GB2348325A

GB2348325A - Vehicle deceleration indicating device

Info

Publication number: GB2348325A
Application number: GB9906783A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Doherty
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-03-25
Filing date: 1999-03-25
Publication date: 2000-09-27
Also published as: GB9906783D0

Abstract

A proximity sensor 20 mounted in the accelerator pedal of a vehicle senses the position of the driver's foot and triggers a visual indication at the rear of the vehicle, e.g. brake lights, when the foot is moved from the pedal by a distance greater than a predetermined threshold. A timer circuit may be provided to switch the light off after a predetermined time period and the proximity sensor may be an optical sensor.

Description

VEHICLE DECELERATION INDICATING DEVICE The present invention relates to a device for indicating when a road vehicle is decelerating.

It is often a problem, where one vehicle is being closely followed by another, that the driver of the following vehicle does not always know immediately that the leading vehicle is slowing down. Even where the leading vehicle brakes, such that its brake lights illuminate, there is still a significant delay between the driver of the leading vehicle removing his foot from the acceleration and depressing the brake pedal where the driver of the leading vehicle simply removes his foot from the accelerator pedal, without depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle may decelerate appreciably and there is a significant delay before the driver of the following vehicle realises this.

I have now devised a device for fitting to a road vehicle to indicate when the vehicle decelerates.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a device for indicating the deceleration of a vehicle, the device comprising a proximity sensor mounted to, or arranged to be mounted to, the elastomeric footpad of the vehicle accelerator pedal, and a visual indicator for fitting to the rear of the vehicle to indicate when the driver moves his foot from the accelerator pedal by greater than a predetermined distance.

It will be appreciated that normally the driver's right foot will be rested on and depress the accelerator pedal: the presence of the driver's foot is detected by the proximity sensor. However, when he removes his foot from the accelerator pedal by greater than a predetermined distance (typically in the range of 10 to 20mm), the proximity sensor responds to this to energise the visual indicator. The device allows the driver to move his foot slightly away from the accelerator pedal, as when changing gears, without responding.

The proximity sensor may be embedded at least partially into the footpad of the vehicle accelerator pedal. The electrical lead of the proximity sensor is preferably embedded in the footpad, although in some cases it may extend along the footpad within one of a series of longitudinal grooves formed in the surface of the footpad.

The proximity sensor may be arranged for fitting to an existing footpad: for example, the proximity sensor may be arranged for location in one of the series of longitudinal grooves in the surface of the footpad.

Preferably however, the footpad is supplied complete with the proximity sensor and its electrical lead embedded in the footpad, for replacing the existing footpad of the vehicle accelerator pedal.

Thus, also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a footpad for fitting to a vehicle accelerator pedal, the footpad having a proximity sensor at least partially embedded into it.

The proximity sensor may comprise an optical sensor but may, in general, comprise any form of proximity sensor. It will be appreciated that the proximity sensor responds simply according to whether the driver's foot is located on or within a predetermined distance of the accelerator pedal and does not require downward pressure to operate.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a view of a vehicle accelerator pedal, to the rubber footpad of which a proximity sensor is secured, in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 is a sectional view through the accelerator pedal shown in Figure 1 ; FIGURE 3 is a view to explain the use of the deceleration indicating device of the present invention ; and FIGURE 4 is a view of a vehicle to which the device is fitted, to explain the use of the device.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown an accelerator pedal 10 carried at the end of an arm 12 in conventional manner. A rubber footpad 14 is fitted over the pedal 10, with a peripheral lip 15 of the footpad 14 engaging around the edges and onto the underside of the pedal 10. The outer face of the footpad 14 is formed with a series of longitudinally-extending grooves 16.

The indicator device of the present invention comprises a proximity sensor 20 which is situated in the surface of the footpad 14. In the example shown, the sensor 20 is situated in one of the grooves 16 of the footpad 14: the sensor 20 is formed with a stem penetrated into or embedded in the footpad 14. An electrical lead 22 is connected to the sensor 20 and runs through the footpad 14 to the end of the footpad, then runs along the arm 12 on which the accelerator pedal 10 is mounted. The electrical lead 22 is fastened to the arm 12 by ties e. g. 18.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, it will be appreciated that whilst the driver's foot F is rested on the accelerator pedal, the sensor 20 detects the presence of his foot.

However, when the driver removes his foot F from the accelerator pedal by greater than a predetermined distance (e. g. lOmm), the proximity sensor 20 detects the absence of the foot. The sensor 20 is connected, via the electrical lead 22, with a control unit (not shown) which responds by illuminating a rear light L of the vehicle. In this way, a visual indication is provided to any following vehicle immediately that the driver lifts his foot F from the accelerator pedal by greater than the predetermined distance. However, the device allows the driver to move his foot slightly away from the accelerator pedal, i. e. by less than the predetermined distance, as when changing gears, without responding. The control unit may include a delay timer, arranged to extinguish the light L after a predetermined time period. The light L may be additional to the usual rear lights of the vehicle, or alternatively the device may be used to energise existing rear lights (e. g. the brake lights). In either case, the device may be arranged to pulse or flash the rear light or lights.

The proximity sensor 20 may comprise an optical sensor, which responds according to whether it receives a sufficient level of ambient light, the sensor may however comprise any form of proximity sensor.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. The vehicle deceleration indicating device will include sensors fitted to the accelerator.
2. The vehicle deceleration indicating device as claimed in claim 1 will include proximity sensors fitted to the accelerator and a relay/circuit linked to the rear braking lights.