DE3303855A1 - Time switch unit for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

Time switch unit for motor vehicles in which a microcomputer (13), a power supply unit (11), an input unit (12), an output unit (15) and a supplementary unit (14) interact in such a way that various devices of a motor vehicle, such as indicator flasher, rear window heater, failure to switch off the interior light, the windscreen wiper, etc. are monitored and possible faults of the same are indicated, the car battery (10) supplying power for the time switch unit via the power supply unit (11). …<IMAGE>…

Description

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'' Time switch unit for motor vehicles

The present invention relates to a time switch unit for motor vehicles.

The development in the automotive industry forces the Factory owners to a dynamic attitude that results in a constant effort to simplify the product and the redesign of all those parts, which express themselves in practice due to their susceptibility to damage have proven to be the most conflict-prone, without, however, the safety and costs of the motor vehicle to neglect.

So what is important is the reliability of the various Devices and their control by the driver, but without this being directed towards the traffic situation To diminish attention. The current trend To facilitate driving, the aim is clearly to centralize the controls and functions within the range of the driver to avoid distracting back and forth movements that are momentary for that one Loss of vision and thus an inexhaustible source of accidents.

Simultaneously with the centralization of functions are the logical decision-making and the actuation of the Equipment or display instruments with which the car is equipped, for a limited time or in to consider certain time intervals. All of this, of course, leads to more complex systems and also multiplies the wiring, so that the duplication of the circuits creates real space problems in the motor vehicle .

The solutions known today for this problem consist in devices of the electromechanical type, the reliability of which is determined in terms of variability Parameters, e.g. voltage and temperature, is simply dubious. There is also a two Art won solutions that consist in the application of conventional electronics to the previous devices, the However, the problem has not been resolved, because although these solutions improve reliability, they are extensive '0 and very expensive.

<* ■ "* To solve these reliability problems,

Space, price and simultaneous centralization of the functions are resorted to a possibility which is based on the application of microelectronics and allows the inclusion of a large number of semiconductors in a very small space, which provide a multitude of circuits, all with a corresponding programmed microcomputer are connected. This is an amalgamation of functions in a single device or ^ ^υ control and at the same time of decision precipitations with absolute reliability and precision available, which also contains a Eigentest- and self-correcting system.

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The time switch unit forming the subject of the present entry for motor vehicles consists of a microcomputer, a supply unit, an input unit, an output unit and an additional unit. The mentioned

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th components are mounted on a printed circuit board to which the terminals be connected. The whole thing is housed and protected in a plastic housing.

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The time switch unit described here clearly enables the classic functions to be expanded of a mid-range car, which of course is the case with the

Space, price, reliability and centralization problems cited above is very important. At the same time, it is easy to see that in the event of damage, both Finding and repairing can be greatly simplified.

The role of the various components of the unit and their The combination is as follows: The supply unit connected directly to the car battery receives the Battery voltage and transfers it to the entire time switch unit. At the same time, it switches off the battery as soon as a voltage supply is no longer required is.

The input unit connects the various control, Control and alarm signals that you either receive from the driver when a certain control switch is pressed or when a specific part of the vehicle, with the inputs of the microcomputer, the corresponding signals gives away.

The microcomputer represents the intelligence center, which, on the basis of preprogramming, interprets the signals arriving from the input unit on the basis of the self-test and changes the value of the outgoing signals according to the program stored in its memory, which basically consists of a series of instructions that are executed in a clocked manner.

The output unit transmits thanks to its equipment with the appropriate relays or semiconductors as main components as required depending on the part or device to which the signal is being sent Power.

The additional unit contains all possible auxiliary equipment, those for the correct operation of the microcomputer

'are necessary because the signals are exposed to interference from outside could be. The subject matter of the present invention patent Thanks to its design and its components, the forming unit can simultaneously perform the following functions perform: emergency lights, flashing lights, time switches, heated rear window, extended operation of the interior lighting, Front and rear windscreen washer system with slow, fast and interval switching, high beam, acoustic Signal to display defects affecting the driving

• 0 cautious (stop light, low beam, water temperature, oil pressure, Brake fluids, brake lining), acoustic signal. ■ *** ■ to indicate that the lighting is switched on at l / waived of the vehicle, opening and blocking the doors, simultaneous actuation of the four window lifters and blocking

'5 de the doors.

The functions admonished above represent thanks to their originality Design are only a few examples of the possibilities of the time switch unit, but are not allowed under any circumstances

- ^ "should be viewed as a caveat as it is easy to understand is that precisely because of this design, further functions are added to those listed can, or that if the number remains the same, other functions can be exercised by only programming

^ ^{J of} the microcomputer is changed.

In addition, the unit is designed in such a way that it can handle the control functions available today in a standard vehicle is compatible and only the cabling is

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must be fitted.

The cycle of operation of the unit is described below. To facilitate understanding of how each Elements are combined and connected with each other, will

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- 'attached the drawing in which the outline of the blinking phase unit are indicated by a dashed line.

The time switch unit for motor vehicles works as follows: in the idle state, all outputs of the microcomputer (13) to the output unit (15) are open, wherein the power consumption of approx. 100 mA is negligible. if we consider that for some reason a vehicle can be left standing for a longer period, but would this consumption will become a danger. Therefore, the connected directly to the car battery (10) turns on Supply unit (11) automatically disconnects when the ignition key is removed.

However, two logical exceptions apply to the above-mentioned operating system, namely emergency lighting operation, which must work under all circumstances, as well as the extended operation of the interior lighting and the liiarnsystem with regard to the lighting that is switched on when leaving the vehicle, which can be accessed via the supply unit (11) even supply it with power itself when the ignition key is removed.

During normal operation of the vehicle, every control command from the driver or every defect in a vehicle part generates a signal with a different frequency and voltage, which runs via the input unit (12) before entering the microcomputer (13), since the above microcomputer (13) has a Voltage of 5 V t 10 % works and the voltage and frequency of the signal must first be adapted to the operating voltage and frequency of (13). As soon as the microcomputer (13) receives the signal at one of its inputs

^ "receives, it generates thanks to the preprogramming with two different programs - the main and the interrupt program - the corresponding output signal according to its programming and a general time specification, which in a basic time unit, the interpretation of all

* "Licher from the input unit (12) arriving and from (13) causes signals detected in its numerous inputs.

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The worn microcomputer (13) generated signal goes to the corresponding output where the output unit (15) the uon (13) received signal into the operating voltage required for the functioning of the organ concerned implements. Thereupon an acoustic or flashing signal occurs, or a certain part of the vehicle is actuated, triggered either by the direct command of the driver or by the detection of a defect in one of the uon functions controlled by the time switch unit.

If the microcomputer (13) is exposed to an external disturbance, this affects its functioning could be caused, responds to the additional unit (14) and causes (13) the program again in accordance with the signal received in one of its inputs and transmitted by the input unit (12) starts up.

The above explanations make it incomprehensible that the Subject matter of the invention is a fail-safe, reliable time switch unit for motor vehicles that do not is only protected against internal operational disruptions, but also against possible disruptive external influences.

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Claims (4)

· = - -: - "= - * ^: » - ^: " ^: " MLLY LORENZ Patent attorney Hubertusstrasse 83 ¹ A D-8035 Gauting «Munich (089) 8506036 * + BREVET Telex 5 21707 lore d fax machine mECANISmOS AUXILIARES INDUSTRIALES, S.A. m.A.I.S.A. February 4, 1983 Passeig de 1'Estacib, 14 Vails (Tarragona) Spain My files: m 95-j, DE 15th Claims > · »■ 25 '" 1 · Time switch unit for motor vehicles, marked in that a microcomputer (13), a supply unit (11), an input unit (12), an output unit (15) and an additional unit * (14) can be installed, their interaction the functions of the motor vehicle and controls possible defects in its parts in the following areas: emergency lights, flashing lights, timers for heated rear window, extended operation of the interior lighting, front and rear windshield washer with Slow, fast and interval switching, long lights, acoustic signal to indicate defects that have an influence on the driving behavior (stop lights, dipped headlights, water temperature, oil pressure, brake fluids, brake pads), acoustic signal to indicate that the lighting when leaving the vehicle, opening and blocking of the doors, simultaneous operation of the four window lifters and blocking of the doors. 2. Time switch unit for motor vehicles according to the above claim, characterized in that this is derived from the car battery (10) via the supply unit (11) Power is supplied, at the same time the power from the latter is converted to be used by the microcomputer (13) can be used, as this works with a voltage of 5 V ± 1 o % , whereby thanks to the special programming of (13), the shutdown (10) is planned to avoid battery depletion when the vehicle is stationary for a long time and when the ignition key is pulled out The emergency lighting functions, extended operation of the interior lighting and warning display due to the lighting being switched on can continue to work when the vehicle is left, and these can supply themselves with power via the supply unit (11) even when the ignition key is removed. 3. Time switch unit for motor vehicles according to the above claims, characterized in that the microcomputer (13) from the input unit (12) to one of its Inputs receives the signal, converts it into the operating voltage of (13) and thanks to its preprogramming due to two different or linked programs - a main and an interrupter program - processed, and in (13) according to this programming and a general timing, which in a Basic time unit causes the interpretation of all incoming signals, generates a signal that in turn increases one of the outputs of (13) is sent, where it is converted by the output unit (15) into that of the driver or the vehicle parts required voltage is converted and now in connection with the respective function acoustic or flashing signal or the actuation of a certain vehicle part generated, triggered either by the detection of a defect in any of the timer unit controlled vehicle part or by a command from the driver. 4. Time switch unit for motor vehicles according to the above claim, characterized in that if the microcomputer (13) is exposed to an external influence, which could cause a disruption of its function, the additional unit functioning as a self-correction system (14) responds and causes - that in (13) the program reading corresponds to that at one of its inputs detected and from the input unit (12) transmitted signal starts up again.