WO1984003383A1

WO1984003383A1 - Tailgating prevention apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1984003383A1
Application number: PCT/US1984/000146
Authority: WO
Inventors: William C Kennedy
Original assignee: William C Kennedy
Priority date: 1983-02-17
Filing date: 1984-01-31
Publication date: 1984-08-30
Also published as: EP0135551A1

Abstract

Novel improvement in the means whereby the operator of a motor vehcile can and/or will be forewarned (C-1) whenever the vehicle according to the rate of speed at which the vehicle is moving, is travelling too close behind another vehicle. The operator is able to apply brakes and stop, in time, in order to prevent a collision or accident. Such being accomplished by means of the provision of a motion detecting apparatus incorporated within the operator's vehicle, and working in conjunction with a specially constructed speedometer (B), which gauges the rate of speed, computes the relative distance between the two said vehicles, automatically emits a sensing beam (C-9), wave or signal to detect any dangerously close vehicle in its path and gives-off a warning signal (C-1).

Description

TAILGATING PREVENTION APPARATUS Summary of invention The primary objective of this instant invention is to provision a motor vehicle with motion detecting (transceiver) type apparatus, such as: Radar, Photoelectric, Ultrasonic, Passive Infrared, or Microwave, etc. , connected and co-oper¬ able with a specially designed and constructed speedometer— so that, whenever the speed of such vehicle reaches a certain designated, predetermined rate, a switch-means (located within the said motion detecting device) which will instantly dis¬ charge a signal to detect any other vehicle directly within its path and/or, range -- and, simultaneously emit a warning signal to the operator of said vehicle, in the event that he is too close and traveling too fast to stop should an unexpect¬ ed emergency arise.

Another object of said invention is to provision a vehi¬ cle with speed calculating apparatus (i.e., speedometer) which is calibrated to operate in conjunction with the range and sensitivity controls of a motion detecting apparatus — so that, whenever the operator of a vehicle (so provisioned) moves within a predetermined and designated 'danger-zone' behind a preceeding vehicle, sai'd operator will be given a warning signal; Said speed calculating apparatus and the range control of the motion detecting device is to be so calibrated that movement of the speed-indicator (i.e., speedometer needle) will, both: I.- automatically energize (i.e., switch-on) the said motion detecting apparatus whenever a certain speed is

SUBSTITUTE SHEET - O PI attained; and, 2.- control the range of detection according to the relative speed of the vehicle so provisioned.

Still yet another object of said invention is to cali¬ brate the above described apparatus, so that: both the Sensi¬ tivity and Range controls are locked-in (according to pre¬ scribed Department of Motor Vehicles' safety Speed and Range standard specifications)— so as to give a warning signal alerting the operator of a moving vehicle, whenever said operator might occasionally and/or, accidently exceed the pre¬ determined safety margin as established by said D.M.V. , supra...

An additional object of said invention is to provide a (mechanically-operated) speedometer, connected by means of a flexible drive cable from the gearbox tail shaft of the transmission(or such other suitable location), provisioned with a variable resistor means — so that said speedometer will function and operate in similar fashion to a rheostat or potentiometer; And, to connect said speedometer in parallel with the Range and/or. Sensitivity Controls of a motion de¬ tecting apparatus; So that. Movement of the vehicle at speeds in excess of 35 m.p.h. provide mechanical displacement which, in turn, activates a potentiometer device by means of a cable attached to the transmission (built within a speedometer) which then converts said displacement into an electrical signal. This signal is then transmitted by wire to the transducers located within the transceiver and adjusts the range of de¬ tection according to the rate of speed at which said vehicle is traveling.

A further objective of said invention is to connect such motion detecting (transceiver) apparatus to the vehicle's power source; and, to provision such device with a warning 'Buzzer' or other signalling means.

A further object of said invention is to, provision all new vehicles with this safe-guard apparatus, before said vehicles leave the factory; And/or, provision vehicles present¬ ly in service with this said safe-guard device by means of either replacing their speedometers or by adding an additional speedometer — and, to calibrate said replacement or additional speedometer by fully magnetizing the magnets therein and then demagnetizing them until the desired readings and/or ratios have been obtained.

It is important to note, here, that: While there may be a wide (vast) variety of detecting type apparatus presently on the market, being developed and/or, that will or may be developed; All such detecting apparatus (if, and when, utilized to achieve the results and purposes of this instant invention) must utilize the basic, inherent co-operable features, rela¬ tionships and means contemplated by this instant invention. For example, it would be possible to utilize a "Photoelectric System' , similar to the No. 1355 "Single-ended" transceiver; Said system is a completely solid-state pulsed beam (intrusion) detector — and is said to be the latest and most advanced single-ended photoelectric system developed by 'Ademco¹ Manufacturing Corporation of New York. All of the components

T^&E ϊ

SUBSTITUTE SHEET ' ^ of said transmitter-receiver, supervisory circuitry and power supply fit into one small 3 3/4 X 4 inch space. The unit also contains a pulse-modulated solid-state light source whose life rating is in excess of 25 years; It has an adjustable range from 3 to 75 feet; And, the beam may be aimed at a bounce- back reflector. Said unit is therefore capable of reaching out with an invisible beam so as to detect the presence of any vehicle within its path and range; Simply by aiming the beam at a bounce-back reflector — since said reflector, without any adjustment of any kind, bounces the invisible beam from the transmitter back to the receiver... Of course, it would probably develop into a situation where each car owner would be personally responsible for his own rear-end — so to speak, if photoelectric means should be employed in this regard.

Another example may be noticed in the field of 'Optoelectronics', where much research still goes on with regard to the improvement of detectors which use light emitt¬ ing diodes and Lasers, which produce a very intense narrow beam of light, in range finding; And, especially for civilian applications under the name 'tellurometers' . One method employed by such detectors for determining range measures the time difference between an outgoing light pulse and the arrival of the reflected pulse from the target.

Other objects, advantages, features and novel aspects of the invention reside in certain detailes of construction as well as the co-operative relationship of the various parts

'SUBSTITUT — - O PI of the illustrative imbodiment described hereinafter in view of the annexed drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a procession of four (4) vehicles (A-I, A-2, A-3, and A-4) travelling along a length of highway at varied distances apart. A-5 represents the beam or waves which may be emitted from the antenna of a motion detecting (transceiver) apparatus (such as: Radar, Photoelectric, Ultra¬ sonic, Infrared or Microwave, etc.), which might be located within the front section of an automobile.

Fig. 2 shows a specially designed and constructed speedo¬ meter, provisioned with a strip of electric conducting material B-I — secured to a portion of the face of said speedometer by non-electric conducting means; B-2 shows an electric conducting lead B-3 connected at said junction B-2; B-4 represents a speed indicator needle (or finger) provisioned with a small nipple-contact (B-5) secured to the underside thereof, further connected by (insulated) electric conducting means (B-6) to lead B-7...

Fig. 3 illustrates (generally) amotion detecting (trans¬ ceiver apparatus provisioned with an alarm (Buzzer) signalling means C-I (further marked with a large letter 'B'); Buzzer ('B') C-I is further shown connected by two (2) leads C-2 and C-3 to terminal (junction) points 4 and 5 — located within said motion detecting (transceiver) apparatus; Terminal point #5, here, represents 'Relay, Common¹; And, whereas, terminal point #4 represents 'Relay, Normall-open' . Terminal points #1 and #2 are connected directly to the primary (vehicle)

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (_/jf -^?§ power supply (and, may also be used to recharge the stand-by auxiliary battery, power pack, contained within the said motion detecting apparatus) . C-4 represents a manually operated Sensitivity {'S') control means; And, C-5 (figs. and ) shows a manually operated Range ('R') control means - with two leads C-6 and C-7, which may be connected to leads B-3 and B-7, des¬ cribed and referred to previously above. C-8 represents the antenna which emits a beam or wave #C-9...

Fig. 4 illustrates an enlarged view of the manually operated Range ('R') control means C-5 shown in 'Fig. 3'; and, shows the manner in which leads C-6 and C-7 may be con¬ nected in parallel with the said Range ('R') control apparatus #C-5 — so that, even when said control C-5 may be manually switched-off, the input to the integrator and range control portion of the motion detecting (transceiver) apparatus may still be transmitted by means of the said parallel connecting leads #C-6 and C-7...

Obviously, then, whenever a vehicle provisioned with this instant invention is put into use it will provide the operator with a significant margin of safety heretofore not provided. A significant feature is that the device is designed to operate automatically — so that, while the motion detecting (trans¬ ceiver) device would normally remain dormant during normal City use; Still, as soon as the predetermined (danger) speed

(here, set at M.P.H.) has been attained, the speedometer will automatically switch-on the motion detecting device which has been pre-set to detect any other vehicle within its path

SUBSTITUTE SHEET , _O and range... Then, should our operator increase his speed (movement of the speedometer needle will instantly decrease the resistance within the potentiometer, and) the range of detection will automatically increase in like proportion — as previously calibrated; Whenever a potentially dangerous condition develops, a warning signal will immediately alert the operator; Of course, as soon as speed is reduced below the pre-set danger speed the motion detecting device will automatically shut-off and become dormant — until it is again called-upon by an increase in speed.

After reading the preceeding specification and scrutinizing the appended drawings it may appear that the various advantages and objects of the invention might be accomplished by modifications of the particular embodiment specifically described herein; and it is intended that the annexed claims shall include all equivalent arrangements fairly coming within their call.

SUBSTITUTE SH

Claims

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to protect by letters patent is:

I.- In automatic, automotive sensing and/or detecting 'Tailgating Prevention Apparatus' of the class and type hereto¬ fore setforth, described, and referred to within the preceed- ing specification and annexed drawings; A motor vehicle pro¬ visioned with a motion detecting and/or sensing device, co- acting, • co-operable and connected in conjunction with a speedometer type device which is so designed and constructed that it operates and functions in similar fashion to a var¬ iable resistor (in the capacity of either a rheostat or a potentiometer) ; so that, when connected in parallel with the (manually operated) Sensitivity and/or Range Controls of the said motion detecting device, the combined unit will sense or detect any other vehicle within its path and range whenever accident-causing speed conditions shall develop — and, to then cause a warning signal to alert the operator of said vehicle.

2.- In automatic, automotive sensing and/or detecting 'Tailgating Prevention Apparatus' of the type and class hereto¬ fore setforth, described, and referred to within the pre- ceeding specification and annexed drawings; A gauge (or instru¬ ment) provisioned with a variable resistor type mechanism which, when connected by cable means to the transmission of an automobile, etc. , measures the rate of speed at which said vehicle is traveling; and, by means of electrical con-

- ϊZEX - - -- . OMPI tacts transmits said movement in the form of an electrical signal through the wires connected in parallel with the Sensi¬ tivity and/or Range controls of a co-acting motion detecting transceiver.

3.- In 'Tailgating Prevention Apparatus* of the class & type heretofore setforth, described, and referred to within the preceeding specification and annexed drawings; A motor vehicle provisioned with a motion detecting (transceiver) type device connected in conjunction with a speed measuring type apparatus — so that whenever a vehicle is traveling too close and fast behind another vehicle a warning signal alerts the operator of said vehicle to the potential danger.

4.- In Tailgating Prevention Apparatus' of the type and class heretofore setforth, described, and referred to within the preceeding specification and annexed drawings; A motor vehicle provisioned with either or both; I.- An automatically operated 'Photoelectric' transceiver type apparatus secured within the front end of said vehicle so as to detect any other vehicle in its path whenever the so provisioned vehicle reaches a predetermined rate of speed; and, 2.- A strip of Photoelectric reflecting material secured to the back portion of such vehicle.

5.- A motor vehicle provisioned with any of the above described type apparatus co-acting and functioning in such a manner as to achieve the results described and desired within

- U £ SUBSTITUTE SHEET ' - ^MH this instant patent application.

6.- Any combination or rearrangement of the above described type apparatus which will achieve the same end result as anticipated by this instant patent application.