GB2301189A

GB2301189A - Audible driver warning device

Info

Publication number: GB2301189A
Application number: GB9510627A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Dawson; Rodney Thomas Kitchen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-05-25
Filing date: 1995-05-25
Publication date: 1996-11-27
Also published as: GB9510627D0

Abstract

An audible warning device, e.g. a speaker or beeper 10, is fitted to the head gear 19 of a driver, especially in competitions, to convey a signal to warn the driver that a predetermined condition has been reached. The condition could be a predetermined engine or wheel (road) speed, the selection of a particular gear, or the need for such selection in dependence on engine speed. In the case of gear selection, changes of pitch, tone or frequency may be used to identify a particular gear. The system uses a processor 12 receiving signals from an ignition pulse sensor 14, a wheel rotation sensor (17, Fig. 2), or a gear selection sensor (18, Fig. 3).

Description

AUDIBLE DRIVER VAREIG DEVICE This invention relates to audible, driver, warning devices.

Drivers need to be relayed information electronically in a simple way that they can interpret and act upon. This is particularly important in or on vehicles used in competition but can equally apply to any vehicle as an aid to driving efficiently or safely for instance. Information such as safe engine P.R. M. limits could be relayed to the driver in an audible form by way of a speaker or beeper fitted inside the drivers head gear as often worn by competition car or motorcycle drivers. Normal instruments like speedoneters or tachometers require the driver to take their eyes off the road in order to focus on these Instrumants to determine road speed or the speed of the engine. This rapid change of focus and momentary loss of forward vision can be a major problem especially when travelling at speed.

According to the present invention there is provided an audible signal to warn the driver that they had reached predeterined conditions in relation to engine speed, road speed, or gear sel2ctions.

In the case of engine speed this can be done by the sensing of engine R. P. N. via for instance an inductive pick-up on the h'gh tension wires to the spark plugs or by direct connection to any suitable signal output point such as the ignition coils or generator. The electronic signal from this pick up is then processed by an electronic circuit contained In a 'Black Box' processor to produce an audible tone or message via a beeper cr speaker fitted within the drivers head gear. This message fron the 'Black bow' processor could be an imitation of the hun voice to be understood by the driver and acted upon.

In the case of road speed, a sensor could be fitted in such a way as to measure wheel or hub speed and convert this via the '3lack Box' to a similar audible message or signal to the driver as above.

In the case of gear information, a sensor could be fitted to a suitable point on the engine or gearbox such that it could recognise and signal to the 0Black Box' any changes that occur in gear selection. This could then be processed to audibly inform the driver, via the beeper or speaker, which gear has been selected, by a variable tone which could be recognised by the driver to represent each gear selected, or a imitation voice message.

Specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way cf example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1.2. & 3. show In section, typical competitiorl driver head gear with beeper or speaker connected to a polack box' signa) processor.

Fig 1. shows a sensor connected to the ignition system of the vehlc]e.

Fig 2. she the wheel speed sensor for measuring vehicle speed.

Fig 3. stows a sensor attached to the gearbox selector mechanism on the vehicle to detect changes.

Referring to the drawings (pages 1/3.2/.3/3.)the audible warning device comprises of a beeper or speaker 10 (Fig 1.2. & & 3.) fitted inside the driver head gear 19 ( shown as a helmet in Fig 1.2. & 3.).

This is connected to a 'Black box' 12 (Fig 1.2. & 3.) via removable cable ii (Fig 1.2. & .) The 'Black box' is in turn connected via removable cable 13 (Fig 1.2. a 3.) to: - A. The High tension wires 14 (Fig 1.) of the spark plugs 15 (Fig 1.) of the vehicle.

B. The wheel rotation sensor 17 (Fig 2.) of the vehicle.

C. The gear selector mechanism sensor 18 (Fig 3.) of the vehicle.

The signal generated at any of the optional points A-C above is conducted via cable 13 to the central processor unit ('8lack box') 12 (Fig 1.2. & 3.).

This signal is then processed by the 'Black box' 12 (Fig 1.2. & 3.) to carry the message or signal ta the beeper or speeker 10 (Fig 1.2. & & 3.) fitted to the driver head gear ( shown as a helmet ) 19 (Fig 1.2. & 3.)

Claims

CLAIM, 1 An audible warning device fitted to a drivers head gear that will convey a message or signal by way of a beeper or speaker1 processor and sensors to inform the driver that they have reached a predetermined engine speed.
2 An audible warning device fitted to a drivers head gear that will convey a message or signal by way of a beeper or speaker, processor and sensors to inform the driver that they have reached a predetermined road speed.
3 An audible warning device fitted to a drivers head gear that will convey a message or signal by way of a speaker or beeper,proceesor and sensors to inform the driver that a particular gear selection or change bad been made.
4 Ai audible warning device fitted to a drivers head gear that will convey a variable message or signal by way of a s-.,eaker or beeper, processor and sensors to inform the driver that a particular gear selection has been or should be made as a result of having reached predetermined engine speed. Tbe signal to the driver could vary in pitch frequency or tone to identify each particular gear chosen.