Driver alerting device

• US 4,864,298 A
• Filed: 04/01/1988
• Issued: 09/05/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: A.E. Van Wie, A. E. Van Wie M.D., P.C., Anita Beltzer, Arlene Mettenbrink, Bill Werner, Brent Grams, Coates C. Irene, Dale Wieseman, Doug Kucera, Glenn Witzenburg, Gordon Bainbridge, GRR Trust, Howard Ham, James B. Beltzer Revocable Insurance Trust, Janice Ham, Jim Wegner, John Albers, John Donnelly, John G O'Hara, Kelly Donnelly, Larry Svatora, Linda Vlcek, Louis Helgoth, Mary Cannon, M. Joanne Hopkins, Robert H. Lenners, Sheri Chandler, Steve Anderson, Ted Foster, Tim Mortenson, Tom Folmer
• Original Assignee: Anthony E. Dombrowski
• Inventors: Dombrowski, Anthony E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US07/178,776
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 340/904, 340/903, 340/901, 340/52 H, 340/53, 367/909, 180/169
• US Class Current: 340/904
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/56 for presence detection presence detection using near field arrangements G01V3/00, e.g. G01V3/08, G01V3/12; burglar, theft or intruder alarms with electrical actuation G08B13/22 - G08B13/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9317 Driving backwards
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93185 Controlling the brakes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/932 using own vehicle data, e.g. ground speed, steering wheel direction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93272 in the back of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93275 in the bumper area
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 367/909 Collision avoidance

Abstract

A driver alerting device includes a transceiver adapted for mounting at the rearward end of a vehicle for directing its wave output rearwardly of the vehicle. Return wave signals for many objects within the transceiver range are picked up and supplied to the transceiver by an antenna. Any resultant doppler shift signal is amplified for driving an audio alarm adapted for placement within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The doppler shift signal also activates a solenoid which applies the air brakes of the vehicle. The circuit is adapted for operative electrical connection to the vehicle transmission or the like for activation only when the vehicle transmission is engaged in reverse gear.

Claims

1. A device for halting the movement of a vehicle, said vehicle having brakes,

a transceiver comprising a micro-wave radar device using the doppler shift principle to detect the presence of a target within the transceiver range,

means for supporting said transceiver at the rearward end of the vehicle for directing the wave output thereof rearwardly of the vehicle,

means for supplying to said transceiver return wave signals from any target within the transceiver range, an intermediate frequency applifier operatively connected to said transceiver, said amplifier being operative to amplify and shape said return wave signals,

means for electrically connecting said brakes to said transceiver for activation of said brakes in response to detection by said transceiver of return wave signals from any target within the transceiver range, and

means for electrically connecting said transceiver to means associated with the reverse mechanism of the vehicle for activation of said transceiver in response to said vehicle being placed in reverse gear, said device being substantially unaffected, in operation, by varying weather conditions.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein a remote audible alarm is placed for placement within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said transceiver includes a wave guide cavity and a gunn diode mounted in said wave guide cavity for transmitting wave output therefrom.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said transceiver further includes a schottky barrier mixer diode which is operative as the receiver thereof.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying return wave signals to said transceiver comprises a high gain antenna.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying return wave signals to said transceiver comprises a low gain antenna.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying return wave signals to said transceiver comprises an antenna mounted directly to the transceiver.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said intermediate frequency amplifier is a solid state multi-stage operational amplifier.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said remote audible alarm comprises a solid state piezoelectric alarm.