WO1996022897A1

WO1996022897A1 - Automatic system for accident prevention in motor vehicles due to the sleep effect on the driver

Info

Publication number: WO1996022897A1
Application number: PCT/ES1995/000013
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fernando Roldan Arroyo
Original assignee: Grupo G M-90, S.L.
Priority date: 1995-01-24
Filing date: 1995-01-24
Publication date: 1996-08-01
Also published as: AU1417595A

Abstract

Automatic system for preventing accidents in motor vehicles due to the sleep effect on the driver, comprised of an annular peripheral switch (4) provided under the lower surface of the steering wheel, and provided with means for maintaining the switch in the position most separate from the latter and which remains open when the steering wheel is held by the hands of the driver and, when the pressure of the hands on the steering wheel is released due to the sleep effect, the switch separates and closes the appropriately mounted electric circuit causing warning lights (8) and a sound equipment (9) to be switched on, a timer (10) being provided in the circuit so that, in the case of absence of reaction from the driver within a predetermined time, a second phase starts whereby the ignition (11) and a fuel supply (12) are switched off while a direct action on the brakes of the vehicles (14) is exerted.

Description

AUTOMATIC SYSTEM TO AVOID ACCIDENTS IN AUTOMOBILE VEHICLES DUE TO THE DRIVER'S EFFECT

The automatic system to avoid accidents in motor vehicles due to sleep in the driver referred to in this description, will have its application in the automotive vehicle manufacturing industry, as well as in the spare parts and accessories industry, since It does not require special modifications in the construction of the car but simply special variations in the steering wheel and the insertion of an electrical or electronic circuit suitable for the operation of the system.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

At present, there are numerous systems to eliminate the harmful results in automobile accidents, such as reinforcement of bodies, safety belts and the like, but none of them foresees the possibility of the accident as common as that produced by the effect of sleep on the driver, since when he falls asleep even when it is for a minimum time, the speed of the vehicle makes it continue to circulate for a considerable number of meters without any type of control-

The sensation of sleep is possible to detect it in the muscular reactions of the individual, and therefore, this system is based on these reactions in order to eliminate the possibility that it will defeat the driver, leading to the lack of control of the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The automatic system, to avoid accidents in motor vehicles due to the effect of sleep on the driver, to which this invention refers, is based on the fact that, when a person begins to fall asleep, the muscles relax, losing the tension and strength that in the normal state are maintained .

It is known that the hands that hold the steering wheel of the vehicle are normally exerting a force, even when it is minimal, on the same, and that the foot that rests on the accelerator pedal, is maintained in a balance sustained by the force leg muscle. At the moment when the driver begins to fall prey to sleep, the hands, inevitably, loosen up and the foot falls by its own weight, which, in addition to losing control of the direction, acceleration usually occurs of the vehicle, so the accident is safe.

Therefore, the system to which we refer, will be specially designed to detect this lack of pressure on the hands, so that by means of an appropriate electrical or electronic circuit, ensure that warning lights located before the driver are automatically turned on, either on the windshield, either on the dashboard, while the operation of the horn of the vehicle or other auxiliary acoustic means that are located inside the interior of the vehicle, for greater effectiveness.

This same electrical circuit, provides that by means of a porizer, after a time not exceeding three seconds, the ignition of the engine and the interruption of fuel entry into the carburetor occurs, while, through appropriate means two, an element that acts on the braking system, with a maximum of three seconds the vehicle is automatically stopped if before the driver has not reacted and taken control of the vehicle, as could happen if it is not drowsiness or sleep, but a collapse due to a heart attack, or any other type of illness that can leave the individual without control over their senses.

In essence, the ^" system comprises a start-up switch that will act voluntarily before embarking on a trip in which, due to its duration, it can lead to accidents of this type, and a perimeter switch located on the steering wheel in the lower zone thereof, held by springs in the position of maximum separation of the surface of said steering wheel, and that by the pressure of the hands that hold the steering wheel, it is pressed and in contact with the surface of the steering wheel, provided in this switch , internally, a counter-switch that, at the moment when the manual pressure on the steering wheel ceases, this rear ring separates from it and acts on the counter-switch that activates the electronic circuit, which automatically turns on the lights placed before the driver intermittently and the horn and auxiliary acoustic means sound, generally sufficient for the driver to act by rechecking and l vehicle, squeezing the steering wheel and therefore opening the circuit, which ceases operation.

However, if the timer included in the circuit is not enough for any reason, after three seconds or the time programmed without the driver reacting, the second phase of the circuit will start up. Turn off the ignition, the fuel supply is interrupted and in case of being equipped with the appropriate means, the vehicle brake is operated.

Acting on the system start-up switch, it returns to the initial position as if it were to start the journey again.

The simplicity of the system, which only requires adjustment of the steering wheel and the inclusion of the corresponding electrical circuit, makes it possible to be coupled to any type of vehicle at no exceptional cost, whether it is a light car, a truck or a coach, being able in these last cases to couple the electric brake to the circuit.

Next, a detailed description of the automatic system will be made to avoid accidents in vehicles, cars due to the effect of sleep on the driver, which is cited, with reference to the accompanying plane, in which it is represented by simple example title, non-limiting, a preferred embodiment, susceptible to all those variations of detail that do not imply a fundamental alteration of the essential characteristics thereof.

In this plane it is illustrated:

In Figure 1: View of the steering wheel from its bottom face, with the perimeter switch attached.

In Figure 2: Detail in section according to a diametral plane of the steering wheel, with the switch attached.

In Figure 3: Scheme of the electrical circuit.

According to the example of execution represented, the automatic system to prevent accidents in motor vehicles due to the sleep effect on the driver, which advocates, it is characterized by the placement on the lower face of the steering wheel (1), of a swinging crown (2) and slightly separated from said lower face, by means of small springs or springs (3), carrying this crown on its face internal some contacts (4) that in a position of maximum separation between crown (2) and handwheel (1), make contact with a fixed inner plate (5).

In this way, when the driver's hands are holding the steering wheel, this tilting crown (2) is in contact with the lower face of the steering wheel, and therefore the counter-contact (4) open, while, when the pressure of the hand loosen, the springs (3) will separate the crown (2) from the steering wheel, and the countercontact (4) will close the circuit, on the fixed plate (5).

This switch placed on the steering wheel, closes the circuit formed by a power line (6) connected to the vehicle's battery, whose circuit provides a start-up switch (7), including in it, lights (8 ) which may be those of the vehicle, intermittent and crossing, plus other additional ones placed before the driver, as well as an acoustic system (9), (which may be the same as the horn of the vehicle), with the addition of an additional one inside the driver's cabin.

This circuit includes the inclusion of a timer (10), from which a second circuit with an ignition cut-off switch (11) and a fuel supply cut-off element (12), as well as a small transformer ( 13) that provides adequate current to a brake action system (14). Organized in this way, the system, when it is ready to make a trip that, due to its duration, special characteristics of high temperatures, schedule, etc., so that the dream effect occurs, is actuated on the switch of setting in system operation (7), being ready for operation. As long as the hands hold the steering wheel firmly, the ring (2) of the lower face will remain in contact with said face and the counter switch (4,5) open. At the moment when due to the effect of sleep, or any other cause, the pressure of the hands on the steering wheel decreases, the springs (3) will cause the lower ring (2) to separate and with it, the switch (4) will close ) of the circuit, with which, instantly, the alarm lights (8) and those of the vehicle are turned on, and the acoustic system (9) is put into operation, generally sufficient for the driver to react and take the vehicle control However, it is expected that the timer (10) will take action, if within three seconds or time that is considered more appropriate, the driver has not reacted, the ignition cut-off (11), the input cut-off, starts of supply (12) and the action on the brakes (14), so that the vehicle will remain but completely stopped, if its speed is significantly reduced so that the accident is as slight as possible.

In general, the first phase of the system is more than enough for the driver to react and take control of the vehicle that has not been lost more than in a few thousandths of a second, since the pressure of the hands is almost instantaneous with the first effects from the sleepiness of the dream; however, the second phase is planned, for cases where the cause is not only sleep, but any other major reason, such as a heart attack, a diabetic coma or any other cause of greater severity

The shape, materials and dimensions may be variable and, in general, as accessory and secondary, as long as it does not alter, change or modify the essentiality of the system described.

Claims

1.- Automatic system to avoid accidents in motor vehicles due to the driver's sleep, characterized by being an electronic circuit powered by the vehicle's battery, in which a start-up switch and a switch are provided. with automatic activation, which instantly activates the lighting of the vehicle lights and other auxiliary devices installed before the driver, as well as the acoustic system of the vehicle, and another auxiliary installed in the interior of the vehicle, providing for this circuit , a timer that after a suitable time, puts into operation the cut of the ignition of the engine, the one of supply of fuel, and the activation of a transformer that provides adequate current, to act on the brakes of the vehicle.

2.- Automatic system to avoid accidents in motor vehicles, due to the driver's sleep, according to claim one, characterized in that the automatic activation switch consists of a crown applied perimetrically under the lower surface of the steering wheel, maintained by means of springs in a position more separated from the aforementioned steering wheel, and provided on its internal face with a counter-contact, which, when this position is further removed, closes the system's circuit of action, while the pressure hands on it makes the circuit open and without any effect.