Remote sensing based pre-crash threat assessment system

• US 20030100982A1
• Filed: 11/29/2001
• Published: 05/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Prakah-Asante, Kwaku O., Rao, Manoharprasad K., Masrur, Md Abul
• Granted Patent: US 6,775,605 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93271 in the front of the vehicles

Abstract

A pre-crash assessment system (1) includes a host vehicle (3) in motion and a high frequency sensor (4), which detects position and relative velocity of a target object in the near zone of the host vehicle (3). A safety device actuator (5) is also coupled to the host vehicle (3). A pre-crash algorithm provides a comparison of a future position prediction of the target object relative to the host vehicle (3). A safety device controller (9) is coupled to the host vehicle (3). The controller (9) generates a threshold assessment based on the target object future relative position and relative velocity. The controller (9) also controls the safety device actuator (5) by providing an actuation signal. The controller (9) operates through logic designed to estimate whether a potential for crash between the host vehicle (3) and the target object is within the threshold for the safety device actuator (5). The controller (9) activates the safety device actuator 5 when the potential for crash is within the pre-determined threshold and safety device specific deployment criteria are met.

Claims

1. A pre-crash assessment system, including a first target object in a near zone of a host object in motion, comprising:

a remote sensor coupled to the host object for detecting an object dynamic of the first target object in relation to the host vehicle;

a first safety device actuator, coupled to the host object, for activating a first safety device;

a pre-crash algorithm having a first threshold defined by a comparison of a future position prediction of the first target object relative to the host object and a fraction of a width of the host object; and

a safety device controller, coupled to the host object for generating a threshold assessment based on said object dynamic, said controller estimating whether a potential for crash between the host object and the first target object is within said first threshold for said first safety device actuator, said safety device controller further controlling said first safety device actuator in response to said threshold assessment.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising multiple target objects in the near zone of the host object.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said controller further comprises a tracking filter.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein a pre-arming device for an airbag comprises said first safety device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein a motorized safety belt pre-tensioner comprises said first safety device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein a lidar sensor comprises said remote sensor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein a radar sensor system comprises said remote sensor.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein a vision system comprises said remote sensor.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein a combination of radar, lidar and vision systems comprise said remote sensor.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said first safety device actuator responds to said first threshold in combination with safety device specific deployment criteria.

11. A method for pre-crash threat assessment for a moving host vehicle, comprising:

sensing a target vehicle in a near zone of the host vehicle;

tracking a current vehicle dynamic of said target vehicle with respect to the host vehicle;

calculating a future position of said target vehicle with respect to the host vehicle based on said vehicle dynamic of said target vehicle;

calculating a potential for collision by comparing said future position of said target vehicle to a fraction of a width of the host vehicle; and

determining whether said potential for collision of the host vehicle and said target vehicle is within a first pre-determined safety threshold.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of sensing further comprises the step of sensing multiple target vehicles in the near zone of the host vehicle.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of calculating a future position of said target vehicle further comprises the step of filtering a current position of said target vehicle.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein said step of estimating further comprises the step of estimating an acceleration of said target vehicle.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of determining further comprises the step of determining whether said potential for collision of the host vehicle and said target vehicle is within a second pre-determined safety threshold.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of determining whether said potential for collision of the host vehicle and said target vehicle is within a second pre-determined safety threshold further comprises activating a second actuator in response to said second pre-determined safety threshold in combination with safety device specific deployment criteria.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of determining further comprises the step of activating a first safety device actuator in response to said first pre-determined safety threshold in combination with safety device specific deployment criteria.

18. A pre-crash assessment system, including a first target object in a near zone of a host vehicle, comprising:

a high frequency remote sensor, coupled to the host vehicle, for detecting a vehicle dynamic of the first target object;

a first safety device actuator, coupled to the host vehicle for activating a first safety device;

a first pre-crash algorithm having a first threshold determined through a comparison of a future position prediction of the first target object relative to the host vehicle and a fraction of a width of the host vehicle;

a second safety device actuator, coupled to the host vehicle, for activating a second safety device;

a second pre-crash algorithm having a second threshold determined through a comparison of a future position prediction of the first target object relative to the host vehicle and a fraction of a width of the host vehicle; and

a safety device controller, coupled to the host vehicle for generating a threshold assessment based on said vehicle dynamic, said controller estimating whether a potential for crash between the host vehicle and the first target object is within said first threshold for said first safety device actuator and said second threshold for said second safety device actuator, said safety device controller further controlling said first safety device actuator in response to said threshold assessment.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising multiple target objects in the near zone of the host vehicle.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein said controller further comprises a tracking filter.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein a pre-arming device for an airbag comprises said first safety device.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein a motorized safety belt pre-tensioner comprises said second safety device.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein a lidar sensor comprises said high frequency remote sensor.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein a vision system comprises said remote sensor.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein a combination of radar, lidar and vision systems comprise said remote sensor.

26. The system of claim 18, wherein a radar sensing system comprises said high frequency remote sensor.