GB2261976A - Vehicle road safety device - Google Patents

Vehicle road safety device Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2261976A
GB2261976A GB9125242A GB9125242A GB2261976A GB 2261976 A GB2261976 A GB 2261976A GB 9125242 A GB9125242 A GB 9125242A GB 9125242 A GB9125242 A GB 9125242A GB 2261976 A GB2261976 A GB 2261976A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
vehicle
transmitting
transmitting device
speed
strength
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9125242A
Other versions
GB9125242D0 (en
Inventor
John Frederick Bennett
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB9125242A priority Critical patent/GB2261976A/en
Publication of GB9125242D0 publication Critical patent/GB9125242D0/en
Publication of GB2261976A publication Critical patent/GB2261976A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q9/00—Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00, e.g. haptic signalling
    • B60Q9/008—Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00, e.g. haptic signalling for anti-collision purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/50—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
    • B60Q1/525—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking automatically indicating risk of collision between vehicles in traffic or with pedestrians, e.g. after risk assessment using the vehicle sensor data
    • B60Q1/535—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking automatically indicating risk of collision between vehicles in traffic or with pedestrians, e.g. after risk assessment using the vehicle sensor data to prevent rear-end collisions, e.g. by indicating safety distance at the rear of the vehicle
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S17/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. lidar systems
    • G01S17/88—Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S17/93—Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S17/931—Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/16—Anti-collision systems
    • G08G1/161—Decentralised systems, e.g. inter-vehicle communication
    • G08G1/163—Decentralised systems, e.g. inter-vehicle communication involving continuous checking

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)

Abstract

A transmitting device, using e.g. an infra-red light beam, is connected to a vehicle so that the speed of the vehicle determines the strength of the beam transmitted, such that the beam covers the recommended safe braking distance for the speed generating it. In response to the windscreen wipers being operated (but not the intermittent screen wash) the strength of the transmitted beam is adjusted such that it covers the recommended safe braking distance for wet conditions. Any other vehicle within range of the said beam (forward or behind and with suitable receptors) causes the completion of an electrical circuit in the transmitting vehicle to produce a visual/audio warning to the driver of the transmitting vehicle.

Description

VEHICLE ROAD SAFETY DEVICE This invention relates to an infra-red (or similar such beam) transmitting component. It is designed for fitting to road vehicles to warn drivers that they are travelling too close to the vehicle immediately ahead in relation to the speed they are travelling at.
At present there are all-too-often reports of road accidents caused by vehioles traveiling too close to one another in relation to their speeds. This danger occurs for various reasons but are possibly due to: a@ Driver inability to accurately assess dietance.
b@ Drivers being unsware of the speel they are travelling at, @@ Drivers being unaware of the recommended safe braking distances of differing speeds.
@ Drivers not aware that there is a vehiele ahead due to poor visibility (rain, fog etc.).
This invention is designed with the intention of reduction suck driver wea@@eeses.
A@@ording to the present invention there is provided a speed/braking distance device based on the principle of the common TV/video remote control unit.
The transmitter works in the same way as a vehicle speedometer - the faster the speed, the stronger the infra-red beam/signal generated by the transmitter.
The component is assembled such that the strangth of the transmitted beam is proportional to the safe braking distance (as recommended by the Department of Transport. 5 Highway Code) of the speed at- which the vehicle is travelling. Thus the beam generated will be strong enough to cover this distance directly ahead of the transmitting vehicle, For example, a speed of 40 mph will generate a beam strong enough to cover a distance of 36 m (120 ft). In wet or similar inclement weather the transmitter will adjust the be-am strength cc or di gly in response to the windscreen wipers being operated (but not in response to the operation of the the intermittent windscreen wash/wipe function).
Should the beam make contact with any vehicle directly ahead (within range) it will cause an elertric circuit to be completed in the transmitting vehicle. This electrical cirauit will then provide the driver of the transmitting car with a suitable awdio/visual warning that he/she is travelling too close to the vehicle ahead.
It is envisaged that all vehicles already have components fitted to their raar and side which will prove receptive to the transmitted beam (registration plates etc.). If not, then cheap/free receptive elements could be made available/provided for all vehicles to easure that any motorist wishing to make use of the proposed transmitting device will receive a reading from a vehicle ahead.
To allow for highway contours/gradients and various vehicle undulations the transmitter can e designed to oscillate in the most appropriate manner to ensure consistent contact with the receptor element of the vehicle ahead.
The transmitted beam is to be such that it will not refract, disperse or diffuse in any direction by more than half the width of an averaa family saloon at its strongest distance. This will restrict the beam from making contact with vehicles overtaking or travelling in the opposite direction. Similarly, the transmitted beam is not to refract, disperse or diffuse in differing climatic conditions e,g, fog, rain etc, A similar device can also be applied to indicate whether the vehicle directly behind the transmitting vehicle is travelling too close, This device will not only provide a similar audio/visual warning to the driver of the transmitting vehicle but also allow for a further visual warning indicater to be installed at the rear of the transmitting vehicle - one that is clearly visitle to the driver of the vehicle immediately behind.
It is envisaged that a special transmittar testiing device can be developed to check that the transmitter is operating correctly before the commencement of any journey.

Claims (1)

1. A transmitting device which can be attached to any vehicle in such a way that it responds to the speed at which the vehicle travels.
A A trarlsmi',ting device as claimed in Claim 1 whereby the strength of the em transmitted (infra-red or any other suitable nedium) is proportional to the speed of the vehicle.
S. A transmitting device whereby the strength of the transnitted beam as claimed in Claim l and Claim 2 is governed directly by the speed at which the vehicle is travelling, The faster the vehicle travels, the: stronger tie beam transmitted and the greater the distance directly ahead (or alternatively behind) that the beam is able to cover.
4. A transmitting device whereby the strength of the transmItted beam as claimed in Claim l, Claim 2 and Claim 3 is such that it will cover the safe braking distance as recommended by the Highway Code directly ahead or (or alternatively behind) the transmitting vehicle in relation to the speed generating the beam.
5. A transmitting device whereby the strength of the transmitted bean as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 3 and Claim 4 is such that it will cover the safe braking distance as recommended by the Highway Coe ahead of (or alternatively behind) the transmitting vehicle in relation to the speed generating the beam and adjusted accordingly for inclement conditions in response to the operation of the windscreen wipers @but not in response to the operation of the intermittent soreen wash/wipe).
6. A transmitting device as claimed in any preceding claim, whereby any vehicle having a suitable receiver which comes into contact with the range of any forward beam generated by the said transmitting device completes an electrical circuit which, in turn, produces an aidlo/visual warning to the driver of the transmitting vehicle, 7. A transmitting device as claimed in any preceding claim, whereby any vehicle having a suitable receiver which comes into contact with the range of any rearward beam generated by the said transmitting device letes an an electrical circuit which, in turn, produces an audio/visual warning to the driver of the transmitting vehicle and a visual warning at the rear of the transmitting car for the benefit of the driver of the following vehicle.
@. A transmitting device as ciaimed in any preceding claim, whereby the beam generated c@es not refract, disperse or diffuse in differing @@imatie conaitions train, rog etc.).
@. A transmitting levice as claimed in any preceding claim, whersby the beam generated does not refract, disparse or diffuse by more than half the width of a standard salo@n car at its greatest/strongest or shortest/weakest distance in any climatie condition.
1 A t@ transmitting device as claimed in any preceding claim, whereby the transmitter @ if required) is able to oscillate in a suitable manner to @@ compensate tor road gradients and vehicle undulations.
GB9125242A 1991-11-27 1991-11-27 Vehicle road safety device Withdrawn GB2261976A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9125242A GB2261976A (en) 1991-11-27 1991-11-27 Vehicle road safety device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9125242A GB2261976A (en) 1991-11-27 1991-11-27 Vehicle road safety device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9125242D0 GB9125242D0 (en) 1992-01-29
GB2261976A true GB2261976A (en) 1993-06-02

Family

ID=10705339

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9125242A Withdrawn GB2261976A (en) 1991-11-27 1991-11-27 Vehicle road safety device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2261976A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2291995A (en) * 1994-08-05 1996-02-07 Friedrich Theodor Meuschke Audio/visual warning system
GB2328820A (en) * 1997-09-02 1999-03-03 Rabinder Singh Mandair Vehicular distance monitoring and warning device

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3533061A (en) * 1968-02-12 1970-10-06 Univ Ohio Source-sensor longitudinal control system
US3683328A (en) * 1969-10-10 1972-08-08 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Detection of obstructing vehicles on high-speed roadways
GB1296871A (en) * 1969-10-21 1972-11-22
US4641136A (en) * 1985-04-18 1987-02-03 Thaddeus Kowalczyk Security eyes for prevention of car accidents
GB2204435A (en) * 1987-04-22 1988-11-09 Dermot Patrick Farrell Vehicle anti-collision system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3533061A (en) * 1968-02-12 1970-10-06 Univ Ohio Source-sensor longitudinal control system
US3683328A (en) * 1969-10-10 1972-08-08 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Detection of obstructing vehicles on high-speed roadways
GB1296871A (en) * 1969-10-21 1972-11-22
US4641136A (en) * 1985-04-18 1987-02-03 Thaddeus Kowalczyk Security eyes for prevention of car accidents
GB2204435A (en) * 1987-04-22 1988-11-09 Dermot Patrick Farrell Vehicle anti-collision system

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2291995A (en) * 1994-08-05 1996-02-07 Friedrich Theodor Meuschke Audio/visual warning system
GB2328820A (en) * 1997-09-02 1999-03-03 Rabinder Singh Mandair Vehicular distance monitoring and warning device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9125242D0 (en) 1992-01-29

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)