AU2003266445A1 - Reversing safety device for semi-trailers - Google Patents
Reversing safety device for semi-trailers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2003266445A1 AU2003266445A1 AU2003266445A AU2003266445A AU2003266445A1 AU 2003266445 A1 AU2003266445 A1 AU 2003266445A1 AU 2003266445 A AU2003266445 A AU 2003266445A AU 2003266445 A AU2003266445 A AU 2003266445A AU 2003266445 A1 AU2003266445 A1 AU 2003266445A1
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- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- valve
- brake
- safety device
- pneumatic
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- Abandoned
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- Regulating Braking Force (AREA)
- Valves And Accessory Devices For Braking Systems (AREA)
Description
P/00/011 Regulation 3.2
AUSTRALIA
Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT
ORIGINAL
TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventors: Address for Service: Invention Title: TRANSTECH RESEARCH PTY LTD Gregory BROWN CALLINAN LAWRIE, 711 High Street, Kew, Victoria 3101, Australia REVERSING SAFETY DEVICE FOR SEMI-TRAILERS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- 26/1 /03,sw13726spa.doc,2 REVERSING SAFETY DEVICE FOR SEMI-TRAILERS The present invention relates to a vehicle safety device and more particularly to a reversing proximity safety device for vehicles, especially large semi-trailer vehicles.
Reversing proximity devices of the kind that emit an audible sound, usually in the form of a succession of beeps which increase in frequency as an object is approached, are well known and appear on many modem motor cars not only at the rear but also on the front of the vehicle. These devices are generally referred to as park distance sensors.
Certain problems arise in using these known audible proximity sensing devices on semi-trailer vehicles. Firstly, it is necessary to have a dedicated electrical circuit between the prime-mover and the trailer to provide an alarm in the prime-mover cabin. Whilst it is readily possible to provide such a circuit between a particular prime-mover and a particular trailer, as soon as a different trailer is connected to the prime-mover the system will not work unless there exists a non-standard connection with the aforementioned dedicated circuit.
Secondly, a driver reversing a semi-trailer up to a loading dock can easily become distracted or slow to react at the critical moment when the brake needs to be applied. This can result in a collision between the rear of the trailer and the dock since it is necessary to adjust the sensor to a fine tolerance so that the rear of the trailer is able to be placed directly adjacent to the loading dock for loading or unloading purposes. Therefore, a device that relies on the drivers reaction time, or patience in reversing slowly, is not ideal.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved reversing proximity device for semi-trailer vehicles which avoids or overcomes the aforementioned problems.
The invention therefore provides a vehicle reversing safety device comprising a proximity sensor for mounting at the rear of the vehicle to provide an electrical signal when the vehicle is in close proximity to an object and the vehicle is in reverse gear, characterized in that, said sensor is electrically connected to a vehicle brake activation device whereby said electrical signal causes the vehicle brake to be applied when the rear of the vehicle is a predetermined distance from said object.
Preferably said vehicle is a semi-trailer and said brake activation device is mounted on the trailer of said vehicle, electrical power for said sensor and said brake activation device being provided from the vehicle prime mover via a standard electrical connection 26/11/03,swl 13726spa.doc,2 using the existing reverse wire which becomes active when the prime-mover engages reverse gear.
Preferably said brake activation device comprises a pneumatic valve arrangement for releasing air pressure to the pneumatic braking system of the vehicle thereby causing the brake to be applied.
Preferably said valve arrangement comprises an inversion valve provided in a pneumatic brake line between said prime-mover and a compressed air storage tank, and a normally closed pneumatic valve connected in an air line extending between said inversion valve and a pressure protection valve of the vehicle braking system, said electrical signal causing opening of said normally closed valve thereby causing said inversion valve to dump air pressure in the vehicle braking system, thus causing the vehicle brake to be applied.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood one particular embodiment will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Fig 1. is a schematic diagram showing part of the vehicle pneumatic brake system with modifications to incorporate the pneumatic and electrical components of the present invention.
As is universally the case air pressure in the braking system of a semi-trailer is used to hold the brake in the "off" position and the brake of each wheel is spring loaded to the "on" position so that the brakes are applied immediately air pressure in the pneumatic system falls below a predetermined minimum.
In the drawing reference 10 represents a pneumatic supply line connected to the vehicle prime mover (not shown) and extending to compressed air storage tank 11 via valve 12. The valve 12 includes pneumatic supply lines 13 to boosters (not shown) on each wheel of the vehicle trailer.
In order to incorporate the safety device of the present invention into an existing trailer an inversion valve 14 is incorporated into the supply line 10 and a pneumatic line extends from the inversion valve 14 to a further pneumatic valve 16. The pneumatic valve 16 is connected via a further pneumatic line 17 to a pressure protection valve (not shown) on the tank 11. The valve 16 is a normally closed pneumatic valve. The valves 14 and 16 and supply lines 15 and 17 comprise the entire pneumatic circuit associated with the device of this embodiment.
26/11/03,sw 13726spa.doc,3 -4- The electrical control circuit of the embodiment comprises a proximity sensor 18 in the form of a conventional infra-red device which is mounted centrally under the rear frame of a vehicle trailer. The sensor 18 is connected via wires 19 and 20 to the reverse wire (not shown) in the vehicle wiring loom and to the earth wire in the vehicle wiring loom, respectively. This provides power to the sensor 18 which is connected via wire 21 to the pneumatic valve 16. This completes the electrical circuitry of the device according to this embodiment.
In use, when a semi-trailer vehicle is to be reversed to a loading dock for example, the driver of the prime mover selects reverse gear whereby the proximity sensor 18 is powered via wire 19 and is therefore able to sense the loading dock as the rear of the vehicle approaches the dock. The sensor 18 is adjustable whereby the distance at which the device is activated may be varied. When the rear of the vehicle reaches a predetermined distance from the loading dock the sensor causes wire 20 to become active and therefore operate pneumatic valve 16. The pneumatic valve 16 is normally closed, but when activated is caused to open whereby pressure in line 17 is provided via pneumatic line 15 to the inversion valve 14. This causes the inversion valve 14 to close the supply line 10 from the vehicle and dump air pressure in the supply line 10 between the inversion valve and the tank 11. This dumping of air pressure causes valve 12 to dump air from lines 13 thereby causing the spring loaded brakes on each wheel to be activated, thereby bringing the vehicle to a sudden stop. After loading or unloading the driver selects a forward gear in the vehicle prime-mover and power to the proximity sensor 18 is isolated whereby the valve 16 closes and the inversion valve 14 is caused to open thereby restoring pneumatic pressure to the system. The vehicle brakes are thereby released and the vehicle is able to move in a forward direction.
As will be evident to persons skilled in the art the present invention provides an improved vehicle safety device which avoids reliance on the driver's reaction time and allows any vehicle prime-mover to be connected to any trailer, provided both use a standard wiring system. By adjusting the sensing distance of the proximity sensor 18 it is possible to achieve the desired distance between the rear of the vehicle and a vehicle loading dock. The safety device is also advantageous in causing the vehicle brakes to be applied when other objects or humans are in the vicinity of the rear of the vehicle. Whilst one particular embodiment has been described hereinabove, it will be appreciated that variations or modifications may be readily affected without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
26/i 1/03,sw 13726spa.doc.4
Claims (4)
1. A vehicle reversing safety device comprising a proximity sensor for mounting at the rear of the vehicle to provide an electrical signal when the vehicle is in close proximity to an object and the vehicle is in reverse gear, characterized in that, said sensor is electrically connected to a vehicle brake activation device whereby said electrical signal causes the vehicle brake to be applied when the rear of the vehicle is a predetermined distance from said object.
2. A vehicle reversing safety device as defined in claim 1, wherein said vehicle is a semi-trailer and said brake activation device is mounted on the trailer of said vehicle, electrical power for said sensor and said brake activation device being provided from the vehicle prime mover via a standard electrical connection using the existing reverse wire which becomes active when the prime-mover engages reverse gear.
3. A vehicle reversing safety device as defined in claim 2, wherein said brake activation device comprises a pneumatic valve arrangement for releasing air pressure to the pneumatic braking system of the vehicle thereby causing the brake to be applied.
4. A vehicle reversing safety device as defined in claim 3, wherein said valve arrangement comprises an inversion valve provided in a pneumatic brake line between said prime-mover and a compressed air storage tank, and a normally closed pneumatic valve connected in an air line extending between said inversion valve and a pressure protection valve of the vehicle braking system, said electrical signal causing opening of said normally closed valve thereby causing said inversion valve to dump air pressure in the vehicle braking system, thus causing the vehicle brake to be applied. A vehicle reversing safety device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing. Dated this 2 6 th day of November 2003 TRANSTECH RESEARCH PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys: CLLINAN LAWRIE 26/11/03.sw 13726spa.doc.5
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2003266445A AU2003266445A1 (en) | 2003-11-27 | 2003-11-27 | Reversing safety device for semi-trailers |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2003266445A AU2003266445A1 (en) | 2003-11-27 | 2003-11-27 | Reversing safety device for semi-trailers |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2003266445A1 true AU2003266445A1 (en) | 2005-06-16 |
Family
ID=34658461
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2003266445A Abandoned AU2003266445A1 (en) | 2003-11-27 | 2003-11-27 | Reversing safety device for semi-trailers |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2003266445A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8766846B2 (en) | 2011-06-24 | 2014-07-01 | Surveillance Guard Co Pty Ltd | Accident prevention system and a vehicle including the accident prevention system |
-
2003
- 2003-11-27 AU AU2003266445A patent/AU2003266445A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8766846B2 (en) | 2011-06-24 | 2014-07-01 | Surveillance Guard Co Pty Ltd | Accident prevention system and a vehicle including the accident prevention system |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK1 | Application lapsed section 142(2)(a) - no request for examination in relevant period |