System for minimizing automobile collision damage

• US 5,646,613 A
• Filed: 05/20/1996
• Issued: 07/08/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Myungeun Cho
• Original Assignee: Myungeun Cho
• Inventors: Cho, Myungeun
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US08/650,869
• Time in Patent Office: 414 Days
• Field of Search: 340/435, 340/436, 340/903, 340/904, 180/167, 180/169, 180/274, 280/730 A, 280/737, 280/727, 342/70, 342/72, 342/380, 342/200, 367/99, 367/909
• US Class Current: 340/903
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/20 containing mainly gas or liquid, e.g. inflatable connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/205 inflatable in the direction of an obstacle upon impending impact, e.g. using air bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/38 adjustably or movably mounted, e.g. horizontally displaceable for securing a space between parked vehicles adjustably mounted for compensating manufacturing tolerances B60R19/24, B60R19/26
• 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: B60T 2201/024 Collision mitigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 Monitoring blind spots
• 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 2013/9321 Velocity regulation, e.g. cruise control
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9325 for inter-vehicle distance regulation, e.g. navigating in platoons
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93271 in the front of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93272 in the back of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93274 on the side of the vehicles

Abstract

A system for minimizing automobile collision damage using radiant energy detectors and externally deployed air bags for aiding in damage reduction of automobile collisions. This system includes radiant energy detectors, such as radars, with transmitters and receivers, a computer, and energy absorbing inflation devices, air bags. Optionally, the system may be adapted to provide warnings and control vehicle functions, such as braking and disengaging the drive train. A dashboard link allows the computer to determine speed, steering and other conditions of the automobile, while the radiant energy detectors provide the computer with information of the object (e.g., another vehicle, pedestrian, or inanimate item) of imminent collision. The computer, using the information provided will determine at what time a ensuing collision will occur, and establish a minimal allowable time window to deploy the inflation device. The inflation device or air bag provides an energy absorbing and diverting buffer between the automobile and the object of imminent collision. The computer uses minimal allowable time window to deploy the air bag automatically, allowing the control of the automobile to remain with the driver such that necessary evasive measures can be taken. Once the imminent collision reaches the minimal allowable time window, the computer initiates a control signal deploying the external air bag. Once deployed, the external air bag reduces the amount of physical damage to the automobile, resulting in less injury, and repair costs.

Claims

1. A collision damage minimizing system for a roadway vehicle comprising:

means for generating instantaneous speed signals of the roadway vehicle;

at least one radiant energy detection unit mounted on the roadway vehicle, each said at least one radiant energy detection unit including transmitter means for transmitting signals of radiant energy, and highly directional receiver means for receiving signals of radiant energy reflected by a potential obstacle and generating an electronic signal in response thereto;

a computer processing unit (CPU) for receiving said speed signals and said electronic signals from said radiant detection unit, said CPU continuously processing information derived from said electronic and speed signals, said CPU calculating changes in distance, speed and direction of the potential obstacle with respect to the roadway vehicle, said CPU generating a control signal upon calculation that a collision is imminent based on said calculated changes; and

at least one energy absorbing inflation device responsive to said control signal, said energy absorbing inflation device including means for producing inflation gas, an electronically controlled valve for releasing said inflation gas, and an air bag coupled to said valve for inflation upon receiving said inflation gas, said air bag being deflated, folded and positioned internally of the roadway vehicle prior to inflation, and said air bag being positioned externally of the roadway vehicle upon inflation;

whereby

said air bag upon inflation absorbs kinetic, momentum and inertial energies at collision thereby minimizing damage to the roadway vehicle.

2. The system according to claim 1, said radiant energy detection unit is selected from the group consisting essentially of ultrasonic, infrared, radar, and acoustic detection devices.

3. The system according to claim 2, said radiant energy detection unit is a radar detection device.

4. The system according to claim 3, said radar detection device transmits and receives signals at a rate in the range of 1 to 1,000,000,000 samples per second.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein

said air bag includes multiple compartments for receiving said inflation gas;

and

said electronically controlled valve has multiple ports;

wherein each compartment of said air bag is coupled respectively to a corresponding port of said electronically controlled valve.

6. The system according to claim 5, said air bag comprising at least an inner compartment and an outer compartment, wherein said outer compartment encloses, on an inner periphery, the outer periphery of said inner compartment.

7. The system according to claim 6, including high pressure gas release ports in each compartment for releasing the inflation gas to the atmosphere so that the destructive energy of the imminent collision is redirected as forced gas into the atmosphere.

8. The system according to claim 7, said ports of said inner compartment release said inflation gas into said outer compartment while said ports of said outer compartment release said inflation gas into the atmosphere.

9. The system according to claim 7, said ports of said inner compartment and said outer compartment release said inflation gas directly into the atmosphere.

10. The system according to claim 3, said radar detection device being positioned in the vehicle so that imminent collisions are predicted in all directions.

11. The system according to claim 10, said radar detection device is an omnidirectional radar element providing a coverage region of 360°

about the vehicle.

12. The system according to claim 10, said radar detection device is a unidirectional radar element, wherein a plurality of said radar elements are positioned around the perimeter of the vehicle.

13. The system according to claim 12, a plurality of at least two radar elements are provided.

14. The system according to claim 13, a plurality of at least four radar elements are provided.

15. The system according to claim 10, said radar detection device is adapted for rotation in a manner that aligns said radar element with the direction of the steering wheels of the vehicle.

16. The system according to claim 6, a plurality of said energy absorbing inflation devices disposed around the perimeter of the vehicle, said CPU operable to selectively control each device independently, thus minimizing damage to the vehicle regardless of the direction of the imminent collision.

17. A collision damage minimizing system for a roadway vehicle comprising:

means for generating instantaneous speed and steering signals of the roadway vehicle;

at least one radar unit mounted on the roadway vehicle, each said at least one radar unit including transmitter means for transmitting signals of radar energy, and highly directional receiver means for receiving signals of radar energy reflected by a potential obstacle and generating an electronic signal in response thereto;

means for receiving said instantaneous speed and steering signals of the roadway vehicle and said electronic signals from said at least one radar unit and for converting said received signals into data bit information;

means for processing said data bit information to obtain roadway vehicle speed, distance between the roadway vehicle and the potential obstacle, real and relative speed of the potential obstacle, real and relative direction of the potential obstacle, change in relative speed of the roadway vehicle and the potential obstacle, and relative directions of movement of the roadway vehicle and the potential obstacle;

means for determining apparent time of imminent collision and establishing an allowable time window for preventive action prior to the apparent time of imminent collision;

means for determining when the established time window has been reached;

means for initiating a control signal during the established time window; and

at least one energy absorbing inflation device responsive to said control signal, said energy absorbing inflation device including means for producing inflation gas, an electronically controlled valve for releasing said inflation gas, and an air bag coupled to said valve for inflation upon receiving said inflation gas, said air bag comprising at least an inner compartment and an outer compartment said outer compartment enclosing, on an inner periphery, the outer periphery of said inner compartment, said air bag being deflated, folded and positioned internally of the roadway vehicle prior to inflation said air bag being positioned externally of the roadway vehicle upon inflation;

wherein said air bag upon inflation absorbs kinetic, momentum and inertial energies at collision thereby minimizing damage to the vehicle.

18. The system according to claim 17, further comprising permanently inflated auxiliary air bags positioned internally of the vehicle, for providing additional durability and shock absorption.

19. A collision damage minimizing system for a roadway vehicle comprising:

means for generating instantaneous speed and steering signals of the roadway vehicle;

a plurality of radar units mounted on the roadway vehicle for providing omnidirectional detection around the perimeter of the vehicle, said plurality of radar units each including transmitter means for transmitting signals of radar energy, and highly directional receiver means for receiving signals of radar energy reflected by a potential obstacle and generating an electronic signal in response thereto;

means for receiving said instantaneous speed and steering signals of the roadway vehicle and said electronic signals from said radar units and for converting said received signals into data bit information;

means for processing said data bit information to obtain roadway vehicle speed, distance between the roadway vehicle and the potential obstacle, real and relative speed of the potential obstacle, real and relative direction the potential obstacle, change in relative speed of the roadway vehicle and the potential obstacle, and relative directions of movement of the roadway vehicle and the potential obstacle;

means for determining apparent time of imminent collision and establishing an allowable time window for preventive action prior to the apparent time of imminent collision;

means for determining when the established time window has been reached;

means for initiating a control signal during the established time window; and

at least one energy absorbing inflation device responsive to said control signal, said energy absorbing inflation device including means for producing inflation gas, an electronically controlled valve for releasing said inflation gas, and an air bag coupled to said valve for inflation upon receiving said inflation gas, said air bag comprising at least an inner compartment and an outer compartment, said outer compartment enclosing, on an inner periphery, the outer periphery of said inner compartment, said air bag being deflated, folded and positioned internally of the roadway vehicle prior to inflation, and said air bag being positioned externally of the roadway vehicle upon inflation;

wherein said air bag upon inflation absorbs kinetic, momentum and inertial energies at collision thereby minimizing damage to the vehicle.

20. The system according to claim 19, further comprising permanently inflated auxiliary air bags positioned internally of the bumpers of the vehicle, for providing additional durability and shock absorption.