EP0441576A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Crash warning system
Assignee: Bowman Nigel James
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Filing: 1991-02-04
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-02-04
Abstract
Abstract A crash warning system for motor vehicles is described, wherein each vehicle is equipped with a transmitter (T) activated by a crash sensor (S, I), preferably an inertia switch, to emit a signal when the vehicle is in collision, and a receiver (R) capable of detecting signals emitted from other vehicles to warn the driver of the existence of a collision in the vicinity. Preferably the signal is a radio signal, and directional receiving antennae (5) ensure that only receivers (R) in vehicles approaching the crash site are activated. The unit may be permanently installed in the vehicle, or may be portable for use in one of a plurality of vehicles by a driver.
Inventors
- 👤 Ivor Albert William Bowman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:15
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/16; G08G1/161; G08G1/162
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A crash warning system for motor vehicles, comprising a plurality of units (1) for mounting in respective vehicles, each unit comprising a transmitter (T) activated by a crash sensor (S, I) for sending a warning signal, and a receiver (R) capable of activating an alarm (2, 3) in the driving compartment on receipt of said warning signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
A crash warning system according to Claim 1, wherein the warning signal is a radio signal transmitted at a predetermined frequency, and the receiver (R) is a radio receiver tuned to that frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A crash warning system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the crash sensor is an inertia switch (T) operated by an acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle associated with an impact.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A crash warning system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the crash sensor (S) is activated by a deformation of the vehicle structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A crash warning system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the crash sensor is a pressure switch operated by fluid contained in a deformable reservoir.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A crash warning system according to any of Claims 2 to 5, wherein each unit (1) has a transmitter antenna (4) capable of transmitting warning signals in all directions, and a directional receiver antenna (5) capable of receiving signals from a region ahead of the vehicle only.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A crash warning system according to Claims 2 to 6, wherein the transmission frequency of the radio warning signal and the tuning frequency of the receiver may be selected from a plurality of preset frequencies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A crash warning system according to Claim 2, wherein the receiver includes circuitry to sample the strength of a received signal at discrete intervals and to compare the strengths of successive samples, and circuitry to trigger the alarm if the signal strength of the latest sample exceeds that of the previous sample.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A crash warning system according to any preceding Claim, wherein the alarm activated by the receiver comprises an audible alarm (2).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A crash warning system according to Claim 9, wherein the receiver includes circuitry to detect the strength of the warning signal received, the output of the alarm being increased as the warning signal strength increases.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A crash warning system according to any preceding Claim, wherein the receiver not only activates the alarm in receipt of a warning signal, but also activates an external warning device (7) mounted on the vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A crash warning system according to Claim 11, wherein the external warning device (7) is the vehicle's brake lights.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
A crash warning unit (1) for mounting to a vehicle, comprising a crash sensor (S, I) coupled to a transmitter (T) and a power source (P) so as to activate the transmitter (T) to emit a warning signal when a crash is sensed, and a receiver (R) capable of receiving such a warning signal and coupled to an alarm to activate the alarm (2, 3) when a warning signal is detected.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A crash warning unit according to Claim 13, wherein the crash sensor is an inertia switch (I) operated by abrupt acceleration, and the transmitter (T) and receiver (R) are a radio transmitter and receiver operating on the same frequency.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A crash warning unit according to Claim 14, wherein the operating frequency can be selected from a plurality of preset frequencies.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
68 words
A crash warning unit according to Claim 14, wherein a transmission antenna (4) is associated with the transmitter to provide omnidirectional transmission of warning signals, and a directional antenna (5) is associated with the receiver to detect signals emanating from within a predetermined arc relative to the unit (1), the unit being mountable in the vehicle to detect signals emanating from a region in front of the vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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