Systems and methods for deploying warning devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12090920-B2
Application number	US-202217816176-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 29, 2022
Priority date	Jul 29, 2022
Publication date	Sep 17, 2024
Grant date	Sep 17, 2024

Abstract

Systems and methods for deploying warning devices for a vehicle. The vehicle can be an autonomous vehicle. A method of deploying warning devices for a vehicle includes deploying one or more warning devices from the vehicle, the one or more warning devices being coupled to a deployment vehicle. Deploying the one or more warning devices includes controlling the deployment vehicle. A system for deploying warning devices for a vehicle includes a deployment vehicle and one or more warning devices coupled to the deployment vehicle. The system includes a controller configured to deploy the one or more warning devices from the vehicle. Deploying the one or more warning devices includes the controller configured to control the deployment vehicle.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of deploying warning devices for a vehicle, the method comprising:
deploying one or more warning devices from the vehicle, the one or more warning devices being coupled to a deployment vehicle by a wire, wherein deploying the one or more warning devices includes controlling the deployment vehicle; and
retracting the wire to retract the one or more warning devices and the deployment vehicle towards the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting that the vehicle is in an emergency prior to deploying the one or more warning devices.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting that the vehicle is stopped prior to deploying the one or more warning devices.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling the deployment vehicle to deploy the one or more warning devices to a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more warning devices are coupled to the wire, the wire being attached to the vehicle and the deployment vehicle, the method further comprising controlling the deployment vehicle to pull the wire to deploy the one or more warning devices.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising stowing the one or more warning devices and the deployment vehicle in a deployment case attached to the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the deployment case includes a ramp, the method further comprising lowering the ramp and controlling the deployment vehicle down the ramp to deploy the one or more warning devices.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein deploying the one or more warning devices includes deploying the one or more warning devices when the vehicle is in an emergency.

10. A system for deploying warning devices for a vehicle, the system comprising:
a deployment vehicle;
one or more warning devices coupled to the deployment vehicle;
a wire that couples the one or more warning devices to the deployment vehicle; and
a controller configured to:
deploy the one or more warning devices from the vehicle, wherein deploying the one or more warning devices includes the controller configured to control the deployment vehicle; and
retract the wire to retract the one or more warning devices and the deployment vehicle towards the vehicle.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the controller is configured to detect that the vehicle is in an emergency prior to deploying the one or more warning devices.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the controller is configured to detect that the vehicle is stopped prior to deploying the one or more warning devices.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the controller is configured to control the deployment vehicle to deploy the one or more warning devices to a predetermined distance.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the wire is attached to the deployment vehicle, the one or more warning devices being coupled to the wire, wherein the deployment vehicle pulls the wire to deploy the one or more warning devices.

15. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a deployment case attached to the vehicle, wherein the one or more warning devices and the deployment vehicle are stowed in the deployment case.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the deployment case includes a ramp, and the controller is configured to lower the ramp and control the deployment vehicle down the ramp to deploy the one or more warning devices.

17. The system of claim 10 , wherein the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle.

18. The system of claim 10 , wherein the controller is configured to deploy the one or more warning devices when the vehicle is in an emergency.

19. A vehicle comprising:
a warning device deployment system comprising:
a deployment vehicle;
one or more warning devices coupled to the deployment vehicle;
a wire that couples the one or more warning devices to the deployment vehicle; and
a controller configured to:
deploy the one or more warning devices from the vehicle, wherein deploying the one or more warning devices includes the controller configured to control the deployment vehicle; and
retract the wire to retract the one or more warning devices and the deployment vehicle towards the vehicle.

20. The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the controller is configured to detect that the vehicle is in an emergency prior to deploying the one or more warning devices.

21. The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the controller is configured to detect that the vehicle is stopped prior to deploying the one or more warning devices.

22. The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the controller is configured to control the deployment vehicle to deploy the one or more warning devices to a predetermined distance.

23. The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the wire is attached to the deployment vehicle, the one or more warning devices being coupled to the wire, wherein the deployment vehicle pulls the wire to deploy the one or more warning devices.

24. The vehicle of claim 19 , further comprising a deployment case attached to the vehicle, wherein the one or more warning devices and the deployment vehicle are stowed in the deployment case.

25. The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein the deployment case includes a ramp, and the controller is configured to lower the ramp and control the deployment vehicle down the ramp to deploy the one or more warning devices.

26. The vehicle of claim 19 , further comprising a tractor unit that is configured to pull a trailer, wherein the warning device deployment system is coupled to the tractor unit.

27. The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle.

28. The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the controller is configured to deploy the one or more warning devices when the vehicle is in an emergency.

Assignees

• Kodiak Robotics Inc

Inventors

• Gagliano Joseph

Classifications

• B60Q1/46

  for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights {or hazard lights} · CPC title

• B60Q7/00 Primary

  Arrangement or adaptation of portable emergency signal devices on vehicles · CPC title

• B60Q1/52

  for indicating emergencies · CPC title

• E01F9/70

  Storing, transporting, placing or retrieving portable devices · CPC title

• B60Q2800/10

  Autonomous vehicles · CPC title