Rear collision warning system
First Claim
1. A method for warning a following vehicle by a leading vehicle of a potential rear end collision, said method comprising:
- determining a desired distance between the leading vehicle and the following vehicle based on the velocity of the leading vehicle;
continuously determining the actual distance between the leading vehicle and the following vehicle based on the relative velocity between the leading vehicle and the following vehicle;
subtracting the desired distance from the actual distance to generate a distance error signal;
comparing the distance error signal to a first threshold; and
performing a warning function if the distance error signal is greater than the first threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control system for warning a following vehicle of a potential collision with a leading vehicle. The leading vehicle includes a detection system for detecting the presence and velocity of the following vehicle. The control system determines a desired distance between the leading vehicle and the following vehicle based on the speed of the leading vehicle. The control system subtracts the desired distance from the actual distance to generate a distance error signal, and compares the distance error signal to a threshold. If the error signal is greater than the threshold, the control system may provide one or more operations, such as flashing hazard lights to warn the following vehicle, or taking other course of action in the event of an imminent collision, such as pre-tensioning seat belts and closing windows of the leading vehicle.
35 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for warning a following vehicle by a leading vehicle of a potential rear end collision, said method comprising:
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determining a desired distance between the leading vehicle and the following vehicle based on the velocity of the leading vehicle; continuously determining the actual distance between the leading vehicle and the following vehicle based on the relative velocity between the leading vehicle and the following vehicle; subtracting the desired distance from the actual distance to generate a distance error signal; comparing the distance error signal to a first threshold; and performing a warning function if the distance error signal is greater than the first threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for warning a following vehicle by a leading vehicle of a potential rear end collision, said system being on the leading vehicle, said system comprising:
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at least one sensor for detecting the following vehicle, said at least one sensor providing a sensor signal indicative of the changing distance between the leading vehicle and the following vehicle; a controller responsive to the sensor signal and providing a warning signal if a potential for a rear end collision exists, said controller determining a desired distance between the leading vehicle and the following vehicle based on the velocity of the leading vehicle, said controller continuously determining the actual distance between the leading vehicle and the following vehicle based on the relative velocity between the leading vehicle and the following vehicle using the sensor signal, said controller subtracting the desired distance from the actual distance to generate a distance error signal, and said controller comparing the distance error signal to a first threshold and generating a warning signal if the distance error signal is greater than the first threshold; and a device responsive to the warning signal that provides a visual indication to the following vehicle of the potential collision. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for warning a following vehicle by a leading vehicle of a potential rear end collision, said method comprising:
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determining whether a vehicle operator of the leading vehicle has provided brake pressure beyond a predetermined threshold; and flashing hazard lights on the leading vehicle if the brake pressure does exceed the predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A system for warning a following vehicle by a leading vehicle of a potential rear end collision, said system being on the leading vehicle, said system comprising:
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a controller responsive to a brake pressure signal and providing a warning signal if the brake pressure signal exceeds a predetermined threshold; and a device responsive to the warning signal that provides a visual indication to the following vehicle of the potential collision. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification