Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-01
2001-10-16
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
C307S121000, C340S476000, C200S06145M
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304804
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is related to direction signaling systems for vehicles, and is particularly related to systems that have an automatic cancellation feature for ceasing a turn signal indication.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vehicles, such as motorcycles, have direction signaling systems. An operator of a vehicle utilizes a direction signaling system of the vehicle to indicate intended turning movement of the vehicle. Typically, a signaling system includes a manually actuatable selector that is operated to activate the signaling system to provide either a right turn indication or a left turn indication.
For a vehicle, such as a automobile, with a steering member (e.g., a steering wheel) that is rotated a significant amount (e.g., plural rotations) to accomplish a steering maneuver, cancellation of a turn indication can easily be accomplished by monitoring steering wheel rotation. Motorcycles typically do not include a steering member that has such a relatively large range of travel that occurs during a steering maneuver. Often, a steering maneuver on a motorcycle can be accomplished with little or no movement of a steering handlebar of the motorcycle. Thus, for motorcycles, it is common to have a signaling system that requires manual cancellation (i.e., a manual movement of a selector switch).
Also, it is known to utilize a timing mechanism within a direction signaling system on a motorcycle for canceling a turn indication after a predetermined time period. Further, it is known to use a mechanical tilt switch within a motorcycle direction signaling system to obtain cancellation of a turn indication. The use of a tilt switch has some merit because a motorcycle will often be tilted and then returned to an upright orientation during a steering maneuver.
However, the above-mentioned turn indication cancellation features for motorcycles have shortcomings. Reliance upon manual cancellation has the associated detraction that the operator may forget to manually cancel the indication. Use of a timer, per se, could result in an indication period that is either less than or greater than a period in which the motorcycle operator wishes the indication to occur. Mechanical tilt switches may be ineffective in canceling all turn indications. This would be true if the turn is accomplished without sufficient tilting of the motorcycle to move a mechanical tilt switch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a direction signaling system for a vehicle. Left and right signaling units are operable for indicating intended turning movements of the vehicle. Operation means selectively operate the signaling units. Cancellation means cancels signaling unit operation. The cancellation means includes an accelerometer for sensing vehicle acceleration. The cancellation means includes means for determining if the sensed acceleration is indicative of a need to cancel signaling unit operation. The cancellation means includes means for canceling signaling unit operation in response to the determination.
In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a method of direction signaling for a vehicle. Either a left or a right signaling unit is selected for operation to indicate an intended turning movement of the vehicle. The selected signaling unit is operated. Vehicle acceleration is sensed. A determination is made as to whether the sensed acceleration is indicative of a need to cancel signaling unit operation. Signaling unit operation is canceled in response to the determination.
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Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Pipala Edward
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Inc.
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