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EP1108253A1 - Appareil destine a alerter des vehicules - Google Patents

Appareil destine a alerter des vehicules

Info

Publication number
EP1108253A1
EP1108253A1 EP19990942336 EP99942336A EP1108253A1 EP 1108253 A1 EP1108253 A1 EP 1108253A1 EP 19990942336 EP19990942336 EP 19990942336 EP 99942336 A EP99942336 A EP 99942336A EP 1108253 A1 EP1108253 A1 EP 1108253A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vehicle
operable
assemblies
monitored
sensor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP19990942336
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Donald Wayne Smith
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1108253A1 publication Critical patent/EP1108253A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/44—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/50—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
    • B60Q1/525—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking automatically indicating risk of collision between vehicles in traffic or with pedestrians, e.g. after risk assessment using the vehicle sensor data
    • B60Q1/535—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking automatically indicating risk of collision between vehicles in traffic or with pedestrians, e.g. after risk assessment using the vehicle sensor data to prevent rear-end collisions, e.g. by indicating safety distance at the rear of the vehicle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/50—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
    • B60Q1/54—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking for indicating speed outside of the vehicle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q9/00—Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00, e.g. haptic signalling
    • B60Q9/008—Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00, e.g. haptic signalling for anti-collision purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W2554/00—Input parameters relating to objects
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W2554/00—Input parameters relating to objects
    • B60W2554/80—Spatial relation or speed relative to objects
    • B60W2554/801—Lateral distance
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/16—Anti-collision systems
    • G08G1/167—Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of vehicle safety devices.
  • the present invention solves the prior art problems discussed above and provides a distinct advance in the state of the art.
  • the vehicle alerter apparatus hereof provides enhanced awareness to drivers of the safety status of their own vehicles relative to other vehicles on the road.
  • the preferred vehicle alerter vehicle apparatus for connection to a monitored vehicle includes a plurality of distance sensors, a speed sensor, a steering wheel sensor, a pair of auxiliary head lamps and a pair of auxiliary rear lamp assemblies each including an amber and red lamp, and a display screen, all connected to a central controller.
  • the distance sensors present a display on the screen to the driver of the monitored vehicle indicating the distance to a second vehicle and indicating whether the second vehicle is forward or rearward of the monitored vehicle, and whether the second vehicle is in the left, center or right lane relative to the monitored vehicle.
  • the controller activates the rear lamp assemblies if the monitored vehicle is decelerating even when the brake pedal was not pushed, and flashes the head lamps and rear lalmps when the monitored vehicle is traveling at an excessive speed.
  • the controller also flashes a corresponding head lamp and rear lamp when the steering wheel is turned sufficiently to result in a turn.
  • Figure 1 is an electrical block diagram illustrating the preferred vehicle alerter apparatus in accordance with the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a plan representation of a vehicle illustrating component of the apparatus of Fig. 1 mounted thereto;
  • Fig. 3A is a graphical illustration of the preferred display screen of the apparatus of Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 3B is a graphical illustration of further detail of the display screen of Fig. 3A;
  • Fig. 4 is an electrical schematic of the preferred central control of Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 5 is an electrical schematic of module 25 of Fig. 4;
  • Fig. 6 is an electrical schematic of module 37 of Fig. 4;
  • Fig. 7 is an electrical schematic of the head lamp control of the central control of Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 8 is an electrical schematic of another embodiment of the head lamp control of the central control of Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 9 is an electrical schematic of the display screen control of the central control of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 1 is an electrical block diagram illustrating preferred vehicle alerter apparatus 10 in accordance with the present invention with components thereof shown connected to vehicle 12 in Fig.2.
  • Apparatus 10 broadly includes central control 14, speed sensor 16, rear lamp assembly 18, steering sensor 20, head lamp assembly 22, display screen 24, and distance sensor assembly
  • Fig.4 illustrates central control 14.
  • Figs. 5 and 6 further illustrate modules 25 and 37 of central control 14.
  • Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate alternative embodiments of the head lamp control of central control 14 that function as the interface with head lamp assembly 22.
  • Fig. 9 illustrates the preferred display screen control (dashboard control) between central control 14 and display 24 illustrated in Figs. 3A and 3B.
  • central control 14 can also include a microprocessor-based computer or a modification of the existing computer found in most automobiles.
  • Speed sensor 16 can include an added sensor for determining the speed of vehicle 12 and for providing the appropriate input signals to control 14. Also, sensor 16 can include the existing speed sensorthat provides input to the speedometer.
  • Rear lamp assembly 18 includes left lamp unit 28 and right lamp unit 30 positioned adjacent opposed sides of vehicle 12 and positioned to be visible from the rear of vehicle 12. As illustrated in Fig. 2, units 28, 30 can be positioned on opposed sides of the conventional third brake light. Each lamp unit 28, 30 includes an inboard amber light 32 and an outboard red light 34.
  • Central control 14 controls the activation of lamp units 20, 30 and respective lights 32, 34.
  • Steering sensor 20 is conventional in nature and connected to the steering system of vehicle 12 and provides an input to central control 14 indicating the position of the steering wheel of vehicle 12. When the steering wheel is sufficiently turned, this indicates that vehicle 12 is making a turn and signals representative thereof are provided to central control 14.
  • Head lamp assembly 22 includes left head lamp 36 and right head lamp 38.
  • Head lamps 36, 38 can be provided as auxiliary head lamps retrofitted to vehicle 12 or could include the vehicles existing head lamps.
  • Figs. 3A and 3B illustrate preferred display screen 24.
  • Fig. 3A presents an overall view and Fig. 3B presents more detail concerning the central area of screen 24.
  • screen 24 can include a conventional light panel or, in the alternative, a CRT computer monitor.
  • Distance sensor assembly 26 includes left front sensor 40, center front sensor 42, right front sensor 44, left rear sensor 46, center rear sensor 48, right rear sensor 50, left side sensor 52 and right side sensor 54.
  • Sensors 40- 54 are preferably radar sensors but can also include infrared and ultrasound sensors, for example, and operate to sense the distance to an adjacent vehicle. Assembly 26 is positioned on the roof of vehicle 12 in order to provide a good field of view for the respective sensors thereof.
  • front sensors 40-44 sense the positions of the nearest vehicles to monitored vehicle 12 in the left, center and right driving lanes respectively.
  • Center front sensor 42 is aimed directly ahead to sense the distance to an adjacent vehicle in front of monitored vehicle 12 in the same lane as vehicle 12.
  • Left front sensor 40 is angled slightly to the left as compared to center front sensor 42 in order to monitor the nearest vehicle in front of monitored vehicle 12 in the adjacent left lane.
  • right front sensor 44 is angled slightly to the right to monitor the nearest vehicle in front of monitored vehicle 12 in the adjacent right lane.
  • Rear distance sensors 46-50 are positioned in a manner similar to front sensors 40-44 in order to monitor the positions of the nearest vehicles behind monitored vehicle 12 in the left, center and right lanes respectively.
  • Left and right side sensors 52, 54 are positioned adjacent the left and right sides of vehicle 12 in order to monitor the presence and position of vehicles and other objects adjacent the sides of vehicle 12.
  • central control 14 receives inputs from distance sensors 40-54 and responds by providing an appropriate visual display on screen 24. As a general driving guide line, a vehicle should leave one car length between adjacent vehicle ahead or behind for each ten miles per hour of velocity.
  • Sensors 40-54 provide inputs to central control 14 indicating the distance to an adjacent vehicle ahead or behind vehicle 12. Central control 14 receives this information along with signals from speed sensor 16 indicative of the speed of monitored vehicle 12.
  • screen 24 presents a column of numbers, one through 5, corresponding to each front sensor 40-44 and each rear sensor 46- 50. If vehicle 12 is traveling at 50 MPH, for example, there should be at least 5 car lengths between vehicle 12 and an adjacent vehicle. If the adjacent or second vehicle is closer than five car lengths, central control 14 activates the display notation "5" (Fig. 3B) in the column corresponding to the lane of the second vehicle and corresponding to whether the vehicle is in front of or behind monitored vehicle 12. This indicates to the driver of vehicle 12 that there should be five car lengths between it and the second vehicle. If vehicle 12 is traveling 30 MPH, for example, the display notation "3" would be highlighted on screen 24 indicating that there should be three car lengths.
  • control 14 activates head lamp assemblies 22 to flash head lamps 36, 38 as a warning to the driver in front that vehicle 12 is too close.
  • central control 14 activates left and right rear lamp units 28, 30 as a warning to the driver behind that the second vehicle is too close and should increase the distance. Such warnings are not provided in the situation of vehicles in adjacent lanes that are too close because such situations are normal in multilane traffic.
  • Central control 14 also includes inputs from left and right side sensors 52 and activates the corresponding display on screen 24 indicating the position of other vehicles on the side of monitored vehicle 12 as best viewed in Fig. 3B.
  • central control 14 turns on head lamps 36, 38 during normal operation of vehicle 12 to function as running lights, if vehicle 12 slows below a predetermined, speed, such as
  • control 14 turns off lamps 36, 38 indicating that the vehicle is coming to a stop.
  • control 14 alternately flashes head lamps 36, 38 as a warning to others that vehicle 12 may be traveling at a speed deemed unsafe or excessive.
  • central control 14 could be configured to flash head lamps 36, 38 simultaneously whenever the vehicle brake is applied.
  • Central control 14 also receives input from steering sensor 20.
  • control 14 flashes the corresponding head lamp 36, 38. This provides an automatic turn signal indication.
  • central control 14 activates amber lights 32 for about 30 to 90 seconds after the vehicle starts operating or until it reaches about 25 MPH.
  • amber and red lights, 32 and 34 are off.
  • control 14 determines that the vehicle is decelerating and turns on both amber and red lights 32 and 34 as a warning to other drivers that vehicle 12 is slowing, even if the brake pedal has not been depressed.
  • Amber lights 32 go off when the vehicle slows below a preset velocity such as 10MPH.
  • Control 14 also activates amber lights 32 when vehicle 12 is traveling faster than a predetermined velocity in a manner similar to head lamps 36, 38.
  • control 14 flashes the corresponding amber light 32 when vehicle 12 is making a turn, also in a manner similar to the operation of head lamp 36, 38 in order to function as an automatic turn signal.
  • control 14 flashes the corresponding amber light 32 when vehicle 12 is making a turn, also in a manner similar to the operation of head lamp 36, 38 in order to function as an automatic turn signal.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
  • Emergency Alarm Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Un appareil (10) destiné à alerter des véhicules comprend, dans une forme d'exécution préférée, en vue d'une connexion à un véhicule surveillé (12), une pluralité de détecteurs de distance (40-54), un détecteur de vitesse (16) et un détecteur de volant de direction (20), une paire de phares auxiliaires (36, 38) et une paire de blocs auxiliaires feux arrière (28, 30), chacune avec feu orange (32) et feu rouge (34), et un écran d'affichage (24), tous ces éléments étant connectés à une unité de contrôle centrale (14). Les détecteurs de distance (40-54) présentent un affichage sur l'écran (24) pour le conducteur du véhicule surveillé (12) indiquant la distance par rapport à un second véhicule et indiquant si le second véhicule est en avant ou en arrière du véhicule surveillé (12), et si le second véhicule est sur la voie gauche, centrale ou droite par rapport au véhicule surveillé (12). L'unité de contrôle active l'ensemble feux arrière (18) si le véhicule surveillé (12) ralentit, même lorsque la pédale de frein n'est pas actionnée, et déclenche un appel de phares (36, 38) lorsque le véhicule surveillé (12) circule à une vitesse excessive. L'unité de contrôle (14) déclenche également un appel de phares correspondant (36, 38) lorsque le volant de direction est tourné.
EP19990942336 1998-09-02 1999-08-20 Appareil destine a alerter des vehicules Withdrawn EP1108253A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14586398A 1998-09-02 1998-09-02
US145863 1998-09-02
PCT/US1999/018934 WO2000014697A1 (fr) 1998-09-02 1999-08-20 Appareil destine a alerter des vehicules

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1108253A1 true EP1108253A1 (fr) 2001-06-20

Family

ID=22514883

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19990942336 Withdrawn EP1108253A1 (fr) 1998-09-02 1999-08-20 Appareil destine a alerter des vehicules

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1108253A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2003517392A (fr)
AU (1) AU5573699A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000014697A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2815311B1 (fr) 2000-10-17 2003-01-03 Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa Procede d'indication du changement de direction d'un vehicule automobile et dispositif de mise en oeuvre du procede
DE10131478B4 (de) 2001-06-29 2017-02-16 Robert Bosch Gmbh Anzeigevorrichtung für fortbewegungsmittelbezogenes Assistenz-/Unterstützungssystem
GB2397682A (en) * 2003-01-27 2004-07-28 John Mcewen Vehicle rear facing warning lights to signal dangerous proximity to a following vehicle
KR101887492B1 (ko) * 2012-02-02 2018-08-13 볼보 컨스트럭션 이큅먼트 에이비 유압 구동식 작업 기계의 브레이크 등을 작동하기 위한 방법

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US5091726A (en) * 1990-08-23 1992-02-25 Industrial Technology Resarch Institute Vehicle anti-collision system
US5148147A (en) * 1990-12-03 1992-09-15 Kobres Arthur L Vehicle deceleration measurement system
US5465079A (en) * 1992-08-14 1995-11-07 Vorad Safety Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for determining driver fitness in real time
US5528217A (en) * 1993-01-05 1996-06-18 Adams; Christopher Collision avoidance system for vehicles using digital logic circuitry and retro-fitting techniques
DE4317831C1 (de) * 1993-05-28 1994-07-07 Daimler Benz Ag Display zur Anzeige der Gefahrenträchtigkeit der momentanen Fahrsituation eines Kraftfahrzeugs
US5635922A (en) * 1993-12-27 1997-06-03 Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd. Apparatus for and method of preventing car collision utilizing laser
DE19514654B4 (de) * 1994-04-20 2009-07-09 Denso Corporation, Kariya Kollisionsalarmsystem für ein Kraftfahrzeug
US5499010A (en) * 1994-04-25 1996-03-12 The Regents Of The University Of California Braking light system for a vehicle

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO0014697A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU5573699A (en) 2000-03-27
JP2003517392A (ja) 2003-05-27
WO2000014697A1 (fr) 2000-03-16

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