GB2237878A

GB2237878A - A monitoring system

Info

Publication number: GB2237878A
Application number: GB8925157A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham David Eales
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-11-07
Filing date: 1989-11-07
Publication date: 1991-05-15
Also published as: GB8925157D0

Abstract

A monitoring system 10 for a vehicle comprises a sensing means in the form of an acceleration/deceleration sensor 12 electrically connected via a line 14 to an oscillating means in the form of clock 16. An output of the clock 16 is connected via an electric line 18 to an electronic switch 20 which in turn is connected to an indicating device 22. The indicating device 22 can be the brake lights of a vehicle, the hazard warning lights of a vehicle, or a visual or audible warning device mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle (not shown). Then, the electronic switch 20 can be connected in series with one or a combination of these indicating devices. Indication is therefore provided, consistent with the rate of change of velocity of the vehicle. The sensor 12 may be a pendulum 24 carrying a mask 32 having an arcuate tapered slit 34. Light from an LED (36) progressively becomes visible through the slit to a photo-transistor (38). <IMAGE>

Description

A MONITORING SYSTEM THIS INVENTION relates to a monitoring system. More particularly, the invention relates to a monitoring system for a motor vehicle.

Every motor vehicle has a pair of rear lights to indicate when a driver is applying the vehicle's brakes. This indication is consistent, regardless of whether the vehicle is gently coming to a halt, or is in an emergency braking situation. Apart from personal judgement, there is no means for a driver of a following vehicle to assess the rate of change of any vehicle's velocity.

According to the invention, there is provided a monitoring system for a vehicle which includes a sensing means for sensing the rate of change of velocity of a vehicle; and an indicating device connected to the sensing means for indicating the sensed rate of change of velocity of a vehicle.

The sensing means may be an acceleration/deceleration sensor for measuring the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle (hereinafter the term "acceleration" is used to denote either acceleration or deceleration, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise).

The acceleration sensor may include a pendulum mountable on a vehicle, to pivot about a horizontal axis which is substantially normal to the direction of motion of the vehicle. A mask having a tapered arcuate slit cut into it may be attached to the free end of the pendulum. A light source may be mountable on one side of the mask, and a light responsive device may be mounted on the opposite side of the mask, the light source and the light responsive device being aligned with each other on opposite sides of the slit in the mask.

The light source may be a light emitting diode (LED). The light responsive device may be a photo-transistor. An output of the photo-transistor may be connected to the indicating device.

In one embodiment of the invention the indicating device may be the brake lights of a vehicle. Then, the output of the phototransistor may be connected to an oscillating means which in turn is connected to the brake lights of the vehicle.

The oscillating means may be a clock. An output of the clock may be connected via an electronic switch to the brake lights of the vehicle. The switch may be connected in series with the brake lights so that switching of the switch will cause the brake lights to flash. The rate of switching of the switch may be determined by the frequency of the clock which in turn may be dependant on the strenth of the output signal of the phototransistor. Hence the vehicle's brake lights will flash at a rate representative of the acceleration of the vehicle.

The indicating device may further include an indicating means mounted within the vehicle to which the driver of the vehicle is receptive. The indicating means may be a light, or an audible warning device, adapted to indicate at the rate of the oscillating clock.

The invention extends also to a vehicle including a monitoring system as described above.

The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a flow diagram of a monitoring system for a vehicle in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows a front view of an acceleration sensor in accordance with the invention; and Figure 3 shows a side view of the sensor of Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 1, a monitoring system for a vehicle is designated generally by reference numeral 10. The monitoring system 10 comprises a sensing means in the form of an acceleration/deceleration sensor 12 for measuring the acceleration or deceleration of a vehicle (hereinafter the term "acceleration" is used to denote either acceleration or deceleration, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise).

The acceleration sensor 12 is electrically connected via a line 14 to an oscillating means in the form of a clock 16. An output of the clock 16 is connected via an electric line 18 to an electronic switch 20 which in turn is connected to an indicating device 22.

The indicating device 22 can be the brake lights of a vehicle. (not shown). Then , the electronic switch 20 can be connected in series with the brake lights 22 of the vehicle.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3 the acceleration sensor 12 is shown in greater detail. The acceleration sensor 12 comprises a pendulum 24 which is suspended from a part of the vehicle by means of a bearing 26 (Figure 3). The pendulum 24 is mounted on the vehicle to pivot about a horizontal pivotal axis 28 which is substantially normal to the direction of the vehicle. Attached to a bob 30 of the pendulum 24, there is provide a mask 32. The mask 32 has an arcuate tapering slit 34 cut into it. A light source 36 which can be in the form of a light emitting diode (LED) is mounted on one side of the mask 32 and a light sensitive device, in the form of a photo-transistor 38 is mounted on the other side of the mask 32.The light source 36 and photo-transistor 38 are mounted on opposite sides of the slit 34 in the mask 32, the light source 36 and the photo-transistor being aligned with each other.

In use, assuming the vehicle is travelling in the direction of the arrow 40 (Figure 2), and the driver of the vehicle applies his brakes, the pendulum 24 will pivot in the direction of arrow 42. Due to the tapering of the slit 34, more and more light will progressively become visible to the photo-transistor 38. As the amount of light increases, the current emitted by the phototransistor 38 will increase. This will cause the clock 16 to oscillate at a higher frequency. In turn, the electronic switch 20 will switch at a higher frequency, and the brake lights 22 of the vehicle will flash more rapidly.

If desired, a flashing light, and/or an audible warning device can be mounted on the dashboard of the vehicle as well, to enable the driver of the vehicle to note the deceleration of the vehicle. This can enable the driver to monitor his manner of driving which can result in less wear and tear on his tyres and braking system. Further it will allow for a more consistent and less erratic means of maintaining distance between himself and a vehicle travelling in front of his vehicle.

Claims

CLANKS

1. A monitoring system for a vehicle which includes a sensing means for sensing the rate of change of velocity of a vehicle; and an indicating device connected to the sensing means for indicating the sensed rate of change of velocity of the vehicle.

2. A monitoring system for a vehicle as claimed in CLAIM 1, wherein the indicating device may be the brake lights of a vehicle. Then, the output of the sensing device may be connected to an oscillating device which in turn is connected to the brake lights of the vehicle.

3. A monitoring system for a vehicle as claimed in CLAIM 1 or CLAIM 2, wherein the indicating device may be the hazard warning lights of a vehicle.

4. A monitoring system for a vehicle as claimed in CLAIM 1 or CLAIM 2, wherein the indicating device may be mounted visible to the driver of the vehicle. The indicating device may be a light, adapted to flash at the frequency of the oscillating device.

5. A monitoring system for a vehicle as claimed in CLAIM 1 or CLAIM 2 or CLAIM 4, wherein the indicating device may an audible device mounted within the vehicle. The device may be a buzzer, adapted to sound at the frequency of the oscillating device.

6. A monitoring system for a vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to FIGURES 1-3 of the accompanying drawing.