Rear end collision avoidance system

• US 8,981,922 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2013
• Issued: 03/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BCA Holdings Limited (BCA Marketplace Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: BCA Holdings Limited (BCA Marketplace Ltd.)
• Inventors: Israel, Bruno
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alizada, Omeed
• Application Number:
  US13/955,819
• Publication Number:
  US 20150015392A1
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 340465-479
• US Class Current: 340/467
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• 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 1/441 Electric switches operable by the driver's pedals
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions

Abstract

A rear collision prevention system includes: a linkage coupled to a gas pedal, the linkage capable of sensing the position of the gas pedal, the linkage communicatively coupled to a transmitter, a transmitter with at least a first channel and a second channel, where the first channel receives a signal from the linkage when the gas pedal is depressed, and the second channel receives a signal when the gas pedal is released. The system also includes a receiver communicatively coupled to the transmitter. The receiver receives signals from the first channel and the second channel of the transmitter. An illumination device is communicatively coupled to the receiver, and the device illuminates in a first color responsive to the receiver receiving a signal on the first channel and illuminates in a second color responsive to the receiver receiving a signal on the second channel.

Claims

1. A rear collision prevention system comprising:

a mechanical linkage coupled to a gas pedal, the mechanical linkage configured to sense the position of the gas pedal, the mechanical linkage communicatively coupled to a transmitter;

the transmitter comprising at least a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel receives a signal from the mechanical linkage when the gas pedal is depressed, and the second channel receives a signal when the gas pedal is released;

a receiver communicatively coupled to the transmitter, wherein the receiver receives signals from the first channel and the second channel of the transmitter;

at least one illumination device communicatively coupled to the receiver, wherein the device illuminates in a first color responsive to the receiver receiving a signal on the first channel and illuminates in a second color responsive to the receiver receiving a signal on the second channel,

wherein the rear collision prevention system functions independently from a braking system and a transmission in a vehicle.

2. The rear collision prevention system of claim 1, wherein the mechanical linkage comprises at least one of:

an SPDT Switch, a throttle positioning sensor (TPS), a vacuum line, a mass flow air sensor, manifold absolute pressure, or a throttle switch.

3. The rear collision prevention system of claim 1, wherein the at least one illumination device comprises an LED.

4. The rear end collision prevention system of claim 1, wherein the at least one illumination device comprises a first illumination device and a second illumination device, wherein the first illumination device illuminates in the first color responsive to the receiver receiving a signal on the first channel, and the second illumination device illuminates in the second color, responsive to the receiver receiving a signal on the second channel.

5. The rear end collision prevention system of claim 1, wherein the first color is a green and the second color is a yellow.

6. The rear end collision prevention system of claim 1, wherein the at least one illumination device illuminates in the first color and the second color alternatively.

7. The rear end collision prevention system of claim 1, wherein the illumination device is affixed to a vehicle proximate to a brake light.

8. The rear end collision prevention system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter and the receiver communicate through one of:

a wireless connection, or a wired connection.

9. The rear end collision prevention system of claim 1, wherein based on the receiving the signal on the first channel, the illumination device is illuminated in the first color for a first predetermined period of time or until receiving the signal on the second channel, and based on the receiving the signal on the second channel, the illumination device is illuminated in the second color for a second predetermined period of time, or until receiving the signal on the first channel.

10. A vehicle with a rear end collision prevention system comprising:

a gas pedal communicatively coupled to a mechanical linkage, the mechanical linkage configured to sense the position of the gas pedal, the mechanical linkage communicatively coupled to a transmitter;

the transmitter comprising at least a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel receives a signal from the mechanical linkage when the gas pedal is depressed, and the second channel receives a signal when the gas pedal is released;

a receiver communicatively coupled to the transmitter, wherein the receiver receives signals from the first channel and the second channel of the transmitter;

at least one illumination device communicatively coupled to the receiver, wherein the device illuminates in a first color responsive to the receiver receiving a signal on the first channel and illuminates in a second color responsive to the receiver receiving a signal on the second channel,

wherein the rear collision prevention system functions independently from a braking system and a transmission in the vehicle.

11. The vehicle with a rear end collision prevention system of claim 10, further comprising a brake light, and wherein the at least one illumination device is affixed to the back of the vehicle, proximate to a brake light.

12. The vehicle with a rear end collision prevention system of claim 10, further comprising a brake light, wherein the at least one illumination device is mounted proximate to a brake light and face the same direction as the brake light.

13. The vehicle with a rear end collision prevention system of claim 10, wherein the mechanical linkage comprises at least one of:

an SPDT Switch, a throttle positioning sensor (TPS), a vacuum line, a mass flow air sensor, manifold absolute pressure, or a throttle switch.

14. The vehicle with a rear end collision prevention system of claim 10, wherein the at least one illumination device comprises an LED.

15. The vehicle with a rear end collision prevention system of claim 10, wherein the at least one illumination device comprises a first illumination device and a second illumination device, wherein the first illumination device illuminates in the first color responsive to the receiver receiving a signal on the first channel, and the second illumination device illuminates in the second color, responsive to the receiver receiving a signal on the second channel.

16. The vehicle with a rear end collision prevention system of claim 10, wherein the first color is a green and the second color is a yellow.

17. The vehicle with a rear end collision prevention system of claim 10, wherein the at least one illumination device illuminates in first color and the second color alternatively.

18. The vehicle with a rear end collision prevention system of claim 10, wherein the transmitter and the receiver communicate through one of:

a wireless connection, or a wired connection.

19. The vehicle with a rear end collision prevention system of claim 10, wherein based on the receiving the signal on the first channel, the illumination device is illuminated in the first color for a first predetermined period of time or until receiving the signal on the second channel, and based on the receiving the signal on the second channel, the illumination device is illuminated in the second color for a second predetermined period of time, or until receiving the signal on the first channel.

20. A method of installing a rear end collision system in a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

electrically coupling a mechanical linkage to a gas pedal capable, the mechanical linkage configured to sense the position of the gas pedal;

electrically coupling the mechanical linkage to a transmitter, the transmitter comprising at least a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel receives a signal from the mechanical linkage when the gas pedal is depressed, and the second channel receives a signal when the gas pedal is released;

electrically coupling a receiver to the transmitter, wherein the receiver receives signals from the first channel and the second channel of the transmitter;

electrically coupling a first illumination device to the receiver, wherein the first device illuminates responsive to the receiver receiving a signal on the first channel;

electrically coupling a second illumination device to the receiver, wherein the second device illuminates responsive to the receiver receiving a signal on the second channel; and

installing the rear collision system such that the rear collision systems functions independently from a braking system and a transmission in the vehicle.