GB2284055A - Speed monitoring device for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The speed monitoring device uses three indicator lights, 7, 8, and 9. Light 7, which may be green, illuminates when the vehicle is travelling at a speed which is at least a predetermined amount less than a set speed, light 8, which may be amber, illuminates when the speed approaches the set speed and light 9, which may be red, illuminates when the speed exceeds the set speed and may be accompanied by an audible alarm. The set speed can be selected using keys 2 or it may be set automatically by signalling devices associated with speed limit signs. The system senses vehicle speed from a pulse output provided by the speedometer. <IMAGE>

Description

AUTOMATIC SPEED CONTROL WARNING FOR MOTORISED VEHICLES This invention relates to an automatic speed control warning for motorised vehicles.

The unit, which is connected up to the speedometer of the vehicle, has a keypad, which is set in increments of five ranging upwards from 15 m.p.h. up to 70 m.p.h. and can be reset downwards similarily, whilst vehicle is in motion.

The driver selects the speed required by pressing the desired speed setting. For example, the driver may select 30 m.p.h.

After pressing the desired speed, a green light goes on if under the chosen speed. When the speed has reached 28 m.p.h. an amber light goes on until the speed of 32 m.p.h. When driver goes over that speed limit. a red flashing light and a warning beeper comes on at the same time, alerting the driver that their chosen speed is over the limit. When the driver slows down to the chosen speed, the alarm bleeper stops and the amber light resumes. (The above colour system is reflective of the traffic light signal colours in the U.K., which are well known to all drivers. The light-signal colours can be produced in any other suitable colour for the purpose.) The shape of the Demonstrator model units, Figs. 1 & 2. are oblong, which is a good basic shape for the purpose. The sizes are approximately that of a pocket calculator, are encased in plastic and black in colour. The Demonstrator model Fig. 1, consists of a motor driven speedometer, the speed alarm control to vary the motor speed and a 12V power supply to enable the unit to be powered from a mains socket. The general layout of the Demonstrator is shown on Fig. 1 The complete system is mounted in a briefcase style case.

The speedometer is a standard cable driven unit fitted to most cars. The speedometer itself, also, produces a pulse output, thus avoiding the need for a pulse unit to be fitted to the cable drive.The pulse output is fed to the speed alarm unit and is used to monitor the speed. The motor control driving the speedometer is a simple variable voltage open loop controller.

The block diagram Fig. 13, could also be micro-processor based.

The unit Fig. 1 & 2, can be fitted to any car with an available speed pulse. Since the ratio of pulses to miles per hour can vary, between cars some adjustment / modification might be required.

The speed alarm is powered by a 12V supply (car battery) The input to the unit are pulses, proportional to the speed of the car. These pulses are converted to a DC signal. This signal is modified to produce 100% and 110% signals. These signals are fed to two comparators and compared with a selected reference signal. When the signal reaches 100%, an amber light indication is given. At 110%, a flashing red light indication is given together with a pulsing bleep. When neither indication is present a green light indication is given.

The reference is selected from a 12 button keypad representing 15 m.p.h. to 70 m.p.h in 5 m.p.h. steps. When a button is pressed the speed is selected, a bleep to indicate a press could be included.

The major components of the unit will consist of plastic or similar materials for the casing of the box, indicators and electrinics consisting of keypad indicators, decoder & matrix switch, comparator, signal conduit, frequency to voltage modulator, green, amber, red lights, numbered buttons, sound box, on/off switch, connector/disconnector unit, wire connectors and screws required to fit the system to a motor vehicle.

The unit buttons can be of an reasonable shape. The buttons can be flat squared, round, oval, oblong or raised round, squared, oval, oblong. The buttons can be luminous or with lights. A bleeping sound can be added, to be heard when a speed button is pressed.

The unit design shape is flexible. For example, oval, round, oblong or square. The colour of the unit can be of any chosen colour to blend or contrast with the surrounding fascia. Some examples are, black, red, white, blue, green, pink, wood coloured or any mix of fashionable colours. The size of the unit can be enlarged or miniaturised to suit the requirments of the vehicle, that is, a very large motor vehicle may require a much enlarged model, whereas, a small motor vehicle may require a small unit of pocket calculator size.

The speed control unit can be easily produced and manufactured, using existing and new components manufacturing companies, using the current technology which is readily available and at a very reasonable cost. The unit can be easily adapted for new and existing motor vehicles. This unit is not on the market and would be made very welcome by motor vehicle component companies, motor vehicle manufacturers, motor vehicle safety organisations, motor vehicle insurers and the general public.

One outlet for the sale of the speed control unit evisaged, is within the motor accessories market. The unit could then become a kit of parts, using the following: 1) The speed control unit, containg the keypad indicators and electronics.

2) The pulse generator. A unit which attaches to the speedometer and produces the required signal to the control box.

3) Wire, connectors and screws required to fit the sytem to a motor vehicle.

4) Packaging. the box the system is sold in.

5) Instructions. Diagram of how to fit the unit.

The language differences in various countries would be used both in speed adjustment and instructions.

The unit which will be within easy and accessible reach of the driver can be easily removed by the driver for security purposes, by a simple disconnection and re-connection procedure.

Other methods of the input of speed choice are: a) Up/down push button with a display of the selected speed.

b) A select button, when pressed selects the speed.

c) A rotary 12 position which sets the speed.

The addition of the automatic speed control receptor Fig. 18 will aid the driver and is ideal for use on entering, driving through and leaving cities, towns, rural areas and motorways which have speed-limit signposts which operate the speed control receptor system. The speed control system which is connected to the motor vehicle can be fitted with a signal receiver and decoder unit, which adjusts the speed automatically when the speed-limit information is received from the transponder on the signpost. The driver is then alerted to the change of speed and can change accordingly.

The transmitted sensors would fitted to the signposts showing the maximum speed-limit, 15,20,25,30,m.p.h., signals and going upwards in increments of 5 m.p.h. until 70 m.p.h., and going downwards in reverse sequence. The OFF speed-limit signpost would be fitted with the transmitting sensors, regulating the open road speed required. This would be transmitted to the speed control unit.

The automatic speed control receptor on the speed control warning unit, can be switched off as the driver requires. The transponder unit is excellent for drivers venturing into strange and unknown areas, also, for regulating all driving in all areas, also, for relating all driving in all areas connected with the automatic speed control receptor and the speed control warning unit.

The specific embodiments of the invention will be described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying schematic and block diagram drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the Demonstration model, embodying the inventive concept of the units' systems, which are set in a briefcase style case, incorporating the speed control unit, speedometer, on switch, cable with electric plug attached to be powered from mains socket. The motor control driving the speedometer is a simple variable voltage open loop controller. The internal workings of the unit incorporating the block diagram Fig.13.

Figure 2 shows the Demonstration model, which embodies the units systems incorporating the block diagrams of Figs. 13,14,15,16, & 17.

Figure 3 shows this units' system incorporating a portion of the systems of Fig. 1., inclusive of Figs 13,14,15,16 & 17.

Figure 4 shows that this unit embodies the inventive concept and that this model is of simple design showing the variations in size of the design lighting system that can be achieved incorporating No's 1,2,7,8,9,10,13., and incorporating Figs. 13,14,15,16 & 17.

Figure 5 shows that this unit embodies the inventive concept and shows the variation in designs of buttons inclusive of No's 1,3,7,8,9,10,13., and incorporating Figs. 13,14,15,16 & 17.

Figure 6 shows this unit embodies the inventive concept and gives the choice of speed operation inclusive of No's 1,4,6,7,8,9,10,11,13., incorporating Figs. 13,14,15,16 & 17.

Figure 7 shows this unit embodies the inventive concept and design of Fig.6. and includes No's 1,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,13., and incorporates Figs.

13,14,15,16 & 17.

Figure 8 shows this unit embodies the inventive concept and design of Figs. 6,7, & 9., and includes No's 1,4,6,8,9,10,12,13., and incorporating Figs.

13,14,15,16 & 17.

Figure 9 shows this unit embodies the inventive concept and design of Figs. 6,7 & 8., and includes No's 1,4,6,7,8,9,10,12,13., and incorporating Figs.

13,14,15,16 & 17.

Figure 10 is showing the unit has differently designed buttons and lights, inclusive of No's 1,2,7,8,9,10,13., incorporating Figs. 13,14,15, 16, & 17.

Figure 11 is showing the unit has differently designed buttons and lights, inclusive of No's 1,3,7,8,9,10,13., incorporating Figs. 13,14,15,16, & 17.

Figure 12 shows this unit embodies the inventive concept inclusive of No's. 1,2,7,8,9,10,13., incorporating Figs. 13,14,15,16 & 17.

Figure 13,14,15,16 & 17, are block diagrams of the system, covering the embodiment of the inventive concept, inclusive of No's 14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22.

Figure 18 shows the addition and the inclusion of the automatic speed control receptor transmitter, covering the inventive concept, inclusive of No's 1,7,8,9,10,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22, incorporating Figs.

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16 & 17.

REFERENCES 1. ON/OFF SWITCH.

2. PRESS BUTTONS TO SELECT CHOSEN SPEED.

3. PRESS BUTTONS, WHICH LIGHT UP, TO SELECT CHOSEN SPEED.

4. PRESS BUTTONS TO SELECT CHOSEN SPEED IN INCREMENTS OF 10 m.p.h.

5. PRESS BUTTONS WHICH LIGHT UP, TO SELECT CHOSEN SPEED IN INCREMENTS OF 10 m.p.h.

6. PRESS BUTTONS TO ADD OR SUBTRACT 5 m.p.h. ON CHOSEN SPEED 7. GREEN LIGHT WILL SHOW WHEN UNDER CHOSEN SPEED.

8. AMBER/WHITE LIGHT WILL SHOW WHEN CHOSEN SPEED IS REACHED.

9. RED LIGHT WILL FLASH ON/OFF WHEN OVER CHOSEN SPEED.

10. BLEEPING ALARM SOUND IS OPERATED WHEN RED LIGHT FLASHES.

11. FIGURES 6 & 7, GIVE CHOICE OF BUTTONS READING UPWARDS, LEFT TO RIGHT.

12. FIGURES 8 & 9, GIVE CHOICE OF BUTTONS READING DOWNWARDS, LEFT TO RIGHT.

13. FIGURES 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,910,11 & 12 SPEED MONITORS, CAN BE DISCONNECTED AND RE-CONNECTED BY THE DRIVER, AS REQUIRED.

14. KEYPAD.

15. THE DECODER AND MATRIX.

16. THE FREQUENCY TO VOLTAGE.

17. THE SIGNAL CONDUIT.

18. THE COMPARATOR.

19. THE BLEEPER.

20. THE RED FLASHING LIGHT.

21. THE AMBER/WHITE LIGHT.

22. THE GREEN LIGHT.

23a) Tx = TRANSMITTER VARIABLE FREQUENCY TRANSMITTER. TRANSMITS VARIOUS FREQUENCING IN STEPS. TRANSPONDER WILL RE-TRANSMIT ONLY AFTER RECEIVING THAT FREQUENCY.

23b) Rx = RECEIVES RE-TRANSMITTED SIGNAL AND DECODES TO SET THE SPEED. TRANSPONDER IS PASSIVE, THAT IS REQUIRES NO POWER AND IS SIMPLE. POSSIBLY A TUNED COIL CAN BE LOCATED ON THE ROAD.

Claims (7)

1 An automatic speed control warning for motorised vehicles is a vehicle speed monitoring system for detecting the speed and giving three levels of indication. The speed control system which is connected to the speedometer of the vehicle, allows the driver to automatically choose the speed that is required of their vehicle. An automatic transponder system could be fitted to the speed-limit signposts, giving automatic warning to driver to adjust speed.

2 An automatic speed control warning for motorised vehicles such as claimed in Claim 1, is shown in three stages; the driver chooses a speed of 30 m.p.h., a green light shows if under the chosen speed which is up to 28 m.p.h., the green light goes off and the amber light goes on when the speed reaches 28 m.p.h. and stays on until 32 m.p.h. is reached; when the speed goes above 32 m.p.h., a red flashing light and warning bleeper react simultaneously when over the chosen speed and stay on until under 32 m.p.h. in reverse action.

3 An automatic speed control warning for motorised vehicles as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the speed choice is given by pressing buttons in increments of 5, upwards and downwards as required, and the driver can jump in speed choice from 30 m.p.h. to 70 m.p.h. or any given combination of numbers given, as required.

4 An automatic speed control warning for motorised vehicles as claimed in Claim 1, wherein could have a transponder system which could be fitted to the speed-limit signposts which are situated in towns, cities , rural areas and motorways, using the speed control unit system on the vehicle could be fitted with a signal receiver and decoder, which adjusts the speed automatically to receive the speed limit information from the transponder on the signpost, which automatically changes the speed on control unit, alerting the driver to reduce or increase the speed until the amber light comes on and maintains the required speed.

5 An automatic speed control warning for motorised vehicles as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 3 or Claim 4, will be driven by the pulse output of the speedometer which is used to feed the speed alarm unit, which in turn is used to monitor the speed control system.

6 An automatic speed control warning for motorised vehicles as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the unit is flexible and can be manufactured in various sizes, from a small pocket calculator size to a much larger size as required, using different shapes, designs and colours.

7 An automatic speed control warning for motorised vehicles substantially described herein with reference to Figures 1-18 of the accompanying drawing.