APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE PROXIMITY OF MOVING VEHICLES

• US 3,662,328 A
• Filed: 04/30/1969
• Issued: 05/09/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: David Spivak
• Original Assignee: David Spivak
• Inventors: Spivak, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Cooper, William C.
• Application Number:
  US04/820,386
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 340/33,263,52R,53
• US Class Current: 340/903
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/06 using intensity measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/161 Decentralised systems, e.g. inter-vehicle communication

Abstract

The present invention provides means adaptable for use on vehicles to determine the proximity between vehicles. The apparatus generally provides means for transmitting a signal and means for receiving a signal on a vehicle with the transmitted signal preferably ultrasonic and proportional to the speed of the transmitting vehicle. The emission member is mounted on the transmitting vehicle in a manner so as to automatically selectively orient itself so that the transmitted signal follows the path of the vehicle under changing road contours and is preferably further provided with means for particular orientation for turns or merging traffic situations. The intensity of the transmitted signal is correlated with the speed of the vehicle through circuitry associated with the speedometer mechanism either as a means to vary the resistance on the transmitting circuit in ratio to the needle deflection of the speedometer or by use of the speedometer mechanism as a source for the generation of an electromotive force. Thus, a vehicle within the reception zone will receive a warning that it is in a hazard zone as between itself and another moving or stationary vehicle and that the distance between them should accordingly be adjusted. In its preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention further includes a hazard warning device integrated within the system for selected actuation during desired situations, generally when the transmitting vehicle is at rest or during lane changes or merging traffic.

Claims

1. Apparatus for determining the proximity of moving vehicles comprising ultrasonic reception means on a vehicle to receive a transmitted signal, said signal reception means mounted at a point along the front end section of said vehicle said reception means including means adapted to a variable response dependent upon the intensity of the received signal, means on said vehicle to transmit an ultrasonic signal, said transmitting means including means to emit an ultrasonic signal, said signal emission means moveably mounted at a point along the rear end section of said vehicle said signal emission means including a support base, a horizontal member pivotally mounted to said support base;

a vertical portion on said horizontal member at a point on said horizontal member extending beyond the periphery of said support base;

a pendulum pivotally affixed to said support base at a right angle to said horizontal member, said pendulum slidably engaged to the vertical portion of said horizontal member, said signal emission means fixedly mounted to said horizontal member, means to vary the intensity of said ultrasonic signal in proportion to the speed of said transmitting vehicle, and said pendulum on said pivot moveable to tend to maintain said signal emission means oriented in relation to the path of movement of said vehicle.

2. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein said varying intensity means includes a moveable contact and variable resistance means in circuit with and intermediate of said signal generation means and said signal emission member whereby said contact is adapted to close a circuit with said variable resistance means with varying degrees of resistance dependent upon the speed of said vehicle.

3. The invention as claimed in claim 2 wherein said signal transmission means includes a speedometer having a field pLate, rotatable magnet and a speed cup and said moveable contact is affixed to the speed cup of said speedometer and said variable resistance means includes a potentiometer disposed along the rear of the face plate of said speedometer in predetermined registry with selected areas of said face plate.

4. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein said signal transmission means includes a speedometer having a field plate, rotatable magnet and a speed cup and conductive means interposed at right angles to the magnetic flux created by said rotatable magnet.

5. The invention as claimed in claim 1 further including supplemental means adapted to selectively pivot said horizontal member.

6. The invention as claimed in claim 5 wherein said supplemental means include solenoids disposed along at least one side of said horizontal member.