GB2327793A

GB2327793A - Remote control of vehicle speeds

Info

Publication number: GB2327793A
Application number: GB9715859A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harry King
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-07-29
Filing date: 1997-07-29
Publication date: 1999-02-03
Also published as: GB9715859D0

Abstract

A system uses the transmission and receipt of digitally encoded instructions specifying speed limit on a road by radio to control the operation of an electro-mechanical clutch assembly fitted to a vehicle for the purpose of disengaging the throttle linkage mechanisms controlling the supply of fuel to the engine, when the vehicle exceeds the speed limit. Brake lights are operated, and a display is actuated inside the vehicle. Information regarding adverse conditions affecting the section of highway in front of the vehicle is also displayed to the driver.

Description

REMOTE CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEEDS This invention is for the remote control of vehicle speeds on public highways The control of vehicle speeds is dependent upon the driver observing the speed limits indicated by road signs and street furniture. There is available an elects-mechanical system for the governing of the maximum permitted road speed for certain classes of vehicle, which can not be varied except by manual calibration when the vehicle is stationary. There is no system available to Impose a variable maximum speed control for all vehicles musing a section of highway.

Accordingly to the present invention there is provided a control system fitted to the vehicle for the purpose of receiving digitally encoded instructions by radio frequency for the purpose of suspending the mechanical operation of the throttle linkage system, thereby reducing the vehicle speed until the vehicle achieves a speed equivalent to the designated speed contained in the received digitally encoded signal. The digitally encoded signal will control the application of an operation to activate the rear brake warning lights of the vehicle and display on a visual display unit within the vehicle the maximum permitted speed and traffic information relating to the road section in advance of the point where the signal was transmitted to the vehicle.

The digitally encoded signal will emanate from a radio transmitter connected to an antenna fitted into the road surface. The effective range of the radio signal will be one metre.

The speed limit transmitted as a digitally encoded signal to vehicles passing over the antennas fitted into the road will be communicated by: a). A radio unit transmitting a fixed digitally encoded speed limit at locations such as motorway access and exit junctions, at points when traveling from one permitted speed zone to another speed zone of greater or lesser permitted speed.

b). By signals emanating from a central traffic control point, the digitally encoded information being designated to r specific location determined by a digital address code. The digitally encoded information being carried over existing cable networks connected to motorway hazard warning signs, overhead gantries and traffic control polnts displaying variable speed limits. The digitally encoded signal will then be transmitted by a radio transmitter and antennas located at the site of the motorway hazard warning light, or overhead gantry, or traffic control point A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1. shows in block diagram the component elements of the receiver control unit Figure 2. shows in block diagram the component elements for the fixed transmitting control units.

Figure 3. Shows in block diagram the component elements for the centrally located variable speed control units.

Referring to the drawings in FIgure 3. A designated location ceding, maximum speed coding and nature of hazard coding is entered into the keypad for conversion to a digital code.

The digitally encoded information is transmitted by way of cable to the location designated by the location coding. The digitally encoded speed limit is transmitted by a radio transmitter to the antennas fitted into the road surface at the designated location only.

Referring to the drawings in Figure 2 , the fixed-speed transmitter units are located at each and every point where it is required to change and control the speed of vehicles passing over and through that point A digitally encoded instruction is transmitted by a radio transmitter to antennas fitted into the rord surfaee, so that every vehicle passing over the antennas will receive the digitally encoded Information regarding the maximum speed permitted for the road in advance of the fixed point transmitter.

Referring to the drawings in Figure 1.

The digitally encoded instruction is received by the radio receiver fitted to the vehicle and the digital coding Is stored within a central processing unit to act as a reference value, hereafter this digital coding will be called signal A.

The vehicle Is fitted with a sensor attached to the final drive shaft of the gearbox, which provides an electric voltage determined by the speed of the vehicle The relative voltage derived from the sensor is converted to a digital value by an analogue to digital converter. The digital value, hereafter called signal B derived from the analogue to digital converter is fed to the central processing unit microprocessor.

The microprocessor will compare the value of signal B with the value of signal A.

If the value of signal B is greater than the value of signal A then an instruction is passed to an electro-mechanical clutch mechanism forming part of the throttle linkage assembly of the vehicle to disengage the electro-mechanical clutch mechanism resulting in the accelerator footpedal being disconnected from the throttle mechanism. Simultaneously a relay is activated which completes an electrical circuit to the rear brake lights fitted to the vehicle. This relay will remain activated until the values of signal B is equal or less than the value of signal A.

When the value of signal A is equal to or greater that signal B, the electro mechanical clutch mechanism in the throttle linkage is returned to an engaged state permitting the driver to return the footpedal to the maximum upright position and resume control of the accelerator throttle control mechanism.

Contemporaneously with the activation of the electromechanical clutch mechanism a visible signal is displayed on a visual display unit within the vehicle indicating the maximum permitted speed and a visual representation of potential driving hazard is shown.

The reference value of signal A is retained within the central processor unit and the vehicle speed signal B is compared to the signal A at predetermined intervals. n the value of signal B is greater than the value of signal A then the electro-mecnanic l clutch mechanism is activated and the throttle control mechanism is disengaged until the value of signal B is equal to or less than the value of signal x The vIsual dlsplay unit will Indlcate the permitted maximum speed tor the section of highway in front of the vehicle and the digitally encoded information relating to a traffic hazard or obstruction will be shown in a pictorial representation, giving an indication of the location of the obstruction. This pictorial representation will remain visible until replaced by another digitally encoded instruction received from another transmitter location situated on the highway or exit sltpway.

Claims

1. A control system for the control of vehicle speed by the application of an external digitally encoded reference source to implement the activation of an electro mechanical assembly to disengage the throttle linkage controlling the fuel supply to the vehicle engine and activate the illumination of brake warning light systems.

2. A control system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the external digitally encoded reference source is provided by a fixed radio transmitter and associated antennas located at points of access and egress to the highway.

3. A control system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the external digitally encoded reference source is provided by fixed radio transmitters and associated antenna systems located at varying distances along public highways. The digitally encoded reference source being prepared for transmission by wire from a point remote from the transmitter and associated antennas.

4 A control system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the external digitally encoded reference source provides visual information relating to hazards and obstructions affecting a delineated section of highway.