FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention is directed to door lock canceller malfunction
indicator system particularly for low cost motor vehicles. It involves
intilllaliurl uf failure of door lock canceller in the event of crash
detectionlair bag deployment by means'of a dedicated indicator.
BACXQWOQND OF IHVENTIOM
Door lJnlock in the event of a crash constitutes a safety critical
feature. It not only helps passengers to exit from the vehicle, but
also facilitates the safe evacuation of victims by onlookers /
passerby.
Keyless Entry (KLE) controller as illustrated in fig. 1 is connected
to airbag controller (I), Ignition Switch (2) and door lock/unlock
buttons (3) for locking/unlocking vehicle doors according to
requirement through the functionality of lock/ unlock (4)S. aid
keyless controller (KLE) senses the occurrence of a vehicle crash
based 'on the unique signals it receives from the airbag controller
(1). In. existing cars with keyless entry system and airbag system in
the event of a crash, if the electrical connection (W) between both
systenls (1. and KLE) functions normally, all the doors get unlocked
aiding the easy evacuation / exit of passengers. However in case
electrical connection.(W) between the systems (1 and KLE) is either
broken or improper, the door is not unlocked. This undesirable
state of the vehicle is not known to the user, until the worst case
scenario occurs (i.e. vehicle crashes).
In present day cars crash unlock mechanism is implemented using
a central door locking ECU and a crash sensing ECU typically
available in high end vehicles. The status of any failure in the
desired communication i.e. in electrical wire connection (W)
between the systems is indicated to the user timely.
Howevcr, the available indicator system in the high end cars uses
networking mccharlisn~ such as HS-CAN, IS-CAN etc. Provision 01
the networking mechanism adds to cost. Therefore, the same can't
be provided in low cost motor vehicles.
Presently low cost entry level cars features such as central door
locking, keyless entry and airbag are increasingly finding their
placc. TypicaIly entry level cars do not have in-vehicle networking
mechanism (such as HS-CAN, LS-CAN etc.) due to their high cost.
Also studies indicate that in the event of a crash, driverlpassenger
tends to panic; as a result accidentally locks the doors while
attempting to open the doors by unlocking.
In vicw of thc abovc, there is a requirement to devclop an efficient
door lock canceller malfunction indicator system which can
address the aforesaid issues and which can also be accommodated
in low cost vehicles without requiring the networking mechanism.
Some prior patents/publications may be discussed hereinbelow:
U85835893(A): It discloses a vehicle safety system ' having a
plurality of safety device controllers a i ~ da method of controlling
thercoi. 'I'he vehicle safety system is provided for the protection of
vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash. 'I'he system is
capab1.e of controlling safety devices such as airbag assemblies,
seat belt tensioner assemblies, fuel cutoff switch assemblies,
battery disconnect switch assemblies, assernblics for scnding
notification to emergency services, and assembiics for sending
vehicle location data. The system accepts data from other vehicle
systems such as speed data from the antilock brake system to
distinguish between a low speed and a high speed crash, seat
occupancy data to selectively activate airbags, and steering system
and acdeleration data to detect-vehicle rollover conditions. The
System is implemented for fault detection and notification to the
vehicle operator, as well as irnmunity from electromagnetic
interference through the use of distributed controllers that
communicate with a central electronic control unit over digital
communication .bus using coded commands mid data. Each
controller has the capability of performing self-tests and
cnmm.unicating the results to the ce~ltrael lectronic control unit.
Yn the above, there is no mechanisms for door unlock and
malf~nction detection in electrical connection. Further, no
mechanisms is available for indicating malfunction in door unlock
in the event of a crash. It also uses networking system such as HSCAN,
LS-CAN to detect any kind of problem with the vehicle.
Another prior art discloses a vehicle, comprising:
a frame; at least one door assembly each connected to said frame
and having a door which is locked to prevent access to an interior
of the vehicle and unlocked to permit access to the interior.
An interrogator is arranged on said frame to transmit waves.
A processor is coupled to said interrogator and said at least one
door assembly. A portable identification device is provided for
. .
keyless entry into the vehicle, wherein said identification device
being arranged to respond to waves transmitted by said
interrogator to generate waves or modify the transmitted waves
which contain an identification signal.
In conjunction with the above at least one sensor system is I arranged to sense a property of the vehicle or a component: of the I vehicle, in which each of said at least one sensor system being
arranged to respond to waves transmitted by said interrogator to
generate waves or modify the transmitted waves which contain
data about the sensed property. Said interrogator being arranged
to receive the waves generated or I
-3-
modified by said portable identification device and said at least one
sensor system. Said processor being arranged to unlock or lock
said door of said at least one door assembly and to monitor the
sensed property of the vehicle or vehicle component based on
waves generated or modified by said portable identification device
and said at least one sensor system and reccived by said
Tn t h t above, there is no mechanism for dours unlock and
malfunction detection in electrical connection. Further, no
mechanism is available for indicating malfunction in door unlock
in the event of a crash. It includes RF based KLE and air bag
controller system.
Another known art is directed to an informahon management and
monitoring system for a vehicle, comprising: a vehicle monitoring
system including a plurality of sensors for monitoring components
of the vehicle. It also comprises a diagnostic module arranged on
the vehicle, wherein said diagnostic module is coupled to said
vehicle monitoring system and arranged to receive and process
data about the monitored components from said vehicle monitoring
system. There is provision of a remote service center capable of
servicing the vehicle components; and a communication system
arranged on the vehicle and coupled to said diagnostic module for
enabling communications of data from said diagnostic module to
said remote service center such that said remote service center
receives data about the monitored components of the vehicle.
One existing technology teaches regarding a vehicle control device
including a push switch disposed in a passenger compartment of a
vehicle and capable of being pressed by a driver of the vehicle.
Thcre is provision of a control unit which is capablc of performing
a control process for controlling a state of operation of a drive
. source of the
vehicle, or a state of supply of electric power to a vehicle-mounted
component, in response to pressing of the push switch. The control
unit inhihits the control process in response to prcssing of the
push switch when a prescribed condition is met in the vehicle. The
vehiclc control device coll~prisir.lg: a fault: detecting unit for
detecting an occurrence of a fault in the vehicle,
wherein: if the prescribed condition is not met, tkie control unit
permits the control process in response to pressing of the push
switch according to a first operating method. I-Iowever, in case
the prescribed condition is met, the control unit inhibits the
control process in response to pressing of the push switch
according to the first operating method, and permits the control
process in response to pressing of the push switch according to a
second operating method, which requires a longer operating period
or more operating events than'the first operating method.In case
the occurrence of the fault is detected by the fault detecting unit,
the control unit permits the control process in response to pressing
of the push switch according to the first operating method,
regardiess of whether or not the prescribed condition has been
met.
US 6733036 B2: An electrical system in a vehicle, comprising: a
,
plurality of devices used in the operation of the vehicle including at
lcast one crash sensor and at least one airbag module; ,and at least
one electrical bus each coupling at least a portion of said devices
and conveying at least one of power and information to or from
said devices coupled to said bus. A first one of said at least one
bus coupling said at least one crash sensor and said at least one
airbag module. Each of said at least one crash sensor generating
signals relating to . a n impact of the vehicle and
each uf said at least one airbag module comprising a module
housing, an airbag associated with said housing, an inflator
assembly arranged in said housing for inflating said airbag and an
electronic controller arrangcd in or adjacent said housing and
coupled to said first bus. Said controller controlling inflation of
said airbag by said ivlnator assembly iri consideration of the signals
generated by said at least one crash sensor.
An electrical system in a vehicle, comprising: a plurality of sensors
for detecting a physical characteristic of the vehicle, wherein at
least one of said sensors is a crash sensor which detects a physical
characteristic of the vehicle affected by a crash involving the
vehiclc. There is provision of at least one airbag module each
comprising an airbag, an inflator assembly for inflating said airbag
and an electronic controller for controlling inflation of said airbag
by said inflator assembly. An electrical bus is provided for coupling
said crash sensor and said at least one airbag module and
conveying at least one of power and information to or from said
crash sensor and said at least one airbag module.
In addition to the above, a module is coupled to said bus and
arranged to receive signals from said crash sensor based on the
detected physical characteristic of the vehicle and process said
signals to provide a control signal to said controller such that
inflation of said airbag is controlled by said controller in
(:onsicic-:ration of the physical characteristic detected by said crash
sensor.
Thus, none of the above can fulfill the design criteria of the
invcntion. Hence, the instant invention has been introduced.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The priilcipal object of the present invention is to provide door lock
canceller malfunction indicator system which obviates
disadvantages associated with the known art(s).
Another object of the present invention is to provide door lock
canceller malfunction indicator system particularly for low cost
motor vehicles.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide door lock
canceller malfunction indicator system which involves intimation .
regarding failure of door lock canceller in the event of crash
detectionlair bag deployment by means of a dedicated indicator.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide door lock I
canceller malfunction indicator system which can detect any I
I
I
malfunction in the electrical connection between the air bag
. ,
controller and KLE controller.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 1
~ c c o r d i nto~ t his invention, there is provided a door lock canceller ~
i
malfunction indicator system comprises KLE controller connected i
to air bag controller, Ignition switch, door lock/unlock buttons. !
! wherein the KLE controller is provided to detect any malfunction in
I
electrical connection between the air bag controller and KLI3 I,
controller and accordingly signal speedometer with an indicating
means.
BRIEF DESCMWION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more
apparent' from the ensuing description when read in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments of
invention and wherein:
. a Fig. 1 shows: Conventional keyless entry controller system;
Fig. 2 shows: Door lock canceller malfunction in.dicator system
according to present invention;
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE
TO THZ ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The instant invention makes disclosure regarding a door lock
canceller malfunction indicator system particularly for low cnst:
motor vehicles.
The indicator system of proposed invention takes care of the
limitations in the existing systems by intimating the user by
flashing of a dedicated display such as LED on the speedometer
op(ionally with an audible buzzer.
In respect of this, reference may be made to fig. 2 wherein keyless
controller (C) is in communication with air bag controller (I),
Ignition switch (2) and door lock/unlock buttons (3) for the
function of lock/unlock (4) as shown.
In corljunction with the above, the system of invention comprises
an indicator (I) integrated with speedometer (S) so as to indicate
malfunction in the electrical connection (W) between the air bag ,
controller and KLE controller by glowing a LED, wherein said
indicator. comprises the LED. KLE controller comprises one
circuitry means to sense any malfunction in the electrical
connection and another. circuitry means to forward the signal
regarding the malfunctibn to speedometer. KLE controller is also
fed with a special software for the necessary functionality.
In addition to the above, buzzer (13) already available with the
speedometer can also be employed by establishing connectivity
with the KLE controller for audio 'signal to users.
The KLE controller is installed with the software to ensure that the.
dedicated indicator is not faulty in first place through an initial
check at every IG ON by making the 1,ED glow once. In case the
electrical connection between the air bag controller and the keyless
controller fails, the indicator remains ON continuously, which
keeps LED glowing thereby prompting user to visit nearest service
station for system checking and fault rectification.
Thus, in case there is any malfunction in the electrical connection
between the airbag controller ' and keyless entry controller, the
keyless controller determines this condition and intimates to the
user through a visual (flashing indicator) and/or audible indication
(buzzer).l'he indicator used is unique and different from the
existing airbag warning lamp to indicate that the .fault is with the
door lock / unlock system and not with the airbag system.
The proposed invention ensures that the feature i s present in low
cost vehicles and also the customer is apprised of any failure in the
electrical connection with respect to the door lock cancellation and
crash' unlock timely.
Thus the present invention consists of an indicator system in low .
cost cars without making use of networking mechanism unlike
prior art.
Adv- an%ageauFs eatures Cost effective system
- Audio and visual indication in case of communication
breakage between the air bag controller and KLE controller
- Safety measures efficiently attended to
- Well applicable to low cost motor vehicles
- The customer is apprised of any failure in the electrical
connection with respect to the door lock cancellation and
crash unlock timely.
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to
modifications, adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art.
Such variant embodiments .employing the concepts and features of
this invention are intended to be within the scope of. the present
invention, which is further set forth under the following claims:-
1.. A door lock canceller malfunction indicator system
comprises KI,E controller connected to air bag controller,
Tenition switch, door loclc/unlock buttoils wherein the KLE
controller is provided to detect any malfunction in electrical
conncction bctween the air bag controller and KLE controller
and accordingly signal speedometer with an indicating
means.
2. A door lock canceller malfunction indicator system as
.claimed in claim 1 wherein the KLE controller comprises one
circuitry means to sense any malfunction in the electrical
connection and another circuitry means to forward the
signal regarding said malfunctio; to the speedometer.
3. A door lock canceller malfunction indicator system as
claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the KLE
controller is fed with a software for the sensing and
signaling.
4. A door lock canceller malfunction indicator system as
claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the
speedometer is integrated with an indicator to indicate
malfunction in the electrical connection by glowing a LED
continuously and/or through an audio signal by triggering
buzzer of the speedometer.
5. A door lock canceller malfunption indicator system as
claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the indicator
comprises the LED and the buzzer is provided in connection
with the KLE controller.
6. A door lock canceller malfunction indicator system as
claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the KLE
controller is installed with the software to ensure that the
indicator is not faulty through an initial check at every
ignition ON by glowing the LED once.
7. A door lock. canceller malfunction indicator system as
claimed in any of the preceding claims is associated with the
advantageous features such as herein. described.
8. A door lock , canceller . malfunction , indicator system
substantially as herein described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.