Automatic control device for preventing rear-end collision of motorized vehicles

• US 4,934,477 A
• Filed: 09/07/1988
• Issued: 06/19/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yeu J. Dai
• Original Assignee: Yeu J. Dai
• Inventors: Dai, Yeu J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bertsch, Richard A.
• Application Number:
  US07/241,509
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 180/271, 180/169, 180/275, 180/277, 340/52 B, 340/70, 340/53, 340/69, 340/552, 340/936, 340/425.5, 340/435, 340/436, 188/110, 303/93, 303/94, 246/187 C
• US Class Current: 180/271
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/0008 including means for detecting potential obstacles in vehicle path
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/22 initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an external object, e.g. another vehicle , or by means of contactless obstacle detectors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0605 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/026 using moving transmitters

Abstract

This invention relates to an automatic control device adapted for preventing rear-end collision of a front motorized vehicle and a rear motorized vehicle running behind the front vehicle. The automatic control device for preventing rear-end collision according to this invention comprises: a microprocessor, a least one signal emitter, a speed detector, a least one signal receiver, a brake controller and an accelerator pedal controller, in which the at least one signal emitter is installed at the rear end of the front vehicle while the other comprising mechanisms are installed in the rear vehicle. The microprocessor couples separately with the signal emitter, the speed detector, the signal receiver, the brake controller and the accelerator pedal controller so as to transfer and process various signals. When the situation of overspeed is detected by the speed detector, the accelerator pedal controller and the brake controller will be actuated to reduce the fuel supply and apply the brake of the rear vehicle so as to prevent the occurrence of rear-end collisions.

Claims

1. An automatic control device for preventing rear-end collision of a front motorized vehicle and a rear motorized vehicle running behind said front vehicle, comprising:

at least one signal emitter provided at the rear portion of said front motorized vehicle for emitting several signals each of which has a respective emitting frequency and a respective emitting distance, said signals defining a corresponding number of concentric receiving zones behind said front motorized vehicle;

at least one signal receiver provided at the front of said rear motorized vehicle capable of receiving signals of the preset emitting frequencies emitted by said at least one signal emitter on said front vehicle and then transmitting at least a first signal in response to the receipt of a preset one of said several signals;

a speed detector provided in said rear vehicle, adapted for continuously detecting the running speed of said rear vehicle and transmitting a second signal indicative of the detected speed;

a brake controller provided in said rear vehicle, adapted for applying a brake to said rear vehicle when a braking signal is received;

an accelerator pedal controller provided in said rear vehicle, adapted for restricting the motion of an accelerator control cable in response to movements of an accelerator pedal provided in said rear vehicle when an accelerator restriction signal is received; and

,

a microprocessor provided in said rear vehicle, adapted for receiving said second signal transmitted by said speed detector and presetting a receiving frequency of said signal receiver according to said second signal, and also adapted for receiving said first signal and transmitting a braking signal to said brake controller and an acceleration restriction signal to said accelerator pedal controller when a signal having said preset frequency is received by said signal receiver.

2. An automatic control device as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of said motorized vehicles is an automobile.

3. An automatic control device as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of said motorized vehicles is a motor cycle.

4. An automatic control device as described in claim 1, further comprising signal emitters installed at stationary locations adjacent to the normal travel paths of said motorized vehicles.

5. An automatic control device as described in claim 1, further comprising a set of signal emitters carried by pedestrians.

6. An automatic control device as described in claim 1, wherein said signal receiver includes shielding means adapted to prevent the receipt of signals emitted by a signal emitter located other than in front of said rear vehicle.

7. An automatic control device as described in claim 1, wherein there are three signal emitters located in spaced relation across the rear of said front vehicle.

8. The control device as described in claim 7, wherein the outer signal emitters are slanted inwardly towards the longitudinal center line of the front vehicle.

9. The control device described in claim 1, wherein seven separate signals each having a distinctive frequency and emitting distance are emitted by said signal emitter, said seven signals defining seven concentric receiving zones behind said front motorized vehicle.

10. The control device described in claim 1, wherein said microprocessor transmits a braking signal and an accelerator restriction signal when a signal having said preset frequency is received by said signal receiver only when said second signal indicates that the vehicle speed exceeds a preset minimum.