Vehicle Braking Device Using Fixed Transmitters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle braking systems, such as proximity cruise control, fail to react in time to a preceding vehicle's braking action when vehicles are closely spaced and an obstacle obstructs the view, leading to potential rear-end collisions, especially at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
A semi-automatic braking device that uses fixed transmitters to receive signals about a preceding vehicle's braking status, allowing for automatic braking and warning activation based on deceleration thresholds, with priority signals in the radio network to minimize latency and ensure timely reaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If vehicle-to-vehicle communication with transmitters and receivers in each vehicle is used, then braking information can be transmitted between vehicles, but the system reliability deteriorates because a single failure breaks the entire communication chain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fixed infrastructure transmitters positioned along the road as intermediary nodes between vehicles. These fixed transmitters receive braking signals from one vehicle and relay them to subsequent vehicles, eliminating the need for each vehicle to maintain active transmitters and receivers. This intermediary infrastructure resolves the reliability issue by providing a stable, dedicated communication path that doesn't depend on vehicle-to-vehicle device functionality.
2Ease of operation
If drivers or proximity control systems react only when distance to the vehicle directly in front changes, then the system remains simple to operate, but the reaction time becomes insufficient at increased speeds or in close proximity situations
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed transmitter infrastructure enables preliminary action by providing advance warning of braking events before the following vehicle's driver would naturally detect them through visual observation. The system proactively transmits braking information from the preceding vehicle through the fixed infrastructure, allowing the following vehicle to prepare for braking earlier than traditional reactive systems, thus reducing overall reaction time while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Loss of time
If automatic braking is implemented based on received signals, then the braking response time is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional control systems and actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The brake actuator serves multiple functions: it responds to both traditional driver input through the brake pedal and to automatic braking signals from the fixed transmitter infrastructure. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware component to handle both manual and automated braking scenarios, reducing the need for separate dedicated actuators and control systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still achieving reduced response times.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a braking device for a vehicle. It is the purpose of the present invention to enable automatic braking upon detection of a braking action of a preceding vehicle which is concealed by an obstacle. The braking device for a vehicle according to the invention, comprises a brake pedal, a brake actuator, a control unit which is adapted to activate the brake actuator in dependence on the position of the brake pedal; wherein the brake actuator is activatable in dependence on a first signal, and wherein the first signal contains information about a first characteristic of a preceding vehicle covered by an obstacle, characterized in that the braking device is adapted to receive the first signal from a stationary transmitter.