AUTO INDICATOR OFF SWITCH
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a system for automatically switching off the indicator /tums-lights of a vehicle. This invention is more particularly related to the automatic switch off the indicator lights/turn of lights in the two wheeled vehicles (motorcycles)
Back ground of the Invention
Existing four wheeled vehicles switch their indicators off using a switch that is connected to the steering wheel. Almost similar mechanism can be used for three wheelers too. In the case of two-wheeler, steering mechanism cannot be relied upon, as the handle bar cannot be used as a tool to detect the change in the direction. Here there is a need to put forward a system to automatically switch off the indicator lights/tumlights in the two-wheeled vehicles (motorcycles).
Object of the Invention
The main object of the invention is a system that automatically switches off the indicator/turns fight of a vehicle.
Another object of the invention is a system to automatically switch off the indicatorrturns light of a two wheeled vehicles (motorcycles)
Yet another object of the invention is a circuit for controlling the operation of directional lights on a two-wheeled vehicles (motor cycles).
Statement of the Invention
A System for operating the turn signal of a motor cycle having right lamp means and left lamp means, said system comprising;
(a) electronic control means including memory means;
(b) a right turn switch connected to said control means;
(c) a left turn switch connected to said control means;
(d) a middle switch connected to said control means;
(e) means for measuring the directional change of the motor cycle, said directional change measuring means sending a signal representative of the motor cycle's direction to said control means;
wherein said left lamp means operated only when said left lamp means flashes for a period based on the said direction signal which is determined by said control means or till the middle switch is manually pushed;
wherein said right lamp means is operated only when said right turn switch is pushed and the said lamp means flashes for a period based on the direction signal which is determined by said control means or till the middle switch is manually pushed;
wherein said middle switch is pushed continuously for a certain period, both said left and right lamp means flash till said middle switch is manually pushed again, and it triggers all the indicators blinking simultaneously (hazard lights on)
Brief description of the drawing
Fig: 1 shows the Block Diagram for the assembly of the directional detector, which is a main component of the automatic indicator off switch according to this invention.
Fig:2 shows the Circuit Diagram of the Control Circuit Fig 3: shows the Input Switch..
Fig 4: shows a sample design of the directional detector, which includes the encoder.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The main components of the system are (a) left indicator light (b) right indicator light (c) left indicator light switch (d) right indicator light switch (e) middle indicator switch (e) automatic indicator off switch (AIOS).
The automatic indicator switch (AIOS) consists of two parts (1) to detect the change in the direction (Directional Detector) ( 2 ) electronic circuit that controls functionality,
A Conventional magnetic compass, electro magnetic compass or an electronic directional sensor or a combination of these can be used to detect the change in the direction. The system can be programmed to turn the lights off once a pre specified change in the direction (measured in degrees) i.e a change in the direction up to a certain pre specified (pre selected) degree, then the system triggers the indicators to switch off.
The directional detector (DD) of AIOS can be built using a conventional magnetic compass, or an electronic directional sensor. When a magnetic/electro magnetic compass is used the set up will also include a mechanical encoder wheel and a magnet mounted on the principal axis of rotation and a shutter with slits on either side of the encoder. A typical encoder is a circular disc with optional windows (holes) punched around the periphery or is a wheel with a number of tines or slits.
Fig:1 and Fig 4 shows the assembly of a directional detector when a sample magnet or electronic magnet is used. The assembly consists of three layers the top and bottom layers are shutters and have 3 slits/holes each positioned 90 degrees out of phase with respect to the encoder wheel, which is placed between. The encoder wheel houses the magnet consists of equi-spaced identical holes (slits) with the spacing between the holes (slits) equal to twice it's diameter (width). The directional detector may also be filled with viscous fluid to diminish any undesirable oscillations or movements of the magnet (noise signals) due to 1) a tilt or jerk in the vehicle which displaces the centre of mass, or 2) a change in the direction of the vehicle which rotates of the magnet
The three IR diodes and detectors are mounted on the either sides of the shutters on the slits. The positioning of the slits in a phased manner ensures that at any time two diode detector pairs are blocked by the chopper and only one is open. So when the encoder rotates dock wise (counter clock wise) the open diode- detector pairs shifts clock wise (counter clock wise) in a cyclic fashion. This arrangement allows in filtering clockwise and counter clock wise rotations.
The working of the directional detector using magnetic/electro magnetic compass is simple. As the vehicle turns, the compass and hence the encoder remains static, pointed to the same direction. The IR diodes and IR detectors mounted on the body of AIOS turn along with the vehicle. Basically the rotation of the IR diode and IR detectors depends on the vehicle while the encoders on the magnet is static. The encoder can be used to measure/detect the directional change of the vehicle turn by counting the number of interruptions in the required direction..
Another possible encoder design could be a wheel with metals strips connected to one of the terminals. These make contact with two brushes that are connected to the other two terminals. The brushes are assembled in a phase manner and hence the working is same as explained in the earlier encoder design. The only difference here is that we would not require a IR diode/detector drive circuit as digital pulse generated by design.
The control circuit can be analog or digital circuit but basicaHy consists of a 2 bit counter and a timer circuit. When the indicator is on, the circuit is activated, as the vehicle turns the IR diode and detector rotates while the encoder does not The number of interruptions is counted and the indicator is switched off after a pre-specified count Under other circumstances, such as switching lanes when there need not be any directional change the timer circuit over rides the counter circuit if the specified count is not reached before the cutoff. The timer circuit can be customized to a pre-specified cut off time.
An IR circuit, input interface and amplifier circuit also supplement the working of the complete system. The IR circuit drives the IR diodes and detectors while the blinker circuit makes the indicator blink. The entire control circuit including the supplementary circuits can be built using microprocessor. The basic functionality of the microprocessor is given in the table below.

in the case of an electronic directional sensor, we can use a digital or analog sensor depending upon their required accuracy. This directional sensor should be attached with an interpreting circuit that can read from the sensors output
In this case the control circuit will consist only of the input interface, counter and blinker circuits. There are no timer and IR circuits. The whole circuit can be built on a microprocessor. The circuit is completely digital and hence making it is simple and reliable.
The input interface is sandwiched between the user switch and main circuit The switches used are here is slightly different from the existing ones that are currently used in the bikes. It is required to have a switch that consists of just 3 touch plates (L, R and M) unlike the present day one which provides three click switches for the same and Fig 3 shows a detailed diagrammatic figure of the said switch.
The functionality of the left and right switches are same as the existing ones, The middle switch still remains to be off switch but with enhanced functionality. The middle switch can be thought of as an processor interrupt which switches the indicator off unconditionally. This basically shuts the power to the indicators irrespective of their state (simple ON, hazard lights or running lights). So when this switch is pressed the circuit cuts the power off both to the indicator and the IR diode. But when the middle switch is held for more than 3 seconds (or a continued period) it triggers the hazard lights on, i.e., all the indicators blinking simultaneously.
The input interface helps read the inputs and activates/resets/shuts down the appropriate block. When the left switch is pressed, the directional detector is activated along with the timer and blinker circuit The indicators are switched off when the middle switch is pressed or when the directional detector detects a change in the direction. When the middle switch is held for more than 3 seconds only the blinker circuit for the both the sides (left and right) are activated.
Functionalities:
Push to the left
Press once - Left indicator ON Push to the right
Press once - Right indicator ON Push in the middle
Press once - Indicator / Running lights / Hazard lights OFF
Additional Features:
1. The indicator can be timed to turn off. Choices of 15 sec, 20 sec, 30 sec and 45 sec.
2. Pressing the middle switch for more than three seconds will trigger both the indicators (hazard lights). Pressing it again will switch it OFF.
3. Pressing the left/right switch for more than three seconds will trigger running lights (if programmed).
The system for operating the turn signal having right lamp and left lamp where the switches of the right lamp, left lamp are connected to the electronic circuit (Control means) which is provided with memory too. The middle switch also connected to the electronic circuit. The directional detector for measuring the directional change of the motorcycle and the measured signal will input to the said control means. When only left switch is pushed the left lamp flashes for a period based on the direction signal provided by the directional detector and determined by the controller or until the middle switch is manually pushed. Further when only the right switch is pushed the right lamp flashes for a period based on the directional signal provided by the directional signal provided by the directional detector and determined by the directional detector and determined by the controller or until the middle switch is manually pushed and when middle switch is pushed for a given period, say, 3 seconds or more, both left and right lamp flash until the middle switch is pushed.
The said system is provided with the means for generating a first signal indicating activation of a left signal switch and means for generating a second[av1] signal indicating activation of a right signal switch. The system is equipped with the means for generating a third signal representative of the change in direction of the motorcycle and a means for processing said first second and third signals and controHing the right and left indicator lamps. When right and left lamp means are operating in a preselected manner (1) when the processing means receives the first signal, the left lamp means flashes at a first rate for a predetermined period ( 2) when the processing means receives the second signal, the right lamp means flashes at a first rate for a predetermined period ( 3 ) when the processing means simultaneously receives the first and the second signal both the right and left lamp means flashes at a first rate for a predetermined period.
The circumstances such as switching lanes, when there need not to be any directional change, the timer circuit over rides the counter circuit if the specified count is not reached before the cut off time. In this case the right and left lamp means are not operating in a pre-selected manner then (1) when said processing means receives the first signal, the left lamp flashes at a second rate for a predetermined period (2) when said processing means receives the second signal, the right lamp flashes at a second rate for a predetermined period ( 3 ) when said processing means simultaneously receives said first and second signals both of said right and left lamp means flashes at a second rate for a selectable period (4) when the said second rate is slower than said first said predetermined periods are based on a third signal.
The system is provided with a electronic control means, including a micro processor having memory means wherein said microprocessor has a lookup table programmed therein and in the said table it is defined the maximum distances for which said left and right lamp means flash depending upon the speed of the motorcycle. The right turn switch and left turn switches are connected to the said control means .The said system is further provided with a means for measuring the speed of the motor cycle and the said speed measuring means sending a signal of the motorcycle's speed to the said control means. Only when the left turn switch is pushed the said left turn lamp means flashes for a distance not exceeding a minimum distance based on said speed signal and determined by said memory means. Only when the right turn switch is pushed, the said right lamp means flashes for a distance not exceeding a minimum
distance based on said speed signal and determined by said memory means. The motor cycle is provided with a speedometer cable which rotates at a rate representative of said motorcycles speed and further the said measuring means provides said control means with electrical signal representative of said cable rotations.
The said system is provided with an electric circuit (Fig: 2 shows the Circuit Diagram of the Control Circuit) tor controlling the operation of indicator lights on a motorcycle having right lamp means and left lamp means. The said control means comprises a microprocessor containing the memory and processing means. When the left turn switch is pushed it will provide a first electrical signal to said control means like wise when the right turn switch is pushed it will provide a second electrical signal to the said control means. The system is provided with a means tor measuring the change in the direction of the motorcycle and it will provide a third signal representative of the detected change in the direction to said control means. When the said control means receives the . first signal, it activates the left lamp means tor a pre-selected time and likewise when said control means receives the second signal, it activates the right lamp means for a pre=selected time. The memory means determines the activation distances based on the third signal and the system further provided with a current sensing means for determining the functioning of right and left lamp means, It will also provide a warning indication, if the said lamp means are not functioning property.
We Claim
(!) A System for operating the turn signal of a motorcycle having right lamp means and left lamp means, said system comprising;
(f) electronic control means including memory means;
(g) a right turn switch connected to said control means;
(h) a left turn switch connected to said control means;
(i) a middle switch connected to said control means;
(j) means for measuring the directional change of the motorcycle, said directional change measuring means sending a signal representative of the motorcycle's direction to said control means; wherein said left lamp means operated only when said left lamp means flashes for a period based on the said direction signal which is determined by said control means or till the middle switch is manually pushed;
wherein said right lamp means is operated only when said right turn switch is pushed and the said lamp means flashes for a period based on the direction signal which is determined by said control means or till the middle switch is manually pushed;
wherein said middle switch is pushed continuously for more than 3 seconds, both said left and right lamp means flash till said middle switch is manually pushed, and it triggers all the indicators blinking simultaneously (hazard lights on)
(2) A System for controlling the operation of him signal lights on a motorcycle having right lamp means and left lamp means, said system comprising;
(a) means for generating a first signal activation of a left signal switch;
(b) means for generating a second signal indicating activation of a right signal switch;
(c) means for generating a third signal representative of the change in direction of the motorcycle;
(d) means for processing said first, second and third signals and controlling said right and left lamp means;
wherein said left lamp means flashes at a first rate for a predetermined period while operating in a preselected manner, when said processing means receives said first signal;
wherein said right lamp means flashes at a first rate for a predetermined period while operating in a preselected manner, when said processing means receives a second signal;
wherein said processing means simultaneously receives said first and second signals both of said right and left lamp means flashes at a first rate for a selectable period while operating in a preselected manner.
(3) The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said left lamp means flashes at a second rate for a predetermined period white not operating in a preselected manner, when the said processing means receives said first signal.
(4) The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said right lamp means flashes at a said second rate for a predetermined period while not operating in a preselected manner when the said processing means receives said second signal.
(5) The system as claimed in the claims 2to4,wherein said processing means receives said first and second signals simultaneously both the said right and left lamp means flashes at a second rate for a selectable period while not operating in a preselected manner.
(6) A system for operating the turn signal of a motorcycle having right lamp means and left lamp means, said system comprising;
(a) electronic control means which includes a microprocessor having memory means;
(b) a right turn switch connected to said control means;
(c) a left turn switch connected to said control means;
(d) means for measuring the speed of the motorcycle;
wherein said microprocessor has a lookup table programmed therein, said table defining maximum distances for which said left and right lamp means flash depending on the speed of said motorcycle; wherein said speed measuring means sending a signal representative to the motorcycle's speed to said control means; wherein said left lamp means operated only when left turn switch is pushed and said left lamp means flashes for a distance not exceeding a minimum distance based on said speed signal and determined by said memory means;
wherein said right lamp means operated only when right turn switch is pushed and said right lamp means flashes for a distance not exceeding a minimum distance based on said signal and determined by said memory means.
(7) The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said motorcycle has a speedometer cable which rotates at a rate representative of said motor cycle's speed and the said speed measuring means provides said control means with electrical signal representative of said cable's rotations.
(8) A circuit for controlling the operation of directional lights on a motorcycle having right lamp means and left lamp means, said circuit comprising;
(a) electronic control means including memory means;
(b) a left turn switch for providing a first electrical signal to said control means;
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(c) a right turn switch for providing a second electrical signal to said control means;
(d) means for measuring the change in the direction of the motorcycle and providing a third electrical signal representative of detected change in the direction to said control means.
wherein said control means activates said left lamp means for a preselected tune; when said control means receives the said first signal;
wherein said control means activates said right lamp means for a preselected time, when said control means receives the said second signal;
wherein said memory means determines activation distances based on said third signal;
wherein said control means comprises a microprocessor contains said memory and processing means.
(9) The circuit as claimed in claim 8,wherein said circuit comprises a lamp current sensing means for determine whether said right and left lamp means are functioning property and providing warning indication while said lamp are not functioning properly..
(10) A System for operating the turn signal of a motorcycle having right lamp means and left lamp means substantially as herein described and illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings.