ACCESSORY CONTROLLER FOR GOLF CARTS

Description

FIELD

This disclosure relates to battery-powered golf carts, and in particular to battery-powered golf carts with electrically-powered accessories such as heaters, sound systems, and/or lights, etc.

BACKGROUND

Generally, a golf cart is a vehicle intended primarily for recreational purposes, having three or four wheels. Golf carts generally weight less than 1800 pounds empty, hold up to four persons. They can be powered by gas engine or a battery-powered electric motor. With modern battery technology, most golf carts today have electric motors powered by batteries. With the additional available power, today's golf carts are often tricked out with accessories such as elaborate lighting, sound and climate control systems, however these accessories can drain the batteries if the user is not paying attention and leaves them powered on while the cart is unattended.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of this disclosure provide a controller for electrically-powered accessories on an electrically-powered golf cart, and an electrically-powered golf cart with a controller for electrically-powered accessories.

Generally, according to a first embodiment of this disclosure, an accessory controller is provided for mounting on a battery-powered golf cart, the accessory controller includes at least one input connector for electrically connecting the accessory controller to at least one battery on the golf cart. The controller further comprises at least one output connector for electrically connecting the accessory controller to at least one accessory. The controller further comprises at least one switch for selectively connecting and disconnecting each output connector to/from at least one of the input connectors, the at least one switch being operable between a closed state in which the output connector is electrically connected to at least one input connector (to provide electric power to a connected accessory), and an open state in which the output connector is not electrically connected to at least one input connector (disconnecting electric power to a connected accessory).

The controller further includes sensing means, such as a sensor, for sensing operation of the battery-powered golf cart on which the accessory controller is mounted. This sensing means may be on board the main body of the controller, or it can be remote and connected with one or more leads. The controller includes a control, responsive to the sensing means, preferably selectable, for operating the at least one switch to an open state after a predetermined time elapses without the sensing means sensing operation of the golf cart (i.e., from the most recent time that the sensing means senses operation of the golf cart).

The sensing means for sensing operation of the battery powered golf cart can comprises at least one of: means for sensing motion of the battery power golf cart; means for sensing operation of one or more controls on the golf cart, such as turning of a steering wheel or operation of one or more control pedals on the battery powered golf cart; means for sensing an occupant on at least one seat on the battery powered golf card; and/or means for sensing operation of at least one motor on the golf cart.

Generally, according to a second embodiment of this disclosure, an accessory controller is provided for mounting on a battery-powered golf cart. The accessory controller includes at least one input connector for electrically connecting the accessory controller to at least one battery on the golf cart, and at least one output connector for electrically connecting the accessory controller to at least one accessory. The accessory controller further includes at least one switch for selectively connecting and disconnecting each output connector to/from at least one of the input connectors, the at least one switch being operable between a closed state in which the output connector is electrically connected to at least one input connector (to provide electric power to a connected accessory), and an open state in which the output connector is not electrically connected to at least one input connector (disconnecting electric power to a connected accessory).

The accessory controller further includes a use sensor for sensing when the golf cart on which the accessory controller is mounted is in use. This sensing means may be on board the main body of the controller, or it can be remote and connected with one or more leads. The controller further includes a control, responsive to the use senor, for operating the at least one switch to an open state after a predetermined, preferably selectable, time elapses without the use sensor sensing use of the golf cart (i.e., from the most recent time that the use sensor senses use of the golf cart).

The use sensor of the accessory controller can be one or more of a motion sensor, a control operation sensor, a motor sensor, and/or an occupancy sensor. As described above with respect to when the use sensor is or includes a motion sensor, the motion sensor can include an accelerometer. The control preferably operates the at least one switch to a closed state when the use sensor senses use of the golf cart.

In some constructions of the second embodiment, the at least one output connector comprises at least a first output connector and a second output connector, and the at least one switch comprises at least a first and a second switch for connecting and disconnecting the first and second output connectors, respectively, to/from at least one of the input connectors. In these constructions, the the control operates the first switch to an open state after a first predetermined time elapses without the use sensor sensing use of the golf cart, and operates the second switch to an open state after a second predetermined time elapses without the use sensor sensing use of the golf cart (the first predetermined time being different from the second predetermined time).

Generally, according to a third embodiment of this disclosure, an accessory controller is provided mounted on a battery-powered golf cart the type having a dashboard, at least one seat for an occupant, and a steering wheel. The accessory controller includes at least one input connector connecting the accessory controller to at least one battery, and at least one output connector connecting the accessory controller to an accessory such as an electric steering wheel heater, an electric seat heater, and/or an electric dashboard mounted heating system. The controller includes at least one switch for selectively connecting and disconnecting each output connector to/from at least one of the input connectors, the at least one switch being operable between a closed state in which the output connector is connected to at least one input connector, (to provide electric power to a connected accessory) and an open state in which the output connector is not connected to at least one input connector (disconnecting electric power to a connected accessory).

The controller further includes a use sensor for sensing when the golf cart on which the accessory controller is mounted is in use, and a control, responsive to the use sensor, for operating the at least one switch to an open state after a predetermined time elapses without the use sensor sensing use of the golf cart. The use sensor can be any of the sensing means described above with respect to the first and second embodiments.

In a preferred usage, at least one of a steering wheel heater, a seat heater, and a dashboard heater, is connected to at least one of the first and second output connectors, and in some instances, at least one of a steering wheel heater, a seat heater, and a dashboard heater, is connected to each of the first and second output connectors.

In one preferred construction, the use sensor is a motion sensor that includes an accelerometer to detect movement of the golf cart.

Generally, according to a fourth embodiment of this disclosure, an accessory controller is provided mounted on a battery-powered heated golf cart of the type having a dashboard, seat for an occupant, and a steering wheel. The golf cart further comprises at least one heater, which can be at least one of a steering wheel heater, a seat heater, and a dashboard heater. The golf cart has at least one switch for connecting and disconnecting the at least one heater to at least one battery on the cart, the at least one switch being operable between a closed state in which the at least one heater is connected to at least one battery on the cart (to provide power to the connected heater), and an open state in which the at least one heater is not connected to at least one battery on the cart (disconnecting the connected heater from power).

The golf cart further has a use sensor for sensing when the golf cart is in use, and a control responsive to the use sensor for operating the switch to an open state after a first, preferably selectable, predetermined time elapses without the use sensor sensing use of the golf cart. This sensor can comprise motion sensor that includes an accelerometer.

In one preferred construction of the fourth embodiment, the at least one heater comprises at least a first heater and a second heater; wherein the at least one switch comprises at least a first switch connected to the first heater, and a second switch connected to the second heater, the first and second switches for connecting and disconnecting their respective heaters to a battery on the golf cart. The first and second heaters can comprise at least one of a steering wheel heater, a seat heater, and a dashboard heater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of an accessory controller according to the principles of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of an accessory controller according to the principles of this disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of an accessory controller according to the principles of this disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a side elevation view of a fourth embodiment of a golf cart and accessory controller according to the principles of this disclosurel

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of the accessory controller of the fourth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of this disclosure provide a control for electrically-powered accessories on an electrically-powered golf cart, and an electrically-powered golf cart with a controler for electrically powered accessories.

Generally, according to a first embodiment of this disclosure, an accessory controller 20 is provided for mounting on a battery-powered golf cart. As show schematically in FIG. 1, the accessory controller 20 includes at least one input connector 22 for electrically connecting the accessory controller to at least one battery on the golf cart. The controller 20 further comprises at least one output connector 24 for electrically connecting the accessory controller to at least one accessory, such as an electric heater, electric lights, and/or an electric sound system.

The controller 20 further comprises at least one switch 26 for connecting and disconnecting each output connector 24 to/from at least one of the input connectors 22. The at least one switch 26 is operable between a closed state in which the output connector 24 is electrically connected to at least one input connector 22 (to provide electric power to a connected accessory), and an open state in which the output connector is not electrically connected to at least one input connector (disconnecting electric power toa connected accessory).

The controller 20 further includes sensing means 28, such as a sensor, for sensing operation or use of the battery powered golf cart on which the accessory controller is mounted. This sensing means 28 may be on board the main body of the controller 20, or it can be disposed remotely and connected to the main body of the controller with one or more leads. The controller includes a control 30, such as a suitably programmed microprocessor with an internal or external timing circuit, responsive to the sensing means 28, for operating the at least one switch 26 to an open state after a predetermined time elapses without the sensing means 28 sensing operation of the golf cart (i.e., from the most recent time that the sensing means senses operation of the golf cart). The control 30 preferably operates the at least one switch 26 to a closed state when the sensing means 28 senses operation or use of the golf cart.

The sensing means 28 for sensing operation or use of the battery-powered golf cart can comprises at least one of: means for sensing motion of the battery-powered golf cart; means for sensing operation of the controls of the battery-powered golf cart such as turning of a steering wheel or use of the accelerator pedal or brake pedal; means for sensing an occupant on at least one seat on the battery-powered golf cart; and/or means for sensing operation of at least one motor on the battery-powered golf cart. The means for sensing motion of the battery power golf cart can be any sensor that senses motion of the golf cart, such as a motion senor, an accelerometer, a gps sensor, or other sensors that directly or indirectly sense motion of the golf cart. The means for sensing operation of the controls of the battery-powered golf cart can be any sensor that senses turning of the more mentor steering wheel, such as a motion sensor on the wheel, or a sensor on the steering wheel shaft that measures rotation, or a sensor that measures orientation of the wheel, or other sensors that directly or indirectly sense turning of the steering wheel; or a sensor that senses operation of the accelerator pedal or the brake pedal. The means for sensing an occupant on at least one seat on the battery powered golf cart can be a pressure sensor under the seat, or a strain gauge that measure deflection of the seat, or other sensors that directly or indirectly sense the presence of an occupant in the golf cart. The means for sensing operation of at least one motor on the golf cart can be a sensor that senses electric current to the motor, or a sensor that senses rotation of the rotor of the motor, or operation of the motor control, or other sensors that directly or indirectly sense the operation of the motor.

In operation, the controller 20 is installed on a golf cart, with the at least one input connector 22 connected to at least one battery on the golf cart. At least one accessory, such as an electric heater, electric lights, and/or an electric sound system is connected to the at least one output connector 24. The golf cart is use as normal with the one or more accessories operating (and drawings current from one of the golf cart's batteries. If the golf cart is idle for a predetermined amount of time as determined by the sensing means 28 and the control 30, the control operates the switch 26 and cuts off battery power to the accessory, to prevent unnecessary drain of the golf cart battery. The golf cart user may have forgotten to turn of the accessory, or perhaps did not expect to be gone from the cart for long, but in either case, the controller 20 turns off power to the accessories after the predetermined time, which can range anywhere from about 5 to about 30 minutes, and more preferably between about 10 and about 20 minutes, and most preferably about 15 minutes, which strikes a balance of keeping useful accessories such as lights and sound systems operating while the golf cart is not in use, but the user is still adjacent the golf cart, while preventing wasteful battery drain if the user stops for a prolonged period of time, or is finished with the cart for the day.

Generally, according to a second embodiment of this disclosure, an accessory controller 20′ is provided for mounting on a battery-powered golf cart. Accessory controller 20′ is similar to accessory controller 20 described and shown above, and corresponding parts are indicated by corresponding reference numbers. As shown schematically in FIG. 2, the accessory controller 20′ includes at least one input connector 22 for electrically connecting the accessory controller to at least one battery on the golf cart, and at least one output connector 24 for electrically connecting the accessory controller to at least one accessory, such as a heater, lights, or a sound system. The accessory controller further includes at least one switch 26 for connecting and disconnecting each output connector 24 to/from at least one of the input connectors 22. The at least one switch 26 is operable between a closed state in which the output connector 24 is electrically connected to at least one input connector 22 (to provide electric power to a connected accessory), and an open state in which the output connector is not electrically connected to at least one input connector (disconnecting electric power to a connected accessory). The accessory controller 20′ further includes a use sensor 28 for sensing when the golf cart on which the accessory controller is mounted is in use. The controller 20′ further includes a control 30, responsive to the use senor 28, for operating the at least one switch 26 to an open state after a predetermined time elapses without the use sensor sensing use of the golf cart (i.e., from the most recent time that the use sensor 28 senses use of the golf cart).

The use sensor 28 of the accessory controller 20′ can be one or more of a motion sensor, a motor sensor, a sensor for sensing operation of the controls of the golf cart and/or an occupancy sensor. The sensor can be any of the sensors described above with respect to controller 20. When the use sensor 28 is or incudes a motion sensor, the motion sensor can include an accelerometer. The control 30 preferably operates the at least one switch 26 to a closed state when the use sensor senses use of the golf cart.

In some constructions of the second embodiment of the controller 20', like that shown in FIG. 2, the at least one output connector 24 comprises at least a first output connector 24A and a second output connector 24B, and the at least one switch 26 comprises at least first and second switches 26A, 26B for connecting and disconnecting the first and second output connectors to/from at least one of the input connectors 22. While two input connectors 22 are shown, this is not strictly necessary (as one connection will generally suffice) but it does allow accessories to be powered by different batteries. In these constructions, the control 30 operates the first switch 26A to an open state after a first predetermined time elapses without the use sensor 28 sensing use of the golf cart, and operates the second switch 26B to an open state after a second predetermined time elapses without the use sensor sensing use of the golf cart (the first predetermined time being different from the second predetermined time).

This construction allows the controller 20′ to disconnect accessories at different times, for example disconnecting an accessory, such as a heater, that is a larger power drain sooner than accessories that are lesser power drains, or leaving an accessory that is more likely to be useful when the cart is not in use, such as lights or a sound system, on for a longer period of non-use than accessories such as heaters.

In operation, the controller 20′ is installed on a golf cart, with the at least one input connector 22 connected to at least one battery on the golf cart. At least one accessory, such as an electric heater, electric lights, and/or an electric sound system is connected to one or more output connector 24. The golf cart is use as normal with the one or more accessories operating (and drawings current from one of the golf cart's batteries). If the golf cart is idle for a first predetermined amount of time as determined by the sensing means 28 and the control 30, the control operates the switch 26A and cuts off battery power to the accessory connected to output connector 24A, to prevent unnecessary drain of the golf cart battery, after a second predetermined amount of time as determined by the sensing means 28 and the control 30, the control operated the switch 26B and cuts off battery power to the accessory connected to output connector 24B. The first and second predetermined times can be preset, but they are preferably adjustable, for example with a switch or dial. The golf cart user may have forgotten to turn of the accessory, or perhaps did not expect to be gone from the cart for long, but in either case, the controller 20′ turns off power to the accessories after the predetermined times, which can range anywhere from about 5 to about 30 minutes, and more preferably between about 10 and about 20 minutes, and most preferably about 15 minutes, which strikes a balance of keeping useful accessories such as lights and sound systems while the golf cart is not in use, but the user is still adjacent the golf cart, while preventing wasteful battery drain if the user stops for a prolonged period of time, or is finished with the cart for the day.

Generally, according to a third embodiment of this disclosure, as shown in FIG. 3 an accessory controller 20″ is provided mounted on a battery-powered golf cart 40 of the type having a dashboard 42, at least one seat for an occupant 44, one or more control pedals such as accelerator pedal 46 and brake pedal 48, steering wheel 50, one or more front wheels 56, one or more rear wheels 58, one or more batteries 60, and at least one drive motor 62. Accessory controller 20″ is similar to accessory controller 20′ and 20 described and shown above, and corresponding parts are indicated by corresponding numbers. As shown schematically in FIG. 3B, the accessory controller 20″ includes at least one input connector 22 (one is shown in FIG. 3B but there could be others if it were desired to connect accessories to different batteries) connecting the accessory controller to at least one battery on the golf cart 40, and at least one output connector 24 connecting the accessory controller to an accessory such as an electric heater such as an electric steering wheel heater, an electric seat heater, and/or an electric dashboard-mounted heating system. The controller 20″ includes at least one switch 26 for connecting and disconnecting each output connector 24 to/from at least one of the input connectors 22. The at least one switch 26 being operable between a closed state in which the output connector 24 is connected to at least one input connector 22 (to provide electric power to a connected accessory), and an open state in which the output connector is not connected to at least one input connector (disconnecting electric power to a connected accessory).

The controller 20″ further includes a use sensor 28 for sensing when the golf cart 50 on which the accessory controller is mounted is in operation or use, and a control 30, responsive to the use sensor, for operating the at least one switch 26 to an open state after a predetermined time elapses without the use sensor sensing use of the golf cart. The use sensor 28 can be any of the user sensors described above with respect to controller 20 or 20′.

In some constructions of the second embodiment of the controller 20″, like that shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the at least one output connector 24 comprises at least a first output connector 24A, a second output connector 24B, and a third output connector 24C, and the at least one switch 26 comprises at least first, second, and third switches 26A, 26B, and 26C for connecting and disconnecting the first, second, and third output connectors to/from 24A, 24B, and 24C the input connector 22. The accessory connected to each of the output connectors of the accessory controller 20″ can be at least one of a steering wheel heater, a dashboard heater, and a seat heater.

The control 30 can have setting knobs or switches 52A, 52B, and 52C for setting the response time for operating each of the switches 26A, 26B, and 26C, for example setting the time for switch 26A for 5 minutes, the switch 26B for 10 minutes, and the switch 26C for 15 minutes. Thus, for example, with a dashboard heater connected to output connector 24A, a seat heater connected to output connector 24B, and a steering wheel heater connected to output connector 24C, once the golf cart 40 has not been used for 5 minutes, the control 30 will disconnect power to the dashboard heater, once the golf cart has not been used for ten minutes, the control will disconnect power to the seat heater, and once the golf cart has not been used for fifteen minutes, the controller with disconnect power to the steering wheel heater. Of course controls 52A, 52B and 52C can change the predetermined times.

In operation, the controller 20″ is provided on a golf cart 40, with the at least one input connector 22 connected to at least one battery on the golf cart. At least one accessory, such as an electric heater, electric lights, and/or an electric sound system can be connected to each of the output connectors 24A, 24B, and 24C. The golf cart 40 is used as normal with the one or more accessories operating (and drawing current from one of the golf cart's batteries). If the golf cart is idle for a first predetermined amount of time (set by control knob 52A) as determined by the sensing means 28 and the control 30, the control operates the switch 26A and cuts off battery power to the accessory connected to output connector 24A, to prevent unnecessary drain of the golf cart battery; after a second predetermined amount of time (set by control knob 52B) as determined by the sensing means 28 and the control 30, the control operates the switch 26B and cuts off battery power to the accessory connected to output connector 24B; and after a third predetermined amount of time (set by control knob 52C) as determined by the sensing means 28 and the control 30, the control operated the switch 26C and cuts off battery power to the accessory connected to output connector 24C. The golf cart user may have forgotten to turn of the accessory, or perhaps did not expect to be gone from the cart for long, but in either case, the controller 20″ turns off power to the accessories after the predetermined times, which can range anywhere from about 5 to about 30 minutes, and more preferably between about 10 and about 20 minutes, and most preferably about 15 minutes, which strikes a balance of keeping useful accessories such as lights and sound systems while the golf cart is not in use, but the user is still adjacent the golf cart, while preventing wasteful battery drain if the user stops for a prolonged period of time, or is finished with the cart for the day.

Generally, according to a fourth embodiment of this disclosure shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, an accessory controller 20′″ is provided mounted on a battery-powered heated golf cart 40 the type having a dashboard 42, at least one seat 44 for an occupant, one or more control pedals such as accelerator pedal 46 and brake pedal 48, steering wheel 50, one or more front wheels 56, one or more rear wheels 58, one or more batteries 60, and at least one drive motor 62. Accessory controller 20′″ is similar to accessory controller 20, 20′ and 20″ described and shown above, and corresponding parts are indicated by corresponding numbers.

The golf cart 40 further comprises at least one heater 54, which can be at least one of a steering wheel heater, a seat heater, and a dashboard heater and preferably all three heaters. The golf cart 40 has at least one switch 26 for connecting and disconnecting the at least one heater 54 to at least one battery on the golf cart 40, the at least one switch being operable between a closed state in which the at least one heater is connected to at least one battery on the cart (to provide electric power to a connected accessory), and an open state in which the at least one heater is not connected to at least one battery on the cart (disconnecting electric power to a connected accessory).

The golf cart 40 further has a use sensor 28 for sensing when the golf cart is in operation or use, and a control 30 responsive to the use sensor for operating the at least one switch 26 to an open state after a first predetermined time elapses without the use sensor sensing use of the golf cart. This sensor 28 can comprise motion sensor that includes an accelerometer, or any of the sensors described above with respect to controller 20, 20′, and/or 20″.

In one preferred construction of the fourth embodiment, the at least one heater comprises at least a first heater 54A and a second heater, 54B and the at least one switch 26 comprises at least a first switch 26A connected to the first heater, and a second switch connected to the second heater 26B, for connecting and disconnecting the first and second output connectors 24 to/from the input connectors 22. The first and second heaters 54A, 54B can comprise at least one of a steering wheel heater, a seat heater, and a dashboard heater.

In operation, the controller 20′″ is provided on a golf cart 40, with the at least one input connector 22 connected to at least one battery on the golf cart. Electric heater 54A is connected to output connector 24A, and electric heater 54B is connected to output connector 24B. The golf cart is used as normal with the one or more of the heaters operating (and drawings current from one of the golf cart's batteries). If the golf cart is idle for a first predetermined amount of time as determined by the sensing means 28 and the control 30, the control operates the switch 26A and cuts off battery power to the heater 54A connected to output connector 24A, to prevent unnecessary drain of the golf cart battery, and after a second predetermined amount of time as determined by the sensing means 28 and the control 30, the control operates the switch 26B and cuts off battery power to the heater 54B connected to output connector 24B. The golf cart user may have forgotten to turn of the heaters, or perhaps did not expect to be gone from the cart for long, but in either case, the controller 20″ turns off power to the heaters after the predetermined time, which can range anywhere from about 5 to about 30 minutes, and more preferably between about 10 and about 20 minutes, and most preferably about 15 minutes, which strikes a balance of keeping the golf cart 40 warm while the golf cart is not in use, but the user is still adjacent the golf cart, while preventing wasteful battery drain if the user stops for a prolonged period of time, or is finished with the cart for the day.