And Causing Interruption Of Ignition Circuit Patents (Class 180/283)
  • Patent number: 10093185
    Abstract: A safety apparatus for a vehicle battery and a method for operating the same capable of preventing accidents such as fire and battery explosion are provided. The safety apparatus includes a fixed housing that is fixed to a vehicle body and a movable housing that is movably disposed in the fixed housing to move due to external impact. An impact sensor is disposed within the fixed housing configured to be fractured due to the movement of the movable housing and an elastic member is configured to provide a restoring force to the movable housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hae Kyu Lim
  • Patent number: 10052956
    Abstract: A safety apparatus for a vehicle battery and a method for operating the same capable of preventing accidents such as fire and battery explosion are provided. The safety apparatus includes a fixed housing that is fixed to a vehicle body and a movable housing that is movably disposed in the fixed housing to move due to external impact. An impact sensor is disposed within the fixed housing configured to be fractured due to the movement of the movable housing and an elastic member is configured to provide a restoring force to the movable housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hae Kyu Lim
  • Patent number: 9982650
    Abstract: Provided are an ignition apparatus and an ignition control method capable of suppressing occurrence of a defect caused by a charge unit, which may occur when ignition of a combustible mixture in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine needs to be stopped. When a stop condition for stopping ignition of a combustible mixture in a combustion chamber (2) of an internal combustion engine (1) is satisfied, supply of plasma generation energy to an ignition plug (3) is stopped, and DC energy charged in a charge unit (42) is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Kimihiko Tanaya
  • Patent number: 9831596
    Abstract: Various electrical connector assemblies are disclosed. The electrical connector assembly can include a pin and a socket. An outer surface of the pin can have an external thread and an annular groove that has an outside diameter that is less than an outside diameter of an adjacent leading flange. The socket can have an internal thread that mates with the external thread on the pin. The connector can comprise independent securing features, such as a threaded connection and a ball detent connection. The connector can be configured such that disengagement of the first connection feature results in disconnection of mating electrical contacts of the pin and socket. In some variants, the second connection feature remains engaged and/or is disengaged independently of the first connection feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventor: Taylor Michael Simas
  • Patent number: 9780515
    Abstract: To provide a sheath structure assembly coupling structure and a sheath structure assembly coupling method, with which excellent workability and a reduction in costs can be achieved; a reduction in the strength of the connection portion or in the electrical connection can be prevented and a uniform and excellent electrical connection can be achieved; with which excellent durability is maintained for a long period even in the usage environment in which a great force such a tension or the like continuously acts; and with which break or a reduction in insulating performance can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventors: Kensuke Noritake, Kozo Hirano
  • Patent number: 9751395
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a detachable fuel pipe of a vehicle fuel system. In one example, a method may include, in response to a detected vehicle collision, removing physical and fluidic couplings between the detachable fuel pipe and a fuel tank. The method may further include sealing the fuel tank upon removing the couplings to the detachable fuel pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, Iskander Farooq, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 9493067
    Abstract: In a straddle vehicle such as a motorcycle, a harness in an electric power supply system which is thick, has a great weight, and is not easily mounted can be reduced in length as much as possible so that a weight and cost can be reduced, and assembling work can be made easier. An air cleaner and a fuel tank are disposed at a relatively rearward position such that the air cleaner and the fuel tank are disposed behind and distant from the head pipe to provide an electric component mounting space between the air cleaner and the fuel tank, and the head pipe, and a regulator, a relay box and a fuse box are disposed in the electric component mounting space. The fuel tank is disposed at a relatively rearward position such that its rear end portion is positioned behind and below a rear end of a main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Kawai
  • Patent number: 8902062
    Abstract: A method for determining the displacement of or the tampering with a device is provided. The method includes determining an effective displacement in an X direction of a device, determining an effective displacement in a Y direction of the device, and determining an effective displacement in a Z direction of the device. The method also include determining if any one of the effective displacement in the X direction, the effective displacement in the Y direction, or the effective displacement in the Z direction is greater than a predetermined threshold, and when at least one of the effective displacement in the X direction, the effective displacement in the Y direction, and the effective displacement in the Z direction is great then the predetermined threshold, determining that the device has been displaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: VenkataChalapathi Terugu, Vinayak Sadashiv Kore, Andrew G. Berezowski
  • Patent number: 8810363
    Abstract: An engine starting/stopping switch device is provided that includes a switch unit that switches over switching modes in response to linear movement of a movable member, a push button that is linked to the movable member so as to drive the movable member in response to a pushing operation, and a coil antenna that outputs transponder drive radio waves for generating an electromotive force in a transponder built into a portable device, wherein the coil antenna (15) is disposed coaxially with the push button (14) so that at least part of the coil antenna (15) is inserted into the interior of the push button (14). This enables the operability of a push button to be improved and enables the size in the radial direction of the push button to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Makoto Honkawa, Keisuke Hidaka, Koji Masubuchi, Kazuto Kaneshige
  • Patent number: 8725596
    Abstract: A computerized vehicle control system and device for limiting the functionality of a mobile asset (e.g., vehicle) capable of performing a plurality of mobile asset functions. The device includes an asset monitor, a mobile wireless transceiver, and a mobile asset processor. The asset monitor is in communication with a first mobile asset for collecting monitored data associated with the first mobile asset. The mobile wireless transceiver is adapted to interface with a management computer. The mobile asset processor is adapted to receive the monitored data from the asset monitor; determine that a first mobile asset function of the plurality of mobile asset functions should be limited; and limit operation of the first mobile asset function. The mobile asset control device can be adapted to override the functionality of the mobile asset, based on the navigation, relative location of the mobile asset, or business rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: I.D. Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Ehrman, Michael L. Ehrman, Jeffrey M. Jagid, Joseph M. Pinzon, Yaron Hecker, Leonard Pimentel
  • Patent number: 8489287
    Abstract: A vehicle rollover prevention safety driving system, comprising: at least an image sensor, used to fetch road images in front of said vehicle; an image processor, connected to said image sensor, and is used to identify a drive lane in road images, and calculate a drive lane curvature, an inclination angle of said road, and relative positions of said vehicle and a lane marking; a vehicle conditions sensing module, used to sense dynamic information of a vehicle turning angle, a vehicle inclination angle, and a vehicle speed; a microprocessor, connected to said image processor and said vehicle conditions sensing module, and it calculates a rollover prediction point and a rollover threshold speed, and it issues a corresponding warning signal or a control signal; and an accelerator and brake controller, connected to said microprocessor, and it controls deceleration of said vehicle according to said control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Automotive Research & Test Center
    Inventors: Tsung-Hua Hsu, Chun-Hsiung Chen, Tzu-Chien Hsu, Yi-Feng Su, Hsueh-Lung Liao
  • Patent number: 8307934
    Abstract: This invention provides fire prevention and detection for heavy-duty and medium-duty commercial and military vehicles by ensuring the engine is automatically and immediately shut down upon the occurrence of a catastrophic event that may lead to a fire. The shutdown is achieved through the isolation of the vehicle batteries and alternator and the disconnecting of those devices from all electrical circuits. Anomalies that cause the shutdown and disconnect include battery and vehicle load currents that are outside a preset range, excessive temperatures, detection of smoke in the drive compartment or sleeper, or detection of a frontal impact accident or vehicle rollover. Once disconnected, the battery contactor must be manually reset in order to restore electrical power to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: GTR Development LLC
    Inventors: Guy T. Rini, Charles J. Groeller
  • Patent number: 8205707
    Abstract: In a vehicle of a type which does not bank a vehicle body at the time of turning, an inclination angle sensor is provided which receives the least influence of a centrifugal force at the time of turning. In a four-wheeled buggy that includes a vehicle body frame, four longitudinal wheels including front wheels and rear wheels are provided together with an engine, a fuel tank and a fuel pump. A steering shaft is connected to a steering handle with an inclination angle sensor arranged above a seat and being positioned in front of the steering shaft. Accordingly, the inclination angle sensor is hardly influenced by a centrifugal force at the time of turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Yamamoto, Shigeto Inami
  • Patent number: 7920054
    Abstract: A bicycle meter assembly with locating function includes a sensor module and a receiver module. The sensor module includes a microprocessor, a sensing unit, a display unit, a keypad, an encoder, and a wireless transceiver. The receiver module includes a wireless receiver, a decoder, and a warning unit. The sensor module and the receiver module are separately installed on a bicycle at two selected positions. The sensor module senses and displays traveling information and user's body signals that are generated when the bicycle is moving. When the user wants to locate the bicycle being parked at a selected place, the keypad can be pressed to generate a call signal, which is sent to the receiver module for the warning unit to emit a warning signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventors: Yi-Lun Chen, Wen-Pin Weng
  • Patent number: 7861460
    Abstract: An emergency window opening system includes a vehicle, a vehicle door attached to the vehicle and a window mounted in the vehicle door. A primary window motor is mechanically coupled to a lift gear mechanically coupled to the window to allow selective raising or lowering of the window. A housing is mounted within the vehicle door. A secondary motor is mounted within the housing. A drive shaft of the secondary motor is mechanically coupled to the lift gear. The secondary motor lowers the window when turned on. An actuator is mounted on the vehicle door and is electrically coupled by a wire to the secondary motor. The secondary motor is turned on when the actuator is actuated. A power supply line extends between and directly electrically couples a battery to the secondary motor. The power supply line extends into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventors: Anthony Costello, Bella Costello
  • Patent number: 7802648
    Abstract: A vehicle including an engine, a fuel tank configured to store a fuel supplied to the engine, a fuel gauge configured to detect a fuel level of the fuel inside the fuel tank, and a tilting detector configured to determine whether or not a body of the vehicle is tilted, based on a signal output from the fuel gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kunihiko Kamio
  • Patent number: 7702441
    Abstract: A safety logic for vehicle rollover detection systems comprising a main rollover detection logic and at least one protection device for the occupant or occupants of the vehicle, including a vehicle lateral acceleration sensor (11), which generates an output signal indicating a near rollover event, when a lateral acceleration of a vehicle exceeds the first predefined threshold value (15) or, when a lateral acceleration of vehicle exceeds the second predefined threshold value (16) that is lower than the first predefined threshold value (15) and simultaneously at least one additional safety logic activation signal is present (1, 1?, 1?, 1??).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mariusz Geborek, Aleksandra Urbanek, Daniel Sygnarowicz
  • Patent number: 7521817
    Abstract: A system 10 and method for reducing the possibility of fires and/or explosions when a vehicle impacts an object includes a cable connector 12 having a first portion 14 connected to an ungrounded terminal 20 of a battery 22 in the vehicle and a second portion 16 connected to all vehicle electrical components requiring power from battery 22, an inert gas canister 18 having an internal pressure that facilitates the separation of the first and second portions 14 and 16 of the cable connector 12 when predetermined conditions are satisfied, electric squib means 24 for initiating pressurized inert gas flow from the canister 18 to the first portion 14 of the cable connector 12, an accelerometer 28 for sensing impact between the vehicle and the object, and a microprocessor 30 for signaling the accelerometer 28 to “fire” the squib means 24 when the magnitude of impact requires an inert gas flow to the first portion 14 whereby the second portion 16 is forcibly ejected from the first portion 14 and the area adjacent to t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Inventor: Donald Gors
  • Patent number: 7497294
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, that can sufficiently control a stagger in an extremely slow speed running state and a tumble of vehicle body in the standstill state thereof. This vehicle, such as a motorcycle includes a head pipe that supports a front wheel and a main frame that supports a rear wheel. The head pipe is movably attached to the main frame. The vehicle includes a hydraulic cylinder for shifting the centroid of the vehicle body by moving one of the head pipe and the main frame 3 relative to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiichirou Tsujii, Hitoshi Watanabe, Hiroshi Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 7487855
    Abstract: An engine controller for a vehicle is provided, the engine controller having a tilt angle sensor incorporated therein. The tilt angle sensor is operatively connected to an electronic control unit via a signal line. The electronic control unit is operable to temporarily interrupt the operations of a fuel injector and/or an ignition coil when a tilt angle signal is input via the signal line when the tilt angle signal indicates a tilt angle in excess of a predetermined value. As a result of this configuration, the number of required parts is reduced and available space on the vehicle is used effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kakinuma
  • Publication number: 20080314674
    Abstract: A vehicle including an engine, a fuel tank configured to store a fuel supplied to the engine, a fuel gauge configured to detect a fuel level of the fuel inside the fuel tank, and a tilting detector configured to determine whether or not a body of the vehicle is tilted, based on a signal output from the fuel gauge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kunihiko Kamio
  • Patent number: 7328767
    Abstract: In a power train supporting apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, at least three mount portions support a power train constituted by an engine and a transmission on a frame of a vehicle body in such a manner that the output axle of the engine intersects a center line of a vehicular longitudinal direction as viewed from a top of the vehicle. The three mount portions comprise engine front and rear side mounts arranged on a vehicular front side and a vehicular rear side with respect to the engine and a transmission side mount arranged in the vicinity of the transmission. The mounts are arranged in such a manner that a distance from a weight center of the power train to each of the engine front and rear side mounts is shorter than a distance from the weight center of the power train to the transmission side mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenshi Mori, Hitoshi Murakami
  • Patent number: 7176588
    Abstract: A starter drive device which drives a starter motor by, upon actuation of a starter switch, turning a starter relay ON and OFF via an electronic control device, wherein the electronic control device includes: an interface circuit; a power source control circuit; a calculation device and a delay circuit; a buffer; an addition circuit; a latch circuit; a first pull up circuit; a second pull up circuit; and wherein, if the power source control circuit has detected a drop of voltage of the power source when the starter motor is being driven, along with stopping the calculation device, the buffer disconnects the calculation device from the latch circuit, and controls the starter relay by operating the driver circuit via the latch circuit based upon the signals from the interface circuit and the second pull up circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignees: Keihin Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Yahagi, Takashi Hisaki, Shuji Tomimatsu, Satoshi Arai, Shigeki Baba
  • Patent number: 7124016
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted internal combustion engine controller is provided that can properly stop an internal combustion engine in accordance with an operational state no matter whether a vehicle body is inclined. The vehicle-mounted internal combustion engine controller comprises an inclination sensor for detecting vehicle body inclination; a mechanism for determining the operational state of a combustion engine; and a controller for stopping the operation of the combustion engine in accordance with a vehicle body inclination and an operational state. The cutoff mechanism stops the operation of the vehicle-mounted internal combustion engine when it is judged that a vehicle body inclination angle ? detected by the inclination sensor is greater than a predetermined angle A for a greater or equal period of time as a threshold stop time T1, T2 setting, which varies with the operational state determined by the operational state sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kakinuma
  • Patent number: 7011176
    Abstract: A power device for an automotive vehicle includes an interlock switch 1, a crash sensor 2 for detecting an impact of an automotive vehicle, an interlock relay 3 controlled and turned ON and OFF by the interlock switch 1, and a contactor 4 for interrupting an output circuit 11 when the interlock relay 3 is turned OFF. In the power device, when the interrupting signal is outputted from the crash sensor 2, or when the interlock switch 1 is turned OFF from ON, the contactors 4 are turned OFF to interrupt the output circuit 11. Further, the power device has a switching element 6 connected to exciting coils 4a of the contactors 4 in series and is turned ON and OFF by an interrupting signal from the crash sensor 2. When the crash sensor 2 outputs the interrupting signal, the contactors 4 are turned OFF by the switching elements 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Yugo, Yoshiaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6919801
    Abstract: A vehicle safety system for preventing inadvertent acceleration of a vehicle by a driver is provided. The vehicle includes an engine that supplies power to move the vehicle, a transmission that transmits power from the engine to wheels of the vehicle, an acceleration module that controls the engine to increase power, and a brake module that slows down or stop the vehicle. The acceleration module includes an accelerator pedal that receives pressure applied by the driver, and the brake module includes a brake pedal that receives pressure applied by the driver. The system includes a pressure sensor that senses pressure applied to the accelerator pedal, and a control circuit that is connected to the pressure sensor and the vehicle. The control circuit is activated to prevent inadvertent acceleration of the vehicle when the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor exceeds a predetermined safety threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Inventor: Jae Yeal Kim
  • Patent number: 6712170
    Abstract: A device for measurement and control of the conditions of stability of a vehicle, in particular an industrial vehicle, comprising at least one load cell (10), which is integrated inside the lower pin of each articulated joint or steering “pivot” (11) of each steering axle (12) of the vehicle, at the level of the wheel hubs (18), so that a structural component of the front and rear steering axle of a four wheel vehicle is a measurement instrument; an electronic control instrument (14), by means of appropriate control software, processes signals (P1-P4), appropriately amplified, transmitted by each load cell (10), so as to calculate the stability of the vehicle in real time and, furthermore, provide a command to disable certain vehicle functions, in the event that the stability values are beyond a certain pre-established safety range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Dana Italia S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Panizzolo
  • Patent number: 6556119
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for isolating an electric circuit, especially for high current intensities, with a housing (1) in which is provided at least one electrical conductor element (3) which presents an isolating area (9) and which can be wired in such manner into the severable electric circuit that the isolating current path passes over the conductor element (3) and with activatable means(13, 7; 3, 9, 7), provided in or at housing (1) for generating a trigger pressure which acts directly upon the isolating area (9) and/or via a driving surface (17, 23, 39, 41), in its original position, impinging upon the isolating area (9), wherein the isolating area (9) and/or the driving surface (17, 23, 39, 41) is designed in such manner that after activation of the means (13, 7; 3, 9, 7) the isolating area (9) is totally isolated or broken out, or the cross-section of the isolating area (9) is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Peter Lell
  • Patent number: 6527077
    Abstract: A body incline sensor includes an erroneous detection preventing circuit for transmitting an inclined state signal by determining that a body is in an inclined state when an incline angle detector detects a weight, and a state so detected continues over a predetermined length of time. In the event that the incline angle detector does not detect a weight within a predetermined length of time due to an inertia force resulting when a body is rolling, no inclined state signal is transmitted from an inclined state transmitter, whereby the erroneous detection of the incline of the body can be prevented, the accuracy with which the incline of the body is detected being thus improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Yamamoto, Naoki Murasawa, Masao Akieda, Koichi Shimamura
  • Publication number: 20020027037
    Abstract: A body incline sensor includes an erroneous detection preventing circuit for transmitting an inclined state signal by determining that a body is in an inclined state when an incline angle detector detects a weight, and a state so detected continues over a predetermined length of time. In the event that the incline angle detector does not detect a weight within a predetermined length of time due to an inertia force resulting when a body is rolling, no inclined state signal is transmitted from an inclined state transmitter, whereby the erroneous detection of the incline of the body can be prevented, the accuracy with which the incline of the body is detected being thus improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Takao Yamamoto, Naoki Murasawa, Masao Akieda, Koichi Shimamura
  • Patent number: 6344788
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electrical contactors used in electric motors comprising batteries. The present invention relates more specifically to an electrical contactor (1) for a battery, consisting of a hollow body (2) defining an upstream part (11) in which a pyrotechnic initiation device (3) is located and a downstream part in which a piston (4) is housed. Since the downstream part has three conducting studs (5, 6, 7), the main characteristic of the contactor (1) according to the invention is that it makes it possible, when the piston (4) moves due to the effect of the combustion gases, to pass instantaneously from a position corresponding to the electrical connection of the first two studs (5, 6) to a position corresponding to the electrical connection of the second stud (6) to the third stud (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Pyroalliance
    Inventors: Christian J Forys, Bernard J Lallemant
  • Patent number: 6157288
    Abstract: An current breaking device is interposed between a battery for a vehicle and an electric load. When a circuit cut-off signal is generated from a control unit due to an automobile's collision, the current breaking device allows respective capsules 40 in a power distributing box to be heated to melt a conductive resin plate 2. Therefore, it is possible to stop the power supply from a battery to an electric load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5613571
    Abstract: A rotational speed/tip sensor combines a tip sensor and a speed sensor in one compact package for use on a motorcycle. The tip sensor includes a disk and a sensing device that detects the absence or presence of the disk in the apex of a V-groove. If the motorcycle tips over, the disk rolls out of the V-groove apex and actuates the tip sensing device to open a circuit through a speed sensing device and thereby shut down the motorcycle engine. The tip and speed sensors are assembled to a housing that is mounted to the engine. Only three wires are used to connect both the tip sensing device and the speed sensing device to the engine control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Rank, Mark L. Clymer, Glenn Graves
  • Patent number: 5515939
    Abstract: The invention provides a metal-air battery-powered electric vehicle of the type having a motor powered by a plurality of metal-air cells wherein air is continuously provided to the cells by a blower system energized from a power source, in combination with a collision-activated switch for disconnecting the air blower system from the power source, wherein upon activation of the switch the air in the cell is immediately depleted and the battery is rendered substantially inert in less than 5 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Electric Fuel (E.F.L.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Menachem Korall, Boris Dechovitch, Jonathan R. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 5389824
    Abstract: A power supply cut off apparatus is provided in which a DC power supply voltage supplied from a main power supply is converted into an AC current by an inverter of a driver, and brushless DC motors are driven by the converted current, during normal operation. In the normal operation, an abnormal state of an electrical vehicle, such as collision, is detected by a plurality of sensors, and collision detection signals are supplied to a diagnosis section. The diagnosis section determines whether an actual collision has occurred or detects a state in which a collision is unavoidable on the basis of the collision detection signals and, as a result, supplies a power cutoff signal to a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker cuts off the output of power supply voltage from the main power supply to the driver using relays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Equos Research
    Inventors: Shuzo Moroto, Mutumi Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 5368123
    Abstract: Apparatus for detecting an imbalance of a vehicle comprising, in combination, an upper attachment member removably secured with respect to the upper portion of a shock absorber; a lower attachment member removably secured with respect to the lower portion of a shock absorber; a vertically extending rod fixedly secured with respect to the lower attachment member and slidably secured with respect to the upper attachment member; a roller secured to the upper attachment member with the roller adapted to rotate with respect to the rod during normal reciprocation thereof but to shift with respect to its axis during abnormal extend movement of the rod as caused by an emergency situation; and a switch secured to the upper attachment member in a first electrical state during normal reciprocation of the rod but switched to a second electrical state upon the shifting of the roller in response to abnormal movement of the rod indicative of an abnormal situation for emitting a signal in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Inventor: Gregory Castellana
  • Patent number: 5117218
    Abstract: A warning system for warning a lack of a working fluid for an engine. The engine is provided with an ignition unit supplied with an ignition power supply from a magneto. A sensing unit senses the lack of the working fluid and produces a detection signal. A warning element, connected to the magneto, receives a power supply to give a warning indicating the lack of the working fluid. A controller is responsive to the detection signal from the sensing unit for actuating the warning element to provide the warning without deteriorating a performance of the ignition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Asao Sasaki, Yosuke Kubota
  • Patent number: 4812670
    Abstract: A theft protection electric cable includes at least one conducting core, a sheath which is least partially insulating, and a suitable connection. The cable is characterized in that it is connected between a source of electrical voltage and a user member by at least one contactor (3), said contactor receiving information concerning the conducting or non-conducting state of the cable and including a spring or switch (11, 34) for interrupting the passage of electricity as a function of said information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Inventor: Michel Goulet
  • Patent number: 4583613
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a three wheeled motor vehicle with an electronic speed control system for controlling the speed of the vehicle while in reverse operation. The electronic speed control system includes a speed detection circuit and reverse gear detection circuit to alter the ignition of the vehicle. By altering the ignition, further acceleration may be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hitoshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 4524287
    Abstract: A safety device for interrupting the current to the electrical system of a motor vehicle comprises a special switch for opening the electrical circuit of a motor vehicle. This switch includes a weight housed in a breakable tube which is operably released on impact to open the circuit to the battery and to the ignition to prevent post-collision fires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Inventor: Wyley W. Brannen
  • Patent number: 4221278
    Abstract: A mercury switch sensitive to rotations in either of two selected directions is provided for interrupting the ignition circuit of a motorcycle if the motorcycle should topple over. The switch has a Y-shaped housing with two hollow copper members joined to a hollow stem. An electrical contact is mounted by means of an insulating stopper in the hollow stem. A pool of mercury provides a contact between the electrical contact and the metal Y-shaped housing. A wire is affixed to the electrical contact and a second wire is affixed to the metal housing. A pool of mercury completes the switch between the insulated electrical contact and the metal housing. As the switch is rotated in either a first or a second selected direction, at a predetermined point, the pool of mercury will separate from the insulated electrical contact thereby causing the switch to display an open circuit condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1980
    Inventor: Frankieboy Ponzo
  • Patent number: 4195897
    Abstract: An accessory mounted in a vehicle and through which a negative side of the circuit from the battery flows; the accessory including an electricity conductor integral with a weight which in case of a sudden stop, such as during a collision due to momentum flies loose from between contactor of the circuit, so to break the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1980
    Inventor: John G. Plevjak