DE4231456A1 - Accident warning system for road traffic - uses radio warning signal transmitted by vehicle upon operation of hazard lights received by other vehicles in immediate proximity - Google Patents

Abstract

The accident warning system uses a transceiver (3-5) incorporated in each vehicle with a max. transmission range of several hundred metres, normally operated in a reception mode, but switched into a transmission mode upon operation of the vehicle hazard warning lights. The transmitted signal is received by each other vehicle within the locality, to allow an optical or acoustic warning signal to be provided. The transmitted radio signal may be frequency or phase modulated, the received signal demodulated for comparison with a stored modulation signal, to allow the warning signal to be activated. ADVANTAGE - Alerts other road users upon accident or breakdown to prevent multiple collision in poor visibility etc.

Description

The invention relates to a hazard warning method for Motor vehicles with hazard warning lights according to the preamble of Claim 1 and an arrangement for performing the Method according to the preamble of claim 11.

With increasing traffic density on public roads and highways are also the associated dangers has become significantly larger for road users. Motor vehicles must therefore nowadays with hazard warning lights be equipped so that the driver by switching on the same the drivers of the following motor vehicles one recognized by him or by his motor vehicle  can draw attention to the outgoing danger. Often enough However, this does not mean that the driver of the following To warn vehicles of this danger in good time: e.g. B. on highways due to the high speeds, with where the vehicles move there, or at poor visibility as z. B. in snow ben, rain or fog prevail or when the Driver through sunlight. The consequences of such not quite Sources of danger that are identified at an early stage are often serious problems cases or mass collisions.

The individual circles also emit a warning radio stations as a service at certain times certain frequencies indicate traffic disturbances ("Traffic announcements"), but only from denje some road users can be received whose Vehicle is equipped with a radio that is also turned on switches and set to the respective transmission frequency have to be.

To ensure that such traffic announcements are received, shipments of this type are nowadays with an identifier signal provided with the car radios that correspond to appropriate receiving devices have automatically turned on switches and can be set to the transmission frequency, see above that the traffic information sent at least those reach drivers whose motor vehicle with such equipped with car radios.

However, since usually minutes, if not hours pass before the information about a recognized danger source has been transmitted to broadcasters  the road users in the period immediately after Origin of the source of danger (traffic jam, leftovers Vehicle etc.) actually only "directly on site" z. B. by Hazard warning lights switched on for vehicles in front be warned.

The object of the invention is therefore, on the one hand specify a hazard warning procedure for motor vehicles, the timely warning of road users a recognized danger, and on the other hand one Arrangement to carry out the method to specify the is as simple as possible in construction and with which already in Traffic motor vehicles without much effort can be retrofitted.

The achievement of the object is in relation to the procedure to be indicated by the characteristic note reproduced male of claim 1 and in relation to the arrangement to be indicated by the characteristic note male of claim 11. The remaining claims be write advantageous training and further education of the inventor method according to the invention (claims 2 to 10) or he arrangement according to the invention (claims 9 to 18) and a preferred application of the invention (claim 19).

The main advantages of the invention are

• - that z. B. Accidents and mass collisions in particular especially on confusing routes and in sight impairment z. B. by blowing snow, rain, Fog etc. by timely warning of the subsequent  vehicles by driving ahead witnesses can be prevented;
• - that, compared to the currently practiced "global" traffic announcements, a delay loose real-time warning possible with local precision is;
• - that there is practically no risk of abuse, because the "warning" vehicle optically through it Hazard warning lights switched on based on the car identification can be easily identified;
• - That the arrangement according to the invention is also inexpensive as a retrofit kit for those already on the market che motor vehicles is realizable;
• - That the invention on all roads and paths (whatever order) works;
• - That traffic infrastructure construction and retrofitting measures are not required.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the Er The invention provides that in addition to the acoustic and / or optical warning signals the hazard warning lights other warned motor vehicles automatically switched on become.

The main advantage of this measure is that automatically, based on the warning vehicle builds up a "warning chain" that gradually  vehicles recorded that are within the broadcast range of the respective warning vehicles. This Chain builds up even if a warned Road users fail to do so, then his warning switch on the turn signal system manually.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 1. The figure shows a particularly advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention for executing the method according to the invention.

The arrangement is in or on a (not shown) Motor vehicle arranged. Same orders are located themselves in other motor vehicles.

The arrangement comprises a transmitting / receiving antenna 1 which via a controllable switch 2 either on the receiving part 4 or the transmitting part 3 of a transmitting / receiving device 3 - 5 is connected. In the transmitting / receiving device 3-5, a memory 5 is further provided, in which a certain predetermined and the same for all vehicles modulation signal is stored.

The receiving section 4 of the transmitting / receiving device 3-5 is be made of a band-pass filter 40, a receiver / demodulator 41 and a comparison unit 43; optionally, a signal shaping / amplifier unit 42 can be provided between the receiver / demodulator 41 and the comparison unit 43 . The memory 5 is connected on the one hand to one of the two inputs of the comparison unit 43 of the receiving part 4 and on the other hand to the transmitting part 3 .

The comparison unit 43 , which is connected with its other input either directly or via the optional signal shaping / amplifier unit 42 to the receiver / demodulator 41 , is connected on the output side to a warning signal generating unit 6 .

The warning signal generating unit 6 can (e.g. using a light bulb or an LED display) generate optical and / or (e.g. using a (piezo) loudspeaker) acoustic warning signals.

The receiving part 4 and the memory 5 of the transmission / reception device 3-5 are connected via a first switch 7 to the supply voltage + UB of the motor vehicle (battery) connected ver; the transmitting part 3 of the transmitting / receiving device 3 - 5 and the control input of the changeover switch 2 are connected to the supply voltage + UB of the vehicle via a second switch 8 .

With the commissioning of the motor vehicle - z. B. by closing the ignition circuit of the vehicle using the ignition key - the first switch 7 is closed, while the second switch 8 is open in the normal case and is only closed by switching on the hazard warning lights (e.g. by manually actuating the hazard warning light switch or - in the previously described advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention - by radio).

The switch 2 (for example, a reed relay or a diode switch.) Is normally in the position shown in the figure, switch position, through the antenna, the transmitting / receiving 1 to the receiving section 4 of the transmitting / receiving device 3 - 5 is connected ; only if the second switch 8 is closed, is of the order switch 8 is switched to the other switching position, through which the transmitting portion is 3 3 -5 connected to the transmitting / receiving device with the transmitting / receiving antenna. 1

The arrangement works as follows:

With the commissioning of the motor vehicle, the first switch 7 is closed by closing the ignition circuit of the vehicle (“switching on the ignition”), so that the receiving part 4 and the memory 5 of the transmitting / receiving device 3 - 5 and the warning signal generating unit 6 are activated while the transmitting section 3 of the transmitting / receiving device 3-5 as a result of the (still) open the second switch 8 is inactive and the switch 2 assumes the switching position shown in the figure. The order is now ready for operation and is switched to receive mode.

If the hazard warning system in the vehicle is switched on (manually by the driver or - in the previously described particularly advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention - by radio), the second switch 8 is closed, with the result that the transmitting part 3 of the transmission / receiving device 3 - 5 is activated and the switch 2 assumes the lung other possible switching Stel, through which the transmitting part 3 of the transmitting / receiving device 3 - 5 is connected to the transmitting / receiving antenna. 1 The arrangement is now switched to transmit mode and transmits a radio signal at a predetermined frequency via the transmit / receive antenna 1 , which with a predetermined modulation signal stored in the memory 5 and preferably the same for all vehicles (e.g. a serial n-bit Sequence is modulated with n <1). Frequency or phase modulation or frequency or phase shift keying can be used as the type of modulation, for example. But there are also other types of modulation such. B. amplitude modulation or shift keying possible.

The transmission power of the transceiver 3 - 5 is dimensioned so that a transmission range of a maximum of a few hundred meters is achieved (for the VHF / UHF or SHF band, this means a transmission power <100 mW for a transmitter range of about 300 m ).

The modulated and coded radio signal is emitted from the transmitting / receiving antenna 1 of the warning vehicle either omnidirectionally (ie in the solid angle 4π) or towards the rear (that is, against the forward direction of travel of the vehicle).

This radio signal is now received by all vehicles which are within the transmission range of the "warning" vehicle via their transmitting / receiving antenna 1 and (since their transmitting / receiving devices 3 - 5 are switched to receive operation) their receiving parts 4 are supplied.

In the receiving part 4 of the transmitting / receiving devices 3-5 of the individual "warned" Motor vehicle passes through the emp captured radio signal, the bandpass filter 40 and reaches the receiver / demodulator 41, in which it is demodulated. The modulation signal then appears at the output of the receiver / demodulator 41 , which is then - optionally after an optional signal shaping or amplification by the signal shaping / amplification unit 42 - fed to the comparison unit 43 and compared there with the modulation signal stored in the memory 5 .

After determining the correspondence of the two signals, a corresponding control signal is emitted from the comparison unit 43 to the warning signal generation unit 6 , which then generates an optical and / or acoustic signal in and / or on the respective motor vehicle, so that the driver of this vehicle is warned and now in turn can turn on the hazard lights with the result that this vehicle from the "warned" vehicles now takes on the status of a "warning" vehicle and - by turning on the hazard lights - emits a radio signal in the manner previously described, from all those Vehicles are received, which are within the transmission range of this "warning" vehicle and are switched to receive mode. In this way, starting from the first "warn the" vehicle, a warning chain of warning vehicles builds up, which only breaks off when either no more radio signals are emitted (because the hazard warning lights have been switched off again) or when there are no more vehicles ready to receive are within the transmission range of the last warning vehicle.

The time when the individual warning vehicles Funksi emit signals, is preferably shorter or at most equal to the time in which the hazard warning lights of the warning vehicle is switched on.  

In a specific embodiment of the arrangement described above, a carrier is emitted for triggering the alarm, the frequency of which is shifted (F1). The Modula tion signal can, for. B. be a serial 8-bit sequence that is the same for the devices of all motor vehicles. If this 8-bit sequence is recognized in the receiver of the warned vehicles, the acoustic or visual alarm is triggered there. False alarms caused by interference carriers and ignition spark faults are largely excluded in this way. The Alarmge advises z. B. from a two-stage quartz-controlled transmitter ( 3 in Fig. 1) with an output power of about 10 mW and a simple quartz-controlled FM receiver ( 4 in Fig. 1), as used in inexpensive pocket radios. Furthermore, the device contains the antenna switch mentioned ( 2 in Fig. 1), a code generator (in the transmitting part 3 in Fig. 1) and code demodulator ( 41 , 43 in Fig. 1) and an alarm tone generator ( 6 in Fig. 1) to generate the acoustic alarm.

The first stage of the transmitter consists of a quartzoszil lator, which is also a multiplication (e.g. doubling lung) of the quartz frequency and modu is possible. The second stage is also a fre frequency multipliers (e.g. triples) and power amplifiers to about 10 mW.

In the event of an alarm, the quartz oscillator becomes constant with the repeating 8-bit serial sequence F1-modulated (hub e.g. 10 kHz or more), which can be done by simply toggling the Quartz oscillator can be realized. As a modulation genera gate can z. B. one for radio remote controls and garage door  integrated circuit suitable for controls which is an 8-bit sequence that can be selected by external wiring e.g. B. in the Manchester code and also contains the comparison unit in which an incoming Follow with the set 8-bit word for agreement is checked.

The receiver can be made from an inexpensive conventional one tegrated circuit, which is a complete FM receiver contains; this can e.g. B. from an entrance part, an oscillator (alternatively, however, can also an external oscillator with multiplier used den), an IF amplifier, a demodulator, one Squelch and a 1W NF power amplifier exist.

On the external wiring z. B. three resonant circuits like a ceramic filter, a quartz oscillator with ver multiple and resistors and capacitors are provided become. A simple diode switch can act as an antenna serve switches. The comparison unit of the one above mentioned integrated circuit, which also the Modulation generator can contain, is demodulated Received signal, which optionally still over a simple transistor amplifier (pulse shaper) can be ridden. In the event of an alarm, this determines whether that Signal that contains the usual 8-bit sequence. In this Trap actuates a switching output of this circuit z. B. a 2-tone or 3-tone generator common in telephones. The warning tone can e.g. B. via a small piezo speaker be emitted, which has a high efficiency.  

Activation of the transmitter (via the supply voltage) and the antenna switching z. B. with pressing the hazard warning system of the alarming vehicle. The receiver is always activated as soon as the motor of the Vehicle has started (e.g. via the ignition lock).

The antennas can either be glued onto a pane Antennas (similar to those used for car radios) or the Rear window heating (powered by a DC HF switch) in Question.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to described embodiments is limited, but is applicable mutatis mutandis to others.

So it is z. B. possible that along the streets and car train transmitters / receivers according to the invention be installed in a fixed position (e.g. in the emergency call pillars of the Motorways along the highways), which also are normally switched to receive mode and after Receiving a radio signal according to the invention for a before switch the given time to transmission mode and also Send out radio signals of this type. This has the advantage that even with very little traffic with large vehicles the warning of individual vehicles would still be guaranteed is steady.

Furthermore, it is possible that the transmitting / receiving device of the motor vehicle emitting the radio signal (in each case) also receives the radio signal itself, identifies it and preferably triggers an optical and / or acoustic first control signal in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle via the warning signal generation unit. This reception operation parallel to the transmission operation can be implemented, for example, with a changeover switch ( 2 in FIG. 1) which has a defined, predetermined crosstalk attenuation. With this measure, the driver of the "transmitting" motor vehicle can be indicated in a very effective manner whether the radio signal has been correctly transmitted or not.

Finally, it can be provided that after receipt of the radio signal and its identification in the individual NEN motor vehicles then the functional state of the Hazard warning system is checked and that when not turned on switched hazard lights preferably over the Warning signal generating unit an optical and / or acousti second control signal in the passenger compartment of the power vehicle is triggered or that when switched on Hazard warning flashers preferably via the warning signal generator a visual and / or acoustic third Control signal in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle out is resolved.

This check can, for example, with the help of a Lo gik circuit happen, which checks whether after receiving a hazard warning signal of a radio signal of the type described location of the motor vehicle has been switched on or not, and depending on the functional state of the hazard warning lights was a corresponding control signal z. B. for Warning signal generating unit there, which then the second or triggers the third control signal. The advantage of this Measure is that the Driver of the motor vehicle can be displayed whether the  Hazard warning system of his motor vehicle after receipt such radio signal has been switched on or Not.

Claims (19)

1. Hazard warning procedure for motor vehicles with hazard warning system, characterized by the following features:

• - When the respective motor vehicle is put into operation, a transmitting / receiving device arranged in and / or on the motor vehicle with a transmission range of a maximum of a few hundred meters is put into operation and switched to receiving operation;
• - When the hazard warning lights are switched on, the transmission / reception device is switched to transmission mode and transmits a transmission frequency via a transmission / reception antenna arranged in and / or on the motor vehicle at a predetermined frequency and preferably the same for all motor vehicles
• - radio signal off;
• - The radio signal is received by the transmitting / receiving devices of the remaining motor vehicles located within the transmission range of the motor vehicle emitting the radio signal via their respective transmitting / receiving antenna and identified in their respective transmitting / receiving device and resolves in and / or on these motor vehicles by means of egg ner in each case existing and connected to the transmitting / receiving device warning signal generating unit acoustic and / or optical warning signals.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the radio signal is frequency or phase modulated, preferably is frequency-shifted or phase-shifted. 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the modulating signal modulating the radio signal for all Motor vehicles chosen the same and in the Send / receive device of the individual motor vehicles is stored and preferably from a predetermined serial n-bit sequence exists with n <1. 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that switched to receiving mode Transmitters / receivers of other motor vehicles each because that by demodulating the received radio signal obtained modulation signal with the stored mod lation signal is compared and if the  both signals the acoustic and / or visual warning gnale triggered in and / or on these motor vehicles the. 5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that in addition to the acoustic and / or optical warning signals the hazard warning lights other warned motor vehicles automatically switched on become. 6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, since characterized in that the radio signal of the warning Motor vehicle only broadcast for a predetermined time and that this time is shorter or at most the same the time when the hazard warning lights vehicle is switched on. 7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the radio signal of the warning Motor vehicle only within a given room win kels less than 4π and preferably only abge to the rear shines. 8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the transmitting / receiving device of the motor vehicle emitting the radio signal (in each case) the radio signal itself also receives, identifies and preferably an op via the warning signal generating unit table and / or acoustic first control signal in Triggers passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.   9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, since characterized in that after receiving the radio signal and its identification in the individual motor vehicles then the functional state of the hazard warning lights is checked and that if the warning is not switched on flashing system preferably via the warning signal generation an optical and / or acoustic second control signal is triggered in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. 10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that when the hazard lights are on, preferably over the warning signal generating unit is an optical and / or Acoustic third control signal in the passenger compartment of the Motor vehicle is triggered. 11. Arrangement for performing the method according to one of the preceding claims, which arrangement is arranged in a motor vehicle with hazard warning lights, characterized in that

• - That a via a controllable switch ( 2 ) with a transmitting / receiving antenna ( 1 ) connected transmitting / receiving device ( 3 - 5 ) is provided;
• - that the receiving part (4) of the transmitting / Empfangsein direction (3 - 5) on the output side with a Warnsi gnalerzeugungseinheit (6) is connected;
• - that both the transmitter part (3) and the Emp trapping part (4) of the transmitting / receiving means (3 - 5) is connected to a memory (5) for storing the radio and / or modulation signal;
• - that the receiving part (4) and the memory (5) of the signal generating unit (3 - 5) through a first, during the operation of the motor vehicle closed-end switch (7) to the supply voltage (+ UB) are connected to the motor vehicle and of the transmission part ( 3 ) the transmitting / receiving device ( 3 - 5 ) is connected to the supply voltage (+ UB) of the motor vehicle via a second switch ( 8 ) which can be closed by switching on the hazard warning lights.

12. The arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the control input of the switch ( 2 ) via the second switch ( 8 ) to the supply voltage (+ UB) of the motor vehicle and only when the second switch ( 8 ) of the transmitting part ( 3rd ) the transmitting / receiving device ( 3 - 5 ) is connected to the transmitting / receiving antenna ( 1 ) and, when the second switch ( 8 ) is open, the receiving part ( 4 ) of the transmitting / receiving device ( 3 - 5 ) is connected to the transmitting / receiving antenna ( 1 ) connected is. 13. The arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that the changeover switch ( 2 ) is a diode switch or a relay, preferably a reed relay. 14. Arrangement according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized characterized in that the first switch by turning on the ignition of the motor vehicle is closed.   15. An arrangement according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the receiving part (4) of the transmitting / receiving device - a receiver / Demo dulator (41) with an upstream band-pass filter (40) and a comparison unit (43) (3 5) and that the comparison unit ( 43 ) is connected on the input side to the output of the receiver / demodulator ( 41 ) and to the output of the memory ( 5 ) and on the output side to the warning signal generating unit ( 6 ). 16. The arrangement according to claim 15, characterized in that between the receiver / demodulator ( 41 ) and comparison unit ( 43 ) a signal shaping / amplifier unit ( 42 ) is connected. 17. The arrangement according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that the changeover switch (2) has a defined preset crosstalk attenuation so that the transmitting part (3) of the transmitting / receiving device (3-5) the extended sendetes radio signal in the receiving part 4 Transmit / receive device ( 3 - 5 ) can be received and evaluated. 18. Arrangement according to one of claims 11 to 17, characterized characterized in that a logic circuit is provided for Check whether the warning after receiving the radio signal the vehicle's turn signal system has been switched on. 19. Motor vehicle with an arrangement according to one of the An sayings 11 to 18.