Brake early warning system and method of use

• US 7,095,317 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2004
• Issued: 08/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Donald D. Reitz Revocable Trust
• Original Assignee: The Donald D. Reitz Revocable Trust
• Inventors: Albrecht, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US10/893,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20040263326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 766 Days
• Field of Search: 340/479, 340/438, 340/575, 340/576, 340/573.1, 340/540, 340/463, 340/464, 340/467, 340/471, 340/665, 340/666, 340/692, 340/384.1, 180/268, 180/272
• US Class Current: 340/479
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/442 visible on the front side of the vehicle, e.g. for pedestrians

Abstract

A brake early warning system for a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle has (1) a steering column assembly (500) having a plurality of components, and (2) a vehicle broadcast system, which includes brake lights, a horn, and headlights. The brake early warning system includes a movement sensor (20) which is connected to the steering column assembly (500), and senses relative movement between two of the steering column assembly (500) components when a driver braces against the steering wheel (508) in an urgent braking situation. In such cases, movement sensor (20) senses relative movement, and generates a signal which activates the brake lights, horn, and headlights, thereby alerting any following driver, as well as others in the vicinity, that the vehicle has commenced rapid braking. In a second embodiment the brake early warning system includes inputs of both the weight of the driver and the force applied to the steering wheel, both of which affect the behavior of the system.

Claims

1. A brake early warning system for a vehicle, the vehicle having (1) a steering column assembly having a plurality of components, and (2) a vehicle broadcast system, said brake early warning system comprising:

at least one movement sensor connected to the steering column assembly;

the steering column assembly components including a steering shaft, a steering column tube, and a steering assembly having a steering wheel;

said movement sensor sensing relative deflective movement at least one of (1) the steering shaft and the steering column, (2) the steering shaft and the steering column tube, and (3) the steering column and the steering column tube;

so that when a driver pushes against the steering wheel certain of the steering column components are deflected thereby causing relative deflective movement between two of the steering column components;

said movement sensor sensing said relative deflective movement, and generating a signal which activates the vehicle broadcast system;

at least one of (1) a weight sensor, and (2) a weight adjuster, providing an input to said movement sensor which is proportional to a weight of the driver; and

,

said input modifying an amount of said relative deflective movement necessary to generate said signal which activates the vehicle broadcast system.

2. A brake early warning system for a vehicle, the vehicle having (1) a steering column assembly having a plurality of components, and (2) a vehicle broadcast system, said brake early warning system comprising:

at least one movement sensor connected to the steering column assembly;

the steering column assembly components including a steering shaft, a steering column tube, and a steering assembly having a steering wheel;

said movement sensor sensing relative deflective movement at least one of (1) the steering shaft and the steering column, (2) the steering shaft and the steering column tube, and (3) the steering column and the steering column tube;

so that when a driver pushes against the steering wheel certain of the steering column components are deflected thereby causing relative deflective movement between two of the steering column components;

said movement sensor sensing said relative deflective movement, and generating a signal which activates the vehicle broadcast system;

a force sensor; and

,

said force sensor providing a signal to the braking system which applies the brakes of the vehicle when said force sensor senses a force of push on the steering wheel of a predetermined force value.

3. A brake early warning system according to claim 2, further including:

said predetermined force value being adjustable.

4. A brake early warning system according to claim 2, further including:

said signal to the braking system discontinued if the driver does not apply the brakes of the vehicle within a predetermined time.

5. A brake early warning system according to claim 2, further including:

at least one of (1) a weight sensor, and (2) a weight adjuster, providing an input to said force sensor; and

,

said input modifying said predetermined force value.