Patent · US Expired

Vehicle collision avoidance system

US5529138A · kind A · utility

715Cited by
16References
47Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 5, 1993
Grant dateJun 25, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 5, 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 is disclosed 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, and when determined, 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 steering wheel rotation sensor and the actual directiona…

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