Brake early warning system and method of use

• US 20040263326A1
• Filed: 07/17/2004
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Donald D. Reitz Revocable Trust
• Original Assignee: The Donald D. Reitz Revocable Trust
• Inventors: Albrecht, Donald
• Granted Patent: US 7,095,317 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/465
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/442 visible on the front side of the vehicle, e.g. for pedestrians

Abstract

A brake early warning system for a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle has (1) a steering column assembly (500) having a plurality of components, and (2) a vehicle broadcast system, which includes brake lights, a horn, and headlights. The brake early warning system includes a movement sensor (20) which is connected to the steering column assembly (500), and senses relative movement between two of the steering column assembly (500) components when a driver braces against the steering wheel (508) in an urgent braking situation. In such cases, movement sensor (20) senses relative movement, and generates a signal which activates the brake lights, horn, and headlights, thereby alerting any following driver, as well as others in the vicinity, that the vehicle has commenced rapid braking. In a second embodiment the brake early warning system includes inputs of both the weight of the driver and the force applied to the steering wheel, both of which affect the behavior of the system.

Claims

1. A brake early warning system for a vehicle, the vehicle having (1) a steering column assembly having a plurality of components, and (2) a vehicle broadcast system, said brake early warning system comprising:

at least one movement sensor connected to the steering column assembly;

the steering column assembly components including a steering shaft, a steering column tube, and a steering assembly having a steering wheel;

said movement sensor sensing relative deflective movement at least one of (1) the steering shaft and the steering column, (2) the steering shaft and the steering column tube, and (3) the steering column and the steering column tube;

so that when a driver pushes against the steering wheel certain of the steering column components are deflected thereby causing relative deflective movement between two of the steering column components; and

,

said movement sensor sensing said relative deflective movement, and generating a signal which activates the vehicle broadcast system.

2. A brake early warning system according to claim 1, further including:

said movement sensor including a mechanical switch; and

,

said movement sensor sensing relative deflective movement between the steering shaft and the steering column tube.

3. A brake early warning system according to claim 1, further including:

said movement sensor including a mechanical switch; and

,

said movement sensor sensing relative deflective movement between the steering shaft and the steering assembly.

4. A brake early warning system according to claim 1, further including:

said movement sensor including a mechanical switch; and

,

said movement sensor sensing relative deflective movement between the steering column tube and the steering assembly.

5. A brake early warning system according to claim 1, the vehicle having a cruse control system, said brake early warning system further including:

said movement sensor generating a signal which deactivates the cruise control system.

6. A brake early warning system according to claim 5, further including:

the vehicle having brake lights; and

,

when the cruse control system is deactivated, the brake lights intermittently flash.

7. A brake early warning system according to claim 1, further including:

at least one of (1) a weight sensor, and (2) a weight adjuster, providing an input to said movement sensor which is proportional to a weight of the driver; and

,

said input modifying an amount of said relative deflective movement necessary to generate said signal which activates the vehicle broadcast system.

8. A brake early warning system according to claim 1, the vehicle having a braking system having brakes, further including:

a force sensor; and

,

said force sensor providing a signal to the braking system which applies the brakes of the vehicle when said force sensor senses a force of push on the steering wheel of a predetermined force value.

9. A brake early warning system according to claim 8, further including:

said predetermined force value being adjustable.

10. A brake early warning system according to claim 8, further including:

said signal to the braking system discontinued if the driver does not apply the brakes of the vehicle within a predetermined time.

11. A brake early warning system according to claim 8, further including:

at least one of (1) a weight sensor, and (2) a weight adjuster, providing an input to said force sensor; and

,

said input modifying said predetermined force value.

12. A brake early warning system for a vehicle, the vehicle having (1) a steering column assembly, (2) a stationary assembly, and (3) a vehicle broadcast system, said brake early warning system comprising:

a movement sensor connected between the steering column assembly and the stationary assembly, said movement sensor sensing relative deflective movement between the steering column assembly and the stationary assembly;

said movement sensor including a mechanical switch; and

,

so that when said movement sensor senses relative deflective movement, a signal is generated which activates the vehicle broadcast system.

13. A method of warning others that a vehicle is braking, comprising:

providing the vehicle with a (1) steering column assembly, the steering column assembly including (a) a steering assembly having a steering wheel, the steering wheel having a top portion and a bottom portion, (b) a steering shaft, and (c) a steering column tube; and

(2) a vehicle broadcast system;

providing a movement sensor connected to the steering column assembly, said movement sensor sensing deflective movement between at least one of (1) the steering assembly and the steering shaft, (2) the steering assembly and the steering column tube, and (3) the steering shaft and the steering column tube, when a driver pushes upon either the top portion or the bottom portion of the steering wheel;

the driver pushing upon either the top portion of the bottom portion of the steering wheel; and

,

said movement sensor generating a signal which activates the vehicle broadcast system.