Patent · US Expired

Automotive collision avoidance and/or air bag deployment radar

US4673937A · kind A · utility

95Cited by
7References
37Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 24, 1985
Grant dateJun 16, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 24, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01S2013/93271
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A Doppler radar system for a vehicle providing driver warning, vehicle brake application and air bag deployment. The system produces voltage level input directed to the distance and approach rate to an object, vehicle speed and driving monitor inputs, such as steering angles, turning rates, braking, and acceleration/deacceleration. These voltages are properly weighted as to their importance. These weighted instantaneous input voltages are summed. The summed voltage is then compared with a predetermined voltage level dividing safe and danger zones. If the summed level falls within the safe zone, the radar system produces no output signals. If the summed voltage level falls within the danger zone, the radar system produces audio warning signals and if impact with an object is eminent vehicles braking signals are then produced. The invention further includes an air bag deployment feature. A vehicle air bag is deployed when the vehicle speed exceeds a pre-determined value and the distance to impact is within a predetermined distance. The air bag deployment and audio and braking functions are independent.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.