DE10042428A1 - Rear impact prevention signal controller for driving in fog has electronic controller with sensors for space in front of/following vehicle that derives speed-dependent distance values - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an electronic controller with sensors for the space immediately in front of and following the vehicle that determines distance limit values and/or speed differences relative to a vehicle and derives speed-dependent distance values and coverts these to sound and light signals at the correct time. Driver intervention is exercised with a rotary switch with priority to meet the various road traffic requirements.

Description

It is the purpose of this invention for fog driving on Road traffic to create a ramp signal control that for a so-called rear stop signal horn a better and has more appropriate efficiency.

It has been in a wide variety of disciplines for some time electronic distance measuring systems or distance controllers and viewing devices. For poor visibility Nisse and fog driving is the one mentioned for road traffic Collision signal horn known by this invention to be fundamentally improved because they are next to theirs quite positive qualities three serious disadvantages exhibits: (see D.G.B.M. 299 18 737.3).

• 1. The driver of a vehicle with the rear stop signal horn can only be controlled by manual control in foggy situations following vehicles traveling faster, the necessary Exceed safety distance, do not perceive and therefore in this traffic situation before driving onto its own Do not warn the vehicle.
• 2. Another disadvantage is that in the rear stop signal horn Direction of travel only a damage-limiting opening switch and there is no preventive accident prevention facility.
• 3. There are then superfluous or interfering warning signals unavoidable if the in a collision signal vehicle Speed is reduced because of a danger and no Vehicle follows.

The invention relates to an electronic and manual Combined ascent stop signal control, which occurs during an ascent stopsignalhupeinrichtung avoids the disadvantages mentioned.

The constructive concept for an electronic and manual double or single control. In this context is the use of one independent of this invention Viewing device in the direction of travel is the reason for the simple control.  

As soon as an electronic control system designed in this way comes into operation , it has three basic tasks to be performed by the Vehicle operators completely or partially through manual intervention can be exposed.

• 1. An alarm function in one or two directions when one Predefined programmed distance limit as the last barrier Is exceeded.
• 2. The continuous conversion of all speed sub different, especially increased speed differences, in a possibly greater warning distance due to constant time-dependent Distance measurements and the associated possible Determination of a warning distance which the programmed Exceed distance values.
• 3. The switching function for one or two artificial distance show - by light strips with individual light bulbs or as a light rod by an optically larger or smaller Pillar of light - at the right time.

When using an electronic control without a view there is a sensor on the front and rear of the vehicle, whose information is evaluated independently of one another. An acoustic fog horn counteracts the direction of travel and an acoustic signal for the vehicle in the direction of travel interior switched on at exactly the right time.

Such an electronic control system makes it possible for the Column traffic with and without successor distances kept can be that are only so large that with different Fog banks do not keep other vehicles in the distance drive gaps and thereby a dangerous disorder create.

Vehicles that run at exactly the same speed move, cannot come up even with the smallest distance, therefore this invention will to the greatest extent Elimination and immediate reporting of the speed strived for differences.

For missed or unpredictable speed differences the collision switch of the collision signal horn sounds as Damage limiter in place now in the circuit of the new control is integrated and the Nebelharn or a other car horn can switch on fully automatically.

If the desired distance to the previous driver in a Column becomes too small, sounds in the vehicle interior acoustic signal that can be designed so that it is always gets louder with the risk of a collision. This is particularly advantageous because the vehicle driver It is made clear that the speed is only something  can reduce or directly initiate a halting process. Of course, these sound signals can be according to the invention additionally illustrated and redesigned with light strips become.

The same applies to the Nebelhorn or another ge suitable car horn. The different speeds Requirements can also be adjusted through different volumes and / or by interval levels and especially by that Illumination of the individual light bar lamps etc. ver become clear. Different sound levels are natural also an additional solution.

It is particularly advantageous that such an electro African control with the rear stop signal horn the sound signals only have to sound when there are actual dangers.

So that the user (s) is as fail-safe as possible Manufacture control units with relatively uncomplicated components or can commission, is according to the invention by additional higher-level rotary switches for various purposes and traffic situations only the unwanted information made manually switchable.

In the traffic situation 1 "Rolling column with successor" is the rotary switch z. B. On and nothing is off on. This switchgear station is of course also for the basic commissioning of the rear stop signal horn pre see. Only in fog or poor visibility activation is intended. Regardless of activation of course, only the switching station on which is set.

In the traffic situation 2 "Rolling column without successor" The electronic recognizes the measuring range against the direction of travel Range finder immediately when an approaching vehicle succeeds and the distance device calculates the possible Speed difference and get the right one To determine the time of warning. Vehicles that deal with a much higher speed from behind a rolling Column approaching are earlier in front of one Risk of collision warned. If a vehicle is almost with the Column speed gradually approaches, only becomes almost at Exceeding the specified or programmed security distance the warning signal is switched on.

In traffic situation 3 for driving or "moving up in a traffic jam" is such a manual switching function from the driver see. By turning the rotary switch towards off with the "Double arrow symbol" also takes place with the smallest distance in No vehicle interior and rear through the fog horn Sound signal, but the light bar signals are retained. By turning the rotary switch back to On, the reason legendary function put back into operation.  

For traffic situation 4 and 5 "moving up at the end of the traffic jam" and "traffic jam standing column" is the actuation of the Turn the rotary switch to off with the "arrow symbol forward" in front seen. After turning on this switch station is also done almost no distance to the front and a vehicle-free one Road to the rear no unwanted sound signal when driving inside and through the fog.

The function of the light lamps through the light strips remains however in operation. Regardless of that is a constantly working Readiness for measurement of a suddenly following vehicle in Force. Due to the possible speed difference here too, the electronic timing of the warning be determined.

Traffic situation 6 and 7 "successor" in heavy fog do without a distance and spasmodically on the rear view drive or "successors who simply ignore the warning signal". In these cases the rotary switch is set to Off with provided the arrow symbol to the rear. This substation is good for avoiding ineffective sounding.

The traffic situation 8 "early car protection" is an additional one Liche facility regardless of the weather. By Turning the rotary switch to the horn symbol takes place independently from a vehicle distance the sound from the fog or a suitable car horn. By turning back the rotary switch to another desired position, this particular one Warning tone setting switched off again.

The "early car protection" function is used e.g. B. needed if the car due to a technical defect or vehicle driver failure remains in a confusing curve. Until the warning triangle is taken out of the car and removed Is transported to the installation site by switching on the Horn station with a sound symbol advantageously the Occupants and the defective vehicle secured and the successor vehicles from a possible rear-end collision.

If, instead of the front distance measurement, a viewing device is used for all manual switching functions Rotary switch with a reduced switching function and only one Light bar provided. The electronic function or distance Measurement in the direction of travel is of course also omitted in this case.

Replaced in thick fog and poor visibility the rear stop signal horn the so important stop or brake light signal and sometimes also the hazard warning signal. Selbstverständ Lich every motor vehicle driver can in on a sound signal In the form of a foghorn or other suitable car hupton react as well as to a brake light signal or warning blinklicht signal.  

According to the safety distance display with one or two light bars an additional effective Tools for an effective orientation in the dense Fog. Because the driver in terms of lighting up lined up lights a changeable distance symbol true is the distance to drive in front of and behind it easy to assess the road user. In this way it can be broken up by the luminous or non-luminous lined up lamps determine his required action, even if he is the involved vehicles of road users can't see.

The light bar, which shows the distance to the previous driver, enables him to move at the same speed even in thick fog driving ability that the road user drives in front of him. If the safety distance has just been exceeded, two light up The lamp and the interior signal sound. When disappearance of one of the two lamp lights and the interior signal is correct the specified safety distance.

If the interior signal is distracting, the driver can due to the advantageous manual switching option, of course by switching to the substation with the "arrow symbol forward "turn off the interior signal and its desired speed between the first and second Always hold the light lamp.

The light bar, creating the safety distance from the successor vehicle is displayed, shows when two lights come on Chen that that calculated by the electronic control Safety distance or as the last symbolic barrier of predetermined safety distance at this point is taken. The same control point switches as a warning before another crossing for the followers the fog horn or another suitable car horn. If everyone or almost all the lights are on, is the necessary safety measure stood far too low and continued unchanged very much dangerous.

If the successor ignores the warning signal, it sounds Warning sound continues until the driver of the vehicle with the stop signal horn turn the rotary switch to off with the Arrow icon sets backwards to pass the fog horn going off or off entirely. It is favorable that this results in a unsuccessful sound distribution can be set.

Because in the vehicle interior through the light bar even in dense Fog continuously threatens the risk of insufficient security distance is visible, the switch can be turned back be or z. B. be placed on the symbol of the horn again to warn the following of that the driveway is too close.  

In the electronic control, which in combination with is operated with a front-facing display device of course a light bar and all functions forward are directed.

According to the electronic control described can of course also be designed as a cheap product. In this Fall could already be done with programmed security Satisfy distance values. Furthermore there is of course also the possibility of these programmed safety clearances to be changed by the driver through manual rules.

The manual switches with the arrangement of the light strips and the interior sound signal are described on the basis of a drawing with two figures:
The rotary switch Fig. 1 is intended for a Auffahrstopsignalhup device in combination with a viewing device working independently in the direction of travel. The rotary knob 10 can be turned to the left or right and is set to the normal operation of the switching station 12 . The electronic control, not shown, operates fully automatically in this switching station 12 .

When the rotary knob 10 with its switching symbol 11 is on the switching station 13 , the electronic control is out of operation. Turning further on the switching station 14 with the arrow symbol to the rear switches the electronic control on again, but in this switching station 14 there is no warning tom from the fog or any other suitable car horn, because only the light bar 18 is effective. Switching station 14 is provided for moving up in a traffic jam where a warning tone is undesirable.

As soon as the rotary switch 10 is set to the switching station 15 , the warning sound continues from the fog horn or another suitable car horn until another desired switching station is set. This switching station 15 is good for all traffic situations, where an additional manual intervention is required.

The rows of lamps 16 form with the arrow symbol 17 a light bar 18 , which makes the symbolic distance from a following vehicle visible even in thick fog. The arrow symbol 17 shows that it is a light display that is intended for a successor vehicle.

As soon as the second illuminating lamp 16 a appears, this is a sign that the speed-dependent distance limit value calculated by the electronic control system has been exceeded, or that at minimum speed differences the last symbolic safety barrier has exceeded the programmed distance limit value.

In order to prevent subsequent drivers from unnecessary Preserving collision damage turns as a replacement for the im dense fog invisible brake light immediately the fog urine or another suitable car horn.

If almost all lamps 16 convert into illuminated lamps 16 a, the required safety distance is far too small and this narrowed safety distance to the following z. B. visible through the light bar 18 .

The rotary switch Fig. 2 with its two additional switching stations and the interior sound signal 19 is in principle by reference numerals 10 to 18 equal to the described rotary switch Fig. 1 with its four switching stations. The extension concerns a replacement for an independent viewing device working in the direction of travel.

In this case, the dual control switch Fig. 2, in the direction of travel additionally the same function as the switch Fig. 1 counter to the direction of travel. The interior sound signal 19 takes the place of the fog horn signal or horn signal, not shown, which, however, only has to keep the driver of the rear stop signal horn constantly informed.

As soon as the first illuminating lamp 16 a appears there, as shown in FIG. 2, this means that the distance value in the direction of travel is correct. If the interior sound signal 19 should be disturbing for a vehicle driver due to rough driving in the column due to distance value fluctuations, the rotary switch 10 with its switching symbol 11 must be set on the switching station 20 .

The full function against the direction of travel and the light bar 21 can be retained. Switching station 20 is of course not least used for driving and moving up at the end of the traffic jam.

By turning the rotary switch to the switching station 22 Fig. 2 for moving up in a traffic jam, all sound signals are also exposed, but the function of the light strips 18 and 21 are advantageously retained.

Of course, the knobs 10 can be equipped with a position lamp 23 and all the switching stations described and the arrow symbols for night driving can be designed to be illuminated.

The light strips 18 and 21 and the interior signal transmitter 19 are of course not tied in their placement in the immediate switch area.

Claims (8)

1. collision signal control for a fog accident-preventing horn signal, characterized in that electronic control via sensors for the immediate area in front of and behind the rear stop signal vehicle determines distance limits already determined by light and sound signals at the time exceeding and / or determines the speed differences from the vehicles by distance measurements and thereby calculates speed-dependent distance values and converts them at the right time as sound and light signals, in such a way that the driver can intervene in the electronic automatic control activity in order to carry out the various road traffic requirements by means of a higher-order rotary switch ( FIG. 2). 2. collision stop signal control for a fog accident-preventing collision signal horn, in conjunction with a viewing device that works independently in the direction of travel, characterized in that electronic control via a sensor for the immediate space behind the collision signal vehicle determines an already defined distance limit value by sound and light signaling at the correct time, or by measuring the distance to a vehicle coming from behind and thereby calculating a speed-dependent distance value and converting it into sound and light signals in such a way that a higher-order rotary switch ( Fig. 1) is used in the electronic automatic control activity by the driver to implement the various road traffic requirements can be intervened. 3. collision signal control for a fog accident-avoiding horn signal, characterized in that two mutually independent distance indicators, as shown in Figure two, by light strips ( 18 and 21 ) with rows of lights ( 16-16 a) and the direction symbols ( 17-17 a) in foggy situations as a substitute for visible vehicle distances in front of and behind the rear stop signal vehicle, which provides vehicle drivers with informative support in their vehicle. 4. Ascent stop signal control for a fog accident-preventing ascent stop signal horn, in conjunction with a viewing device that works independently in the direction of travel, characterized in that a distance indicator, as shown in FIG. 1, by a light bar ( 18 ) by means of a row of lamps ( 16-16 a) and the direction symbol ( 17 ) in foggy situations as a substitute for a visible vehicle distance behind the rear stop signal vehicle, which the vehicle driver informatively supports in his vehicle. 5. drive-up signal control for a fog accident-preventing drive-up signal horn, characterized in that an interior sound signal ( 19 ) or the like with a constant or volume-adjustable signal tone and / or interval signal tone, the driver informatively supported. 6. collision signal control for a fog accident-preventing horn signal horn, characterized in that the collision signal control by switch or rotary switch ( 10 ) as higher-level control elements for carrying out the various road traffic requirements either on the switching stations ( 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 20 and 22 / Fig. 1 and 2) or the like can be provided. 7. Collision stop signal control for a fog accident avoiding Collision signal horn, characterized in that for the purpose a cheap construction option only an already programmed one Distance value and / or distance values through light and sound determining signals at a time that exceeds the distance are. 8. Collision signal control for a fog accident avoiding Collision signal horn, characterized in that for the purpose a cheap construction for the immediate area before and / or behind the rear stop signal horn vehicle the programmed Distance values change due to manual adjustability to let.