CA2039282A1 - Electronic safety device for trucks - Google Patents
Electronic safety device for trucksInfo
- Publication number
- CA2039282A1 CA2039282A1 CA002039282A CA2039282A CA2039282A1 CA 2039282 A1 CA2039282 A1 CA 2039282A1 CA 002039282 A CA002039282 A CA 002039282A CA 2039282 A CA2039282 A CA 2039282A CA 2039282 A1 CA2039282 A1 CA 2039282A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sensor
- sensors
- road surface
- circuit
- signal
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001960 triggered effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 206010059875 Device ineffective Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 206010041349 Somnolence Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012780 transparent material Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
- G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
- G08G1/16—Anti-collision systems
- G08G1/167—Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Traffic Control Systems (AREA)
- Control Of Position, Course, Altitude, Or Attitude Of Moving Bodies (AREA)
- Auxiliary Drives, Propulsion Controls, And Safety Devices (AREA)
- Emergency Alarm Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract The device utilizes two sensors (1, 7) of identical specification, and a light source (3), all of which mounted to a single bracket and directed at the road surface (2) in such a way that the beam from the source is reflected back at the sensors; the sensors are wired into a comparator (8) of which the output signal is used to pilot the activation of an alarm (6), and becomes operative whenever the signals from the two sensors become dissimilar by reason of the different luminous intensities and/or wavelengths in the beam when reflected in part by the natural road surface (2), and in part by the white or yellow lines (4) bordering a traffic lane or a hard shoulder.
Description
~ ~ '3 ~ 3 ;~
An improYed eloctronia safety dovice for trucks The present invention relates to an improved electronic safety device for trucks.
Practically no commercial vehicles currently in circulation are equipped with any system capable of 05 warning when the vehicle begins to stray from its traffic lane.
This is a shortcoming experienced in particular by the drivers of heavy goods vehicles, who must travel in all weathers and at any time of day or 10 night, even in conditions of poor visibility (fog, rain etc.), and often find themselves operating in considerable discomfort and danger; added to such environmental factors are the potential risks of drowsiness or distraction to which the drivers of 15 such vehicles are inevitably sub~ect, and the consequent possibility that the vehicle may veer off the road, or at least wander out of its lane.
In a bid to overcome such negative factors, the applicant has set forth an electronic safety device 20 (disclosed in Italian patent 1,209,078) consisting 2 ~ 4 ~2~
in a sensor fitted to one or both sides of a truck, directed onto the road surface and serving to transduce a light input into an electrical signal that is a function of the intensity of the light 05 source.
The electrical signal from the sensor is fed into a monitoring circuit of which the respective output signal becomes significant only when the sensor is exposed to an intensity of light equivalent, for example, to the yellow lines which border the hard shoulders of Italian motorways; the monitoring circuit is connected to an alarm circuit by which the driver is warned whenever the sensor produces an activating signal, i.e. whenever the vehicle encroaches on the yellow line.
The device in question betrays certain drawbacks in operation, however. To ensure efficient response of the sensor, the driver has continually to adjust the beam of light that provides the luminous input;
~0 in effect, an inappropriately adjusted source can render operation of the device ineffective during daylight or night hours (depending upon the last adjustment effected), and even to a false warning signal being triggered by traffic markings painted on the road surface.
Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks outlined above through the embodiment of an improved electronic safety device which exploits the various featur~s of the 05 arrangement described above, while giving greater precision in sensing the light input and a more reliable adjustment of the output signal.
The stated object is realized in an electronic safety device as characterized in the appended claims, which comprises a first sensor directed at the road surface, and a second sensor located in close proximity to and having the same technical and operating specifications as the first sensor and directed likewise at the road surface; the two sensors are connected to the inputs of a single comparator circuit, of which the output signal serves to activate an alarm circuit each time the sensors generate respective and dissimilar signals in respunse to different luminous intensities and/
or wavelengths in a beam of light projected toward and reflected onto the sensors simultaneously from two different heterochromatic areas of the road surface corresponding respectively to the bare surfacing material and to a white or yellow line, or other specific traffic markings.
2 ~
The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:
-fig 1 is a block diagram of the electronic safety 05 device disclosed;
-figs 2a and 2b are schematic front elevations illustrating a part of the device in two different configurations, one active and the other inactive;
-fig 3 illustrates a road vehicle, in perspective, fitted with the electronic device according to the invention;
-fig 4 illustrates a possible embodiment of the electronic device disclosed, viewed in elevation;
-fig 5 shows the essPntial parts of the electronic device of fig 4, exploded and in perspective.
As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, an electronic safety device according to the present invention comprises a first sensor 1, consisting for example in a photoconductive cell, positioned on one or both sides of a motor vehicle 9 (fig 3) and directed at the road surface 2 (figs 1...3) on which the vehicle stands.
An improYed eloctronia safety dovice for trucks The present invention relates to an improved electronic safety device for trucks.
Practically no commercial vehicles currently in circulation are equipped with any system capable of 05 warning when the vehicle begins to stray from its traffic lane.
This is a shortcoming experienced in particular by the drivers of heavy goods vehicles, who must travel in all weathers and at any time of day or 10 night, even in conditions of poor visibility (fog, rain etc.), and often find themselves operating in considerable discomfort and danger; added to such environmental factors are the potential risks of drowsiness or distraction to which the drivers of 15 such vehicles are inevitably sub~ect, and the consequent possibility that the vehicle may veer off the road, or at least wander out of its lane.
In a bid to overcome such negative factors, the applicant has set forth an electronic safety device 20 (disclosed in Italian patent 1,209,078) consisting 2 ~ 4 ~2~
in a sensor fitted to one or both sides of a truck, directed onto the road surface and serving to transduce a light input into an electrical signal that is a function of the intensity of the light 05 source.
The electrical signal from the sensor is fed into a monitoring circuit of which the respective output signal becomes significant only when the sensor is exposed to an intensity of light equivalent, for example, to the yellow lines which border the hard shoulders of Italian motorways; the monitoring circuit is connected to an alarm circuit by which the driver is warned whenever the sensor produces an activating signal, i.e. whenever the vehicle encroaches on the yellow line.
The device in question betrays certain drawbacks in operation, however. To ensure efficient response of the sensor, the driver has continually to adjust the beam of light that provides the luminous input;
~0 in effect, an inappropriately adjusted source can render operation of the device ineffective during daylight or night hours (depending upon the last adjustment effected), and even to a false warning signal being triggered by traffic markings painted on the road surface.
Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks outlined above through the embodiment of an improved electronic safety device which exploits the various featur~s of the 05 arrangement described above, while giving greater precision in sensing the light input and a more reliable adjustment of the output signal.
The stated object is realized in an electronic safety device as characterized in the appended claims, which comprises a first sensor directed at the road surface, and a second sensor located in close proximity to and having the same technical and operating specifications as the first sensor and directed likewise at the road surface; the two sensors are connected to the inputs of a single comparator circuit, of which the output signal serves to activate an alarm circuit each time the sensors generate respective and dissimilar signals in respunse to different luminous intensities and/
or wavelengths in a beam of light projected toward and reflected onto the sensors simultaneously from two different heterochromatic areas of the road surface corresponding respectively to the bare surfacing material and to a white or yellow line, or other specific traffic markings.
2 ~
The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:
-fig 1 is a block diagram of the electronic safety 05 device disclosed;
-figs 2a and 2b are schematic front elevations illustrating a part of the device in two different configurations, one active and the other inactive;
-fig 3 illustrates a road vehicle, in perspective, fitted with the electronic device according to the invention;
-fig 4 illustrates a possible embodiment of the electronic device disclosed, viewed in elevation;
-fig 5 shows the essPntial parts of the electronic device of fig 4, exploded and in perspective.
As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, an electronic safety device according to the present invention comprises a first sensor 1, consisting for example in a photoconductive cell, positioned on one or both sides of a motor vehicle 9 (fig 3) and directed at the road surface 2 (figs 1...3) on which the vehicle stands.
3 denotes a light source located alongside and within the operating field of the first sensor 1, also directed at the road surface 2.
The first sensor 1 is invested by a beam emitted from the light source 3 and reflected off the road surface 2, which it transduces into an electrical signal that is a function of the luminous intensity 05 or wavelength of the light input, these parameters in turn being influenced by the presence of a white or yellow line 4 or other specific traffic markings applied to the road surface 2. The signal from the first sensor 1 provides the input to a monitoring circuit 5, of which the output furnishss a signal capable of activating an alarm circuit 6 whenever the beam from the light source is reflected from the lines 4 or other road markings.
In the improved device according to the invention, use is made of a second sensor 7 positioned in close proximity to and having the same technical and operating specifications as the first sensor l;
the second sensor 7 is also directed at the road surface 2, needless to say.
As may be observed from figs 1, 2, 4 and 5, the sensors l and 7 are positioned one on either side of the light source 3, parallel one with the other, and connected one to each input of a comparator circuit 8 of which the output pilots the operation of the alarm circuit 6.
t ,~ ~ ~
The comparator circuit 8 might be an integrated circuit, for example, of which the inputs are in receipt of the signals from the first and second sensors 1 and 7; more exactly, the comparator 8 is 05 located between the two sensors 1 and 7 on the one hand, and the monitoring circuit 5 by which the alarm circuit 6 is activated, as aforementioned, on the other.
Activation of the alarm circuit 6 occurs every time dissimilar output signals are emitted by the first sensor 1 and the second sensor 7 in response to different luminous intensities and/or wavelengths in the same reflected beam of light, to which both sensors are exposed; the difference in question is due to the fact that the beam is thrown at one and the same moment onto two dissimilar heterochromatic surfaces, corresponding respectively to the bare road surface 2, and to the white or yellow line 4 or other road marking applied to tha surface (see fig 2a).
In short, the alarm circuit 6 is activated by the monitoring circuit 5 whenever a given part of the beam is reflected back onto the one sensor off the bare road surface 2, whilst the remaining part of the beam is reflected back onto the other sensor off a line 4 or other marking, given that it is a disparity between the two transduced signals that causes the comparator 8 to activate the monitoring circuit 5. Accordingly, as long as the position of 05 the two sensors 1 and 7, hence of the vehicle 9, remains stably within the confines of the traffic lane or carriageway, such that a light of uniform intensity and/or wavelength is reflected back onto both of the sensors 1 and 7, then identical signals are returned to the comparator 8 and no activating signal will be received by the monitoring circuit 5 from the comparator (fig 2b). The advantage of such an arrangement is that, when the vehicle and the device pause or pass over road markings other than lane or carriageway lines 4, e.g. exit arrows or lines running across the carriageway, the output signals from the sensors 1 and 7 remain identical (both sensors exposed to light reflected from the arrow or the line), and the monitoring circuit 5 receives no signal from the comparator circuit 8 -capable of activating the alarm circuit 6, which would serve only to disturb the driver in such a situation.
The preferred location of an electronic safety device according to the invention is illustrated in 2 ~
fig 3, which shows a truck 9 fitted with two such devices 100 positioned one at each ~nd of the front bumper bar 14.
With reference to figs 4 and 5, which illustrate a 05 preferred embodiment of the device, it will be observed that the sensors 1 and 7 and the light source 3, consisting in an electric lamp 15, are mounted to a hollow bracket 12 (shown to advantage in fig 5). The bracket 12 is embodied substantially as a cup with a peripheral flanged fixing lip 121, insertable into a sealed cover 20, and affords an external, essentially central socket (not visible in the drawings) for acccmmodation and retention of the lamp 15, to which electrical power is supplied by way of contacts 21 coinciding with the socket and passing through the bracket 12.
122 denotes a threaded outer boss afforded by the bracket in a position coaxial with the socket, onto which a collar 22 is screwed to retain the lamp 15.
The collar 22 is also threaded externally, at least in part, to permit of attaching one threaded end of a sleeve 17 accommodating an optical assembly 13.
More exactly, the space encompassed by the sleeve 17 accommodates a second sleeve 16 embodied in two matching halves 16a, 16b disposed on either side of 9 ~ 2~
a longitudinal median plane of the sleeve itself.
The inner sleeve 16 is held internally of the outer sleeve 17 by a terminal annular lip not visible in the drawings, and affords three distinct annular 05 grooves 161 at given points along its own length, as discernible in fig 5, in which to accommodate a pair of lenses 131, 132 constituting the optical assembly 13, and a protective glass 18. The lenses 131 and 132 are positioned nearer to the lamp 15, whilst the glass 18 (which in practice might be embodied in any suitable transparent material~ is accommodated within and in sealed association with the groove 161 farthest from the lamp 15.
The bracket 12 further comprises two holes located one on either side of the contacts 21 by means of which to fix the sensors 1 and 7, which might be photoresistors or photodiodas, internally of two cylindrical tubes 23 extending parallel with and substantially equal in length to the sleeve 17, as discernible from fig 4.
The provision of the tubes 23 has the effect of exposing the sensors 1 and 7 only to the beam 31 radiating from the electric lamp 15, focused by the lenses 131 and 132 and reflected back off the road surface 2 or the line 4.
The bracket 12 is thus fixed to the underside of the front bumper bar 14 of the truck 9 in such a way as to dispose the sleeve 17 and the tubes 23 substantially vertical and aligned in a direction 05 perpendicular to the path followed by the vehicle, hence to the line 4.
The device as illustrated in figs 1 to 3 can be completed (as shown in fig 4) by cascading the alarm circuit 6, or the monitoring circuit 5 (see phantom line), into a switch 19 and a timer 11.
Thus, selected warning and/or safety systems of the vehicle 9 can be interlocked to the timer 11, and in the event that the switch 19 remains closed and a signal is emitted continuously from the output of the monitoring circuit 5 or the alarm circuit 6 for longer than a prescribed period, the systems in question will be triggered into operation. By way of example, systems interlocked to the timer 11 might be the hazard warning lights, the brakes and the ignition/fuel supply circuits of the vehicle 9, in such a way that operation of the timer 11 causes the hazard warning lights to flash, the brakes to be applied and the engine to cut out.
The device according to the invention thus provides a highly effective and dependable safety mechanism, 3 ~
by virtue of using two sensors which, in practice, control one another; the use of two sensors also enables a better utilization of the device during daytime hours ~i.e. in diffused light), without 05 necessarily having to adjust the alarm settingr Such an adjustment can be made nonetheless, for example by way of a potentiometer 10 associated with the monitoring circuit 5, which permits of selecting the threshold above which the monitoring circuit 5, in receipt of an output signal from the comparator circuit 8, triggers the alarm circuit 6 into operation.
The first sensor 1 is invested by a beam emitted from the light source 3 and reflected off the road surface 2, which it transduces into an electrical signal that is a function of the luminous intensity 05 or wavelength of the light input, these parameters in turn being influenced by the presence of a white or yellow line 4 or other specific traffic markings applied to the road surface 2. The signal from the first sensor 1 provides the input to a monitoring circuit 5, of which the output furnishss a signal capable of activating an alarm circuit 6 whenever the beam from the light source is reflected from the lines 4 or other road markings.
In the improved device according to the invention, use is made of a second sensor 7 positioned in close proximity to and having the same technical and operating specifications as the first sensor l;
the second sensor 7 is also directed at the road surface 2, needless to say.
As may be observed from figs 1, 2, 4 and 5, the sensors l and 7 are positioned one on either side of the light source 3, parallel one with the other, and connected one to each input of a comparator circuit 8 of which the output pilots the operation of the alarm circuit 6.
t ,~ ~ ~
The comparator circuit 8 might be an integrated circuit, for example, of which the inputs are in receipt of the signals from the first and second sensors 1 and 7; more exactly, the comparator 8 is 05 located between the two sensors 1 and 7 on the one hand, and the monitoring circuit 5 by which the alarm circuit 6 is activated, as aforementioned, on the other.
Activation of the alarm circuit 6 occurs every time dissimilar output signals are emitted by the first sensor 1 and the second sensor 7 in response to different luminous intensities and/or wavelengths in the same reflected beam of light, to which both sensors are exposed; the difference in question is due to the fact that the beam is thrown at one and the same moment onto two dissimilar heterochromatic surfaces, corresponding respectively to the bare road surface 2, and to the white or yellow line 4 or other road marking applied to tha surface (see fig 2a).
In short, the alarm circuit 6 is activated by the monitoring circuit 5 whenever a given part of the beam is reflected back onto the one sensor off the bare road surface 2, whilst the remaining part of the beam is reflected back onto the other sensor off a line 4 or other marking, given that it is a disparity between the two transduced signals that causes the comparator 8 to activate the monitoring circuit 5. Accordingly, as long as the position of 05 the two sensors 1 and 7, hence of the vehicle 9, remains stably within the confines of the traffic lane or carriageway, such that a light of uniform intensity and/or wavelength is reflected back onto both of the sensors 1 and 7, then identical signals are returned to the comparator 8 and no activating signal will be received by the monitoring circuit 5 from the comparator (fig 2b). The advantage of such an arrangement is that, when the vehicle and the device pause or pass over road markings other than lane or carriageway lines 4, e.g. exit arrows or lines running across the carriageway, the output signals from the sensors 1 and 7 remain identical (both sensors exposed to light reflected from the arrow or the line), and the monitoring circuit 5 receives no signal from the comparator circuit 8 -capable of activating the alarm circuit 6, which would serve only to disturb the driver in such a situation.
The preferred location of an electronic safety device according to the invention is illustrated in 2 ~
fig 3, which shows a truck 9 fitted with two such devices 100 positioned one at each ~nd of the front bumper bar 14.
With reference to figs 4 and 5, which illustrate a 05 preferred embodiment of the device, it will be observed that the sensors 1 and 7 and the light source 3, consisting in an electric lamp 15, are mounted to a hollow bracket 12 (shown to advantage in fig 5). The bracket 12 is embodied substantially as a cup with a peripheral flanged fixing lip 121, insertable into a sealed cover 20, and affords an external, essentially central socket (not visible in the drawings) for acccmmodation and retention of the lamp 15, to which electrical power is supplied by way of contacts 21 coinciding with the socket and passing through the bracket 12.
122 denotes a threaded outer boss afforded by the bracket in a position coaxial with the socket, onto which a collar 22 is screwed to retain the lamp 15.
The collar 22 is also threaded externally, at least in part, to permit of attaching one threaded end of a sleeve 17 accommodating an optical assembly 13.
More exactly, the space encompassed by the sleeve 17 accommodates a second sleeve 16 embodied in two matching halves 16a, 16b disposed on either side of 9 ~ 2~
a longitudinal median plane of the sleeve itself.
The inner sleeve 16 is held internally of the outer sleeve 17 by a terminal annular lip not visible in the drawings, and affords three distinct annular 05 grooves 161 at given points along its own length, as discernible in fig 5, in which to accommodate a pair of lenses 131, 132 constituting the optical assembly 13, and a protective glass 18. The lenses 131 and 132 are positioned nearer to the lamp 15, whilst the glass 18 (which in practice might be embodied in any suitable transparent material~ is accommodated within and in sealed association with the groove 161 farthest from the lamp 15.
The bracket 12 further comprises two holes located one on either side of the contacts 21 by means of which to fix the sensors 1 and 7, which might be photoresistors or photodiodas, internally of two cylindrical tubes 23 extending parallel with and substantially equal in length to the sleeve 17, as discernible from fig 4.
The provision of the tubes 23 has the effect of exposing the sensors 1 and 7 only to the beam 31 radiating from the electric lamp 15, focused by the lenses 131 and 132 and reflected back off the road surface 2 or the line 4.
The bracket 12 is thus fixed to the underside of the front bumper bar 14 of the truck 9 in such a way as to dispose the sleeve 17 and the tubes 23 substantially vertical and aligned in a direction 05 perpendicular to the path followed by the vehicle, hence to the line 4.
The device as illustrated in figs 1 to 3 can be completed (as shown in fig 4) by cascading the alarm circuit 6, or the monitoring circuit 5 (see phantom line), into a switch 19 and a timer 11.
Thus, selected warning and/or safety systems of the vehicle 9 can be interlocked to the timer 11, and in the event that the switch 19 remains closed and a signal is emitted continuously from the output of the monitoring circuit 5 or the alarm circuit 6 for longer than a prescribed period, the systems in question will be triggered into operation. By way of example, systems interlocked to the timer 11 might be the hazard warning lights, the brakes and the ignition/fuel supply circuits of the vehicle 9, in such a way that operation of the timer 11 causes the hazard warning lights to flash, the brakes to be applied and the engine to cut out.
The device according to the invention thus provides a highly effective and dependable safety mechanism, 3 ~
by virtue of using two sensors which, in practice, control one another; the use of two sensors also enables a better utilization of the device during daytime hours ~i.e. in diffused light), without 05 necessarily having to adjust the alarm settingr Such an adjustment can be made nonetheless, for example by way of a potentiometer 10 associated with the monitoring circuit 5, which permits of selecting the threshold above which the monitoring circuit 5, in receipt of an output signal from the comparator circuit 8, triggers the alarm circuit 6 into operation.
Claims (7)
1) An improved electronic safety device for trucks comprising a first sensor (1) directed toward a road surface (2), a light source (3) positioned alongside the first sensor (1), directed likewise at the road surface and designed to emit a luminous signal that is reflected onto and transduced by the first sensor into an electrical signal dependent on the luminous intensity and/or wavelength of the reflected signal, which is dependent in turn upon the presence on the road surface (2) of a white or yellow line (4) or other specific traffic marking;
and a monitoring circuit (5) of which the input is in receipt of the signal from the sensor and the output is used to activate an alarm circuit (6) whenever the luminous signal is reflected from the line (4) or other road marking, characterized -in that it further comprises a second sensor (7) located in close proximity to and possessing the same technical and operating specifications as the first sensor (1) and directed likewise at the road surface (2); and -in that both sensors (1, 7) are connected to the inputs of a comparator circuit (8), of which the output signal activates the alarm circuit (6) each time the two electrical signals returned by the respective sensors become dissimilar by reason of different luminous intensities and/or wavelengths in the beam of light emitted from the source (3) and reflected from two different heterochromatic surfaces corresponding respectively to the bare road surface (2) and to a white or yellow line (4) or other specific traffic marking applied to the road surface.
and a monitoring circuit (5) of which the input is in receipt of the signal from the sensor and the output is used to activate an alarm circuit (6) whenever the luminous signal is reflected from the line (4) or other road marking, characterized -in that it further comprises a second sensor (7) located in close proximity to and possessing the same technical and operating specifications as the first sensor (1) and directed likewise at the road surface (2); and -in that both sensors (1, 7) are connected to the inputs of a comparator circuit (8), of which the output signal activates the alarm circuit (6) each time the two electrical signals returned by the respective sensors become dissimilar by reason of different luminous intensities and/or wavelengths in the beam of light emitted from the source (3) and reflected from two different heterochromatic surfaces corresponding respectively to the bare road surface (2) and to a white or yellow line (4) or other specific traffic marking applied to the road surface.
2) An electronic device as in claim 1, wherein the first and second sensors (1, 7) are positioned one on each side of the light source (3) and disposed mutually parallel.
3) An electronic device as in claim 1, wherein the comparator circuit (8) consists in an integrated circuit of which the inputs are in receipt of the electrical signals from the first and the second sensor (1, 7).
4) An electronic device as in claim 1, wherein the comparator circuit (8) is located between the first and second sensors (1, 7) on the one hand, and on the other, the monitoring circuit (5) by which the alarm circuit (6) is activated.
5) An electronic device as in claim 1, wherein the output either of the monitoring circuit (5) or of the alarm circuit (6) is cascaded into a timer (11) of which the purpose is to trigger the operation of warning and/or safety systems of the truck (9) in the event of an alarm signal being emitted through the output of the monitoring circuit for a duration longer than a previously selected or predetermined limit.
6) An electronic device as in claim 1, wherein the first and second sensors (1, 7) and the light source (3) are mutually aligned in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the truck, one sensor on each side of the source, and mounted thus to a hollow bracket (12) suitable for fitment to the bottom front part of a truck and carrying an optical assembly (13), secured to its underside in alignment with the light source (3), by means of which to focus the beam (31) of light emitted by the source.
7) An electronic device as in claim 6, wherein the first and second sensors (l, 7) are accommodated internally of respective tubes (23) secured to the bracket (12), in such a way as to remain exposed only to the beam (31) of light emitted from the source (3) and reflected from the road surface (2) or from a white or yellow line (4) or other marking applied to the surface.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT3434A/90 | 1990-04-05 | ||
| IT3434A IT1238543B (en) | 1990-04-05 | 1990-04-05 | ELECTRONIC SAFETY DEVICE FOR VEHICLES PERFECTED. |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2039282A1 true CA2039282A1 (en) | 1991-10-06 |
Family
ID=11107305
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002039282A Abandoned CA2039282A1 (en) | 1990-04-05 | 1991-03-27 | Electronic safety device for trucks |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0451117A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH04271411A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU7409791A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2039282A1 (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1238543B (en) |
Families Citing this family (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1997017686A1 (en) * | 1995-11-06 | 1997-05-15 | Michel Cuvelier | Road monitoring device |
| GB2317009A (en) * | 1996-09-07 | 1998-03-11 | John Joseph Green | driver sleep warning system |
| AUPO324996A0 (en) * | 1996-10-28 | 1996-11-21 | Cubero, Samuel N. Jr. | Vehicle straying detector and alarm system |
| FR2821962B1 (en) * | 2001-03-08 | 2003-04-25 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | DEVICE FOR DETECTING A BEARING SURFACE AND VEHICLE USING SUCH A DEVICE |
| FR2821963B1 (en) * | 2001-03-08 | 2003-04-25 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | DEVICE FOR DETECTING A BEARING SURFACE AND VEHICLE USING SUCH A DEVICE |
| DE10135108B4 (en) * | 2001-04-23 | 2012-06-21 | Automotive Distance Control Systems Gmbh | Apparatus and method for lane detection |
| DE102004061822B4 (en) * | 2003-12-22 | 2018-10-31 | Volkswagen Ag | Method for detecting lane markings and driver assistance system |
| GB2410327A (en) * | 2004-01-21 | 2005-07-27 | Chi-Jui Huang | White line crossing warning device |
| GB2420404B (en) * | 2004-11-23 | 2010-06-16 | Chi-Jui Huang | Alerting system of a vehicle deviating from its traffic lane |
| CN106558229A (en) * | 2015-09-30 | 2017-04-05 | 中兴通讯股份有限公司 | A kind of control method and device |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4348652A (en) * | 1980-09-29 | 1982-09-07 | Robert R. Barnes | Driver alert system |
| WO1987002164A1 (en) * | 1985-09-27 | 1987-04-09 | Colin Richard Power | Device to facilitate improved road safety |
-
1990
- 1990-04-05 IT IT3434A patent/IT1238543B/en active IP Right Grant
-
1991
- 1991-03-26 EP EP19910830117 patent/EP0451117A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1991-03-27 CA CA002039282A patent/CA2039282A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1991-04-04 AU AU74097/91A patent/AU7409791A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1991-04-05 JP JP3100441A patent/JPH04271411A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| IT9003434A1 (en) | 1991-10-06 |
| IT9003434A0 (en) | 1990-04-05 |
| JPH04271411A (en) | 1992-09-28 |
| EP0451117A2 (en) | 1991-10-09 |
| AU7409791A (en) | 1991-10-10 |
| IT1238543B (en) | 1993-08-18 |
| EP0451117A3 (en) | 1992-10-07 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6552342B2 (en) | System for improving the visibility in vehicles | |
| EP0578413B1 (en) | Signalling means | |
| US6422728B1 (en) | Safety light | |
| KR101988108B1 (en) | Warning signal controlling device for blind zones when vehicles making a lane change | |
| CN100533748C (en) | Optical sensor device to be installed on board of a motor-vehicle for aid in driving and/or for automatic activation of systems provided on the motor-vehicle | |
| US5430625A (en) | Illumination system for enhanced control of vehicles | |
| EP0451117A2 (en) | An improved electronic safety device for trucks | |
| JP2007182214A (en) | Method for modulation-lighting road and headlight of automobile executing this method | |
| WO1990004528A1 (en) | Warning device in a motor vehicle for detection of unintentional change of course | |
| US20200361370A1 (en) | Vehicle visual signaling device | |
| JPH05185873A (en) | Illumination and display device for being used in fog | |
| SE9300661L (en) | Device for visually dependent control of the emission of light from fog lights in vehicles | |
| US3491334A (en) | Photosensitive automotive alarm device | |
| US20050073437A1 (en) | Pedestrian presence indicator | |
| GB2076042A (en) | Traffic markers | |
| US5984496A (en) | Lighted mirror assembly | |
| DE102004013252A1 (en) | Method and device for improving the visibility of a vehicle | |
| US20210188283A1 (en) | Apparatus and method for ascertaining information via reflection of both visible and non-visible wavelength light from a surface | |
| GB2204435A (en) | Vehicle anti-collision system | |
| US3565566A (en) | Aligning device for rear vision mirror | |
| US3657821A (en) | Vehicle orienting device and method | |
| KR200461262Y1 (en) | Vehicle safety travelling induction system | |
| GB2471034A (en) | Self-dimming mirror in a motor vehicle | |
| KR0145546B1 (en) | Line sensing device for a vehicle | |
| KR960008651A (en) | Traffic safety structure using laser or visible light |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |