Device for triggering a control and/or warning process in a motor vehicle

• US 6,072,387 A
• Filed: 02/12/1998
• Issued: 06/06/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Overbeck, Felix, Wallrafen, Werner
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US09/022,705
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/431, 340/438, 340/441, 340/936, 340/905, 340/904, 340/901, 340/601, 340/949, 340/968, 340/979, 701/1, 73/170.11, 73/170.14
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/841 Wind
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 37/02 by aerodynamic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/103 by comparing the value of the measured signal with one or several reference values in general G01R17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 5/00 Measuring speed of fluids, e.g. of air stream; Measuring speed of bodies relative to fluids, e.g. of ship, of aircraft application of speed-measuring devices for measuring volume of fluid G01F

Abstract

A device for triggering a control and/or warning process in a motor vehicle has sensors for determining the existing value of the crosswind actually acting on the vehicle. A crosswind warning device for motor vehicles which permits of a reliable warning for the driver even under varying conditions of the wind, has a first device for the determination and evaluation of the limiting value of crosswind in the motor vehicle for determining a crosswind speed limiting value which is dependent on the actual travel conditions of the vehicle. The values detected by a second device for the determination of the existing crosswind value are fed to the first device and compared with the detected crosswind speed limiting values. A driver-information device is actuated as a function of the comparison.

Claims

1. A system suitable for triggering any one of a control process and a warning process in a motor vehicle with respect to crosswind, the system comprising:

crosswind means for determining the existing value of crosswind actually acting on the motor vehicle;

limit means for the determination and evaluation of a limiting value of wind speed, said limit means being carried by the vehicle for the determination of a limiting value of the crosswind speed, the limiting value being dependent on existing conditions of travel of the vehicle, said limit means including means for receiving data of the travel conditions, said travel conditions including conditions of road surface and equipment on board the vehicle;

comparison means, and a utilization device;

wherein values of windspeed detected by said crosswind means are compared via said comparison means with crosswind speed limiting values determined by said limit means, said utilization device being actuated as a function of a comparison outputted by said comparison means; and

the system includes wireless communication means, and said crosswind means is disposed outside the motor vehicle, said communication means serving for transmitting the actual value of the crosswind speed corresponding to the location of the motor vehicle in wireless manner to said limit means.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the utilization device is in a driver information device.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the utilization device is a vehicle control device.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said limit means is operative to determine an existing limiting value of the crosswind speed at fixed time intervals during travel of the vehicle.

5. A system according to claim 2, wherein

said driver information device comprises a signal transmitter for production of a warning signal which is an optical signal or an acoustic signal, said warning signal being produced as a present value of crosswind speed approaches an existing limiting speed value of the crosswind.

6. A system according to claim 1, further comprising sensors on the vehicle, wherein the limit means connect with the sensors, the sensors detecting any one of the speed of the vehicle or the condition of loading of the vehicle, or the condition of the road.

7. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a motor vehicle electronics, wherein the speed of travel of the motor vehicle is automatically controlled via said motor vehicle electronics operatively coupled to said limit means.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein said limit means influences the steering of the vehicle.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a brake system, and said limit means influences said brake system.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein said crosswind means comprises a crosswind speed sensor disposed on the vehicle itself.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein said limit means is a microprocessor.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein said data receiving means comprises a sensor of a travel condition.

13. A system suitable for triggering a control process and a warning process in a motor vehicle with respect to crosswind, the system comprising:

crosswind means for determining the existing value of crosswind actually acting on the motor vehicle;

limit means for the determination and evaluation of a limiting value of wind speed, said limit means being carried by the vehicle for the determination of a limiting value of the crosswind speed, the limiting value being dependent on existing conditions of travel of the vehicle;

comparison means, and a utilization device;

wherein values of windspeed detected by said crosswind means are compared via said comparison means with crosswind speed limiting values determined by said limit means, said utilization device being actuated as a function of a comparison outputted by said comparison means;

said limit means influences the steering of the vehicle;

said crosswind means comprises a crosswind speed sensor disposed on the vehicle itself; and

the system includes wireless communication means, and said crosswind means is disposed outside the motor vehicle, said communication means serving for transmitting the actual value of the crosswind speed corresponding to the location of the motor vehicle in wireless manner to said limit means.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein said limit means receives the actual values of the crosswind speed via a mobile radio receiver of said communication means, and has a navigation computer which determines the location of the motor vehicle.