CA1101522A - Vehicular safety device - Google Patents

Vehicular safety device

Info

Publication number
CA1101522A
CA1101522A CA303,954A CA303954A CA1101522A CA 1101522 A CA1101522 A CA 1101522A CA 303954 A CA303954 A CA 303954A CA 1101522 A CA1101522 A CA 1101522A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
fog
vehicle
detecting means
mode
detected mode
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA303,954A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael D. Walden
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA303,954A priority Critical patent/CA1101522A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1101522A publication Critical patent/CA1101522A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This disclosure pertains to a vehicular safety device utilizing a fog sensing apparatus for detecting the presence of for immediately preceding the foremost portions of the vehicle.
When fog is detected, the braking system of the vehicle is gradually but forcibly brought into play reducing the speed of the vehicle to a preset maximum determined by a governor operated by the engine. A control wait is concurrently activated which causes the rearmost lamps of the vehicle intermittently to energize, and automatically altering the mode of operation of the headlamps of the vehicle for a time period equal to the continual sensing of fog.

Description

This invention relates to vehicular safety devices and more particularly to such a device controlling the speed and lighting systems of a motor vehicle dependen-t upon the presence of :Eog. ;;
The prior art abounds with safety devices which : :
automatically control the operational characteristics of the .. :
vehicle as a function of the proximity to a leading vehicle.
United States Patent 2,851,120 issued on September 9, 1958 to M. Fogiel and United States Patent 3,011,580 issued on December 10 5, 1961 to J.D. Reid and United States Patent 3,716,822 issued February 13, 1973 to Y.Tsuruta all teach control of the speed of a motor vehicle responsive to the proximity and location of solid objects or leading vehicles located forward of the vehicle so protected.
A object of the instant invention is to provide a vehicular control responsive to th.e presence of fog immediately ~ -preceding the forwardmost portion of the vehicle.
In the present invention a fog sensor is installed at or near the front bumper of the vehicle responsive to fog patches 20 above the road bed immediately preceding the vicinity of the front portions of the vehicle. The fog sensor, when detecting the pre- .
sence of fog, activates a control box which in turn automatically applies the vehicle's~ braking system so that the speed of the :
vehicle is reduced and llmited to a speed determined by a preset governor attached to the engine. The control box simultaneously activates a high intensity rearmost signalling lamp system intermittently, for the period of time that fog is detected.

~' Z

Concurrent1y, and for the same duration, the headlamps of the vehicle are modified in mode of operation by either turning on ~og lamps or changing ~rom high to low beam. All vehicular controls, including the application of the emergency braking system and speed limiting devices, are turned off when fog is no longer detected.
Thus according to -the present invention,there is provided a vehicular safety device comprising fog detecting means for the detection of fog in the pathway of a vehicle, said fog detecting means carried by a frontmost portion of said vehicle, said fog detecting means utilizing rays emanating outwardly and forwardly from said vehicle directed over a roadway carrying said vehicle, said fog detecting means including means to detect said rays reflected from said fog when said fog is located in front of said vehicle and above said roadway, said fog detecting means for controlling apparatus means of said vehicle in a fog detected mode and a lack of fog detected mode, said fog detecting means being disposed in said fog detected mode when said rays are reflected from said fog towards said frontmost portion of said vehicle, said apparatus means including automatic braking means and automatic s~eed control means and visual signalling means and frontmost lamp control means, said automatic braking means utilized for the application of braking forces to said vehicle when said fog detecting means is in said fog detected mode, said applied braking forces being removed when said fog detecting means is in said non fog detected mode, said automatic braking means including means for automatically adjusting the amplitude of said braking forces in proportion;to the speed of travèl of said vehicle, said automatic speed control means limiting the speed of the motor of said vehicle when said fog detecting means is in said fog detected mode, said automatic speed control means ~eing inoperable when said fog detecting means ~s in said non fog detected mode, said visual signalling means visi~l~ signalling trailing vehicles locat~d beh.ind said vehicle b~ intermittently operating at least one lamp secured to a rear surface of said vehicle ~hen said fog detecting means is in said fog detected mode, said visual signalling means becoming inopera~le ~hen said fog detecting means is in said non fog detected mode, said frontmost lamp controlling means for al~:exing the lighting mode emanating forward of said vehicle from a lamp located on a front surface of said vehicle into a fog lighting mode when said fog detecting means is in said fog detected mode, said frontmost lamp control means for altering said lighting mode to a non fog lighting mode when said fog detecting means is ;.n said non fog detected .
mode.
The st,ructure and method of f.ahrication of the present invention is applica~le to a fog detect:or preferably utili~ing a small forwardly directed light source, projecting a light to~ards fog located slightly above the road~ed immediately .' preceding the forward portion of the vehicle so equipped~
photoelectric cell is directed in such a manner as to be responsive to light signals reflected from the fog ~ut unresponsive from incident lighting such as is available rom oncoming vehicles. Polarized light may be utiliæed as ~ell as conventional sound producing and detecting apparatus sensitive to the sound absorbing characteristics of the fog. The- sensor feeds a control box comprising, if desired, a rela~ which in turn, operates an automatic braking system and a light control unit when energized due to the presence of detected fog ~y the fog sensor.

.

52~2 The au-tomatlc braking system utilizes a conventional vehicular braking apparakus operated ~y a spring loaded solenoid released cylinder attached to the brak~ng hydraulic lines of the vehicle. A hydro-check unit or needle valve may ~e interposed between the pressurized side of the cylinder to control the rate of application of hydraulic forces to the master cylinder operating the braking system of the vehicle. An adjustable but preset governor is permitted to control the speed of rotation of the engine, by conventional means, when operated, so as to limit the speed of the vehicle to a preset maximum.
The control relay, when energized, causes high intensity rearmost lamps to energize utilizing a fla~her to produce intermittent illumination therefrom. A set of cantacts, operated by the control relay, when energized, may be utilized to either transfer the headlamp lightlng mode from high beam to low beam or, if desired, ~otally extinguish the conventional high-low headlamps whilst energizing a set of og lamps. ~hen fog is no longer detected, the automati.c braking system is released, the control of the governor vver the engine speed is 2a nullified, the intermittently operating fog signalling lamps are extinguished, and the headlamp or fog lamps are returned to the initial operating condition.
A specific el~bodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in ~hich:
FIGURE 1 is a side elevation vie~ of a vehicle equipped with the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a block diagram representation of the operable components of the pre~ent invèntion.
Now referring to the figures, and more particularly to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 showing vehicle 10 having a 5~

fog sensor 12 ins-talled immediately below the front bumper 14.
Rays 16 are utilized to detect t~e presence of fog 18 over roadbed 20 upon which vehicle 10 is traveling in the direction of arrow 22. Headlamps 24, rearlamps 26, a braking system, not shown, and engine 28, shown in dotted lines, are all ~odified in operation when fog sensor 12 detects fog 18.
Fig. 2 illustrates th~ fog sensor 12 providing a signal to the control box 30 when fog ~s sensed there~y. When the control ~ox 30 is activated, a signal is sent to the atuomatic braking system 32, the automatic governor 34, and the light contxol unit are simultaneously p~aced ;nto operation. The light ~ -control unit operates flasher 38 causing rear lights 40 to intermittently energize and, simultaneously, provides a signal to the head light or fog light devices of the vehicle, causing them to operate in a mode most $uitahle fox travellng in fog bound areas. When the fog sensor ceases to detect the presence of fog, tI~e control box 30 i5 made inoperative causing the automatic braking system 32, the automatic governor 34, and the ; light control unit 36 to ~ecome inoperable, e~tinguishing thereby, rearlights 40 and restoring the head and fo~ lights to a normal mode of operation and allo~ing the vehicl~ operator full manual control over the engine speed and the vehicular braking system.
One of the advantage~ of the instant invention is a vehicular control responsive to the presence of fog immediately preceding the for~ardmost portion of the vehicle.
Another advantage of the instant invention is a vehicular safety device wlth ~raking mèans automatically slowing down the vehicle upon the detection of fog.
Still another advantage o~ the instant invention is a 5i22 vehicular safe-ty device with siynalling means visi~ly signalling the detection of fog -to tra~ling vehicles.
Yet another advantage of the instant invention is a vehicular safety device with headlamps control upon the detection of fog immediately preceding th~ vehicle.
A further advantage of the instant invention is a vehicular safety device with governor control limiting the speed of the vehicle when fog bound.
Thus there is disclosed in the above description and in the drawings, an embodim~nt of the invention which fully and effectively accomplishes the objects thereof. However, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art, how to make variations and modifications to the instant invention. Therefore, this invention is to be limited, not by the specific disclosure herein~ but only by the appending claims.

...r ".t ~. ,`~

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A vehicular safety device comprising fog detecting means for the detection of fog in the pathway of a vehicle, said fog detecting means carried by a frontmost portion of said vehicle, said fog detecting means utilizing rays emanating outwardly and forwardly from said vehicle directed over a roadway carrying said vehicle, said fog detecting means including means to detect said rays reflected from said fog when said fog is located in front of said vehicle and above said roadway, said fog detecting means for controlling apparatus means of said vehicle in a fog detected mode and a lack of fog detected mode, said fog detecting means being disposed in said fog detected mode when said rays are reflected from said fog towards said frontmost portion of said vehicle, said apparatus means including automatic braking means and automatic speed control means and visual signalling means and frontmost lamp control means, said automatic braking means utilized for the application of braking forces to said vehicle when said fog detecting means is in said fog detected mode, said applied braking forces being removed when said fog detecting means is in said non fog detected mode, said automatic braking means including means for automatically adjusting the amplitude of said braking forces in proportion to the speed of travel of said vehicle, said automatic speed control means limiting the speed of the motor of said vehicle when said fog detecting means is in said fog detected mode, said automatic speed control means being inoperable when said fog detecting means is in said non fog detected mode, said visual signalling means visibly signalling trailing vehicles located behind said vehicle by intermittently operating at least one lamp secured to a rear surface of said vehicle when said fog detecting means is in said fog detected mode, said visual signalling means becoming inoperable when said fog detecting means is in said non fog detected mode, said frontmost lamp controlling means for altering the lighting mode emanating forward of said vehicle from a lamp located on a front surface of said vehicle into a fog lighting mode when said fog detecting means is in said fog detected mode, said frontmost lamp control means for altering said lighting mode to a non fog lighting mode when said fog detecting means is in said non fog detected mode.
CA303,954A 1978-05-24 1978-05-24 Vehicular safety device Expired CA1101522A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA303,954A CA1101522A (en) 1978-05-24 1978-05-24 Vehicular safety device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA303,954A CA1101522A (en) 1978-05-24 1978-05-24 Vehicular safety device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1101522A true CA1101522A (en) 1981-05-19

Family

ID=4111535

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA303,954A Expired CA1101522A (en) 1978-05-24 1978-05-24 Vehicular safety device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1101522A (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9171217B2 (en) 2002-05-03 2015-10-27 Magna Electronics Inc. Vision system for vehicle
US9428192B2 (en) 2004-04-15 2016-08-30 Magna Electronics Inc. Vision system for vehicle
US9436880B2 (en) 1999-08-12 2016-09-06 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicle vision system
US9440535B2 (en) 2006-08-11 2016-09-13 Magna Electronics Inc. Vision system for vehicle

Cited By (28)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9436880B2 (en) 1999-08-12 2016-09-06 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicle vision system
US10118618B2 (en) 2002-05-03 2018-11-06 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular control system using cameras and radar sensor
US11203340B2 (en) 2002-05-03 2021-12-21 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular vision system using side-viewing camera
US10683008B2 (en) 2002-05-03 2020-06-16 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular driving assist system using forward-viewing camera
US9555803B2 (en) 2002-05-03 2017-01-31 Magna Electronics Inc. Driver assistance system for vehicle
US10351135B2 (en) 2002-05-03 2019-07-16 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular control system using cameras and radar sensor
US9643605B2 (en) 2002-05-03 2017-05-09 Magna Electronics Inc. Vision system for vehicle
US9171217B2 (en) 2002-05-03 2015-10-27 Magna Electronics Inc. Vision system for vehicle
US9834216B2 (en) 2002-05-03 2017-12-05 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular control system using cameras and radar sensor
US10187615B1 (en) 2004-04-15 2019-01-22 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular control system
US9428192B2 (en) 2004-04-15 2016-08-30 Magna Electronics Inc. Vision system for vehicle
US11847836B2 (en) 2004-04-15 2023-12-19 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular control system with road curvature determination
US10110860B1 (en) 2004-04-15 2018-10-23 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular control system
US9948904B2 (en) 2004-04-15 2018-04-17 Magna Electronics Inc. Vision system for vehicle
US9736435B2 (en) 2004-04-15 2017-08-15 Magna Electronics Inc. Vision system for vehicle
US10306190B1 (en) 2004-04-15 2019-05-28 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular control system
US9609289B2 (en) 2004-04-15 2017-03-28 Magna Electronics Inc. Vision system for vehicle
US10462426B2 (en) 2004-04-15 2019-10-29 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular control system
US11503253B2 (en) 2004-04-15 2022-11-15 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular control system with traffic lane detection
US10735695B2 (en) 2004-04-15 2020-08-04 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular control system with traffic lane detection
US10015452B1 (en) 2004-04-15 2018-07-03 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular control system
US11148583B2 (en) 2006-08-11 2021-10-19 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular forward viewing image capture system
US10787116B2 (en) 2006-08-11 2020-09-29 Magna Electronics Inc. Adaptive forward lighting system for vehicle comprising a control that adjusts the headlamp beam in response to processing of image data captured by a camera
US11396257B2 (en) 2006-08-11 2022-07-26 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular forward viewing image capture system
US9440535B2 (en) 2006-08-11 2016-09-13 Magna Electronics Inc. Vision system for vehicle
US11623559B2 (en) 2006-08-11 2023-04-11 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular forward viewing image capture system
US10071676B2 (en) 2006-08-11 2018-09-11 Magna Electronics Inc. Vision system for vehicle
US11951900B2 (en) 2006-08-11 2024-04-09 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular forward viewing image capture system

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4102426A (en) Vehicular safety device
US5594416A (en) Deceleration warning system
US6411204B1 (en) Deceleration based anti-collision safety light control for vehicle
US20120185130A1 (en) Vehicle lighting
US5642094A (en) Type-of-stop expectation warning
CA1101522A (en) Vehicular safety device
JPH03135851A (en) Hazard automatic lighting device
CN108674302B (en) Automatic adjusting device and method for automobile high beam and low beam
KR0161177B1 (en) Control device for detecting the road condition for a car
GB2300705A (en) An automatic hazard warning light activation system for motor vehicles
KR100334747B1 (en) an apparatus for controlling lamps of a vehicle
JPH04133833A (en) Car lighting device
GB2358460A (en) Motor vehicle brake-light arrangement
WO2006005966A1 (en) Brake lights controller
KR970037669A (en) Emergency light automatic control device of vehicle
KR200377642Y1 (en) Sudden stop lamp of car
KR0134220Y1 (en) Emergency braking system
KR0174048B1 (en) Device and method for distance maintenance between front and rear cars according to weather condition
CN114851957A (en) Optical signal warning system and method for keeping distance between automobiles
KR20240050612A (en) system for controlling of breaking light through selectively sensing of pedaling
JPH0333547Y2 (en)
KR200154441Y1 (en) A preventive device of car collision
JPS6322118Y2 (en)
KR100210934B1 (en) Head lamp
JPH04242897A (en) Device for detecting/alarming inter-vehicle distance

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
MKEX Expiry