GB2415098A

GB2415098A - Vehicle Hard Braking Alert System

Info

Publication number: GB2415098A
Application number: GB0412696A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian Lynley Ashley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-08
Filing date: 2004-06-08
Publication date: 2005-12-14
Also published as: GB0412696D0

Abstract

A hard braking alert system, for use with vehicles, includes a speed sensor 1 and a deceleration threshold means 3 linked through a process means 4 provided preferably by a microcontroller. In use, when a vehicle has to brake hard the speed sensor detects the rate of deceleration. If the rate of deceleration exceeds the threshold set by the vehicle manufacturers, a dashboard alarm 5 alerts the driver and occupants, while rear facing deceleration indicators 6 alert following vehicles of the hazard ahead. A proximity sensor means 2 also linked to the process means can calculate a safe braking distance in the current driving conditions and also warn of any imminent rear impact by means of another alarm.

Description

24 1 5098 VEHICLE HARD BRAKING ALERT SYSTEM.

BACK GROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention

This invention relates to improving the rear brake light of a road vehicle in order to alert the on coming vehicles of the potential danger, such a system could reduce the likelihood of a vehicle multiple pile up on the highway or motorway.

2. Description of the problem

When a road vehicle is travailing along an express highway or motorway at speed of mph or (110 km/in) and is forced to brake hard resulting in rapid deceleration to the point of almost stopping the traffic behind travailing at hi speed may not react to the situation ahead and crash into the vehicle and also a vehicle following that one may suffer the same fate resulting in a multiple vehicle pile up causing injuries or death to the occupants.

A similar situation could arise on a low speed road travailing at 30 mph or (45 km/in) in the event of emergency braking due to a small child running across the road without looking or any other unexpected event like a car or bike or other road vehicle pulling out from a junction.

STATMENT OF INVENTION

The present invention provides a vehicle hard braking alert system a speed sensor, which can indicate the rate of a vehicles deceleration or acceleration, a deceleration threshold means such that the level of braking force can be set, a process means such that the data from said speed sensor can be processed and calculate a rate of deceleration from at least two speed sensor readings and compared with the said deceleration threshold to determine the correct response to the event, an alarm such as to alert the driver and vehicle occupants to the dangerous situation; a deceleration indicator positioned rearward such that rearward approaching vehicles can be alerted of the hazard which they are traveling towards, a proximity sensor means pointing rearwardly or forwardly such that the said process can calculate a safe braking distance in the current driving conditions and also warn of an immanent rear ward impact by means of said alarm.

ADVANTAGES

The vehicle hard braking alert system will improve the rear brake light of a road vehicle in order to alert the on coming vehicles of the potential danger, such a system could reduce the likelihood of a vehicle multiple pile up on the highway or motorway Preferably, the speed sensor means is provided by an analogue to digital converter, although the deceleration sensor means may also be provided by other means, such as a strain gauge or force transducer Preferably, the process means is provided by a microcontroller Although the process means may also be provided by other means such as digital logic circuits or analogue circuits.

Preferably, the alarm means is provided by the vehicles audio system or other audio device and a visual dashboard indicator.

Preferably, the deceleration threshold may be adjustable so that the activation point can be set by the car manufacturer and modified by said process based on the driving conditions for example wet or dry road or ice on the road.

Preferably, the deceleration indicator is provided by the at least one rear brake light.

Preferably, the deceleration indicator means of indication is provided in different illumination modes such as flashing or pulsating red light in co-operation with the vehicle braking system.

Preferably, the proximity sensor is provided by the parking radars operating in a different mode switched by the said process to detect an immanent impact from an object such as another vehicle said process will determine a safe braking distance base of the vehicles speed and driving conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, an embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of a non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawing which: Fig 1. Shows a schematic block diagram of the vehicle hard braking alert system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is a preferred embodiment of the vehicle hard braking alert system includes a speed sensor 1, which can indicate the rate of a vehicles deceleration or acceleration, this information may be obtained in car that has an engine management system or ABS braking system, a deceleration threshold 3 means such that the level of braking force can be set and is preset by the car manufacturer or modified by a process 4 means a said process 4 means such that the data from said speed sensor 1 can be processed and calculate a rate of deceleration from at least two speed sensor readings and compared with the said deceleration threshold 3 to determine the correct response to the event, As a vehicle is traveling down the highway or motorway the process 4 will acquire a velocity reading from the speed sensor 1 such as velocity (v1) at time (t1) then after a few milliseconds acquire a second velocity reading from the speed sensor 1 such as velocity (v2) at time (t2) then calculate the rate of change or deceleration or acceleration by using the acquired information dv = ( v2 - v1) , dt = ( t2 - t1) The rate of change (m) = ( dv / dt) The magnitude of (m) is compared with the deceleration threshold 3 In all situations the break lights operates as normal. However, If the driver pressed the brakes hard causing a rapid deceleration the brake light would come on as normal but also if the magnitude (m) is greater that the deceleration threshold 3 then an alarm 5 such as to alert the driver and vehicle occupants to the rapid deceleration event, also a deceleration indicator 6 positioned rearward such that rearward approaching vehicles can be alerted of the hazard which they are traveling towards, the deceleration indicator 6 this could be the same brake light by pulsating at rapidly at different levels of brightness or intensity or a rapidly flashing the brake light or an independent red brake light to indicate a rapid deceleration event which would flash rapidly ( a flashing light is more noticeable than a constant red light especially when driving a high speed on the motorway also the brake light goes out when the driver takes their foot of the brake pedal).

The deceleration indicator 6 would remain activated in a flashing mode with the alarm 5 sounding and dashboard panel indicator illuminated for a short duration determined by the process 4, even if the driver takes their foot off the brake pedal.

This situation could occur if the vehicle is travailing along an express highway or motorway at speed of 70 mph or (110 km/in) and is forced to brake hard resulting in rapid deceleration event to the point of almost stopping the traffic behind travelling at hi speed will be alerted by a more noticeable rapidly flashing or pulsating red light which will remain activated until deactivated by the driver or the vehicle starts moving again determined a speed sensor 1 and the process 4.

A similar situation could arise on a low speed road travelling at 30 mph or (45 km/in) in the event of emergency braking due to a small child running across the road without looking or any other unexpected event like a car or bike or other road vehicle pulling out from a junction.

a proximity sensor 2 means pointing rearwardly or forwardly such that the said process 4 can calculate a safe braking distance in the current driving conditions and also warn of an immanent rearward impact by means of said alarm 5.

Claims

Claims 1. A vehicle hard braking alert system comprising a speed sensor,

which can indicate the rate of a vehicles deceleration or acceleration, a deceleration threshold means such that the level of braking force can be set, a process means such that the data from said speed sensor can be processed and calculate a rate of deceleration from at least two speed sensor readings and compared with the said deceleration threshold to determine the correct response to the event, an alarm such as to alert the driver and vehicle occupants to the dangerous situation; a deceleration indicator positioned rearward such that rearward approaching vehicles can be alerted of the hazard which they are traveling towards, a proximity sensor means pointing rearwardly or forwardly such that the said computer can calculate a safe braking distance in the current driving conditions and also warn of an immanent rear ward impact by means of said alarm.
2. A vehicle hard braking alert system according to claim 1, in which the speed sensor means is provided by an analogue to digital converter, although the deceleration sensor means may also be provided by other means, such as a strain gauge or force transducer
3. A vehicle hard braking alert system according to claim 1, in which the process means is provided by a microcontroller or digital logic circuits or analogue circuits.
4. A vehicle hard braking alert system according to claim 1, in which the alarm means is provided by the vehicles audio system or other at least one audio device or at least one visual dashboard indicator.
5. A vehicle hard braking alert system according to claim 1, the deceleration threshold may be adjustable so that the activation point can be modified to suit the driving speed and driving conditions for example wet or dry road or ice on the road..
6. A vehicle hard braking alert system according to claim 1, the deceleration indicator is provided by the at least one rear brake light.
7 A vehicle hard braking alert system according to claim 1, the said deceleration indicator means of indication is provided in different illumination modes such as flashing or pulsating red light in cooperation with the vehicle braking indicators..
8. A vehicle hard braking alert system according to claim 1, the proximity sensor is provided by the parking radars switched by said process to a different mode to detect an immanent impact from an object such as another vehicle said process will determine a safe braking distance based of the vehicles speed and the driving conditions.
9. A vehicle hard braking alert system according to claim 1 in which said process means which detects a deceleration by means of data from said speed sensor due to a driver pressing the brake pedal or pulling the hand brake up or a collision.
10. A vehicle hard braking alert system according to claim 1 in which said process means which detects an immanent impacts by means of data from said proximity sensor