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Automotive friction assist system with improved traction

a technology of friction assist and automotive, which is applied in the direction of brake systems, locomotives, instruments, etc., can solve the problems of reducing traction, reducing traction, and reducing the effectiveness of antilock brakes under certain road conditions, so as to improve the traction of wheels and increase the static friction of the road surfa

Inactive Publication Date: 2014-03-20
GOULET PETER E
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a method and device for automatically detecting slippery roads and automatically adding pellets made of ceramic or biodegradable material in front of a vehicle's wheels. These pellets contain friction material to increase the friction between the road surface and the wheels, improving traction in icy conditions.

Problems solved by technology

However, antilock brakes are rendered much less effective under certain road conditions, such as road conditions caused by black ice, freezing rain or snow.
Yet, such conditions cause a significant amount of personal injuries and personal property damages every year.
Moreover, icy conditions also reduce traction making it difficult for motor vehicles to gain forward momentum, especially when driving up even the slightest incline.

Method used

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  • Automotive friction assist system with improved traction
  • Automotive friction assist system with improved traction
  • Automotive friction assist system with improved traction

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exemplary embodiment 10

[0028]Turning to FIG. 1, shown therein is an exemplary embodiment 10 of a friction assist system of the present invention. The exemplary embodiment 10 involves sensors and computerized logic that determine when to deploy biodegradable or ceramic pellets in front of the leading edge of selected wheels of a vehicle to achieve static friction for either a desired stop condition or traction condition. Each of the elements will be discussed in detail.

[0029]Friction Pellets

[0030]Turning to FIG. 2, shown therein is an exemplary embodiment of a pellet 20 for use in the friction assist system of the present invention. Biodegradable or ceramic pellets are used to increase the static friction of the road surface. The pellets are biodegradable so that no environmental hazard is caused by deploying them on the road surface. The diameter of the pellet 21 is selected to be about ¾ of an inch, or about 2 centimeters.

[0031]Many different pellets can be used as long as the pellets do not provide an e...

exemplary embodiment 20

[0032]Each exemplary pellet 20 contains many friction grain triangles 21 that take up most of the space inside the pellet 20. In one exemplary embodiment of the pellet, the pellet includes about 35 grain triangles, which take up about sixty percent (60%) of the interior space. Sand (or other suitable material) 22 takes up most of the remaining interior space inside pellet 20. In the exemplary embodiment of the pellet 20, sand 22 takes up about 30% of the space inside the pellet 20. The remaining space inside the pellet 20 is taken up by a colored liquid 21, such as a biodegradable soy-based colored liquid, so that one can determine if the pellet was deployed. Biodegradable materials are preferable to reduce any environmental impact by the use of the pellets of the present invention; however, other materials may still provide the necessary friction. In the exemplary embodiment 20, the colored liquid is blue soy paint 23, which takes up about 10% of the space inside the pellet 20. Suc...

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Abstract

An automotive friction assist system with improved traction enables a motor vehicle to stop quickly and start easily on low friction surfaces, such as those present during icy conditions. The system operates by introducing more static friction points between the leading contact edges of wheels of a motor vehicle. Additionally, the present invention provides a sensor to activate the friction assist system when the road surface temperature is at or near the freezing point of water. The friction assist system will increase static friction on a road surface and aid an ABS system on a vehicle to bring the vehicle to a stop in less distance than otherwise possible. The friction assist system will also increase static friction and aid a motor vehicle's wheel slip regulator when a vehicle is attempting to gain traction or forward drive momentum.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for improving traction for automotive vehicles, and more particularly to a method and system for improving traction for an automotive vehicle during icy or snowy conditions.[0002]Antilock breaking systems (ABS) significantly improved the stopping ability of automotive vehicles, even during icy condition. However, antilock brakes are rendered much less effective under certain road conditions, such as road conditions caused by black ice, freezing rain or snow. Driving in these road conditions, ice crystal buildup prevents the antilock braking system from working because of the significantly reduced road friction. Yet, such conditions cause a significant amount of personal injuries and personal property damages every year.[0003]Moreover, icy conditions also reduce traction making it difficult for motor vehicles to gain forward momentum, especially when driving up even the slightest incline.[0004]The present ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B61C15/10
CPCB61C15/107B60T8/56B60B39/02B60B39/022B60B39/024B60B39/025B60B39/04B60B39/06B60B39/10B60B2900/331B60B2900/721B60Y2200/11B60Y2200/14B60Y2200/83
Inventor GOULET, PETER E.
Owner GOULET PETER E
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