initial time delay when said switch is in said first position when the status of the switch is tested.
3. A motor driven vehicle according to Claim 2 in which said computer totals the time said switch is in said second position so long as said switch is in said second position each time the status is tested.
4. A motor driven vehicle according to Claim 1 in which said computer provides said control signal to disable motor operation in response to a given period of time which may be continuous or interrupted.
5. In combination with a motor driven vehicle having a seat for the operator, control means preventing operation of the motor unless the operator is on said seat, said control means including a circuit enabling motor operation when closed and terminating motor operation when open, a switch actuated to a first position in response to the driver being on said seat, a microprocessor sensing the status of said switch and operative to cause said circuit to be opened if the operator is off said seat for a given period of time and having for such purposes a time delay register which is decremented when the operator is off said seat, means for periodically determining whether the operator is off said seat during said time delay and for whether said time delay has been reduced to 0, and means operative to increase said time delay register to its original value if the operator returns to said seat before said time delay has been used up.
6. In combination with a motor driven vehicle having a seat for the driver, a computer operated control for preventing motor operation unless the driver is on the driver seat or has been off said seat less than a predetermined time, comprising, means operative to enable motor operation and actuatable to terminate motor operation, a switch which is actuated to a first position when the driver is on said seat and which is actuated to a second position when the driver is off said seat, and a microprocessor having a timing register in which said predetermined time is stored, said microprocessor being connected to monitor the status of said switch to decrement said timing register whenever said switch is in said second position, said microprocessor being programmed to test the status of said switch and said timing register whenever said switch is in said second position, said microprocessor being programmed to test the status of said switch and said timing register at intervals shorter than said predetermined time and being operative to cause actuation of said means to terminate motor operation if said register has been decremented to 0 and said switch is in said second position.
7. The combination of Claim 6 in which said microprocessor is also programmed to increment said register to the full predetermined time if said switch is in said first position when the status is tested.
8. The combination of Claim 7 in which said microprocessor is programmed to continue decrementing said register if said switch is in said second position and said register has not been reduced to 0 when the status is tested.
9. In combination with a motor driven vehicle having a seat for the driver, a computer controlled safety device to disable vehicle operation if said seat is unoccupied a given period of time, comprising, a circuit which enables operation of said motor when complete and disables operation when open, a seat switch which is actuated to a first position when said seat is occupied and actuated to a second position if the seat is unoccupied, computer means sensing said seat switch being in said first position and operative to cause said circuit to be opened, said computer means being programmed to provide a given time delay for said seat switch to be in said second position before opening said circuit, means reducing said time delay whenever said seat switch is in said second position, and test means operative to periodically determine the remaining period and whether said switch is open.
10. The combination of Claim 9 in which the time delay is increased to said given time delay if said switch is in said first position when said test means operates.
11. A motor driven vehicle having a driver seat and a safety control to prevent operation of the motor if the operator is not in and has not been in said driver seat for a predetermined period of time, comprising, an electric circuit which when complete enables motor operation and which prevents motor operation when the circuit is open, a switch actuated to a first position by the operator being on said seat and actuated to a second position when the operator is not on said seat, computer means operative to open said circuit in response to said switch being in said second position and programmed to provide a predetermined time delay before opening said circuit to stop motor operation, said computer means including means to decrement said time delay whenever said switch is in said second position, said computer means including means for determining whether said time delay has been reduced to 0, means causing operation of said determining means periodically at intervals shorter than said predetermined time delay, and means for restoring the decremented time delay to full value if said switch is in said first position during operation of said determining means before said time delay has been decremented to 0.
12. A safety control for the motor of a motor driven vehicle of the type having a seat for an operator, which safety control disables the motor when the operator is off the seat for a given period of time, said safety control comprising circuit means for disabling motor operation in response to application of a control signal, a switch which is actuated to a first position when the operator is in the seat and which is actuated to a second position when the operator is off the seat, and a computer operatively connected to said circuit means, said computer including register means for storing a time delay having an initial value equal to the given period of time, test means for periodically ascertaining the position of said switch at intervals shorter than the given period of time, decrementing means for decreasing the time delay remaining in said register means whenever said switch is in said second position, restoring means for restoring the time delay remaining in said register means to the initial value if said switch is in said first position when the position of said switch is ascertained by said test means, and means for providing the control signal to said circuit means to disable operation of the motor when said decrementing means decreases the time delay from said initial value by an amount equal to the given period of time.
13. A safety control according to Claim 2 in which said computer totals the time said switch is in said second position so long as said switch is in said second position each time the position of said switch is tested.
14. A safety control for the motor of a motor driven vehicle of the type having a seat for an operator, which safety control disables the motor when the operator is off the seat for a given period of time, said safety control comprising circuit means for disabling motor operation in response to application of a control signal, a switch which is actuated to a first position when the operator is in the seat and which is actuated to a second position when the operator is off the seat, and a computer operatively connected to said circuit means, said computer including test means for periodically ascertaining the position of said switch at intervals shorter than the given period of time, and means for applying the control signal to said circuit means to disable motor operation when the aggregate time said switch is in said second position equals the given period of time provided said switch is in said first position upon each successive test of the position of said switch.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/648,146 US4607199A (en) | 1984-09-07 | 1984-09-07 | Computer controlled safety seat switch |
| US648,146 | 1984-09-07 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1247214A true CA1247214A (en) | 1988-12-20 |
Family
ID=24599622
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000488442A Expired CA1247214A (en) | 1984-09-07 | 1985-08-09 | Computer controlled safety seat switch |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4607199A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1247214A (en) |
Families Citing this family (19)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3341472C2 (en) * | 1983-11-17 | 1986-11-20 | SWF Auto-Electric GmbH, 7120 Bietigheim-Bissingen | Circuit arrangement with a microcomputer |
| JPS62247934A (en) * | 1986-04-22 | 1987-10-29 | Ikeda Bussan Co Ltd | Seat controller |
| US4969533A (en) * | 1988-07-29 | 1990-11-13 | Deere & Company | Work vehicle |
| US5156232A (en) * | 1989-04-13 | 1992-10-20 | Fumio Muroya | Operation controlling apparatus of the passenger working machine |
| US4974711A (en) * | 1989-07-31 | 1990-12-04 | Deere & Company | Brake and clutch control |
| US5219413A (en) * | 1991-09-11 | 1993-06-15 | Carolina Tractor | Engine idle shut-down controller |
| US5396970A (en) * | 1992-10-09 | 1995-03-14 | Tokyo R&D Co., Ltd. | Electromotive scooter |
| JPH06199146A (en) * | 1992-11-12 | 1994-07-19 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Motor-driven vehicle control device |
| ITMI961936A1 (en) * | 1996-09-20 | 1998-03-20 | Edi Micheletti | MOTORIZED LOCOMATION MEANS |
| US5991676A (en) * | 1996-11-22 | 1999-11-23 | Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. | Seat occupant sensing system |
| US5739757A (en) * | 1997-01-30 | 1998-04-14 | Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. | Vehicle passenger weight sensor |
| US5865463A (en) * | 1997-02-15 | 1999-02-02 | Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. | Airbag deployment controller |
| US5971432A (en) * | 1997-02-15 | 1999-10-26 | Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. | Seat occupant sensing system |
| US5810392A (en) * | 1997-02-15 | 1998-09-22 | Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. | Seat occupant sensing system |
| JP2000236979A (en) * | 1999-02-19 | 2000-09-05 | Riyuuzou Waguri | Oscillatory chair device |
| US6226902B1 (en) | 1999-07-16 | 2001-05-08 | Case Corporation | Operator presence system with bypass logic |
| US20040055558A1 (en) * | 2002-09-25 | 2004-03-25 | Mcelroy Jay | System and method for vehicle idle reduction |
| US8274004B2 (en) * | 2009-06-04 | 2012-09-25 | Selzer Donald F | Safety system and handle member therefor |
| EP2509837A1 (en) * | 2009-12-08 | 2012-10-17 | Renault Trucks | Method for controlling operation of a hybrid automotive vehicle and vehicle adapted to such a method |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3500946A (en) * | 1968-01-02 | 1970-03-17 | Allis Chalmers Mfg Co | Seat operated power cutoff time delay |
| CH533025A (en) * | 1970-12-01 | 1973-01-31 | Rochat Freddy | Device for starting up the ignition circuit of a motor vehicle |
| US3718902A (en) * | 1971-12-06 | 1973-02-27 | Irvin Industries Inc | Vehicle seat belt alarm and starter interlock control system |
| US3838748A (en) * | 1973-01-30 | 1974-10-01 | Ridersafe Syst Inc | Safety system for vehicles |
| JPS5094633A (en) * | 1973-12-24 | 1975-07-28 | ||
| US4294327A (en) * | 1978-12-15 | 1981-10-13 | Delta Systems, Inc. | Safety interlock for machine and engine with magneto ignition |
| US4366366A (en) * | 1980-09-05 | 1982-12-28 | Ekblad Carl A | Electric iron stand with time delay safety switch arrangement |
-
1984
- 1984-09-07 US US06/648,146 patent/US4607199A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1985
- 1985-08-09 CA CA000488442A patent/CA1247214A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4607199A (en) | 1986-08-19 |
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