GB2417325A

GB2417325A - Motor vehicle safety indicator

Info

Publication number: GB2417325A
Application number: GB0418659A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrzej Romaszkan; Charles Howey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-08-20
Filing date: 2004-08-20
Publication date: 2006-02-22
Also published as: GB0418659D0

Abstract

The indicator monitors lateral forces on a vehicle when in motion around bends and corners and visualises the resultant forces through a graphical display on the dashboard. The lateral forces are measured by a dead weight sensor or pendulum the upper part of which acts as the slider on a potentiometer. The display is a colour liquid crystal display showing the result of the measurement in a bar graph format. The sensitivity of the display can be adjusted for different weather conditions.

Description

1 241 7325 Car Traction Safety Indicator The invention of the Car Traction

Safes Indicator is primarily aimed at the inexperienced driver, but would also be of benefit to the experienced road user. The idea resolves the problem of indicating the forces to which a vehicle is subjected when in motion around bends and corners. It can indicate the maximum speed a vehicle can travel through a bend before loosing traction due to the lateral forces which can cause skidding due to a lack of tyre grip.

The invention continuously monitors the lateral forces due to the radius of curvature of bends, the speed of the vehicle and the camber of the road surface. The resultant forces are then visualised through a graphical electronic display on the dashboard whereby three colours indicate the vehicles current state to advise the driver accordingly.

An implementation of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows the direction of forces associated with a vehicle travelling on a slopping road surface in elevation view.

FIGURE 2 shows the construction of the sensor module.

FIGURE 3 gives a plan view of the forces associated with a vehicle travelling around a bend.

FIGURE 4 shows how the graphical display would be arranged in the car dashboard.

The Car Traction Safes Indicator consists of a Sensor Module and a Display Module. The Sensor Module senses the lateral forces exerted by the change in momentum resulting from steering a car through bends. It monitors and reacts to I forces a vehicle is subject to when in motion on the road, in dry, wet or icy conditions.

The Display Module displays in graphical form, the resulting lateral force measured by the Sensor Module. This display is to be fitted to the dashboard, it visualises the conditions the car is subjected to when in motion around bends etc. in an easy to read format.

The Sensor Module This sensor monitors the adherence to the radius of curvature of the bend speed of the motor vehicle and angle (from horizontal) with which the road surface lays as depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 2 shows the sensor arrangement, which consists of two elements: one mechanical and the other electrical. The mechanical sensor operates a variable resistance in such a way that a dead weight, which is mounted on the lower vertical axis, swings off this axis according to both gravity and centrifugal force when the vehicle is in motion. The upper part of the swinging element acts as the slider for the variable resistor or potentiometer. Thus, when suitably connected to a current or voltage source will give a variable electric current or voltage output proportional to the displacement caused by the motion of the vehicle.

The centrifugal force operates the mechanical movement of the dead weight according to the equation: m.v2 Fc = r q Where v = velocity m = mass r = bend radius = centrifugal force = I: 'C. .;d hi Disc __. C-a I'd' _., USA:.

T he dead weight force sensor movement or pendulum is tree to swing from led to right and denotes centrifugal force at different speeds of the car for different radius of curvatures and includes force of gravity.

This mechanical module with the dead weight on the swing rod is shown in figure 2.

It converts movement around its axis into variable flow of electrical current. The axis is furnished with a damping bearing to prevent too rapid a movement of the rod The Display Module The Display Module is fed with a variable current from the Sensor Module. The current, being proportional to centrifugal force, is used by this module to graphically display these results in a meaningful manner within the car dashboard.

The readout on the display is based on a solid state Colour Liquid Crystal Display showing the result in a bar graph format for optimal clarity and readability.

The display module is constructed to vividly indicate three zones with coloured

background. The colour coding would be:

Green: Safe speed of the car.

Amber: Hazard.

Red: Danger of loosing Faction.

In operation, the middle part of the electronic display will move from neural to the left or right according to the current fed from the Sensor Module. It should be very sensitive indicating neutral in the middle when the vehicle is stationary or driven in a straight line to all conditions when the car is in motion.

The sensitivity of the display should be adjustable to account for different climatic conditions such as dry, wet or icy conditions. The background on the readout should also be designed to accommodate change of momentum.

Implemeniaiion Issues The Car Traction Safer Indicator should be calibrated on an individual basis to be compatible with the specifications of each model of car it is to be fitted too. The different specifications can include- cenke of gravity, weight, two or four-wheel drive, etc. The effects of tyre wear also need to be assessed as this cannot be calibrated for during installation.

Claims

Car Traction Safety Indicator Claims Claim I The invention relates to

resolving the lack of awareness to loss of traction in motor vehicles and subsequent tyre skidding.

Claim 2 The invention generally makes all drivers especially first time drivers, learners or those driving an unfamiliar car, aware of the safe speeds with which to negotiate corners and bends before loosing traction and skidding or in extreme cases rolling.

Claim 3 The invention informs the driver to reduce speed.

Claim 4 The invention will operate in all road surfaces and weather conditions dry, wet or icy.

Claim 5 The invention is meant to visualise the hazards and dangers of driving a motor car with excessive speed, by watching the electronic indicator readout, which assesses the safe speed with which the motor vehicle should travel.

Claim 6 The invention gives the inexperienced driver, learner driver as well as the experienced road a tangible way of sensing or "getting the feel" of the vehicle tyre grip and traction when taking bends and corners.

Claim 7 The invention can reduce the occurrence of accidents related to skidding of the vehicle or even veering to the wrong side of the road.

Claim 8 The invention comprises of sensor gravity module with electric riley Fig 2 and electronic display module Fig 4 connected to each other.

Claim 9 The invention consists of sensor with two elements: mechanical and electrical. The mechanical part Fig 2 comprises of the dead weight which is mounted on the axis, which swings according to the gravity and centrifugal force when a vehicle is in motion. The gravity module sensor is vertical. The top part Fig 2 of swinging element slides along a resistor giving variable flow of electrical current. There could be one or more sensors fitted within proximity of the car.

Claim 10 The invention comprises of electronic module display Fig 4 which is operated by variable current which in turn changes impulses fed to electronic display screen. The electronic part of the invention and its arrangements may comprise of two or more electric or electronic modules, depending on the way it is developed to optimize the effectiveness of car traction safety indicator.

Claim 11 The invention consists of electric circuit whereby the speedometer might or might not be connected to the electronic bar graph display. Bar graph background is fed with variable impulse of current to account for the momentum when the car is in motion.

Depending on how accurate the manufacturer wishes the read out to be.

Claim 12 The invention comprises of display module where by the readout is based on graphical solid state colour liquid crystal display with a bar graph format Fig 4 for good clarity and ardent read out to enhance indications on the dashboard.

Claim 13 The invention covered and claimed in Claim 10 and 11 may include or includes two or more or any number of electrical or electronic modules in the circuits, or any variations of the above which may be fitted incorporated to make the invention feasible, plausible and consequentially extremely effective.

Claim 14 The invention covered and described in Claiml I is build, designed and constructed in such a way Fig 4 so it vividly indicates three zones with coloured background, green, amber, red respectively, to make driver aware of speeds, safe hazard dangerous.

Claim 15 The invention described in claim I I comprises of middle part Fig 4 bar graph part which moves - floats from neutral to the left or to the right according to the electrical impulse from a relay. It should be very sensitive indicating neutral - middle when a vehicle is stationary or driven in a straight line to all other conditions car is subjected to when in motion.

Claim 16 The invention is meant and should be designed and tested in such a way as to cover " accommodate" changes of momentum car is subjected to at various speeds.

Claim 17 The invention is not any mechanical or electronic breakthrough in car design and manufacturing, it Is meant to sense, visualize, indicate, advice, warn and protect the driver and the passengers.