WO2007096798A2

WO2007096798A2 - Anti turnover system

Info

Publication number: WO2007096798A2
Application number: PCT/IB2007/050408
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carones Giorgio
Original assignee: Carones Giorgio
Priority date: 2006-02-23
Filing date: 2007-02-08
Publication date: 2007-08-30
Also published as: ITRM20060092A1; WO2007096798A3

Abstract

Anti Turnover System is a safety electronic system for motor vehicles. The device functioning is based on the reading of the longitudinal inclination of the vehicle, which, after a strong acceleration, can increase until making loose control of the vehicle. The aim of ATS is to prevent the vehicle to exceed the safety limit angle and to avoid the turnover of the vehicle, taking it back on horizontal position.

Description

ANTI TURNOVER SYSTEM

Technical Field

[1] This application is being filed as a PCT application on 8 February 2007 on behalf

Giorgio Carones, an Italy national and resident, designating all countries except IT. The application claims priority to IT Application No. RM2006A000092 filed on 23 February 2006.

Background Art

[2] At the present I believe that nothing similar exists on the market, with the same or similar aim. Researches have been effectuated in the Internet web and in the Esp@cenet database. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[3] Anti Turnover System is a safety electronic system for motor vehicles

(motorcycles, scooter, ATV, etc.), but it can be also used on different vehicles, as wa- tercrafts, snowmobile, etc.. The device functioning is based on the instantaneous "reading" of the longitudinal inclination of the vehicle, which, after a strong acceleration, can increase until making loose control of the vehicle. [See Fig. I]. The aim of ATS is to prevent the vehicle to exceed the safety limit angle and to avoid the 'turnover' of the vehicle, taking it back on horizontal position. [See Fig.2].

Technical Solution

[4] As for the technical aspect, the device can be subdivided in three sections: Acquisition Sensors, Control Unit and Actuator. [See Fig.3]. Specifically :

[5] Acquisition Sensors consist of three accelerometers, one for each direction axis

(x-y-z). The output signal from the sensor is a proportional tension to the axis position of the sensor itself relative to the gravitational force. Then the signal is filtered by integrating active filters and then it is transferred to the Control Unit. The choice has fallen on this type of sensors because other types as gyroscopes, inclinometers, ultrasounds, laser have showed different assessments of weakness, respectively, specificity for angular velocity, inaccurate measuring if subjected at external acceleration, imprecision caused by the interference of air/heat, high cost.

[6] Control Unit is composed by a microcontroller qualified to acquire and analyse input signals; in this specific case a Microchip from PIC 18 family has revealed very effective because it has inboard all the components that make the processing possible. At first the acquired signals are converted in digital format by using A/D converters contained into the PIC, then, once analyzed, microcontroller decides if intervening or not apiece of the set reference values by sending a signal to the Actuator. The firmware of microcontroller can be easily modified so that it can be very easy to find the right set-up for every type of vehicle. [7] The Actuator is the system that permits to intervene if the vehicle gets over the safety limit angle, over which the stability of the vehicle is compromised. [8] As soon as the Control Unit sends the signal, an amplifier (driver) controls a rele that immediately interrupts the engine ignition, until the control signal comes back to zero level and the vehicle is under the safety level; the vehicle by effect of its engine brake returns on horizontal position. [9] For vehicles equipped of Drive-by-Wire technology, microcontroller can be directly interfaced with ECU (Engine Control Unit), so the engine brake can be also partially controlled. [10] The device is powered by a circuit that converts tension from 12V ( of the vehicle) to 5V and it keeps the tension stabilized, with a minimum power absorption (less than

Iw).

Advantageous Effects [11] The system is a small box, installable by making a few modifications to the vehicle electric system, or it can directly added to the ECU of the vehicle (as original equipment part).

Industrial Applicability [12] Thanks to SMD components (surface assembly) it is possible to reduce moreover the device dimension, even if, by using components in DIP format, it is already very compact and so installable on every type of vehicle

Claims

[1] ATS - Anti Turnover System, electronic device qualified to avoid longitudinal turnover of motor cycles and general vehicles, I claim the electronic system that avoids, thanks to the istantaneous "reading" of the inclination of the vehicle as to the horizontal plane, the longitudinal (vertical) turnover of the vehicle and the general vehicle, caused by excessive acceleration or by the overcoming of the stability limit angle. [See Fig.2].

[2] ATS - Anti Turnover System, electronic device qualified to avoid longitudinal turnover of motor cycles and general vehicles, as to previous claim and characterized by the fact that sensors of the system read the longitudinal inclination angle of the vehicle, as to the horizontal plane, using the gravity acceleration as datum-constant.

[3] ATS - Anti Turnover System, electronic device qualified to avoid longitudinal turnover of motor cycles and general vehicles, I claim the electronic system that avoids, thanks to the istantaneous "reading" of the inclination of the vehicle as to the horizontal plane, the longitudinal (vertical) turnover of the vehicle and the general vehicle, caused by excessive acceleration or by the overcoming of the stability limit angle. [See Fig.2].

[4] ATS - Anti Turnover System, electronic device qualified to avoid longitudinal turnover of motor cycles and general vehicles, as to previous claim and characterized by the fact that sensors of the system read the longitudinal inclination angle of the vehicle, as to the horizontal plane, using the gravity acceleration as datum-constant.

[5] ATS - Anti Turnover System, electronic device qualified to avoid longitudinal turnover of motor cycles and general vehicles, as to previous claim and characterized by the fact that the system can work whether stopping the engine ignition by a rele, or interfacing directly with the ECU on Drive-by-wire systems.

[6] ATS - Anti Turnover System, electronic device qualified to avoid longitudinal turnover of motor cycles and general vehicles, as to previous claim and characterized by the fact that the brain of the system is a microcontroller that being a device programmable by software, makes the system easily suitable to the vehicle on which it has been installed.