Obstacle detection to the rear of a vehicle with a liftgate

• US 20020084675A1
• Filed: 12/28/2000
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems Incorporated (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems Incorporated (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Buchanan, Harry Charles Jr., Ponziani, Richard L.
• Application Number:
  US09/750,652
• Publication Number:
  US 20020084675A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/146.8
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/101 for non-load transporting vehicles, i.e. family cars including vans
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 17/006 with means for detecting obstacles outside the doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/40 Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/432 with acoustical sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/434 with cameras or optical sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/483 for detection during opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/52 Safety arrangements associated with the wing motor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/814 Sound emitters, e.g. loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/822 Light emitters, e.g. light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/254 the elements not functioning in case of emergency
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailboards, tailgates or sideboards opening upwards

Abstract

The present invention is a method and apparatus of performing vehicle obstruction sensing during vehicle reverse and liftgate opening movements. The invention uses the same sensors to perform both functions. When the vehicle is in reverse, the invention produces a visible and/or audible signal to the operator of the vehicle when an obstruction detected within the monitoring range of the sensor or sensors. When the vehicle transmission is in any position other than park, the liftgate driver is disabled. When the vehicle is in park, the liftgate sensing system is enabled. The invention either stops the liftgate opening movement or reverses the liftgate movement when an obstruction is detected. The invention can also signal an alarm when an obstruction is detected in the path of the liftgate. The present invention incorporates any number of existing sensors.

Claims

1. A method for sensing an obstruction to a rear of a vehicle having a liftgate, comprising the steps of:

disposing at least one obstruction sensor in the liftgate; and

generating a first signal when the sensor indicates an obstruction to the rear of the vehicle.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the liftgate is controlled by a liftgate driver, and wherein when the liftgate is opening the step of generating a first signal comprises at least one of the steps of:

activating a first alarm;

stopping the liftgate driver; and

reversing the liftgate driver.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first alarm is one of an audible alarm and a visible alarm.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the vehicle is reversing the step of generating the first signal comprises the step of activating a first alarm.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first alarm is one of an audible alarm and a visible alarm.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the liftgate is controlled by a liftgate driver, and further comprising the step of:

disabling the liftgate driver when the vehicle is not in a park gear.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the liftgate is controlled by a liftgate driver and the step of generating the first signal comprises at least one of the steps of:

(A) activating a first alarm;

(B) stopping the liftgate driver; and

(C) reversing the liftgate driver; and

further comprising the step of;

generating a second signal when the sensor indicates an obstruction when the vehicle is reversing.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of generating a second signal comprises the step of activating the first alarm.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of generating a second signal comprises the step of activating a second alarm, which second alarm is one of an audible alarm and a visible alarm.

10. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of:

disabling the liftgate driver when the vehicle is not in a park gear.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liftgate is controlled by a liftgate driver, and wherein when the liftgate is opening the means for generating a first signal comprises at least one of:

means for activating a first alarm;

means for stopping the liftgate driver; and

means for reversing the liftgate driver.

11. An apparatus for sensing an obstruction to a rear of a vehicle with a liftgate, comprising:

at least one sensor disposed in the liftgate; and

means for generating a first signal when the sensor indicates an obstruction to the rear of the vehicle.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first alarm is one of an audible alarm and a visible alarm.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein when the vehicle is reversing the means for generating a first signal comprises means for activating a first alarm.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first alarm is one of an audible alarm and a visible alarm.

16. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the liftgate is controlled by a liftgate driver, and further comprising:

means for disabling the liftgate driver when the vehicle is not in a park gear.

17. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the liftgate is controlled by a liftgate driver and the means for generating a first signal comprises at least one of:

(A) means for activating a first alarm;

(B) means for stopping the liftgate driver; and

(C) means for reversing the liftgate driver; and

further comprising;

means for generating a second signal when the sensor indicates an obstruction when the vehicle is reversing.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the means for generating a second signal comprises means for activating the first alarm.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the means for generating a second signal comprises means for activating a second alarm, which second alarm is one of an audible alarm and a visible alarm.

20. The apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising:

means for disabling the liftgate driver when the vehicle is not in a park gear.