Powerless vehicle movement detector

摘要

An apparatus that determines that a vehicle has moved comprises a shaft member, a pin configured to attach the shaft member to a backing plate via an opening in the shaft member that enables the shaft member to move in a direction along the length of the shaft member, to rotate about the pin, and to contact a surface external to the vehicle when the shaft member is in a first position. The apparatus also comprises a first alignment magnet that attracts the shaft member to the surface external to the vehicle and a first sensor that determines that the shaft member is in the first position. The apparatus further comprises a first holding magnet, a second holding magnet, and at least one sensor that indicates that the shaft member is in contact with the first holding magnet or the second holding magnet, each indicating a direction of movement.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a shaft member having a length, a first end, a second end distal the first end in a direction along the length of the shaft member, and an elongated opening extending longitudinally along the length of the shaft member; a pin configured to attach the shaft member to one or more of a vehicle or a backing plate, the pin being inserted into the elongated opening configured to enable the shaft member to move in a direction along the length of the shaft member, to rotate about the pin, and to contact a surface external to the vehicle if the shaft member is in a first position corresponding to a vehicle start position; a first alignment magnet positioned at the first end of the shaft member, the first alignment magnet being configured to attract the shaft member to the surface external to the vehicle; a first sensor configured to determine the shaft member is in the first position; a first holding magnet positioned on a left side of the shaft member, if the shaft member is in the first position; a second holding magnet positioned on a right side of the shaft member, if the shaft member is in the first position; and at least one sensor configured to indicate the shaft member is in one of a second position in contact with the first holding magnet, or a third position in contact with the second holding magnet, the second position corresponding to a first vehicle movement direction and the third position corresponding to a second vehicle movement direction.