WO2001003952A1

WO2001003952A1 - Anti-skid system for vehicles, especially cars

Info

Publication number: WO2001003952A1
Application number: PCT/NO2000/000239
Authority: WO
Inventors: Knut Ove Kristensen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-07-14
Filing date: 2000-07-13
Publication date: 2001-01-18
Anticipated expiration: 2002-01-14
Also published as: AU6740200A; NO993462D0; NO993462L

Abstract

An anti-skid system for vehicles, especially cars, comprises nozzles (9) directed towards the vehicle's tyres, supplied via a supply line (8) from respective receptacles for adhesive fluid (4) and cleaning fluid (5), connected to the supply line (8) via a valve (7) that is controlled from a computer (2) connected to the car's ABS system (V) and ARS system (III) and also to a manual (1) control unit.

Description

ANTI-SKID SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES, ESPECIALLY CARS

The present invention relates to an anti-skid system for vehicles of various types, especially cars, for increasing the frictional resistance on slippery and icy road surfaces

The cold time of the year has always caused problems for motorists and the first ground frost, and not least the first snow, has always given rise to major traffic problems and even a large number of, at times, tragic accidents

A not inconsiderable number of these accidents are caused by the drivers themselves, but a large number must also be put down to the condition of the car's equipment, not least the condition of the tyres as regards both pattern or tread and cleanness

Fixed limits for tread depth in tyres are set in the regulations, but apart from that there are no special requirements

This means that very many motorists drive around with tyres that may be covered in road salt or other external physical contaminants that have a considerable effect on the gripping power against the underlying surface

Following the authorities' recent decision to employ financial instruments to guide developments in the direction of non-studded tyres by putting a large tax on studded tyres, there will be an even greater need for systems capable of increasing road safety, and one of these is a system that aims to improve the condition or gripping power of the tyres against the underlying surface.

The present application is an element in that development and thus relates to an antiskid system for vehicles and especially for cars, and this anti-skid system is characterised in that it comprises nozzles directed towards the tyres of the vehicle, supplied by a supply line from respective receptacles for adhesive fluid and cleaning fluid, connected to the supply line via a valve that is controlled from a computer connected to the car's ABS and ARS system and to a manual control unit

Here, ABS means an anti-lock braking system and ARS means anti-rotation system

Different car manufacturers operate with slightly different systems and system names, one such system is the so-called TC system or Traction Control The inventive system can be used irrespective of the type of anti-spin system involved

The idea behind the invention is that clean tyres in themselves will contribute to better forward travel and breaking power on slippery and icy roads, but that this gripping power can be boosted by activating the inventive anti-skid system either manually or automatically in order to apply an adhesive agent, hereafter called glue, to the tyre, preferably after the tyre has first undergone a quick wash

As mentioned above, such washing can be useful in itself

As mentioned above, the inventive anti-skid system is to be capable of being activated manually, but in general will be connected to the car's anti-spin control systems

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings wherein

Figure 1 shows a key diagram and a complete system,

Figure 2 shows a more detailed, preferred embodiment of a system,

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the principle of the application system, - Figure 4 shows a manner of securing the inventive application system,

Figure 5 a and

Figure 5b shows a possible manner of securing the receptacles in the system according to the invention, and

Figure 6 shows a possible embodiment of a computer-controlled work schedule with selection of mode and the various work sequences in the mode in question

In Figure 1 the reference numerals VI and VII indicate the rear wheel and the front wheel areas respectively where for each wheel there is provided a spray nozzle 9

It may be an advantage to use the system on all wheels and not only on driving wheels The reason for this, of course, is that in a two-wheel drive, both when braking or when driving on downhill stretches on road, it will be beneficial if the non-driving wheels also have good road grip, both for firm grip when steering and for regular utilisation of the total braking power of the car

The nozzles are connected via a supply line 8 to a three-way valve 7 which is connected via signal cables 3 to a computer II The explanation of the invention that follows is based on the use of a three-way valve like the valve 7

However, other valve types are conceivable, such as a slide valve, ball valve, cylinder valve, clamp valve or needle valve

The computer is controlled from the car battery as indicated by IV, and it also receives signals from the car's anti-spin control system as indicated by III and V

The computer II is also connected to a manual mode selector switch I for basic choice between manual or automatic activation

The reference numerals 4 and 5 indicate receptacles for glue and cleaning fluid, and these receptacles are also connected via their respective outlet lines 6 to the three-way valve 7

Figure 2 shows a more detailed and preferred embodiment of the system that is outlined under Figure 1 above

The same parts have the same reference numerals

The reference numeral 1 indicates the switch on the dashboard which is connected via conventional cables to the car's computer (Electronic Control Unit = ECU) 2 This computer is also indicated by the reference numeral II and indicates the functions III-IX as follows

III = connection to anti-spin,

IV = connection to battery, V = connection to ABS,

VI = connection to rear wheel area,

VII = connection to front wheel area,

VTII = connection to infrared sensor (camera), and IX = connection to voice activation The two last-mentioned possibilities represent technology which today is just becoming implementable, and their installation in a car's electronic or IT system is certainly feasible, it being essentially a question of cost

The reference numeral 3 indicates in general signal cables

The glue and cleaning fluid conveying system according to the invention starts with the receptacles 4 and 5 which may be connected to a motor/pump system in connection with the general operation of the car, but which may also be aerosol dispensers which have been put in place with the aid of, e g , broach locks 25

This will be described m more detail in Figures 5a and 5b

Via the outlet line 6 and the solenoid-controlled two-way seat valves 7 and 7a for glue and cleaning fluid respectively, the receptacles 4 and 5 are connected via a preferably double supply line to spray nozzles 9, one for each wheel, as described in more detail below

As mentioned above, it may be advantageous to use the system on all the wheels of the car to enhance the general operational quality of the tyres

As regards the securing of the nozzles, reference is made to Figures 3 and 4

The reference numeral 15 indicates a branch pipe means from the double supply line 8 to each of the spray nozzles 9

In addition, the system is equipped with a main switch, indicated by means of the reference numeral 16, as it may be necessary to switch the system off, for example, in the summer time

Figure 3 shows a simple form of securing the nozzle 9 by means of a fixing device 10 From the nozzle 9 the supply line 8 runs to the three-way valve 7

Figure 4 shows the clamp 10 seen from above It may be a conventional clamp per se for fastening around circular-cylindrical articles and having bolts 12 and nuts 13 for tightening The reference numeral 14 indicates a set screw for the nozzle 9

This form of mounting is very simple and can in principle be used on the majority of vehicles The nozzle 9 is mounted above the wheels/tyres The nozzles are suspended in a module and this is lined with a rubber lining or the like 11 for adaptation

As mentioned above, the nozzles 9 are then connected via preferably double rubber hoses to the three-way valve 7 and through the valve to the receptacles 4 and 5 for the cleaning fluid and glue

Of course, it is important that the lines from the valve 7 to the nozzle 9 are of equal length, regardless of whether the system according to the invention is only used on two driving wheels or on all the wheels of the vehicle

The required pressure in the system as far as the nozzles is provided with the aid of a non-illustrated pump arrangement Of course, this pump arrangement can also be provided by any kind of aerosol system Motor/pump combinations are found in many variants and any of those that are known per se could be used

The receptacles 5 may be of equal size or of different sizes They may also be fixed and designed for refilling via suitable unit portions

In essence, it is the available space in the vehicle that determines the size of the receptacles 4

Of course, the securing means for the nozzles 9 can also be adapted to the individual vehicle

The control panel 1 permits the choice of manual or automatic washing of or application of glue to the tyres

Figures 5a and 5b show a securing means for the receptacles 4 and 5, in perspective (Figure 5a) and in section (Figure 5b) respectively

This system comprises a base 17 on which there is arranged any suitable hinge means 18 so as to allow an anchor plate 19 with connection sleeves to be turned outwards in order to replace an aerosol dispenser The reference numeral 20 designates a flexible cover that is held in place via a snap lock 24.

The receptacles 4 and 5 respectively are secured in the device by means of, for example, s a foam rubber plate 23.

As mentioned above, the broach locks for securing the receptacles are indicated by the reference numeral 25.

o Reference numerals 21 and 22 in Figure 2 indicate automatic switches for zero setting the ECU glue and ECU cleaning fluid respectively.

Figure 6 shows a number of possibilities which should not be seen as binding, but which represent good alternatives. 5

The alternative on the left is a manual washing alternative with a 10-second wash.

No 2 from the left is a manual alternative and comprises washing and application of glue in the sequence shown. 0

Alternatives 3 and 4 from the left are automatic connections for the car's ABS and ARS systems respectively.

These sequences comprise a 10-second application of glue, a 10-second pause or break 5 and as with all other modes involving the application of glue, a quick final wash to clean the system before it is next used. This may be necessary to prevent the lines and nozzles from becoming blocked, but needless to say this final wash must not be done with such "force" that it has an impact on the glue that has been applied to the tyres.

0 The five alternatives that are shown in Figure 4, viz:

I) tyre wash on manual control from mode selector switch;

II) tyre wash and application of glue to tyre on manual control from mode selector switch; III) automatic application of glue on command from the car's anti-spin system;

IV) automatic application of glue on command from the car's ABS system;

V) a combination of III and IV are only alternatives and must not be regarded as defining the limits of the invention

What is essential is that the invention's anti-spin system as regards automatic control is is connected to the indicators the car has that can provide information about the condition of the underlying surface

Insofar as alternative I above is concerned, i e , manual washing of the tyre, the driver must control the duration of the application of fluid himself, but it may be an advantage to incorporate a maximum time limit

The same also applies to the manual washing and application of glue in alternative II

When the motorist drives on a very slippery surface and the automatic control is activated, it is important that the computer unit is programmed to give only a certain number of activation commands per time unit

Furthermore, it is important that the water dose used in spray washing is exactly sized so that the dose reaches the nozzle and just beyond but not so far that there is a chance the glue on the tyres will be affected

The inventive system is easy to install and easy to operate manually It is inexpensive and with simple aids can be adapted to almost any vehicle

The invention therefore represents and important contribution to increased safety on the roads

Technical specification

1 Switch on dashboard

2 ECU

3 Signal cables 4 Glue

5 Cleaning fluid

6 Outlet line

7 Solenoid-controlled 2-way seat valve, glue

7a Solenoid-controlled 2-way seat valve, cleaning fluid 8 Supply line, double

9 Spray nozzles

10 Clamp for nozzles

11 Lining

12 Bolt 13 Nut

14 Set screw for the nozzle 9

15 Branch pipe

16 On/off main switch for the system

17 Base 18 Hinge

19 Anchor plate with threaded connection sleeves

20 Cover

21 Automatic switch for 0-setting of ECU, glue

22 Automatic switch for 0-setting of ECU, cleaning fluid 23 Foam rubber plate

24 Snap lock

25 Broach locks

I Manual/automatic mode selector switch II Computer

III Connection to anti-spin

IV Connection to battery

V Connection to ABS

VI Rear wheel area VII Front wheel area

VIII Connection to infrared sensor (camera)

IX Connection to voice activation

Claims

P a t e n t c l a i m s

1.

An anti-skid system for vehicles, especially cars, characterised in that it comprises nozzles (9) directed towards the vehicle's tyres, supplied via a supply line (8) from respective receptacles for adhesive fluid (4) and cleaning fluid (5), connected to the supply line (8) via a valve (7) that is controlled from a computer (2) connected to the car's ABS system (V) and ARS system (III) and also to a manual (1) control unit.

2.

The anti-skid system according to claim 1 , characterised in that the receptacles (4) and (5) are aerosol or pressurised dispensers.

3. The anti-skid system according to claim 1, characterised in that the receptacles (4) and (5) are refill receptacles.