Vehicle collision prevention device

• US 5,952,939 A
• Filed: 09/08/1997
• Issued: 09/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nissan Diesel Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nissan Diesel Company Limited
• Inventors: Takahashi, Sadahiro, Nakazawa, Masao
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US08/925,390
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 340/435, 340/903, 367/909, 180/167, 180/169, 303/166, 303/DIG. 2, 303/9.69, 303/198, 701/78, 701/79, 701/83, 701/70, 701/301, 701/93
• US Class Current: 340/903
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• 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: G08G 1/16 Anti-collision systems road vehicle drive control systems for predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision otherwise than by control of a particular sub-unit B60W30/08
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

A distance and a relative velocity between a vehicle and a vehicle in front are detected, and the minimum braking force required to avert a collision is calculated. A vehicle braking force based on the depression angle of the brake pedal and the minimum vehicle braking force are compared, and the larger of these two forces is applied for braking. Collision of the vehicles is thereby prevented. Preferably, the braking force is distributed to each of wheel brakes according to the dynamic loads acting on each wheel so that braking force is optimized and the wheels do not easily lock. More preferably, an alarm is issued when the vehicle braking force based on the brake pedal depression angle is less than the minimum vehicle braking force so that the driver is alerted to this fact.

Claims

1. A vehicle collision preventing device for a vehicle with a plurality of wheels, each of which has a brake, the device comprising:

a brake pedal;

means for detecting a degree of depression of the brake pedal;

means for determining a first braking force based on the degree of pedal depression;

means for measuring a distance between the vehicle and an obstacle in front of the vehicle, the obstacle including another vehicle traveling in front of the vehicle;

means for detecting a traveling speed of the vehicle relative to the obstacle;

means for determining a minimum braking force required to avoid a collision with the obstacle based on the relative vehicle traveling speed and the distance measured;

means for selecting the greater of the first braking force and the minimum braking force;

means for detecting static loads acting on the respective wheels;

means for detecting an acceleration of the vehicle;

means for calculating dynamic loads acting on the respective wheels based on the static loads acting on the respective wheels and the acceleration of the vehicle;

means for calculating actual braking forces to be applied respectively to the wheels based on the selected braking force and the dynamic loads of the wheels; and

means for applying the calculated actual brake forces respectively to the brakes.

2. A vehicle collision preventing device according to claim 1, further comprising means for emitting an alarm when the first braking force is less than the minimum braking force.

3. A vehicle collision preventing device according to claim 1, wherein the degree of pedal depression is measured by an angle.