Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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INTERLOCK DEVICE FOR START-STOP ENABLED VEHICLES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention is broadly concerned with ignition interlock assemblies
having
rolling retest capabilities designed for connection with vehicles having an
ignition, a starter, an
engine, and a start-stop function. More particularly, the invention is
concerned with such
assemblies, as well as logic circuit controllers used therein, which allow the
unimpeded restart of
the vehicle engine in the event that, during a rolling retest failure, the
vehicle's engine is stopped
owing to operation of the stop-start function.
Description of the Prior Art
Ignition interlock devices (IID's) are commonly used to prevent vehicle
operation in the
event that the drivers are impaired or unauthorized. These devices can be used
to test a number of
.. driver parameters such as fingerprints, skin characteristics, retina scans,
or facial recognition.
However, the most common IID' s are designed to test the blood alcohol content
(BAC) of a given
driver and are commonly referred to as BAIID' s.
Typical BAIID' s include two components. One is a hand-held exhalation
breathalyzer
device that contains an ethanol-specific fuel cell which is operable to
determine a driver's blood
.. alcohol content. The other component is a relay box that relays the
information and data from the
breathalyzer to a command station operatively coupled with ignition, starter,
and engine of a
vehicle. During an initial start-up of the vehicle, the driver blows into the
breathalyzer, and the
BAC information is transmitted to the command station. If this data is
acceptable, (i.e., the driver
is not alcohol-impaired), the command station allows normal operation of the
vehicle. However,
if the data is unacceptable, the station prevents starting and operating the
vehicle.
Most modern-day BAIID' s also include a "rolling retest" function. This
involves a request
via the command station for another test of the driver's BAC after a short
time, such as ten minutes,
after the initial vehicle start. This is done to prevent a driver from having
a non-impaired passenger
or other individual provide the first exhalation into the breathalyzer, as a
way of circumventing the
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BAIID. During a rolling retest, the driver must again exhale into the
breathalyzer within a preset
time period. If this second breathalyzer test results in a failure or the
driver refuses to provide the
second breathalyzer test, the command station notes this as a violation.
However, and very
importantly, in this situation, the command station does not stop the
operation of the vehicle. Such
result can be very dangerous if the driver is in heavy traffic or another
compromising situation.
Rather than stop the vehicle, the command station may initiate an alarm, such
as by blowing the
vehicle horn and or intermittently blinking the vehicle's headlights.
In recent years, vehicles have been equipped with start-stop technology. This
is designed
to provide maximum fuel economy and serves to turn off the vehicle engine at
stop lights or when
the brakes are applied to fully stop the vehicle. In such cases, the vehicle
engine is turned off, but
automatically restarts when the brake pedal is no longer depressed, or the
accelerator is engaged.
A significant problem arises when an IID is installed on a start-stop enabled
vehicle.
Specifically, if a rolling retest is requested during a time when a vehicle's
engine is stopped owing
to the operation of the start-stop functionality, the IID will prevent normal
restart of the engine by
the start-stop apparatus. That is, the IID will operate as it does during the
initial start sequence,
overriding attempted restart by the start-stop apparatus. This is an extremely
dangerous outcome,
and Federal Regulations require that IID' s cannot interfere with normal
vehicle operation after the
initial start sequence.
There is accordingly a real and unsatisfied need in the art for ignition
interlock assemblies
which can provide all of the needed operation during initial starting and
rolling retests, and which
accommodate the concurrent operation of start-stop apparatus.
Related references include US Patents Nos. 7,256,700, 7,934,577, 8,640,813,
9,061,680,
and 9,481,245; US Patent Publication No. US2012/0268259; and a Smart Start
Inc. article entitled
"How Do Eco Cars Affect Ignition Interlocks?".
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the problems outlined below and provides an
improved
ignition interlock assembly designed for connection with a vehicle having an
engine, an ignition,
a starter, and a start-stop function. The interlock assembly includes an
ignition interlock device
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adapted for connection with the vehicle engine, ignition, and starter, the
interlock device having a
driver parameter input and operable to receive a driver parameter during a
rolling retest, and to
determine if said driver parameter is acceptable (pass) or unacceptable
(fail). The assembly further
has a logic circuit controller operatively coupled with the interlock device,
ignition and starter.
The controller comprises a logic circuit operable to allow the unimpeded
restart of the vehicle
engine by the start-stop function, in the event that the rolling retest driver
parameter is
unacceptable, when the vehicle engine is stopped by virtue of the operation of
the start-stop
function. In this way, the normal operation of the vehicle is assured in such
a situation, in
accordance with Federal regulations.
The logic circuit controller can be implemented in various ways, but
preferably it
comprises at least one relay, and more preferably a pair of interconnected
relays, one of the latter
connected with the vehicle ignition, and the other of the relays connected
with the starter.
Likewise, the ignition interlock assembly can make use of different driver
parameter inputs, but
the most common input is by way of a breathalyzer operable to determine the
blood alcohol content
of the driver.
The invention also provides a controller adapted for coupling with a vehicle
interlock
device connected with the engine, ignition, and starter of a vehicle, where
the vehicle is also
equipped with a start-stop function. The interlock device includes a driver
parameter input
operable to receive the driver parameter during a rolling retest and to
determine if the driver
parameter is acceptable or unacceptable. The controller includes a logic
circuit operable to allow
the restart of the vehicle engine by the start-stop function, in the event
that the rolling retest driver
parameter is unacceptable when the vehicle engine is stopped by virtue of the
operation of the
start-stop function. The controller further has a connection assembly operable
to couple the logic
circuit with the interlock device, and the engine, ignition, and starter of
the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a conventional ignition
interlock device
having a logic circuit controller in accordance with the invention coupled
with the interlock device;
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Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating representative
interconnections between
the ignition, engine, starter, and battery of a vehicle, with the interlock
device and the logic circuit
controller;
Fig. 3 is a partially schematic block diagram illustrating one implementation
of the logic
circuit controller illustrated in Fig. 1, making use of a dual relay assembly;
Fig. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating the control sequence of the interlock
device and the
logic circuit controller of the invention, with a vehicle equipped with a
start-stop function;
Fig. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a prior art ignition
interlock device coupled
with the ignition, engine, starter, and battery of a vehicle;
Fig. 6 is a prior art flow diagram illustrating the control sequence of an
interlock device
coupled with a vehicle not having a start-stop function; and
Fig. 7 is a prior art flow diagram illustrating the control sequence of an
interlock device
coupled with a vehicle having a start-stop function and illustrating the
problem of vehicle
shutdown in the event of a rolling retest violation during a time when the
vehicle engine is stopped
via the start-stop function.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The Problem ¨ Figs. 5-7
Figure 5 illustrates a conventional ignition interlock device 10 operably
coupled with a
vehicle ignition system 12, the latter coupled with the vehicle battery 14,
starter 16, and engine 18.
The ignition system 12 includes a key start module 20 having four positions,
namely a position A
coupled with battery 14 via lead 15, a position B coupled with accessory power
components of the
vehicle (e.g., a radio), an ignition position C, and a start position D. As
depicted, the interlock
device 10 is equipped with a driver parameter input 22 and has conventional
internal circuitry
designed to receive a driver input parameter (e.g., driver breath) and to
determine whether the
driver parameter is acceptable or unacceptable. In addition, this circuitry
includes a starter
actuation circuit which typically includes a switching arrangement such as a
normally open control
relay (referred to below for exemplary purposes as the "IID Relay"), which is
operable to permit
initial starting of the engine 18 if the driver parameter is acceptable (IID
Relay closes), or to
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prevent initial starting thereof if the parameter is unacceptable (IID Relay
remains open). The
circuitry also operates in a rolling retest mode where the IID is opened prior
to receiving a second
driver parameter from input 22, so as to continue normal operation of the
vehicle if the second
driver parameter is acceptable (IID Relay is closed), and also to continue
such normal operation
in the event that the second driver parameter is unacceptable (IID Relay
remains open); however,
in this event, a violation is recorded, and an optional alarm may be
initiated.
As further illustrated in Fig. 5, the interlock device 10 is operably coupled
with the engine
18 via lead 24, which is also coupled to position C of ignition module 20
through lead 26. Further,
the device 10 is electrically connected with position D of module 20 via lead
28 and to starter 16
via lead 30.
Figure 6 illustrates the operation of interlock device 10 when coupled with a
normal vehicle
not having a start-stop function. During this conventional operation, the
driver first operates
module 20 to position C, step 32. At this point, the driver enters the
appropriate parameter by
means of input 22 (in the case of a breathalyzer, blowing into an attached
breathing tube) as
reflected in step 34, results of which are analyzed, step 35. If the test
result is acceptable, step 36,
the interlock starter actuation circuit is energized, step 38, i.e., IID Relay
closes, step 38, and the
driver can then operate module 20 to start position D, step 40. The engine 18
can then be started
in the normal fashion, step 42. However, if the inputted parameter is
unacceptable, step 44, the
IID Relay remains open, step 46. The driver must then perform a retest, step
48, by then inputting
another driver parameter via input 22. This procedure continues until the
parameter is acceptable,
and steps 38-42 can be completed.
The device 10 also includes a rolling retest function, step 50, which involves
a request from
the device 10 for the input of a second driver parameter and the IID Relay is
opened. This
parameter is then tested with the result determination at step 52. If the
second parameter is
acceptable, the IID Relay is closed, step 53a, and device 10 permits normal
operation of the
vehicle, step 54, which allows for subsequent rolling retests as required. If
the second parameter
is unacceptable, the device 10 records this as a violation, step 56, and may
initiate an alarm, step
58. However, and very importantly, even if the rolling retest results in an
unacceptable second
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parameter, the IID Relay remains open, step 53b, and normal operation of the
vehicle continues,
as required by federal regulations.
Figure 7 illustrates the operation of the conventional interlock device 10 in
connection with
a vehicle equipped with a start-stop function. Many of the steps of operation
are identical with
those of Fig. 6, particularly in the initial start sequence, and accordingly
the same reference
numerals from Fig. 6 have been used where appropriate.
In particular, the problem arises during the rolling retest, step 50, when the
engine 18 has
been stopped by virtue of the operation of the start-stop function of the
vehicle, and the IID Relay
opens. Thus, during the rolling retest, if the engine is running, step 60, the
test result, step 52a, is
acceptable, the IID Relay is closed, step 53a, and normal operation of the
vehicle continues, step
54. Likewise, if the test result, step 52a, is unacceptable, a violation is
recorded, step 56, the
optional alarm may be activated, step 58, and the IID Relay remains open, step
53b, and normal
operation continues, step 54.
However, if the engine status during the rolling retest is stopped, step 62,
the test result,
step 52b, becomes crucial. If the test result is acceptable, the IID Relay is
closed, step 53a, and
device 10 allows the engine 18 via the start-stop function to be restarted,
step 64, and normal
operation of the vehicle continues, step 54. On the other hand, if during this
engine-stopped
condition the test result 52b is unacceptable, a violation is recorded, step
56, the optional alarm
may be activated, step 58, but the IID Relay remains open, step 53b, and the
vehicle remains
inoperable, step 66. As explained above, this can be an extremely dangerous
situation, where the
vehicle may be in heavy traffic, and the driver is unable to normally operate
the vehicle. How to
solve this serious problem is a focus of the present invention.
The following table sets forth the operating conditions for the vehicle
ignition system 12,
interlock device 10, and the status of engine 18 during some of the important
Fig. 7 steps described
above, where "SS" refers to the vehicle's start-stop functionality and "Str.
Act. Cir." refers to the
IID' s starter actuation circuit.
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LOGIC TABLE OF PRIOR ART IID OPERATION
Vehicle with SS and HD Vehicle BAC Test Ignition
Engine
Figure 7 Ignition Result Interlock Device
Status
Str. Act. Cir.
Key in OFF position A Off N/A Open
Off
Key in ignition position C, On N/A Open
Off
Step 32
IID test passed, Steps 35, 36, On Pass Closed
Off
38
Key in start position D, On N/A Closed
On
Steps 40, 42
Rolling IID retest requested, On N/A Open On or
Off
Step 50
Engine Off, Steps 62, 52b On N/A Open
Off
Rolling IID retest passed, On Pass Closed
On
Steps 52b, 53a, 64
Rolling IID retest failed, On Fail Open
Off*
Steps 52b, 53b, 66
* This is the dangerous condition of Step 66 where the vehicle remains
inoperable after a failed
rolling retest when the vehicle is stopped owing to the operation of the start-
stop functionality.
The Invention ¨ Figs. 1-4
Generally speaking, the present invention provides a logic circuit controller
68, which is
operably coupled with a conventional ignition interlock device 10 to overcome
the problem
described above, and particularly the issue of a rolling retest failure during
a time when the
vehicle's engine is stopped because of the action of the start-stop
functionality of the vehicle.
Specifically, the logic circuit controller 68 permits the engine 18 to be
restarted normally by the
start-stop functionality so as to permit continued normal operation of the
vehicle even during such
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a vehicle engine stopped rolling retest failure scenario. Fig. 4 illustrates
this result through the use
of a flow diagram. Again, many of the steps in Fig. 4 are similar to those of
Fig. 7, and the same
reference numerals have been applied where appropriate. Basically, the
difference is that during
test result, step 52b, when the engine is stopped, the logic circuit
controller 68 operates to allow
.. restart of the engine via the start-stop function, step 70.
The logic circuit controller 68 is operatively connected to the ignition
interlock device 10
and is interposed between the device 10, the ignition system 12, starter 16,
and engine 18. Turning
first to Fig. 1, two leads labeled IIDA and IIDB are coupled between the
device 10 and controller
68. Three other leads, VIGN, SIN, and SOUT are coupled with the circuit 68.
VIGN and SIN are
connected to the system 12, whereas SOUT is connected to the starter 16. Fig.
2 further illustrates
these connections, wherein VIGN is connected to lead 24 and SIN is connected
to position D of
module 20.
The logic circuit controller 68 can be implemented in a variety of ways such
as by the use
of conventional relays, electronic circuitry, or software control. One such
implementation is
illustrated in Fig. 3, wherein a relay-type logic circuit controller 68a is
depicted. The controller
68a is equipped with a pair of standard, normally open automotive relays,
namely relay 1 and relay
2. As illustrated, each of these relays has standard coil terminals 86 and 85,
and corresponding
load terminals 87, 30. In this example, it will be observed that lead IIDB is
connected with load
terminal 87 of relay 1, whereas lead IIDA is connected with load terminal 30
of relay 1.
Additionally, a connecting lead 72 is coupled between coil terminal 86 of
relay 1 and coil terminal
86 of relay 2. Further, lead SIN is connected with load terminal 87 of relay
2, and SOUT is
connected with load terminal 30 of relay 2.
The connection of leads IIDD and IIDA to device 10 depend upon particular type
of starter
actuation circuit used in the device 10. For example, many commercial devices
10 make use of a
conventional, normally open automotive relay such as those depicted in Fig. 3.
In such a case,
IIDA and IIDB would be appropriately connected to the load terminals 87 and 30
of such a circuit.
The operation of the ignition interlock assembly 74 of Fig. 2, using the
controller 68a, of
Fig. 3, proceeds as follows, with reference to the steps of Fig. 4. First, in
step 32, the device 10 is
energized when the module 20 is moved to position C. After a successful driver
parameter test,
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steps 35, 36, the IID' s starter actuation circuit (in this example, the IID
Relay) is energized. This
in turn energizes both relay 1 and relay 2 through lead 72. When the module 20
is then moved to
position D, the starter 16 is actuated through leads SIN and SOUT, to start
the engine 18.
Importantly, relay 1 and relay 2 remain energized throughout the entire time
the vehicle operates,
because the module 20 remains in position C until the engine 18 is
intentionally stopped by moving
module 20 to position A.
During a rolling retest 50 when the engine 18 remains running (i.e., the start-
stop
functionality is not engaged), step 52a, this engine running condition
remains, step 54, regardless
of whether the test is passed or failed. In the case of a rolling retest 50
when engine 18 is stopped
(i.e., the start-stop functionality is engaged), step 52b, a successful test
causes the IID Relay to
close, Step 53a, which allows the engine to be restarted, step 64. Likewise,
if the rolling retest,
step 52b, is a failure, the IID Relay remains open, step 53b; however, the
logic circuit controller
68a, nevertheless, allows the engine 18 to be restarted, step 64. This is made
possible by the facts
that relay 1 and relay 2 remain energized, through lead 72, allowing normal
functionality of the
ignition interlock device 10 and the vehicle's start-stop technology. It will
be observed that this
continued engine operation result obtains without any steps or interventions
on the part of the
driver of the vehicle, i.e., the result is "automatic."
The following table sets forth the operating conditions for the vehicle
ignition system 12,
ignition interlock device 10, and the status of engine 18 during some of the
important Fig. 4 steps
described above, where "LC" refers to the logic circuit controller.
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LOGIC TABLE FOR LOGIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLER
Vehicle with SS, IID, Vehicle BAC Ignition
Logic Engine
and LC Ignition Test
Interlock Device Circuit Status
Figure 4 Result Spr. Act. Cir.
Key in OFF position A Off N/A Open Open
Off
Key in ignition position C, On N/A Open Open
Off
Step 32
IID test passed, Steps 35, 36, On Pass Closed Closed
Off
38
Key in start position D, On N/A Closed Closed
On
Steps 40, 42
Rolling IID retest requested, On N/A Open Closed
On or
Step 50
Off
Engine Off, Steps 62, 52b On N/A Open Closed
On
Rolling IID retest passed, On Pass Closed Closed
On
Steps 52b, 53a, 64
Rolling IID retest failed, On Fail Open Closed
On+
Steps 52b, 53b, 70, 64
+ On condition during rolling retest failure legal and provides for safe
operation of the vehicle.
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