Patent US2078910A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3855573A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for preventing a drunken driver from operating a motorcar
Assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1972-10-26
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1992-10-26
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for preventing a drunken driver from operating a motor vehicle in which a suction pipe is connected at one end to a pump and its other end is open and faces into the interior of the passenger compartment of the vehicle so as to constitute a suction device for sucking air thereinto adjacent the driver''s seat. A detecting device is also mounted in the passenger compartment for detecting the alcohol content in the air flowing through the suction pipe and upon operation of the detecting device due to the presence of excess alcohol, the vehicle is rendered inoperative. The apparatus may also include a sensing device for detecting pressure change within the suction pipe to render the vehicle inoperative due to excess pressure change.
Inventors
- 👤 S Honda
- 👤 Y Satoh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:14
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K28/00; B60K28/02; B60K28/06; B60K28/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for preventing operation of a vehicle by a drunken driver, the vehicle having an electrical power source and an ignition switch, said apparatus comprising a suction pipe having an inlet end which opens into the interior of a passenger compartment of the vehicle and faces the driver''s seat of the vehicle, said suction pipe having an opposite end remote from said inlet end, a suction motor connected to said opposite end of said pipe, said suction motor being electrically connected to the electrical power source of the vehicle through the ignition switch whereby the suction motor is operablE independently of the operation of the engine of the vehicle, detecting means for detecting the alcohol content in the air flowing in the suction pipe, further means coupled to the detecting means to render the vehicle inoperative when the detecting means senses the presence of alcohol in excessive amount and means for sensing pressure change in said suction pipe for rendering the vehicle inoperative upon excess pressure change.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for preventing operation of a vehicle by a drunken driver, the vehicle having an electrical power source and an ignition switch, said apparatus comprising a suction pipe having an inlet end which opens into the interior of a passenger compartment of the vehicle and faces the driver''s seat of the vehicle, said suction pipe having an opposite end remote from said inlet end, a suction motor connected to said opposite end of said pipe, said suction motor being electrically connected to the electrical power source of the vehicle through the ignition switch whereby the suction motor is operablE independently of the operation of the engine of the vehicle, detecting means for detecting the alcohol content in the air flowing in the suction pipe, further means coupled to the detecting means to render the vehicle inoperative when the detecting means senses the presence of alcohol in excessive amount and means for sensing pressure change in said suction pipe for rendering the vehicle inoperative upon excess pressure change.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inlet of the suction pipe is positioned directly in front of the driver''s seat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the suction inlet is positioned adjacent the steering wheel of the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said further means comprises a control circuit containing said detecting means and an ignition circuit of the vehicle, and means for opening the ignition circuit when the detecting means senses excess alcohol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the detecting means includes a detecting device having an electrical resistance which is a function of the alcohol content which is sensed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the control circuit includes a normally inactive voltage-sensitive arrangement connected in series with said detecting device and rendered active when the detecting device senses an excess alcohol content, said arrangement being coupled to the means which opens the ignition circuit to effect such opening when the arrangement is operative.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said control circuit includes an indicator lamp connected to the voltage-sensitive arrangement for being rendered operative when the latter arrangement is operative.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said voltage-sensitive arrangement includes a variable resistor connected in series with the detecting device, a Zener diode connected to said variable resistor and a relay in circuit connection with the Zener diode to open the ignition circuit of the vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3238783A
Cited
US3186508A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |