JP2007500100A - Turn signal device with automatic cancellation characteristics - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for automatically canceling a blinking signal in a handle-driven vehicle such as a motorcycle is provided.
Since the present invention has an intelligent system that not only checks the position of the handlebar to switch the signal off, but also makes a distinction in a zig-zag operation where the handlebar is straightened instantaneously Discloses the use of a microprocessor driver circuit with an embedded timer logic. The device has the additional property of manual ineffective action.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to the field of automobiles. In particular, the present invention belongs to the class of vehicles with a steering mechanism controlled by a handle operatively connected to the wheel (through the steering column). In particular, the invention relates to a vehicle turn signal device or turn signal.

  In today's automotive field, vehicle movements are notified to other vehicles in traffic (and / or surrounding people) using turn signals. These turn signals are lights on either side of the vehicle (usually the front and rear sides). These lights are switched on by the vehicle driver / passenger using a switch (as appropriate, ie turn left to the left, etc.) and the bulb starts blinking (sometimes with a warning sound) To do. This visual (and sometimes audible) indication warns others that the vehicle is about to change the course of exercise, and they are careful to respond to the movement around it. These turn signals are also known as indicator lights and flashing lights. This specification mainly uses the term “turn signal”, but whenever the term “indicator light or flashing light” is used, this should be interpreted as a turn signal.

  The turn signal is usually initiated by a switch. This switch sends an indication to the associated indicator light bulb and starts blinking. This flashing gives an indication about the movement of the vehicle and can be steered carefully in the indicated direction. It is desirable to switch the turn signal off when the vehicle moves / turns in the indicated direction. Failure to do this, i.e., continuing to flash even after making a turn, can cause confusion between nearby car drivers and pedestrians and can lead to accidents.

  This switch-off mechanism is manual, i.e. the user switches the turn signal off after the desired action or is done automatically, in which case the built-in mechanism turns off the flashing light based on some logic Switch to.

  Currently, in a four-wheeled vehicle, ie, a vehicle driven using a steering wheel, the turn signal is automatically canceled after the vehicle has made a turn and has started straight ahead. Such a mechanism eliminates the need for the user to remember to switch the signal off after the turn is made. In existing motor vehicles that use self-cancelling flashing lights, a switch is mounted on the steering column (which rotates and turns the wheel). In a four-wheeled vehicle, only the steering column is rotated and the switch is stationary. As a result, revocation gains a stationary part that can be joined and unbound. This is a rack and pinion structure. The plane of rotation of the steering wheel (for turning the vehicle) and the actual wheel are different. The transmission of power from the vehicle steering wheel to the wheel is not direct, i.e. it is transmitted by the rack and pinion structure from the steering wheel to the swinging column, further to the wheel axle, and finally to the front wheel, Such a device is therefore possible.

  In two-wheeled vehicles and other handle-driven vehicles (such as tricycles that are popular in India) that transmit power directly, i.e., directly from the handlebar to the front wheel, The motion plane is the same. In this class of vehicles, the switch is also rotated with the handlebar and as a result does not acquire any stationary parts that it can be coupled to. The position of the switch on the handle is very far from the center of the handlebar, so the mechanical structure that connects the switch to the operation of the handlebar is not easily feasible.

Most current vehicles belonging to the handle-driven category therefore use a manual turn-off of the turn signal, which has the following disadvantages:
-You may forget to switch off the indicator light, thus causing confusion.
-Disperses the driver / passenger concentration during the period when the indicator light is switched off, which may cause problems in high traffic scenarios.
-While the first indicator light is switched off, other indicator lights may be switched on accidentally, causing confusion.

  In the past, various attempts have been made to provide the automatic cancellation characteristics of turn signal devices for handlebar drive vehicles such as motorcycles and tricycles (eg, Indian motorcycle taku).

  U.S. Patent Application No. 20020024434A1 and U.S. Pat.No. 4,403,211 describe a direction indication signal from a switch, an angular velocity sensor for detecting the angular velocity of the vehicle, and a vehicle velocity sensor for detecting the velocity of the vehicle. Discloses a system and method for generating a turn signal from a turn signal lamp. This mechanism is very complex and therefore cannot fit (retrofit) into existing vehicles. Also, there is no mention of disabling the operation by hand in the case of an erroneous signal. Furthermore, these systems take no active means to compensate for zigzag conditions.

  U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,813, which discloses a self-cancelling vehicle turn signal with re-energization for safety, uses a timing circuit for electrically energizing and deactivating the blinking turn signal. This also utilizes a momentary spring-loaded auxiliary switch to re-energize the signal after time. The timing circuit follows a signal received from the vehicle speed sensor to indicate whether the vehicle is moving. This is not compatible with zigzag style driving. Also, if an instruction is given and the handlebar remains straight for a time exceeding the specified time, the blinking stops.

  The invention of US Pat. No. 5,790,017 for a vehicle turn signal control system and method includes a turn signal lever, a dip switch having at least two dual position toggle switches, and a control circuit. The control circuit controls the number of pulses flashed by the left or right indicator light when the signal is in the intermediate position, and automatically returns the lever to its off position after a predetermined number of flashes. This is not a very wise and enhanced flashing cancellation method, as driving habits and traffic conditions change in different situations.

  It is an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and provide an automatic cancel turn signal device for handlebar drive vehicles (including motorcycles and tricycles).

  It is also an object of the present invention to provide an automatic cancel turn signal device that cancels an indicator light signal when a vehicle begins to move in a straight path after a turn.

  Yet another object of the present invention is to include timer logic in the device so that the blinking light is not canceled if the turn is less than the preset time of the circuit.

  Yet another object of the present invention is to manually override the operation for an automatic cancel turn signal.

  In order to achieve the foregoing objective and overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, the present invention provides a turn signal device having an automatic cancellation characteristic. The microprocessor driver uses microprocessor logic to turn the indicator light bulb on and off when a mechanically operated switch provides a turn signal. The microprocessor has timer logic and has an input that informs the current position of the handlebar. When the microprocessor turns on the indicator light bulb, this is: i) a signal that communicates that the handlebar is straight again, and ii) the elapsed time specified by the timer logic (handle is preset in the circuit) Wait for a period of time (after being turned during the time period exceeding the time). Only when both conditions are true, the microprocessor sends a signal to turn off the indicator light bulb.

  The present invention also provides an override mechanism for bypassing the microprocessor controller turn signal.

  The present invention discloses a setup that can be provided in a handlebar drive vehicle to implement an automatic turn signal cancellation function.

  This function is performed using a microprocessor driven logic circuit that controls blinking of the indicator light. This digital electronic circuit is coupled to the switch to initiate the operation of the turn signal (left and right) and the turn signal indicator bulb (left and right).

The logical operation according to the device of the present invention is:
-When turning on the turn signal manually, turn on the appropriate indicator light bulb,
-Check if the handlebar is straight or turn position,
-Start the timer logic by turning the handlebar,
-The steering wheel continues to turn until the timer expires, and then turns off when the handle is straight.

  The present invention also performs a manual override function if an incorrect signal is given.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of various components of the apparatus. In each direction, there are two mechanically operated switches S1, S2. These switches are connected to the vehicle electrical system B. The electrical signal provided by these switches is converted into a modulated beam of light and returned to a low voltage electrical signal by the use of optoisolators O1, O2. The resulting signal voltage strength is sufficiently low to be applied to the microprocessor MP. When receiving the signal, the microprocessor commands the indicator lamp bulbs LF, LR, RF, RR in the appropriate direction to start flashing. This command is controlled through a relay (not shown). At the same time, the timer logic in the microprocessor is started if the handlebar is turned.

  To detect the position of the handlebar, another input is also provided by a reed switch RS connected to the vehicle handlebar HB so that the output determines whether the vehicle goes straight or turns. With this signal, a timer determines when the indicator light bulb is switched off.

  The configuration of this switch is shown in FIG. The reed switch 4 is provided on the bracket 2 that moves together with the handlebar (not shown) of the vehicle. The magnet 5 facing the reed switch is connected to the steering column 3 using a bracket 1 which is stationary during the turn and tilt periods. This structure is such that when the vehicle goes straight, the magnetic field between the switch and the magnet is maintained and the signal is "on". As the vehicle turns in either direction, the reed switch moves and breaks contact, thus dissipating magnetism and switching the signal “off”. Although a method of using a magnetic switch is described, alternatively a contact switch can also be used in the presence of a strong ambient magnetic field that can interfere with the signal of the reed switch. In this case, an electric field that is switched on and off by the operation of the handle is set.

  The above arrangement can also be reversed, i.e. a switch on the steering column and a magnet in the moving part of the vehicle. It should be noted that any substantial movement of the vehicle needs to be made to block the contact so as to cause a change in the signal value.

  In all cases, the switches are connected in such a way that any small turn of the vehicle (ie, a small angle of inclination) does not interrupt the circuit. For example, in the case of a magnetic switch, the magnetic force is selected to be effective up to a certain slope. It is important to consider that this is sometimes tilted for reasons other than the vehicle making a turn, and thus no indicator light is required. This setting is specific to each model of vehicle.

  Initially, when the user switches on the indicator light, the signal from this switch is “on”. The vehicle then turns and the handlebar moves with the reed switch, thereby disconnecting the connection, i.e. the signal is "off". When the handlebar turns, the microprocessor starts the embedded timer logic. This signal is “off” while the vehicle is turning. After the turn, the handlebar (with the steering column) is straightened, the reed switch contact is set again, the microprocessor generates a signal "on" and turns on the timer. When the handle is straight again, the microprocessor checks whether the timer has expired. If it has elapsed, the indicator light is turned off, and if it has not elapsed, it remains on. This logic action is introduced to discriminate between the act of straightening the steering wheel after the turn and the act of straightening the steering wheel during zigzag operation. In high traffic situations where zigzag is a common phenomenon, the handle is typically straightened in 1.5-2.5 seconds and an appropriate timer can be set. In zigzag operation, the handlebar is straightened one or more times to deal with traffic even after the indicator light is switched on. Switching off the indicator light based solely on the steering direction fails in this situation. Thus, the timer incorporates logic operations for an appropriate amount of time.

  The present invention also provides a manual override switch that can be used by the driver / passenger at any time to turn the turn signal off. This is useful if the driver / passenger gives a false signal and wants to cancel it.

  The various components of the circuit are briefly described below.

Optoisolator:
Optical isolation devices or optical isolators or optoisolators bridge gaps between incompatible communication systems. This includes an input amplifier, a light emitting diode, a photodiode, and an output amplifier. An optoisolator is configured as a semiconductor device that allows signals to be transferred between circuits or systems while the circuits or systems remain electrically isolated from one another. In this simplest form, it consists of an LED (light emitting diode) for signal transmission, a photodiode such as an IRED (infrared emitting diode), and a photodetector for signal reception. A “transmitter” receives an electrical signal and converts it into a modulated visible light beam. This beam propagates across the transparent gap and is received by the “receiver”, which converts the modulated light back into an electrical signal. The electrical output waveform is identical to the electrical input waveform, but the input and output amplitudes (signal strength) are often different. The optoisolator is housed in a single package, and the appearance is a transistor with an integrated circuit or additional leads.

RC-circuit:
Resistor-capacitors are used to supply a constant voltage to the microprocessor. The resistor-capacitor circuit is used to provide a positive pulse whenever the microprocessor begins execution. The task of the circuit is to protect the microprocessor from non-perfect power-ups, but relies on the supply voltage rising quickly enough for that purpose. The RC circuit keeps the reset low after the supply voltage begins to rise. If the voltage rises quickly enough, the reset is low enough to keep the microprocessor in reset, thereby allowing the circuit to quiesce until normal operation is resumed.

relay:
A relay is a device that functions as an electrically operated switch. In response to the electrical signal, the relay opens and closes the contacts in a number of preconfigured and fixed durations. The contact may be in the same circuit as the operation signal or in a different circuit. Various relays are available on the market such as electromagnetic relays and semiconductor relays. These relays are used as switches for turning on and off the indicator light bulb.

Microprocessor:
This is a digital device on the chip that can fetch instructions from memory, decode and execute them, i.e. perform certain mathematical and logical operations, receive data from input devices, and transfer the results to output devices. Therefore, the microprocessor is interfaced with memory and input / output (I / O) devices. Basically, the microprocessor performs the following operations.
(A) Fetch instructions from memory.
(B) Execute the instruction.

  The microprocessor has an embedded programmed timer logic. The microprocessor is clocked using a crystal oscillator.

  The entire logic circuit is housed in a small box and can be secured to a stable, low vibration, stable part of the vehicle handlebar without changing the vehicle design. This makes the device an easy retrofit device adapted to existing vehicles without much time and expense.

  The foregoing description is merely an exemplary embodiment illustrating the basic logic and circuitry implementing the concepts of the present invention. In the same concept, various other features can be added to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

  In yet another embodiment, there is a reed switch arrangement that tells the microprocessor the direction of the turn as well as when the handbar turns. For example, the reed switch at the center position is normally off, and the magnet is located on the side thereof. Whenever a turn over an angle is made, contact is set and an “on” signal is sent. Additional information about the direction is good, such as detecting whether the wrong indicator light has been given, and then performing corrective actions such as switching the indicator light off if the user gives the wrong signal Can be used to incorporate various logic devices.

  In another possible embodiment with a micro-controller logic change, the same settings can be used to set up a dangerous warning system with certain movements of the switch lever (ie four vehicles in the event of a vehicle failure) All indicator lights can be energized).

  In yet another embodiment, the number of blinks can be changed if the switch lever operates in a position for several different indications such as a U-turn blinking light.

The block diagram of a structure of the apparatus of this invention provided with the switch and the indicator light valve | bulb. The block diagram of the reed switch in the steering mechanism of a vehicle.

Claims (12)

In a turn signal device having an automatic cancellation feature for use in a handlebar steering vehicle,
A switch for starting an electrical turn signal;
A logic circuit having an opto-isolator for converting the signal into a modulated beam of light and converting the light back into an electrical signal;
The converted electrical signal is supplied to a microprocessor driving circuit for controlling light emission of a turn signal through a relay,
An apparatus comprising a turn angle sensing mechanism connected to a circuit to provide a signal about the current position of the vehicle handlebar.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch is connected to a vehicle electrical system.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch is a mechanically operated switch.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch and opto-isolator circuit are separate for both left and right directions. The optoisolator is
A photodiode for transmitting the electrical signal;
A transmitter for converting the electrical signal into a modulated beam of light;
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensor that converts the beam of light back into an electrical signal. The microprocessor driving circuit includes:
A microprocessor having logic means for determining a period of time during which the turn signal remains on;
A resistor-capacitor circuit that provides a positive pulse whenever the processor begins execution;
A transistor connected to the output of the microprocessor for amplification;
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a relay connected to the amplified output for opening and closing a switch contact of a light valve of a turn signal indicator light.   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the turn angle detection mechanism is a non-contact type magnetic reed switch.   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the turn angle detection mechanism is a contact switch.   8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the magnetic reed switch is secured to the vehicle such that any substantial turn of the handlebar changes the reed switch contact signal and communicates it to the microprocessor.   The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the switch can optionally be used to manually override a turn signal controlled by a microprocessor. In the method of automatically canceling the turn signal in the handlebar steering vehicle,
By manually operating the corresponding switch, the left or right turn signal is indicated manually,
Switch on the associated indicator light bulb using a microprocessor drive circuit,
Check the reed switch signal,
A method comprising turning off the indicator light bulb when the reed switch signal is on and a predetermined period of time set by the timer logic has elapsed.   The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of bypassing the microprocessor logic and switching off the indicator light bulb in the case of a manual override signal.

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