Patent · US Expired

Fail-safe mechanism having a driver circuit for controlling driving of an electrical system of a vehicle

US6498403B1 · kind B1 · utility

22Cited by
6References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 1, 2000
Grant dateDec 24, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 18, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB62D5/0493
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to a device that interrupts electric power to a driving circuit when a system failure is detected. A fail-safe mechanism is provided with a main switch circuit connected between a driving power source and a driver circuit; a sub switch circuit connected between the driving power source and the main switch circuit, and maintaining an OFF state in normal times; a timer circuit allowing the sub switch circuit for a predetermined time period after the driving power source is turned on; a failure detector circuit connected between the main switch circuit and a controller; and a sub switch control means bringing the sub switch circuit to an OFF state when the feeding of electric current is cut off. The main switch circuit is turned OFF when the failure detector circuit detects an abnormal condition of the controller.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.