Patent attributes
A brake early warning system for a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle has (1) a steering column assembly (500) having a plurality of components, and (2) a vehicle broadcast system, which includes brake lights, a horn, and headlights. The brake early warning system includes a movement sensor (20) which is connected to the steering column assembly (500), and senses relative movement between two of the steering column assembly (500) components when a driver braces against the steering wheel (508) in an urgent braking situation. In such cases, movement sensor (20) senses relative movement, and generates a signal which activates the brake lights, horn, and headlights, thereby alerting any following driver, as well as others in the vicinity, that the vehicle has commenced rapid braking. In a second embodiment the brake early warning system includes inputs of both the weight of the driver and the force applied to the steering wheel, both of which affect the behavior of the system.
