Patent · US Expired

Automobile collision avoidance system

US5314037A · kind A · utility

249Cited by
11References
20Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 22, 1993
Grant dateMay 24, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 22, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S188/01
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An automobile collision avoidance system based on laser radars for aiding in avoidance of automobile collisions. The very small beam width, very small angular resolution and the highly directional character of laser radars provide a plurality of advantages as compared with microwave radars. With two sets of laser radars this system can detect the location, the direction of movement, the speed and the size of all obstacles specifically and precisely. This system includes laser radars with transmitters and receivers, a computer, a warning device and an optional automatic braking device. A steering wheel rotation sensor or a laser gyroscope is utilized to give information of system-equipped vehicle's directional change. The system will compare the predicted collision time with the minimal allowable time to determine the imminency of a collision. When the system determines that a situation likely to result in an accident exists, it provides a warning. An optional automatic braking device is disclosed to be used when the vehicle user fails to respond to a warning. Furthermore, a wheel skidding detecting system based on a discrepancy between the directional change rate predicted by a ste…

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