Abstract:
The system of the present invention is a vehicle collision warning and prevention system. It is capable of detecting and calculating the speed, distance, location, and arrival time of the oncoming vehicles and determining whether the oncoming vehicles may collide with the vehicle having the system on board. The system thus warns the driver in the vehicle about the speed, distance, location, and the arrival time of the oncoming vehicle (time of accident). The system is capable of deploying barriers (i.e. air cushions or air bags) in a fraction of a second before the collision between the vehicle and the oncoming vehicle. The system is capable of reducing the impact of the auto collision more than any or most auto collision protection in the market today. The system will protect or prevent most body damages to the front and rear of the car in an auto collision.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a vehicle collision warning and collision reduction system for warning and reducing the collision with an oncoming vehicle or object thus reducing the damage of the impact, and more particularly relates to a vehicle collision detection and barrier deployment system. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Currently there are several different types of vehicle collision detection systems. Such systems include forward collision warning sensors using mm-wave radar or laser radar (lidar). Usually they detect the vehicle&#39;s range and closing rate to obstacles in the forward path of the vehicle generally within a range of 100-150 m (330-500 ft) and determines whether to alert the driver. Another system utilizes proximity fuse which is a fuse that uses tiny radio. The fuse contains its own tiny radio frequency and sends out a “signal” as it flies through the air “detonating” upon receiving an “echo” back from a “target”. It is a simplified radar. It simply measures the strength of an electromagnetic field and when the strength goes beyond a present limit, it detonates. It works well by itself against a metallic target. Another system uses fluxgate magnetometer which senses movement of the two automobiles in opposite or rear direction which reflect on the sensor/monitor that senses/monitors their velocities in linear and perpendicular directions. 
         [0005]    In U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,303, a Doppler radar for forecasting collision, in which three consecutive Doppler signals are obtained by radiating microwave forwardly from the front of a car, the frequency of the microwave being consecutively switched in three steps at a constant interval, and combining the aforesaid microwave and reflected microwave reflected from an object for obtaining intelligence about the distance of the object from the car front, residual time left for the object to reach the car front as well as forecasting collision or non-collision from two of the three Doppler signals and obtaining intelligence about the sense of relative velocity of the object relative to the car front from the remaining Doppler signal and one of the aforesaid two Doppler signals. 
         [0006]    In U.S. Pat. No. 7,747,386, a collision detection sensor for detecting a collision of a vehicle and a collision object by converting the collision into a change in optical transmission characteristics of an optical fiber. The collision detection sensor has the optical fiber, a molding material formed on the periphery of the optical fiber, and a convex portion formed on the surface of the molding material. 
         [0007]    In U.S. Pat. No. 7,823,683, A collision detection apparatus for a vehicle includes a bumper reinforcement, a chamber forming member, a pressure sensor, collision object determining unit, and a collision position sensor. The bumper reinforcement is mounted on the vehicle and extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle. The chamber forming member is provided at a side of the bumper reinforcement and defines a chamber space that is deformable when the object collides with the vehicle. The pressure sensor detects pressure in the chamber space. The collision object determining unit determines a category of the object by comparing the pressure detected by the pressure sensor with a predetermined determination threshold value. The collision position sensor detects a transverse position, at which the object collides. The determining unit changes the determination threshold value based on the collision position detected by the collision position sensor. 
         [0008]    None talks about deployment of a protective barrier if the collision is unavoidable. Therefore, it is necessary to have a system that can detect the threats of an impending collision, warn the driver, and deploy a protective barrier between the vehicle and the oncoming vehicle when the collision is determined unavoidable so as to reduce the damage of the impact. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a vehicle collision detection and barrier deployment system (“VCDBDS” hereinafter). The VCDBDS is a vehicle collision warning and prevention system. It is capable of detecting and calculating the speed and distance of the oncoming vehicles and determining whether the oncoming vehicles may collide with the vehicle having the VCDBDS on board. The system is capable of detecting and identifying oncoming vehicles which may collide with the vehicle based on advanced technologies. The system may comprise Doppler radars to detect and calculate the speed of the oncoming vehicle. It may further comprise a cutting-edge technology that transmits terahertz radiation (“T-rays” hereinafter) to the oncoming vehicle and calculates the speed and distance using the change in frequency between the transmitted T-rays and the reflected T-rays received by photodiodes. The speed, distance and arrival time of the oncoming vehicle can be calculated following the Doppler&#39;s effect principle. 
         [0010]    If the calculated results meet the pre-determined limits, the system warns the driver in the vehicle about 1) the speed and distance of the oncoming vehicle that might result in an accident collision, and 2) the arrival time of the oncoming vehicle (time of accident); and 3) the distance and location of the oncoming vehicle can also be displayed on a screen. 
         [0011]    The system is capable of deploying barriers (i.e. air cushions or air bags) in a fraction of a second before the collision between the vehicle and the oncoming vehicle. The system is capable of reducing the impact of the auto collision more than any or most auto collision protection in the market today. The system will protect or prevent most body damages to the front and rear of the car in an auto collision (especially at 30 to 90 degree angle). 
         [0012]    The system comprises a detecting unit for transmitting microwaves and receiving the reflected waves of the transmission waves and/or transmitting T-rays and receiving the reflected T-rays; a control unit for calculating speed, distance, location, and arrival time of the oncoming vehicle, and determining whether or not to deploy the barriers between the vehicle and the oncoming vehicle; and at least one barrier. The detecting unit for transmitting microwaves and/or T-rays and receiving the reflected waves (radiations) comprises a doppler radar, LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging, also LADAR) which may utilize T-rays and photodiodes. The system may comprise multiple sets of the proximity detector (dopplar radar), LIDAR, photodiodes, and barriers in multiple locations. 
         [0013]    The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. 
         [0014]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0015]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0016]    The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  shows the frontal driver&#39;s side of the car with the vehicle collision warning and prevention system. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  shows the rear passive portable solid state electronic THz radiation generator/detector device driver&#39;s side of the car with the vehicle collision warning and prevention system. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  shows the rear passenger side airbag deploying. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  shows the front driver&#39;s side airbag deploying. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  shows the frontal bumper view with the T-rays transmitter emitter and photodiode hidden behind the passenger and driver&#39;s side lights and the license plate. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  shows the rear bumper view with the T-rays transmitter emitter and photodiode hidden behind the passenger and driver&#39;s side lights and the license plate. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  shows the front bumper view with the vehicle&#39;s lights and license plate opened upon the control center&#39;s command and expose the compartment containing the T-rays transmitter emitter and photodiode. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  shows the rear bumper view with the vehicle&#39;s lights and license plate opened upon the control center&#39;s command and expose the compartment containing the T-rays transmitter emitter and photodiode. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  shows the side view of the frontal device&#39;s process of detecting eminent collision through the Doppler radar. 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  shows the side view of the rear device&#39;s process of detecting eminent collision through the Doppler radar. 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  shows type one of the second embodiment of the system where the set of T-rays transmitter and the photodiode are installed on a separate panel at the front and rear of the car below the primary bumper. Only when the control center gives command to expose the T-rays transmitter and the photodiode, the cover would open up. 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  shows type two of the second embodiment of the system which comprises three sets of T-rays transmitter and photodiode and the airbags at three locations on the front and/rear side of the car and thus can detect the impact from three different directions from the front and rear and deploy the air bags accordingly. 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  shows a trimeter for transmitting waves and receiving reflected waves of the transmission waves. 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  shows the proximity detection sensor meter and the indicator with the interference bar. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0032]    Vehicle collision detection and barrier deployment system (“VCDBDS” hereinafter)  500  according to the present invention is a system that warns the driver and prevents the vehicle from directly colliding with an oncoming vehicle (or object) and thus reduces damage of the impact if collision occurred. 
         [0033]    The system  500  comprises a detecting unit for transmitting microwaves and receiving the reflected waves of the transmission waves and/or transmitting T-rays and receiving the reflected T-rays; a control center  14  for calculating speed, distance, location, and arrival time of the oncoming vehicle, and determining whether or not to deploy the barriers  13  between the vehicle and the oncoming vehicle; and at least one barrier  13 . The detection unit for transmitting microwaves and/or light beams and receiving the reflected waves (radiations) comprises a Doppler radar, LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging, also LADAR) which may utilize any light beams (including T-rays) and photodiodes  6 . The system may comprise multiple sets of the proximity detector (dopplar radar)  4 , LIDAR, photodiodes  6 , and barriers  13  in multiple locations. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-10 , there are disclosed a vehicle collision detection and barrier deployment system (“VCDBDS” hereinafter)  500  for warning and preventing the vehicle with the system  500  onboard from directly colliding with an oncoming vehicle (or object) and reducing the impact if collision occurs. The system  500  comprises at least one Doppler radar  10 , at least one T-rays transmitter  8 , at least one photodiode  6  and at least one barrier  13 . The Doppler radar  4  and T-rays transmitter  8 , and photodiode  6  are used to detect the oncoming vehicles. The barriers  13  are used to prevent the vehicle from direct impact with the oncoming vehicle (object) and reduce the damage of vehicles due to the impact. The barriers  13  may be any devices that are known in the art. The barriers  13  are installed inside the compartments located within the bumpers at the front and rear sides. The barriers  13  may be air cushions/air bags. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  shows the frontal driver&#39;s side of the vehicle with the headlight  20  and side light  19  and  FIG. 2  shows the rear side of the car with the side light  19 . On the bumper a smart plastic cover  18  covers the compartment containing the 30 degree angle barriers (in stored position)  13 . The barriers  13  deploy upon instruction from the control centre  14  to prevent direct impact of the oncoming vehicles to the front and the rear of the vehicle as shown in  FIGS. 3-4 . 
         [0036]      FIGS. 5-6  show the frontal side and rear side of the car with the headlight  20  and side light  19 . As shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , the proximity detector (Doppler radar)  10  is installed underneath the car bumper below the license plate and the driver&#39;s side lights  19  and passenger&#39;s side light  19 . As shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , the T-rays transmitter  8  and photodiode  6  are hidden behind the passenger and driver&#39;s side lights and the license plate. The doppler radar  10  detects the speed and distance of the oncoming vehicles and provide the data to control center  14  to calculate the speed, distance, and/or location. Once the distance is within a predetermined limit which suggests a possible eminent collision, the vehicle&#39;s lights and license plate open upon the control center&#39;s command and expose the compartment containing the T-rays transmitter  8  and photodiode  6  as shown in  FIGS. 7-8 . Once the T-rays transmitter  8  and photodiode  6  are unshielded they are able to transmit the T-rays and receive the reflective T-rays. The control center  14  uses the light frequency to calculate the speed, distance and determine whether or not to deploy the barriers  13 . 
         [0037]      FIGS. 9-10  show the side view of a vehicle going through the process of detecting eminent collision through the proximity detector (Doppler radar)  10 , exposing the T-rays transmitter  8 , and deploying the frontal barriers  13  or the rear barriers  13 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 11-12  show a second embodiment of the system  500 . In the second embodiment, the set of T-rays transmitter  8  and the photodiode  6  are installed on a separate panel at the front and rear of the car below the primary bumper. This panel has a cover that covers the T-rays transmitter  8  and the photodiode  6 . Only when the control center  14  gives command to expose the T-rays transmitter  8  and the photodiode  6 , the cover  28  would open up. This second embodiment has two types. The first type comprises only one set of proximity detector (Doppler radar)  10 , T-rays transmitter  8 , photodiode  6  and air bag  13  at the front end and rear end of the car, respectively as shown in  FIG. 11 . In the first type only one barrier  13  is installed and will protect the entire frontal side/and rear side of the car as shown in  FIG. 11 . In the second type as shown in  FIG. 12 , the system comprises three sets of T-rays transmitter  8  and photodiode  6  and the barriers  13  at three locations on the front and/rear side of the car and thus can detect the impact from three different directions from the front and rear and deploy the barriers  13  accordingly. The proximity detector (Doppler radar)  10  is located on the underside of the car at the front or back end of the car. The system  500  may comprise more sets of The proximity detector (Doppler radar)  10 , photodiodes  6 , and barriers  13  in more locations than have been described in the foregoing section. 
         [0039]    The barriers  13  will be deployed upon receiving the command from the control center  14 . The control center  14  also determines whether or not to alert the driver based on a pre-determined limit, generally within a range of 100-150 m (equivalent to 330-500 feet). 
         [0040]    The air cushion (or air bags)  13  and the mechanism of air cushion (or air bag)  13  deployment is known in the art. Thus, it is not discussed in the application. The device  500  is time sensitive that engages few milliseconds for each part activation and completing starting from the radar&#39;s range to the air cushion ignition and finally air cushion deployment. Each microsecond is very critical. The expanding nitrogen gas inflates the air bag  13  in less than one-twentieth ( 1/20) of a second, splitting open the plastic module cover  18  and inflating in front of the bumper. The bag  13  is fully inflated for only one-tenth ( 1/10) of a second and deflated by three-tenths ( 3/10) of a second. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , there is disclosed a trimeter  50  for transmitting waves and receiving reflected waves of the transmission waves. The trimeter  50  comprises proximity detection sensor meter  1 , electric field strength and magnetic field strength measurement meter  2 , photodiode measurement meter  3  and their corresponding proximity detection sensor  4 , electric field strength and magnetic field strength sensor  5 , and a photodiode detection sensor  6 . Other components on the trimeter  50  include but are not limited to compass  7 , T-ray transmitter  8 , plastic optical fiber, and hall effect sensor, etc. 
         [0042]    The Doppler effect proximity detection sensor meter  1  is used for detecting the proximity of the oncoming vehicle by using Doppler effect proximity sensor  2  that makes use of the Doppler effect (using a change in frequency between emitted and returning pulses to find the relative speed of the target) to produce velocity data about objects at a distance. 
         [0043]    The Doppler transmitter  10  with directional compass  7  emits microwave signal of the Doppler transmitter  10  at specific angles and directions. The Doppler effect proximity detection meter  1  is triggered after three consecutive transmitted signals and returned signals at the same angle detect a target within collision range then the device turns on the T-ray transmitter  8 . 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 14  it is shown that as the proximity detection sensor meter&#39;s  1  reading decreases, the indicator with the interference bar  9  is activated after three consecutive signal increment, then it turns on its T-ray emitter  8 . 
         [0045]    The Terahertz transmitter  8  comprising: a light source of varying wavelegth  11 ; electrodes  12  (two pointed strips of metal separated by a 100 nanometer gap on top of a semi-conductor wafer) creating the T-rays. Once shined on an oncoming car, the T-rays are reflected back when it hits the vehicle that is about to cause a collision. 
         [0046]    It is only when the light emitter  8  emits light between 30 and 90 degree angle and the photodiode sensor  6  receives the reflected T-rays at angles between 30 and 90 degree angle can a response be triggered by the device to activate or turn on the photodiode measurement meter  3 . 
         [0047]    A photodiode  6  is used to determine the light intensity where the light intensity is proportional to the photoelectric current. Light or photons are reflected and refracted back to the photodiode  6 . Electrons on the photodiode  6  is excited by photon absorption (known as photoexcitation). The excited electrons leave the photodiode  6 , generating a current that can be measured by the photodiode measurement meter  3 . This whole process is known as the photoelectric effect. A photometer may also be used to determine the light intensity. 
         [0048]    The THz control center  14  contains the following components: THz radiation reflection and refraction  15 ; a solid-state electric THz radiation time-reversed calculator  16 , a solid-state electric THz radiation pulse monitor/counter  17  to calculate the distance of the oncoming car and the arrival time. The device  500  can deploy the airbag  13  in time for the collision. 
         [0049]    In one embodiment, the VCDBDS of the present invention further comprises a passive activator  21 . When the speedometer is activated as the ignition key is turned on-starting the car. When the speedometer gauge is at about 10 mph, the device&#39;s passive activator  21  activates the aforementioned components. Using this passive activator  21  can deter the device activation while in a very slow traffic and parked. 
         [0050]    The present system may further contain components to deactivate the system  500  by controlling the flow of electricity (current) flowing through the system. The components to deactivate the system  500  may include but are not limited to a Triode-tube/Thermionic tube, Transistor, Semiconductor diodes &amp; transistor, Germanium diodes, Diodes, smart materials (polymetric materials), choke (electricity) or power supply choke, or whatever is known in the art. 
         [0051]    The system  500  can also be inactivated through the speedometer sensor when the sender/source speed is below 10 mph or the manufacturer&#39;s speed choice. Or when the returned/emitted signals that is not 30 to 90 degree angle to the source vehicle. 
         [0052]    The system  500  may further comprise Crash sensors which are designed to prevent the air bag from inflating when the car encounters minor collisions (i.e. bumps). It can also detect the sudden deceleration. 
         [0053]    While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled.