JPH04274940A - Brake warning method in driving of automobile and brake warning device for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To alleviate the danger of a rear-end-collision by suggesting the possibility of braking to a following car earlier than the deceleration for braking of a preceding car begins thereby arousing attention. CONSTITUTION:The accelerator pedal (2) of an automobile is equipped with a switch which senses the stepping force of the accelerator pedal (2). In the condition that the accelerator pedal (2) is stepped, the brake warning light (L2), which is provided at the position where it can be checked from the following car, is extinguished by switch control, and in the condition that the foot is detached from the accelerator pedal (2) as the preaction of applying the brakes, the brake warning light (L2) is lighted.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a brake warning method and a brake warning device that indicate the possibility of applying the brakes to a following vehicle when driving a vehicle.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art A brake warning light is installed at the rear of an automobile to inform following vehicles that the automobile is decelerating. The brake warning light is turned on when the brake pedal is depressed, and is not turned on in other conditions, such as when the engine brake is applied by taking the foot off the accelerator pedal.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, conventional brake warning lights have the following problems. In other words, the brake warning light is designed to come on when the brake pedal is depressed a certain amount, so by the time the light comes on, the vehicle has already started decelerating, and especially in the case of sudden braking, the reaction of the vehicle behind you may be delayed and cause a rear-end collision. There is great danger.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] The technical means of the present invention taken to solve the above problems are as follows. The first aspect of the present invention is a brake warning method for driving a vehicle, in which a brake warning light provided at a position visible to a following vehicle is turned on when the pedal force on the accelerator pedal is released. In the second invention, the accelerator pedal of the automobile is equipped with a switch section that detects the depression force on the accelerator pedal, and when the accelerator pedal is depressed, a brake warning light is provided at a position that can be seen by the following vehicle. This is a brake warning device for an automobile in which the light is turned off by switch control, and the brake warning light is turned on when the accelerator pedal is released. The state in which pressing force is applied to the accelerator pedal is usually an acceleration state or a constant speed state. Therefore, the state in which the pressing force on the accelerator pedal is released is a deceleration state due to engine braking or a stopped state. The switch section is usually a contact type proximity switch such as a limit switch, but is not limited to this, and the concept includes various sensors such as a touch sensor. In addition, switch control is normally ON and OFF.
It is control.

[0005]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be explained in more detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an installed state of a display device. Reference numeral A denotes a brake warning device, which is equipped with an auxiliary pedal 1. The auxiliary pedal 1 is attached to an accelerator pedal 2 of an automobile by pivoting its lower end. A switch S is provided on the lower surface of the tip of the auxiliary pedal 1. Switch S is a limit switch; when auxiliary pedal 1 is pressed, it is pressed against accelerator pedal 2 and turned off, and when auxiliary pedal 1 is released, it is turned off.
It becomes N state. A lead wire 3 extends from the switch S, and the lead wire 3 is connected to a display 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the display 4 is disposed in the rear part of the vehicle C at a position where it can be easily seen by following vehicles. The display device 4 has a base portion 41 and a display portion 42 on the top thereof. The display section 42 has a brake warning light L in the center.
1 is provided, and brake warning lights L2 are provided on both sides thereof. The brake warning light L1 is a red light like a normal brake light, and the brake warning light L2 is a white light so that it can be distinguished from it. (Operation) The operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. When the automobile C is running and the accelerator is depressed, the auxiliary pedal 1 is also pressed against the accelerator pedal 2, and the switch S is in the OFF state, and the brake warning light L2 is off. While driving, for example, when there is a traffic jam ahead, the driver takes his foot off the accelerator and depresses the brake pedal 2 to stop the vehicle C. At this time, when the foot is released from the accelerator, the switch S of the auxiliary pedal 1 is turned on and the brake warning light L2 is turned on, and when the brake pedal is then depressed, the brake warning light L1 is also turned on. In this way, the brake warning light L2 lights up when the driver takes his or her foot off the accelerator before stepping on the brake pedal. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of main parts of another invention. In the brake warning device of the present invention, the auxiliary pedal 1' has a mounting plate 1 which is pivoted at the lower end.
0 and a pedal 11. A switch S is provided at the top of the pedal 11, and a lead wire 3 extends from the switch S, and the lead wire 3 is connected to a display 4 (not shown). Although the attachment plate 10 is attached to the accelerator pedal 2 by adhesive in this embodiment, the attachment plate 10 is not limited to this, and other means such as screw attachment or fitting may be used. Note that this is convenient because an existing automobile can be provided with a brake warning function. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and many modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

[0006]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention has the above configuration and has the following effects. That is, when the vehicle is stopped due to traffic congestion, the accelerator switch is turned on and the brake warning light is turned on when the accelerator is released before the brake pedal is pressed. In other words, before braking begins to decelerate, it is possible to warn the following vehicle by suggesting that the brakes may be applied. As a result, even if the brakes are applied suddenly, the vehicle following can detect the deceleration of the vehicle in front a split second before braking, reducing the risk of a rear-end collision.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the installation state of the display device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of main parts showing another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

A Brake warning device 1, 1’ Auxiliary pedal 2 Accelerator pedal L2 Brake warning light

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A brake warning method when driving a vehicle, characterized in that when the pedal pressure on the accelerator pedal is released, a brake warning light provided at a position visible to a following vehicle is turned on. [Claim 2] The accelerator pedal of an automobile is equipped with a switch unit that senses the pressing force on the accelerator pedal, and when the accelerator pedal is depressed, a brake warning light installed at a position visible to a following vehicle is turned off by switch control. A brake warning device for an automobile, characterized in that a brake warning light is turned on when the accelerator pedal pressure is released.