Anti-crash radio-detector system for automotive vehicle

• US 3,921,749 A
• Filed: 10/22/1974
• Issued: 11/25/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Shoji Kawada
• Original Assignee: Shoji Kawada
• Inventors: Kawada, Shoji
• Primary Examiner(s): Betts, Kenneth H.
• Application Number:
  US05/516,906
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 180/98,15R,15E,99,106 343/7ED,7VM 340/32,33,53R
• US Class Current: 180/169
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/0008 including means for detecting potential obstacles in vehicle path
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/18 including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/18 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/20 Direction indicator values
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0605 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/09 Taking automatic action to avoid collision, e.g. braking and steering
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1819 Propulsion control with control means using analogue circuits, relays or mechanical links
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/92 for velocity measurement
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93185 Controlling the brakes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9319 Controlling the accelerator
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/932 using own vehicle data, e.g. ground speed, steering wheel direction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9321 Velocity regulation, e.g. cruise control
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93271 in the front of the vehicles

Abstract

Anti-crash radio-detector system for automotive vehicles adapted to take due consideration of all traffic conditions and operate efficiently for preventing an accident when an obstacle is detected ahead. The system is characterized in that it comprises a radio electric or radar detector, a device for producing an information concerning the actual speed of the vehicle, an electric computer for determining a brake controlling signal and acceleration controlling signal on the basis of informations relating approaching speed to the obstacle, distance between the vehicle and the obstacle, and the information concerning the actual speed of the vehicle, and release or blocking circuit to block communication between the computer and both of the brake actuating mechanism and the throttle valve actuating mechanism.

Claims

1. An anti-crash radio detector system for automotive vehicle, which comprises a radio-electric or radar detector projecting ahead of the vehicle a radio electric wave beam and receiving the echoes reflected by fixed or movable obstacles appearing in front of the vehicle and further producing from informations on said echoes another information relating to velocity of approach of the vehicle equipped with this detector in relation to a fixed or movable obstacle and still another information relating to a distance between said obstacle and the vehicle, means for producing an information representing an actual speed of the vehicle, an electric computer for determining on the basis of said three informations a brake controlling signal and an acceleration controlling signal, means for automatically actuating the brake system upon receiving said brake controlling signal, means for automatically actuating the throttle valve mechanism upon receiving said acceleration controlling signal, and means operatively connected to the steering wheel mechanism and the turning direction indicating mechanism for blocking communication between said computer and both of said brake system and said throttle valve mechanism when the steering wheel or the turning direction indicating mechanism is manually operated.

2. An anti-crash radio-detector system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the system further comprises means for producing a reference rate of braking on the basis of said brake controlling signal and said information representing said actual speed of the vehicle for limiting the braking when said brake controlling signal is above said reference rate to thereby avoid excessive braking.

3. An anti-crash radio-detector system as seT forth in claim 2, wherein the system further comprises means for producing on the basis of the brake controlling signal and the reference rate a series of multiple short alarming sounds or a long continuous alarming sound to thereby warn the driver of the brake controlling being performed.

4. An anti-crash radio-detector system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the system further comprises means for producing a reference rate of acceleration controlling on the basis of said acceleration controlling signal and said information representing said actual speed of the vehicle, limiting said acceleration controlling signal to said reference rate, and delaying said acceleration controlling action in case of increase of travelling speed of the vehicle while permitting rapid action to decrease the travelling speed of the vehicle.