VEHICLE PROTECTIVE APPARATUS

• US 3,789,950 A
• Filed: 03/08/1972
• Issued: 02/05/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SP-Microwave, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Harry F. Strenglein
• Inventors: Strenglein, Harry F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Betts, Kenneth H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/232,814
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 180/98,82 340/33,258R,258A 343/7ED,7.3
• US Class Current: 180/169
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/40 in the direction of an obstacle before a collision , or extending during driving of the vehicle, i.e. to increase the energy absorption capacity of the bumper inflatable bumpers B60R19/20
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93271 in the front of the vehicles

Abstract

A vehicular protective apparatus includes radio means for detection of an impending collision immediately prior to actual contact of a protected vehicle with another vehicle or other object and for the actuation of restraining or other protective devices for the protection of the occupants of the vehicle when the crash actually occurs. Modulated single-port continuous wave, high frequency transmitter-receiver apparatus is employed for processing reflected object signals; obstacle presence, closing differential speed, and minimum range signals are generated. All must be present for actuation of passenger restraints or other protective devices.

Claims

1. Vehicle safety apparatus comprising:

directive oscillator-detector radio signal means adapted to be carried on said vehicle for directing frequency modulated transmissions toward an object and for receiving reflected signals therefrom, frequency discriminator means responsive to said oscillatordetector radio signal means for producing a first output signal having an alternating component whose amplitude is substantially proportional to the range between said vehicle and said object and having a unidirectional component whose amplitude is substantially proportional to the relative speed of said vehicle and said object, first series circuit means responsive to said unidirectional component for supplying a second output signal indicating the presence of said object only when reflected signals are received therefrom, said first series circuit means including;

first comparator means responsive to said unidirectional component and to a first reference signal for supplying a third output signal only when said relative speed exceeds a predetermined value, demodulator means responsive to said first comparator means and to said oscillator-detector radio signal means, and second comparator means responsive to said demodulator means and to a second reference signal for generating said second output signal, second series circuit means responsive to said alternating component for supplying a fourth output signal only when said range falls below a predetermined value, and utilization means responsive only to the simultaneous presence of said second, third, and fourth output signals.

2. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said utilization means includes coincidence detector means for providing a control output only in the presence of said second, third, and fourth output signals.

3. Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said utilization means further includes actuatable means responsive to said coincidence detector means control output comprising passenger protection means.

4. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said oscillator-detector radio signal means includes:

diode oscillator-detector means having single port means, directive antenna means coupled to said single port means, and modulation generator means for frequency modulating said oscillator-detector means.

5. Apparatus as described in claim 4 including filter means coupled between said diode-oscillator detector means and said frequency discriminator means for rejecting the frequency modulation signal of said modulation generator.

6. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said second series circuit means includes third comparator means responsive to said alternating component and to a third reference signal for generating said fourth output signal.

7. Apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said third reference signal is supplied by said frequency discriminator means.