US3877541A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic safety assurance system for an automotive vehicle
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1974-01-31
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1994-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A first pulse storage counter is provided for counting a steering oscillation frequency for a predetermined interval when the vehicle speed exceeds a preselected speed to establish a reference count for comparison purposes, clears the reference count at a transition when the vehicle speed exceeds again the preselected speed after it has reduced to a speed level lower than the preselected speed, and starts counting the steering oscillation frequency again to update its content to establish a new reference count. A second pulse storage counter is provided for counting the oscillation frequency at the instant a reference count has been established for the same predetermined interval to establish a second count and updates it repeatedly at the predetermined interval while the reference count remains unchanged until such a transition occurs. The reference and second counts are compared repeatedly at the predetermined interval. When the second count is smaller than the reference count by a predetermined amount, a warning signal will be given to alert the driver.
Inventors
- 👤 Yasuhisa Takeuchi
- 👤 Takayuki Yanagishima
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:13
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/06; B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/0066; B60K31/0075; B60K31/18; B60W; B60W2540/00; B60W2540/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
In a safety apparatus for a vehicle having a steering wheel in which a series of pulses is produced in response to oscillatory movement of said steering wheel and counted for comparison with a reference count to give a warning signal, the improvement comprising: a. speed sensing means for producing a first signal when the speed of said vehicle exceeds a preselected value; b. means responsive to said first signal for producing a second signal at a preselected interval; c. first storage means responsive to said first signal for counting said series of pulses to establish said reference count during the initial period of a given run length; d. second storage means responsive to said first and second signals for counting said series of pulses to repeatedly establish a second count during the remaining period of said run length; e. means responsive to said second signal for comparing said second signal with said reference count to produce an output when said second count is smaller than said reference count; and f. means responsive to said output for giving said warning signal to alert the driver in said vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a safety apparatus for a vehicle having a steering wheel in which a series of pulses is produced in response to oscillatory movement of said steering wheel and counted for comparison with a reference count to give a warning signal, the improvement comprising: a. speed sensing means for producing a first signal when the speed of said vehicle exceeds a preselected value; b. means responsive to said first signal for producing a second signal at a preselected interval; c. first storage means responsive to said first signal for counting said series of pulses to establish said reference count during the initial period of a given run length; d. second storage means responsive to said first and second signals for counting said series of pulses to repeatedly establish a second count during the remaining period of said run length; e. means responsive to said second signal for comparing said second signal with said reference count to produce an output when said second count is smaller than said reference count; and f. means responsive to said output for giving said warning signal to alert the driver in said vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein said first storage means clears said reference count at each transition of run lengths to establish a fresh reference count.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein said reference count is multiplied by a factor less than unity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein said reference count varies in accordance with the speed of said vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein said first storage means comprises a plurality of flip-flops each being connected to each of a plurality of resistors connected to a d.c. amplifier having a feedback loop including a variable resistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement of claim 5, wherein said plurality of resistors have a resistance value of R/2n 1, wherein R is the maximum value of said variable resistor and n is the number of said resistors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein said second storage means comprises a plurality of flip-flops each being connected to each of a plurality of first resistors connected to a d.c. amplifier having a feedback loop including a second resistor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improvement of claim 7, wherein said plurality of first resistors have a resistance value of R/2n 1, wherein R is the value of said second resistor and n is the number of said first resistors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement of claim 5, wherein said first storage means is coupled to said speed sensing means via an operational amplifier.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |