Abstract The apparatus gives information relative to the road-tyre adhesion of a vehicle, comprising an electronic anti-skid device so as to allow the driver to appraise or to know the distance over which move during a panic braking before coming to a stop or before slowing down to a safe speed. The apparatus comprises a pulse-width measuring circuit for measuring the duration of the isolation signals which are developed in the anti-skid device for temporarily isolating the braking system. The information can be displayed by colored lamps. However, the apparatus can comprise more elaborate indicating means delivering signals which can be converted into direct readings or into signals representative of the theoretical braking distance. The comparison of these signals with signals delivered by a range finding device measuring the distance separating the vehicle from an obstacle ahead allows a warning signal to be obtained when the distance is unsafe.
In a wheeled vehicle having an antiskid system responsive to the rotational speed of a vehicle wheel for generating an isolating signal controlling the brake associated with said wheel, apparatus for testing the road-tire adhesion of the vehicle comprising: means for differentiating said isolating signal to produce a first pulse in response to the leading edge of said isolating signal and a second pulse in response to the trailing edge of said isolating signal; monostable circuit means triggered by said first pulse to produce an output signal; gating means producing an output signal when both said second pulse and the output signal from said monostable circuit means are transmitted to said gating means, whereby the output signal of said gating means indicates that the time lapse between the first and second pulses is less than the relaxation time of the monostable circuit means; and indicating means responsive to the output signal of said gating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a wheeled vehicle having an antiskid system responsive to the rotational speed of a vehicle wheel for generating an isolating signal controlling the brake associated with said wheel, apparatus for testing the road-tire adhesion of the vehicle comprising: means for differentiating said isolating signal to produce a first pulse in response to the leading edge of said isolating signal and a second pulse in response to the trailing edge of said isolating signal; monostable circuit means triggered by said first pulse to produce an output signal; gating means producing an output signal when both said second pulse and the output signal from said monostable circuit means are transmitted to said gating means, whereby the output signal of said gating means indicates that the time lapse between the first and second pulses is less than the relaxation time of the monostable circuit means; and indicating means responsive to the output signal of said gating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention of claim 1: there being a plurality of said gating means and a corresponding monostable circuit means connected in cascade for each of said gating means, the output of each of said monostable gating means being connected to an input of a corresponding gating means, and means transmitting said second pulse to another input of each of said gating means simultaneously.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 1; and a timing device connected between the indicating means and the output of said gating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 3: said indicating means including at least one lamp.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention of claim 1: means for generating a speed signal proportional to the velocity of said vehicle wheel; and means responsive to said speed signal and to the output signal of said gating means for generating a signal proportional to the theoretical distance required to stop the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
The invention of claim 5: range finding means for generating a signal proportional to the distance between said vehicle and an obstacle ahead of said vehicle; and comparator means for comparing said signal proportional to the distance between the vehicle and an obstacle ahead of said vehicle with said signal representing the theoretical distance required to stop the vehicle and actuating a warning device whenever the theoretical distance to stop the vehicle is greater than the distance between the vehicle and an obstacle ahead of said vehicle.