CA2457977A1 - System and method for improving braking efficiency in vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

Brakes systems in vehicles, such as for example cars, have reached more or less the maximum possible efficiency within the normal principles of braking, which are based on applying a strong and efficient force on the vehicle's wheels.
Therefore, the wheels can be almost instantly stopped, but the problem is that the next weak link is the friction between the wheels and the road, so that for example stopping them too fast can cause skidding. In order to prevent skidding, ABS (Anti-lock Braking Systems) were introduced, based on a computer chip which senses when a wheel is locked up or is about to lock up. However, recent studies by insurance companies showed that there was no substantial difference in accident claims between vehicles equipped with ABS and those without ABS. Other systems have already been proposed for improving the human perception time and/or reaction time by using some automated system that can detect an imminent collision for example by sonar and thus for example warn the driver or automatically engage the brakes. The present invention shows solutions that reduce further also the braking time of the vehicle itself - by using a novel principle for stopping the car that is not solely dependent on stopping the wheels. This is done by using another force that reacts directly with the environment, preferably in addition to the normal braking of stopping the wheels.
This can be done for example by using a jet of preferably pressurized air that creates an additional thrust against the movement momentum of the vehicle. This way this can also help prevent for example skidding, since it is an additional direct force against the environment. Other possible variations are for example using some solid object that reacts directly with the road, such as for example some high friction anchor that can be dropped down, preferably automatically, in an emergency stop, or for example additional wheels with preferably very high friction which can be dropped down, preferably automatically, for emergency breaks.

Description

19/01/03 Yaron Mayer and Zeev Aviraz 1/27 System and method for imnrovinE braking efficiency in vehicles.
This Patent application claims priority from Israeli application 154022 of Jan. 19, 2003, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
This patent application also claims benefit and priority from the following US
Provisional patent application, hereby incorporated by reference in is entirety:
60/444,942 of Feb. 2, 2003.

19/01/03 Yaron Mayer and Zeev Aviraz 3/27 Background of the invention Field of the invention:
The present invention relates to vehicles, and more specifically to a System and method for improving braking efficiency in vehicles, so that the vehicle can stop faster, for example in emergency situations.
Background Brakes systems in vehicles, such as for example cars, have reached more or less the maximum possible efficiency within the normal principles of braking, which are based on applying a strong and efficient force on the vehicle's wheels.
According to a very good review at http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/techcenter/articles/43857/
article.html, the two main types of brakes in existence today are drum brakes and disc brakes, the 2°d of which is more efficient since it has more efficient heat dispersion efficiency, but both types have improved greatly in the last 20 years and have reached more or less the maximum theoretical efficiency. Therefore, the wheels can be almost instantly stopped, but the problem is that the next weak link is the friction between the wheels and the road, so that for example stopping them too fast can cause skidding. In order to prevent skidding, ABS (Anti-lock Braking Systems) were introduced, based on a computer chip which senses when a wheel is locked up, or is about to lock up.
When this occurs, the computer tells brake sensors to apply intermittent brake pressure, which prevents the wheel from locking. Essentially, the computer and brake sensors do exactly the same thing drivers would do if they pumped the brakes.
The only difference is that the computer-controlled sensors can pump the brakes much quicker than any person can. However, according to http://www.edmunds.com/
ownership/driving/articles/43814/article.html, recent studies by insurance companies showed that there was no substantial difference in accident claims between vehicles equipped with ABS and those without ABS. According to the article, "Why does the data indicate that ABS fails to reduce accidents? Safety experts have determined that 19/01/03 Yaron Mayer and Zeev Aviraz 4/27 people do not know how to use ABS effectively when confronted with an emergency situation. Most of the driving populace learned accident-avoidance techniques before ABS was developed. Drivers learned to pump their brakes to keep the wheels from skidding, and years of experience behind the wheel has taught drivers what the pedal should feel like, in emergency as well as non-emergency situations. The brake pedal of an ABS-equipped car behaves quite differently when ABS is engaged."
According to http://www.edmunds.com/ownersh~/drivin~/articles/43810/
article.html, for example stopping a vehicle that is traveling at 60 mph (88 feet per second) typically takes over four-and-a-half seconds and covers a distance of 271 feet (provided the brakes and tires are in fair working condition). According to this article, researchers estimate that this braking time is divided between the following 3 components as follows:
a. Perception time: The average amount of time it takes a driver to perceive a braking event. Researchers estimate this time at three-quarters of a second.
Therefore, at 60 mph, the car will have traveled 66 feet before the driver is even aware that he needs to slow down.
b. Human reaction time: Once the driver has recognized the need to brake, it still takes another three-quarters of a second to initiate a braking action -essentially, to move his foot from the gas pedal to the brake pedal. Another feet have gone by.
c. Actual braking time of the vehicle itself: it takes the car another 138 feet to come to a complete stop, in approximately 3.1 seconds. So from the time the driver perceives a braking situation until the time the car has come to a complete stop, a total of 4.6 seconds elapse, during which time the car travels over 270 feet, which almost the length of a football field.
At higher speeds and/or adverse road conditions these times further increase:
"Of course the faster you go, the more time and distance it takes to stop. For example, at 70 mph, perception and reaction distance equals 154 feet, and braking distance equals 188 feet, for a total of 342 feet (5.2 seconds). And ... at 80 mph it takes over 422 feet 19/01/03 Yaron Mayer and Zeev Aviraz 5/27 (5.7 seconds) to bring your vehicle to a halt, and at 90 mph more than 509 feet (6.2 seconds) -- nearly a tenth of a mile. There are other factors as well. Road conditions, for one. Different road surfaces present varied traction opportunities to the tires. The above computations were figured on dry pavement, for which we used an average braking rate (a combination of coefficient of friction and deceleration) of .870 g. But consider wet pavement. When inclement conditions present themselves, the braking rate drops considerably -- and the braking distance grows exponentially. On wet pavement, for example, the braking rate drops from .870 g to .600 g. At 60 mph, total elapsed braking time increases from 4.6 seconds to 6.1 seconds, and total braking distance shoots up from 271 feet to 333 feet. And it gets worse. In snowy conditions, even with snow tires (braking rate .300 g), total stopping time jumps to 10.6 seconds and 533 feet. As a basis of comparison, this is roughly the same distance --actually, a little further -- as the same vehicle coming to a complete stop from 90 mph on dry pavement, an effective doubling of the braking distance".
The implications of the above data are that in various situations accidents are unavoidable because the driver and the car simply cannot respond fast enough.
Various systems have already been proposed for improving the human perception time and/or reaction time by using some automated system that can detect an imminent collision for example by sonar and thus for example warn the driver or automatically engage the brakes. Such systems are still not available in normal cars, probably due to various problems of implementation, but will probable be implemented in the future. Therefore, it would be desirable to find also ways to reduce the braking time of the vehicle itself.
Summary of the invention The present invention tries to solve the above problems by using a novel principle for stopping the car that is not solely dependent on stopping the wheels. This is done by using another force that reacts directly with the environment, preferably in addition to the normal braking of stopping the wheels. This can be done for example by using 19/01/03 Yaron Mayer and Zeev Aviraz 6/27 a jet of preferably pressurized air that creates an additional thrust against the movement momentum of the vehicle. This way this can also help prevent for example skidding, since it is an additional direct force against the environment.
Another possible variation could be to use for example some solid object that reacts directly for example with the road, such as for example some high friction anchor that can be dropped down in an emergency stop and for example remains connected to the vehicle by some strong wire or chain, but that could be problematic since such an anchor can tear down the road and also might behave unexpectedly according to bumps or holes in the road. However, this solution might be for example very useful if the car is about to roll down from a cliff. Another possible variation is that the car's system preferably automatically drops down for example one or more high friction elements or structures, preferably near the back wheels of the car, which then for example become in contact with the road instead of or in addition to the normal wheels (depending for example on whether they protrude lower than the back wheels). These friction elements can be for example some wheels (for example rubber wheels) with preferably very high friction (so that a large force is needed in order to allow them to turn) or for example some more stationary structure, for example rubber structure, for example with protrusions that create additional friction with the road, or any other structure that can create additional friction directly with the road. The dropping down of this structure or elements can be for example by releasing a lever and/or a spring and/or for example some hydraulic mechanism, so that preferably immediately the structure moves from a position where its bottom part is away from the ground to a position where it touches the road directly and preferably it immediately becomes locked in this new position. By increasing the number of for example such high friction wheels or elements, the stability of the car during the braking can be even further increased. Such elements can preferably be used multiple times before needing some maintenance after emergency braking with them. As explained below, these anchor or other friction elements and/or any of the other solutions described in this invention preferably can be automatically activated by the system when imminent collision is sensed and/or the driver can choose to activate them himself (However, as explained below, preferably other conditions are also 19/01/03 Yaron Mayer and Zeev Aviraz 7/27 taken into account, such as for example the distance and/or speed of the car or cars that are behind driver's car). Another possible variation is to use for example some liquid, such as for example water, which can also be for example thrown out by strong air pressure, but using only air is easier since it requires less maintenance.
Another possible variation is for example preferably automatically releasing one or more parachutes for example at the back of the car and/or for example automatically lifting for example from the car's roof one or more elements (such as for example an upright wall or for example a concave object) that immediately create much more air resistance.
The use of the pressurized air jet or stream as an aid to increase stopping speed can be accomplished in at least one of the following preferable ways:
1. Preferably there are one or more pressurized air tanks which are preferably within or below the car's chassis, and which are preferably normally filled up by the car's mechanics during normal operation. The air tanks are preferably filled for example by a compressor that works on the car engine's power and/or for example takes electrical energy from the alternator. Another possible variation is that the filling of the air tank is optimized so that it is done for example more at times when the car in going down-hill so that the energy can even use the gravity effect, and less for example when the car is going up-hill. For example the new CityCAT
car that runs on pressurized air (described for example at http://www.suitelOl.com/ article.cfm/upwards mobility/8288) will use a compressed air tank of 3,200 cubic feet at 4,500 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) that enables according to their specifications a maximum speed of 60 mph, with a range of 120 miles or 10 hours, and acceleration time from 0 to 30 mph in less than 3 seconds. So although the CityCAT car uses the energy from the air pressure much more efficiently by directly activating cylinders with it, braking for example from 60 mph to 0 for example in 1.5 seconds (preferably together with the normal braking powers of the wheel 19/01/03 Yaron Mayer and Zeev Aviraz 8/27 brakes), should need much less pressurized air than the CityCAT.
Preferably, the vehicle's system automatically decides when the use of the air pressure for emergency brake in needed (and/or for any other auxiliary braking power), for example by combination with an automatic sensing system for imminent collision (which preferably takes into consideration distance and speed, preferably of both the user's car and of the objects if front of it) and/or for example by detecting the amount of force with which the driver is trying to press the brakes and preferably also taking into account the current speed of the car. The tank or tanks can for example have sufficient air pressure for one emergency brake, which means that they are preferably immediately refilled after such brake, or for example have a capacity for more than one emergency brake before needing to be recharged. Preferably at least two such tanks are used, in order to increase the stability of the car, and preferably additional sensors can sense for example the weight at each side of the car (for example depending on passenger distribution in the car) and/or sense for example if the car begins to rotate sideways during applying the air jets, and preferably the relative speeds of release of the air jets can be preferably automatically adjusted between the two sides to maintain stability. The direction of the air jets can be for example at 45 degrees (or any other convenient angle) for example downwards and forwards, but the downwards direction is problematic because it creates a lifting force which decreases the friction between the wheels and the road and therefore can at the same time reduce the efficiency of the normal braking force. Another possible variation is to direct the air jets for example only slightly downwards and mostly forwards, so preferably the jets come out at the front of the car. Another possible variation is to direct the air jets for example mainly forwards (and/or also for example with some angle to the sides), which has also the advantage that, if for example a child runs in front of the car, it can also throw the child away instead of hitting him, and if for example the driver is about to collide with the car in front of him, this can also apply direct force 19/01/03 Yaron Mayer and Zeev Aviraz 9/27 for separating between the two cars. Another possible variation is to add for example in addition or instead external airbags to cars (for example on the front and/or on the back and/or even for example on the corners or and/or on the sides), so that these bags can preferably be automatically activated for example by sensors of high proximity and high speed and thus are preferably opened in time before the collision. Another possible variation is to use for example some strong magnetic or electromagnetic force, so that for example all cars preferably have the same strong charge for example on the front and/or the back and/or the sides (which can for example automatically be activated when an imminent collision is sensed, so that the magnetic repulsion between charges of the same sign can preferably create a strong repulsion before the cars actually touch each other). Another possible variation is to direct the air jets for example upwards and forwards (for example at 45 degrees, or any other convenient angle), thus increasing also the weight on the wheels and improving the friction between the wheels and the road. However in this case the air tanks are preferably on the roof of the car or for example preferably strong pipes lead from their position, for example below the car, upwards. Preferably in all of the above variations the car's hull is properly strengthened at least in the most relevant areas in order to accommodate for the pressures on the hull that the release of the air jets can create. Another possible variation is to use for example some combination of the above directions. Also, preferably the air tanks are protected within additional containers and/or are designed so that in case of for example being hit by another car, they will break apart and/or release the air only in specific directions, so as not to endanger the passengers.

2. Another possible variation is to use for example one or more preferably half rocket engines, preferably on top of the car so that for example some mixture of fuel and pressurized air (preferably together with water - to reduce temperatures) is used in such emergency brakes, which can thus 19/01/03 Yaron Mayer and Zeev Aviraz 10/27 considerably decrease the amount of pressurized air needed. However, in this case more maintenance is needed, and also the jets are preferably always directed only forwards and upwards (for example at 45 degrees) since for example directing it straight forwards could cause burning or injury for example to persons in front of the car.

3. Another possible variation is using this for example in combination with various methods for absorbing the energy during the vehicle's braking, which can thus improve the efficiency of the braking and also preferably can be used for reusing at least some of this energy when resuming the driving. For example, according to httn://www.abc.net.aul7.30/
s665251.htm, there is a new system called Permo-Drive pump, which sits in the middle of a truck's drive chain, and when the truck has to brake, the pump engages, drawing energy from the drive shaft, pushing hydraulic oil into a storage system called accumulators. When the driver hits the accelerator, the energy stored in the accumulators is transferred back to the drive chain, pushing the vehicle forward.

4. Another possible variation could be for example directing air jets from pressurized air tanks onto any appropriate protrusions and/or dentures attached to the wheels (for example air-rotor wheels coupled to the wheels) but that would mainly be a waste of energy since applying it directly to the wheels does not solve the problem of the friction between the wheels and the road, and is much less efficient than applying the force to the wheels directly for example through disk brakes. On the other hand it can help for example cool the heat generated by the friction.

5. On the other hand, the faster braking time can have other adverse consequences, such as for example increasing the chance for injury or shock to the passengers of the car, since for example a normal braking from 60 mph at 3 seconds since the time the brakes were pressed creates on the 19/01/03 Yaron Mayer and Zeev Aviraz 11/27 passengers a pressure of approximately 8g, whereas for example reducing the actual breaking time to half can create for example the pressure of 16g, which can be much more dangerous. Also, if the car after you does not have a similar system, it increases the risk that the next car will bump into a car that stopped faster by using this system. Therefore, another possible variation is to use the emergency air jets for example only if the system automatically detects for example that the road conditions are worse than usual or for example that the slowing down is less efficient than normally and/or for example that the car is skidding. In case the system detects that the car is skidding for example when the braking is done at a fast speed during a turn and the road is slippery, another possible variation is that air jets can be, preferably automatically, used for example, instead or in addition, sideways, in order to preferably immediately correct the sideways skidding or rotation when needed. This can be done for example by having at least one additional air tank that is directed sideways at the right side and at the left side for example at the lower part of the car, and/or for example using flexible pipes (or pipes with a hinge) that can be quickly rotated and/or using for example more than one sideways pipe connected to each side tank. Preferably there are at least two side pipes usable at each side, one near the front of the car and one near the back of the car, so that the system can preferably instantly regulate the air jet forces in each of them in order to balance the a sideways skidding or rotation of the car. Another possible variation is that this balancing is automatically done by balancing the forces between pipes that release the air jets forwards, as explained in clause 1 above. Another possible variation is that when skidding occurs the system can for example automatically activate an element that creates sideways movement by interaction with the road, for example by lowering additional balls or wheels which rotate sideways. (The use of balls has the advantage that they can rotate sideways without disturbing their ability to rotate also in the forward direction. If for example wheels that rotate sideways are lowered in such cases, preferably they are covered for 19/01/03 Yaron Mayer and Zeev Aviraz 12/27 example by rotate-able beads, so that while the special wheels are rotating sideways they can preferably also roll forward by the beads that surround them). Another possible variation is that for example the back wheels can also be rotated like the front wheels, thus allowing the driver more flexibility in stabilizing any side movements (this has also the advantage of enabling much more maneuverability for example when entering or exiting from parking). Another possible variation is that the car's system automatically senses (for example by using ultrasound and/or GPS andlor electromagnetic waves or any other means for remote sensing) at what distance and/or speed the next car is after the user's car, and for example takes that into consideration too, in order to decide how dangerous a faster brake would be. Another possible variation is that there is for example some automatic wireless communication or other type of instant communication between the braking systems preferably in all cars (for example even cars that don't have the emergency braking system installed), so that the car's system can for example instantly produce an alert sound and/or for example automatically apply the brakes when it knows that the car in front is braking fast. This automatic communication is preferably broadcast immediately between cars as soon as for example brakes on the car in front are pressed or for example as soon as they are pressed for example beyond a certain strength for example in the car in front, and/or if fast braking occurs for example in the car in front. Preferably this automatic communication includes digital and/or analog information about the speed and/or location of the car (for example by using GPS) and/or of the strength in which the brakes have been pressed and/or for example the speed of deceleration. Another possible variation is that upon starting the emergency brake, the car's system for example automatically for example starts transmitting a preferably strong warning sound to the driver behind, so that he may notice the fast breaking sooner. Another possible variation is to use for example some automatic communication between the systems of two or more cars that are about to collide so that the maneuvers of the cars are 19/01/03 Yaron Mayer and Zeev Aviraz 13/27 preferably automatically coordinated with each other, so that for example if one car tries to move away in one direction the other car will try to move away in another direction, etc. Another possible variation is for example using automatic sensing on the lower back part of the car that can warn the driver if he is about to collide with someone or something while doing reverse, since in most cars there are at least some blind-spots in the back (and/or for example allowing the driver to view these blind spots for example by video or for example by a periscope-like set of mirrors). Of course, these features of automatic communication between cars and/or sensing and taking into consideration the car that is approaching from behind the user's car, and/or other features, can be used also independently of any other features of this invention. Another possible variation is to allow for example some automatic movement of the seats for example a small distance forwards during the brake, so as to decrease a little the speed of deceleration for the passengers. Another possible variation is that the air jets are used for reducing the braking time by only a smaller factor, so that for example it is reduced only from 3 to 2 seconds at 60 mph instead of from 3 to 1.5. Another possible variation is that the system itself, for example by proximity and/or speed sensors, automatically decides for example how much air pressure to use and/or how much pressure to apply with the normal brakes. Of course, various combinations of the above and other variations can also be used, both within the above clauses and across clauses.
Definitions and clarification All the drawings are just exemplary diagrams. They should not be interpreted as literal positioning, shapes, angles, or sizes of the various elements.
Throughout the patent whenever variations or various solutions are mentioned, it is also possible to use various combinations of these variations or of elements in them, and when combinations are used, it is also possible to use at least some elements 19/01/03 Yaron Mayer and Zeev Aviraz 14/27 in them separately or in other combinations. These variations can be in different embodiments, and/or in different versions of the software, and/or sometimes different options available to choose from. In other words: certain features of the invention, which are described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are described in the content of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.
Brief descriution of the drawings Figs. la-b show a few examples of preferable configurations of the air tanks.
Fig. 2 shows a preferable example of applying air jets directly to the wheels.
Detailed descriution of the preferred embodiments All of descriptions in this and other sections (including in the summary) are intended to be illustrative examples and not limiting.
Referring to Figs. la-b, we show a few examples of preferable configurations of the air tanks. In this example we show a bottom view of 2 air tanks ( 1 Oa & l Ob), which are filled by pressure tubes ( 11 a and 11 b) through compressor 12. In this example the air jets (13a & 13b) are released at the direction of the travel, and thus exert an opposite force on the car. As explained in the summary, the jets can be also in other directions, such as for example instead directed in a combined direction of forwards and upwards, so that they also increase the fi~iction between the wheels and the road, but in that case preferably the pipes go to the top of the car and/or for example each air tank terminates in more than one pipe, so that the pipes are distributed in a way that keeps more balance, and/or for example more air tanks axe used. Fig. 1b shows a side view wherein the car (9) has air release pipes (only two of which are shown -14a &14b) which go upwards, to release the jets in a combination of forwards and 19/01/03 Yaron Mayer and Zeev Aviraz 15/27 upwards motions. Although the two air release pipes are shown externally for clarity, they are preferably installed internally or within the hull of the car.
Preferably the jets are thrown out for example both at the top back of the car and at the top front of the car in order to prevent a rotation force that might capsize the car - for example 4 jets (13a-13d), each at one corner of the car's roof, each at some angle combining preferably forwards and upwards. Another possible variation is that the containers are filled at least partially by exhaust from the car, instead of or in addition to air from the compressor, however that might have undesirable pollution side-effects, so this is preferably accompanied by appropriate filtering, preferably during condensing it.
Referring to Fig. 2, we show a preferable example of applying air jets directly to the wheels. In this example we show a bottom view of 4 pressurized air tanks (l0a-lOd), which are filled by pressure tubes 1 la-1 1d. Each of the wheels (15a-15d) has attached to it in this example a smaller-diameter winged wheel (16a-16d), and when air pressure is released from the pressurized air tanks (l0a-lOd), it directly affects the appropriate winged wheel respectively. This can have the further advantage that it can help cool the wheel during braking, thus improving also the efficiency of the normal brakes. In order to enable this preferably the winged wheels and the neighboring parts are good heat conductors, such as for example metal. In this implementation the air pressure can be used for example also as an assistant in normal braking instead of or in addition to use in emergency brakes. Preferably the direction of the released air jets is again in the direction of the traveling, so that the part of the air stream that misses the wheels has also a direct affect against the direction of traveling. This means that the jets are preferably directed at the bottom half of each wheel, below its axis of rotation.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications, expansions and other applications of the invention may be made which are included within the scope of the present invention, as would be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Claims (75)

1. A braking system for vehicles that travel on wheels comprising a mechanism for applying a force that reacts directly with the environment.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said force is used in addition to applying a stopping force against the wheels.

3. The system of any of the above claims wherein said force that reacts with the environment is applied by using at least one of:
a. At least one jet of gas.
b. At least one jet of fluids.
c. At least one solid object that directly reacts with at least one of the road and the surrounding air.
d. Using external airbags on the front and/or on the back and/or the corners or and/or on the sides of the car, which can be automatically activated by sensors before the collision.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein an air jet is released that creates an additional thrust against the movement momentum of the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein a high friction anchor is used that can be dropped down in an emergency stop.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said anchor remains connected to the vehicle by some strong wire or chain

7. The system of claim 3 wherein a liquid is used, which is expelled by strong air pressure.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said liquid is water.

9. The system of claim 3 wherein an object that creates more friction with the air is put into action during braking.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said object is at least one of a parachute and a protruding object that creates air friction.

11. The system of any of the above claims wherein at least one pressurized air tank is used.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein at least one of the following features exist:
a. Said air tanks are within or below the car's chassis.
b. Said air tanks are normally filled up by the car's mechanics during normal operation.
c. Said air tanks are filled a compressor that works on at least one of: the car engine's power and electrical energy from the alternator.
d. The filling of the air tanks is optimized so that it is done more at times when the car in going down-hill so that the energy.
e. The air tanks have sufficient air pressure for at least one emergency brake.
f. At least two such tanks are used in order to increase the stability of the car.

13. The system of any of the above claims wherein the vehicle's system automatically decides when the use of the emergency brake in needed, by at least one of:
a. An automatic sensing system for imminent collision which takes into consideration speed and distance b. Detecting the force with which the driver is trying to press the brakes.
c. Detecting skidding of the car.
d. Taking into account the current speed of the car.

14. The system of any of the above claims wherein a rocket type engine with fuel is used for creating the air jets.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said engine is a half-rocket engine and air pressure and water are also used.

16. The system of any of the above claims wherein at least two jet sources are used and additional sensors are used to automatically adjust the forces between them to maintain stability.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said sensors can sense at least one of: The weight at each side of the car, and if the car begins to rotate sideways during applying the jets.

18. The system of any of the above claims wherein the direction of the jets is at least one of:
a. At an angle downwards and forwards.
b. Only slightly downwards and mostly forwards.
c. Mainly forwards, so that the force can react also with the object with which the vehicle is about to collide.
d. Upwards and forwards, thus increasing also the weight on the wheels and improving the friction between the wheels and the road.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the jet sources are on the roof of the car or pipes lead from their position upwards

20. The system of any of the above claims wherein the car's hull is properly strengthened at least in the most relevant areas in order to accommodate for the pressures on the hull that the release of the jets can create.

21. The system of any of the above claims wherein the air tanks are protected within additional containers and/or are designed so that in case of being damaged, they will break apart and/or release the air only in specific directions, so as not to endanger the passengers.

22. The system of any of the above claims wherein methods for absorbing the energy during the vehicle's braking are also used, which can thus improve the efficiency of the braking and also can be used for reusing at least some of this energy when resuming the driving.

23. The system of any of the above claims wherein air jets from pressurized air tanks can also be directed onto appropriate protrusions and/or dentures attached to the wheels.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein said jets are released in the direction of the movement of the vehicle and applied to the wheels below their axis of rotation.

25. The system of any of the above claims wherein the emergency air jets are used only if the system automatically detects that the road conditions are worse than usual or that the slowing down is less efficient than normally.

26. The system of any of the above claims wherein some automatic movement of the seats forwards during the brake is allowed, so as to decrease a little the speed of deceleration for the passengers.

27. The system of any of the above claims wherein the jets are used for reducing the braking time by only a small factor, so that the passengers are not exposed to too rapid deceleration.

28. The system of any of the above claims wherein the system itself automatically decides how much air pressure to use and/or how much pressure to apply with the normal brakes.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein these decisions are based on at least one of speed and proximity sensors.

30. The system of any of the above claims wherein 4 jets are used, each at one corner of the car's roof, each at some angle combining forwards and upwards.

31. A braking method for vehicles that travel on wheels based on applying a force that reacts directly with the environment.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein said force is used in addition to applying a stopping force against the wheels.

33. The method of any of the above claims wherein said force that reacts with the environment is applied by using at least one of:
a. At least one jet of gas.
b. At least one jet of fluids.
c. At least one solid object that directly reacts with at least one of the road and the surrounding air.

d. Using external airbags on the front and/or on the back and/or the corners or and/or on the sides of the car, which can be automatically activated by sensors before the collision.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein an air jet is released that creates an additional thrust against the movement momentum of the vehicle.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein a high friction anchor is used that can be dropped down in an emergency stop.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein said anchor remains connected to the vehicle by some strong wire or chain

37. The method of claim 33 wherein a liquid is used, which is expelled by strong air pressure.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein said liquid is water.

39. The method of claim 33 wherein an object that creates more friction with the air is put into action during braking.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein said object is at least one of a parachute and a protruding object that creates air friction.

41. The method of any of the above claims wherein at least one pressurized air tank is used.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein at least one of the following features exist:
a. Said air tanks are within or below the car's chassis.
b. Said air tanks are normally filled up by the car's mechanics during normal operation.
c. Said air tanks are filled a compressor that works on at least one of: the car engine's power and electrical energy from the alternator.
d. The filling of the air tanks is optimized so that it is done more at times when the car in going down-hill so that the energy.
e. The air tanks have sufficient air pressure for at least one emergency brake.

f. At least two such tanks are used in order to increase the stability of the car.

43. The method of any of the above claims wherein the vehicle's method automatically decides when the use of the emergency brake in needed, by at least one of:
a. An automatic sensing method for imminent collision which takes into consideration speed and distance b. Detecting the force with which the driver is trying to press the brakes.
c. Detecting skidding of the car.
d. Taking into account the current speed of the car.

44. The system of any of the above claims wherein a rocket type engine with fuel is used for creating the air jets.

45. The system of claim 44 wherein said engine is a half-rocket engine and air pressure and water are also used.

46. The system of any of the above claims wherein at least two jet sources are used and additional sensors are used to automatically adjust the forces between them to maintain stability.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein said sensors can sense at least one of: The weight at each side of the car, and if the car begins to rotate sideways during applying the jets.

48. The method of any of the above claims wherein the direction of the jets is at least one of:
a. At an angle downwards and forwards.
b. Only slightly downwards and mostly forwards.
c. Mainly forwards, so that the force can react also with the object with which the vehicle is about to collide.
d. Upwards and forwards, thus increasing also the weight on the wheels and improving the friction between the wheels and the road.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein the jet sources are on the roof of the car or pipes lead from their position upwards

50. The method of any of the above claims wherein the car's hull is properly strengthened at least in the most relevant areas in order to accommodate for the pressures on the hull that the release of the jets can create.

51. The method of any of the above claims wherein the air tanks are protected within additional containers and/or are designed so that in case of being damaged, they will break apart and/or release the air only in specific directions, so as not to endanger the passengers.

52. The method of any of the above claims methods for absorbing the energy during the vehicle's braking are also used, which can thus improve the efficiency of the braking and also can be used for reusing at least some of this energy when resuming the driving.

53. The method of any of the above claims wherein air jets from pressurized air tanks can also be directed onto appropriate protrusions and/or dentures attached to the wheels.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein said jets are released in the direction of the movement of the vehicle and applied to the wheels below their axis of rotation.

55. The method of any of the above claims wherein the emergency air jets are used only if the method automatically detects that the road conditions are worse than usual or that the slowing down is less efficient than normally.

56. The method of any of the above claims wherein some automatic movement of the seats forwards during the brake is allowed, so as to decrease a little the speed of deceleration for the passengers.

57. The method of any of the above claims wherein the jets are used for reducing the braking time by only a small factor, so that the passengers are not exposed to too rapid deceleration.

58. The method of any of the above claims wherein the method itself automatically decides how much air pressure to use and/or how much pressure to apply with the normal brakes.

59. The method of claim 58 wherein these decisions are based on at least one of speed and proximity sensors.

60. The method of any of the above claims wherein 4 jets are used, each at one corner of the car's roof, each at some angle combining forwards and upwards.

61. The system of claim 3 wherein the car can drop down at least one high friction structure or element that then becomes in contact with the road.

62. The system of claim 61 wherein at least one of the following features exist:
a. Said element or structure is dropped near the back wheels of the car.
b. Said element or structure becomes in contact with the road instead of or in addition to the back wheels c. Said element or structure is wheels with high friction.
d. Said element or structure is some more stationary structure.
e. Said stationary structure is with protrusions that create additional friction with the road f. The dropping down of this structure or elements is by releasing at least one of a lever and spring and hydraulic mechanism so that immediately the structure moves from a position where its bottom part is away from the ground to a position where it touches the road g. When dropped down said element or structure immediately becomes locked in this new position.

63. The method of claim 33 wherein the car can drop down at least one high friction structure or element that then becomes in contact with the road.

64. The method of claim 63 wherein at least one of the following features exist:
a. Said element or structure is dropped near the back wheels of the car.
b. Said element or structure becomes in contact with the road instead of or in addition to the back wheels c. Said element or structure is wheels with high friction.
d. Said element or structure is some more stationary structure.
e. Said stationary structure is with protrusions that create additional friction with the road f. The dropping down of this structure or elements is by releasing at least one of a lever and spring and hydraulic mechanism so that immediately the structure moves from a position where its bottom part is away from the ground to a position where it touches the road g. When dropped down said element or structure immediately becomes locked in this new position.

65. The system of any of the above claims wherein the car's system automatically senses at what distance and/or speed the next car is after the user's car, and takes that into consideration in order to decide how dangerous a faster brake would be.

66. The system of any of the above claims wherein there are automatic wireless communications between cars so that the car's system can instantly produce an alert sound and/or automatically apply the brakes when it knows that the car in front is braking fast.

67. The system of claim 66 wherein the automatic communication is broadcast immediately between cars as soon as at least one of:
a. The brakes on the car in front are pressed.
b. The brakes on the car in front are pressed beyond a certain strength.
c. Fast braking occurs in the car in front.
d. This automatic communication includes digital and/or analog information about the speed and/or location of the car and/or of the strength in which the brakes have been pressed and/or the speed of deceleration.

68. The system of any of the above claims wherein upon starting the emergency brake, the car's system automatically starts transmitting a warning sound to the driver behind, so that he may notice the fast breaking sooner.

69. The method of any of the above claims wherein the car's system automatically senses at what distance and/or speed the next car is after the user's car, and takes that into consideration in order to decide how dangerous a faster brake would be.

70. The method of any of the above claims wherein there are automatic wireless communications between cars so that the car's system can instantly produce an alert sound and/or automatically apply the brakes when it knows that the car in front is braking fast.

71. The method of claim 70 wherein the automatic communication is broadcast immediately between cars as soon as at least one of:
a. The brakes on the car in front are pressed.
b. The brakes on the car in front are pressed beyond a certain strength.
c. Fast braking occurs in the car in front.
d. This automatic communication includes digital and/or analog information about the speed and/or location of the car and/or of the strength in which the brakes have been pressed and/or the speed of deceleration.

72. The method of any of the above claims wherein upon starting the emergency brake, the car's system automatically starts transmitting a warning sound to the driver behind, so that he may notice the fast breaking sooner.

73. The system of any of the above claims wherein if the system detects that the car is skidding, air jets can be automatically used sideways, in order to correct a sideways skidding or rotation.

74. The system of claim 73 wherein there is at least one additional air jet exit pipe at each side of the car, so that the system can instantly regulate the air jet forces in each of them in order to balance a sideways skidding or rotation of the car.

75. The system of any of the above claims wherein automatic communication is used between the systems of two or more cars that are about to collide so that the maneuvers of the cars are automatically coordinated with each other.