GB2254509A - Safety device for a vehicle - Google Patents

Safety device for a vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2254509A
GB2254509A GB9106864A GB9106864A GB2254509A GB 2254509 A GB2254509 A GB 2254509A GB 9106864 A GB9106864 A GB 9106864A GB 9106864 A GB9106864 A GB 9106864A GB 2254509 A GB2254509 A GB 2254509A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
vehicle
safety device
safety
signal
operating
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Withdrawn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
GB9106864A
Other versions
GB9106864D0 (en
Inventor
William Clark
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
Priority to GB9106864A priority Critical patent/GB2254509A/en
Publication of GB9106864D0 publication Critical patent/GB9106864D0/en
Publication of GB2254509A publication Critical patent/GB2254509A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/87—Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G01S2013/932—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles using own vehicle data, e.g. ground speed, steering wheel direction
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G01S2013/9321—Velocity regulation, e.g. cruise control
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G01S2013/9322—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles using additional data, e.g. driver condition, road state or weather data
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G01S2013/9325—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles for inter-vehicle distance regulation, e.g. navigating in platoons
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G01S2013/9327—Sensor installation details
    • G01S2013/93271—Sensor installation details in the front of the vehicles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G01S2013/9327—Sensor installation details
    • G01S2013/93274—Sensor installation details on the side of the vehicles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/02—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S13/00
    • G01S7/04—Display arrangements

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Traffic Control Systems (AREA)

Abstract

Three transmitter-receiver arrangements 1A, 1B; 2A, 2B; 3A, 3B are directed forwards and to the sides ` respectively. They obtain the range to the vehicle in front which is displayed 9. The device also determines 4 the vehicle's stopping distance, taking into account any fog 6, ice 7 or water 8 present and also the vehicle's speed 5; this is displayed 9 alongside. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a safety device for vehicles, and more particularly to a device which sounds an alarm when a driver is too close to the vehicle in front.
Many drivers of venicles drive too closely to the vehicle in front of them, particularly on motorways. This is extremely dangerous and a major cause of accidents on roads. A problem is that people cannot judge the safe distance they should drive behind vehicles. The invention seeks to provide a solution.
According to the present invention there is provided a safety device for a vehicle comprising: a) means for transmitting signals forward of the vehicle, b) means for receiving said transmitted signals reflected from a foreign vehicle ahead, c) means for comparing said transmitted and received signals and calculating the distance ahead of said foreign vehicle and whether it is too close, d) indicating means connected to comparing means for indicating whether a foreign vehicle is too close.
Preferably the indicating means is a continuous display in the form of one or more sequential lines of LEDs, each LED indicating a predetermined distance. Preferably said device has one or more further sensors to detect speed of the vehicle, fog, ice and/or water connected to said comparing and calculating means to caiculate if it is too close. Preferably the transmitting means transmits only in a small arc to detect vehicles directly ahead in the se lane. Further transmitting means may be provided to detect vehicles in other lanes or oncoming traffic.
The invention will now be described with reference to the block diagram drawing.
Referring to the drawing there is shown a transmitter 1A with an associated receiver 1B which might conveniently be positioned adjacent a vehicle, such as a car, windscreen behind the driving mirror. Transmitter may emit microwave or other signals, which signals are transmitted in a narrow arc directly ahead of the vehicle (+/- 5%). Any foreign vehicle directly ahead reflects this signal back to receiver 1B. Two further sets of transmitters/receivers, 2A,2B and 3A,3B, detect the presence of foreign vehicles to the left and right respectively, ie. foreign vehicles in the inside lane and outside lanes (or oncoming traffic).
Signals from the transmitters and receivers are fed to a Comparitor/Calculator 4 which compares the transmitted and received signals and calculates the distance of any foreign vehicle. Comparitor/Calculator 4 also receives information from four sensors for speed (5), fog (6), ice (7), and water (8) and calculates the safe breaking distance a vehicle should be based on one or more of the sensors 5 to 8.
Information from the Comparitor/Calculator 4 is fed to an indicator 9. Indicator 9 has a central column (to display information derived from transmitter/receiver lA,lB) of two sequential lines of LEDs representing distance from 20 to 140 metres (other distances may be represented). The left tine indicates the safe minimum breaking distance and the right line the distance of the vehicle ahead. A left and right column of LEDs show the distance of vehicles in the inside lane and outside lane or oncoming traffic respectively (to display information from transmitter/receiver 2A,2B and 3A,3B).
Indicator 9 would be mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle so a driver could at a glance detect if he/her was to close to the vehicle in front. A switch (not shown)may be provided to turn off transmitters/receivers 2A,2B and/or 3A,3B when travelling on single lane two way traffic roads when oncoming may or may not want to be detected.
The device could be linked to the "cruise control" of a car and so alter the speed of the car to ensure it is always a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.
The device of the invention can be fitted to existing cars or installed in the production of new cars.
Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from scope of the present invention.

Claims (24)

1. A safety device for a vehicle, comprising: (a) at least one transmitter means for transmitting signal(s) from the vehicle, (b) at least one receiver means for receiving reflected signal(s), said reflected signals being initiated by said transmitted signal(s), (c) at least one comparitor means for comparing said transmitted signal(s) and said received signal(s) and calculating the distance of said vehicle from the source(s) of said reflected signal(s), and (d) at least one indicator response means to said comparing means so as to indicate at least some information therefrom.
2. A safety device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmitter means is adapted to emit microwave signal(s).
3. A safety device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said transmitter means is adapted to transmit in a suitable arc said transmitted signal(s).
4. A safety device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said transmitter means is adapted to transmit in the forward direction of said vehicle at least some said transmitted signal(s).
5. A safety device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said transmitter means is adapted to transmit in direction(s) spaced from the forward direction of said vehicle at least some said transmitted signal(s).
6. A safety device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said indicator means is adapted to indicate at least one safety operating condition and/or at least one safety operating requirement for said vehicle.
7. A safety device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said at least one safety operating condition and/or at least one safety operating requirement corresponds to at least one of: a safe distance, safe speed, fog, ice, and water.
8. A safety device as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein a said safety operating requirement is a safe breaking distance.
9. A safety device as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8, wherein a said safety operating requirement is a safe distance between vehicles.
10. A safety device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising at least one sensor for providing sensed information to said comparitor means, said sensed information corresponding to operating condition(s) and/or operating requirement(s) for said vehicle.
11. A safety device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said sensed information corresponds to speed, fog, ice, and water.
12. A safety device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising at least one display means responsive to at least some information derived from said transmitted signal(s) and/or said received signal(s).
13. A safety device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising at least one display means responsive to at least some information derived from at least one said sensor.
14. A safety device as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein at least one said display means comprises at least one LED.
15. A safety device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising at least one alarm means.
16. A safety device, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
17. Safety apparatus for a vehicle, comprising a plurality of safety devices as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16.
18. Safety apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
19. A vehicle, comprising at least one safety device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16, and/or at least one safety apparatus as claimed in claim 17 or 18.
20. A vehicle as claimed in claim 19, adapted to drive on roads or motorways.
21. A vehicle as claimed in claim 20, when a wheeled vehicle.
22. A vehicle as claimed in claim 21, when a motor car.
23. A method of operating a vehicle as claimed in any one claims 19 to 22, comprising operating the vehicle in accordance with at least one safety device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, and/or at least one safety apparatus as claimed in 17 to 18.
24. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said operation of the vehicle will alter the speed of the vehicle to ensure it is a safe distance from another vehicle.
GB9106864A 1991-04-02 1991-04-02 Safety device for a vehicle Withdrawn GB2254509A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9106864A GB2254509A (en) 1991-04-02 1991-04-02 Safety device for a vehicle

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9106864A GB2254509A (en) 1991-04-02 1991-04-02 Safety device for a vehicle

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9106864D0 GB9106864D0 (en) 1991-05-22
GB2254509A true GB2254509A (en) 1992-10-07

Family

ID=10692505

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9106864A Withdrawn GB2254509A (en) 1991-04-02 1991-04-02 Safety device for a vehicle

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2254509A (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2260209A (en) * 1991-10-02 1993-04-07 Brian Roger Hardy Braking distance indicating and warning device
EP0605104A1 (en) * 1992-12-24 1994-07-06 Jaguar Cars Limited Cruise control systems for motor vehicles
GB2298540A (en) * 1995-02-28 1996-09-04 Autologique Ltd Inter-vehicle proximity warning device
GB2298754A (en) * 1995-03-07 1996-09-11 Andrew James Russell Distance and space monitor
GB2307810A (en) * 1995-12-02 1997-06-04 Roy Michael Ashley Parking aid
DE19644565A1 (en) * 1996-10-26 1998-04-30 Teves Gmbh Alfred Safety system for moving object esp. vehicle
GB2328820A (en) * 1997-09-02 1999-03-03 Rabinder Singh Mandair Vehicular distance monitoring and warning device
DE19856313A1 (en) * 1998-12-07 2000-06-08 Volkswagen Ag Method for monitoring multi-flow distance metering systems for vehicles fits on a vehicle front to transmit narrow bundles of measuring rays to identify flow-measuring flumes with radar, light or ultra-sonic bundles of rays.

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2001822A (en) * 1977-07-29 1979-02-07 Nissan Motor Anti-collision radar system provided with circuitry for monitoring driver's ability to safely control vehicle
EP0210079A2 (en) * 1985-07-24 1987-01-28 John W. Davis Automotive collision avoidance and/or air bag deployment radar
US4833469A (en) * 1987-08-03 1989-05-23 David Constant V Obstacle proximity detector for moving vehicles and method for use thereof
GB2222710A (en) * 1988-09-09 1990-03-14 John Home Vehicle monitoring systems
US4916450A (en) * 1988-05-12 1990-04-10 Radar Control Systems Corporation Radar system for headway control of a vehicle

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2001822A (en) * 1977-07-29 1979-02-07 Nissan Motor Anti-collision radar system provided with circuitry for monitoring driver's ability to safely control vehicle
EP0210079A2 (en) * 1985-07-24 1987-01-28 John W. Davis Automotive collision avoidance and/or air bag deployment radar
US4833469A (en) * 1987-08-03 1989-05-23 David Constant V Obstacle proximity detector for moving vehicles and method for use thereof
US4916450A (en) * 1988-05-12 1990-04-10 Radar Control Systems Corporation Radar system for headway control of a vehicle
GB2222710A (en) * 1988-09-09 1990-03-14 John Home Vehicle monitoring systems

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Electrical Communication Vol.57 No.1 (1982) page 77 *
New Scientist 15 August 1985 page 27 *

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2260209A (en) * 1991-10-02 1993-04-07 Brian Roger Hardy Braking distance indicating and warning device
EP0605104A1 (en) * 1992-12-24 1994-07-06 Jaguar Cars Limited Cruise control systems for motor vehicles
GB2298540A (en) * 1995-02-28 1996-09-04 Autologique Ltd Inter-vehicle proximity warning device
GB2298754A (en) * 1995-03-07 1996-09-11 Andrew James Russell Distance and space monitor
GB2307810A (en) * 1995-12-02 1997-06-04 Roy Michael Ashley Parking aid
DE19644565A1 (en) * 1996-10-26 1998-04-30 Teves Gmbh Alfred Safety system for moving object esp. vehicle
GB2328820A (en) * 1997-09-02 1999-03-03 Rabinder Singh Mandair Vehicular distance monitoring and warning device
DE19856313A1 (en) * 1998-12-07 2000-06-08 Volkswagen Ag Method for monitoring multi-flow distance metering systems for vehicles fits on a vehicle front to transmit narrow bundles of measuring rays to identify flow-measuring flumes with radar, light or ultra-sonic bundles of rays.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9106864D0 (en) 1991-05-22

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)