US 2014/0081515 A1 · AUTOMOTIVE FRICTION ASSIST SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED TRACTION

Abstract

An automotive friction assist system with improved traction enables a motor vehicle to stop quickly and start easily on low friction surfaces, such as those present during icy conditions. The system operates by introducing more static friction points between the leading contact edges of wheels of a motor vehicle. Additionally, the present invention provides a sensor to activate the friction assist system when the road surface temperature is at or near the freezing point of water. The friction assist system will increase static friction on a road surface and aid an ABS system on a vehicle to bring the vehicle to a stop in less distance than otherwise possible. The friction assist system will also increase static friction and aid a motor vehicle's wheel slip regulator when a vehicle is attempting to gain traction or forward drive momentum.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for improving traction of one or more wheels of a motor vehicle comprising:

a pellet delivery device to deliver a plurality of pellets at a point just before the one or more wheels of the motor vehicle reaches a road surface;
one or more sensors to determine a temperature of the road surface;
and
a processor coupled to the one or more sensors and the pellet delivery device to activate the pellet delivery device when the one or more sensors indicate the temperature of the road surface has reached a predetermined temperature;
a pellet tank to hold a supply of pellets;
and
an offset vibration motor disposed at a base of the pellet tank to vibrate the pellets to maintain the pellets moving when being deployed.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automotive friction assist system with improved traction

Life of this patent

Automotive friction assist system with improved traction

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20