Vehicle proximity warning detector

• US 20030222772A1
• Filed: 05/28/2002
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Zohar Lightomatic, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Zohar Lightomatic, Ltd.
• Inventors: Laufer, Zohar
• Application Number:
  US10/155,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20030222772A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0023 the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/006 using a distance sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4811 common to transmitter and receiver

Abstract

A proximity detector comprising, at least one transmitter unit to transmit radiation toward a zone of interest and at least one receiver unit to receive radiation originating from the transmitter and that is reflected back from an obstacle at the zone of interest. A light-transmitter associated with each transmitter unit and a receiver light-transmitter associated with each receiver unit, a control module for controlling, processing a signal received from the receiver unit, to produce a signal responsive to the proximity of the obstacle. The light-transmitters are light-guides made of a rigid and at least translucent material.

Claims

1. A proximity detector, housed within a lamp assembly, for detecting the proximity of an obstacle within a zone of interest, said detector comprising, at least one transmitter unit to transmit radiation toward said zone of interest;

at least one receiver unit to receive radiation originating from the transmitter and that is reflected back from said obstacle;

a light-transmitter associated with each transmitter unit and a receiver light-transmitter associated with each receiver unit, a control module for controlling, processing a signal received from the receiver unit, to produce a signal responsive to the proximity of said obstacle;

wherein said light-transmitters are light-guides made of a rigid and at least translucent material.

2. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the light guides extend between a proximal end facing the zone of interest, and a distal end adjoining the at least one transmitter unit and the at least one receiver unit, respectively.

3. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the light guides is fitted with a receptacle for nesting a transmitter unit or a receiver unit, respectively.

4. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the lamp assembly comprises a front chamber accommodating one or more light-bulbs, and a rear chamber, optically isolated from one another, where the a distal end of the light guides extends at said rear chamber.

5. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein a proximal end of at least one of the light guides is flush with an outside face of a lamp cover of the lamp assembly.

6. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein a proximal end of at least one of the light guides is received within a lamp cover of the lamp assembly.

7. A proximity detector according to claim 6, wherein a support rim extends from an inside face of the lamp cover, to thereby support a light guide.

8. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the light-guide associated with the receiver unit has a cross-section tapering towards the receiver unit end.

9. A proximity detector according to claim 2, wherein the light guides are integral with a lamp cover of thy lamp assembly.

10. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the light guides is essentially smooth and clear of defects.

11. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the light guides has an opaque layer.

12. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the proximal end of neighboring transmitter unit light-guides and receiver unit light-guides are optically isolated.

13. A proximity detector according to claim 12, wherein intermediate neighboring transmitter unit light-guides and receiver unit light-guides received in a lamp cover of the lamp assembly, there is formed an optical barrier, to reduce direct radiation between the proximal ends.

14. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the control module is received within the rear chamber.

15. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one transmitter light-guide is cylindrical.

16. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one transmitter light-guide is polygonal.

17. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one transmitter light-guide is solid.

18. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one transmitter light-guide is at least partially hollow.

19. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the at least one transmitter light-guide and the at least one receiver light-guide are multiply configured in a fanning configuration.

20. A proximity detector according to claim 19, wherein neighboring light-guides of a multiply configured light-guide are optically isolated from one another.

21. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the lamp assembly is a module disposable within an existing vehicle light assembly.

22. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the lamp assembly is a taillight of a vehicle.

23. A detector according to claim 1, wherein the lamp assembly is light system of a structure.

24. A proximity detector according to claim 23, wherein the signal produced by the control module is activates the light bulb of the light system.

25. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one transmitter unit is an infrared transmitter.

26. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one transmitter unit is an electromagnetic transmitter.

27. A detector according to claim 1, wherein the power supply is supplied by the same power supply as to a back-up lamp assembly.

28. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein there is an optical separation between the at least one transmitter light-guide and the at least one receiver light-guide

29. A proximity detector according to claim 28, wherein the separation is a physical barrier.

30. A proximity detector according to claim 28, wherein the optical separation results from one or more bends in a cover of the lamp assembly between the at least one transmitter and the at least one light-pipe.

31. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the detector is designed to be retro-fitable or factory-equipped in a lamp assembly of a vehicle.

32. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the detector is designed to be retro-fitable or factory-equipped in a bumper of a vehicle.

33. A proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the detector is designed to be retro-fitable or factory-equipped in a fender of a vehicle.

34. A lamp assembly comprising a housing formed with a reflector dividing the housing into a front chamber and a rear chamber, and front cover;

at least one transmitter light-guide and a corresponding at least one receiver light-guide extending from the front cover to the rear chamber.

35. A lamp assembly according to claim 34, wherein the light-guides are made of a rigid and at least translucent material.

36. A lamp assembly according to claim 34, wherein the at least one receiver light-guide tapers towards a rear end disposed at the rear chamber.

37. A lamp assembly according to claim 34, wherein a transmitter unit is associated with each transmitter light-guide to transmit radiation toward a zone of interest;

and a receiver unit is associated with each receiver light-guide, to receive radiation originating from the transmitter unit and that is reflected back from an obstacle positioned at a zone of interest, and a control module for controlling, processing a signal received from the receiver unit, to produce a signal responsive to the proximity of said obstacle;

said control module fitted at the rear chamber.

38. A lamp assembly according to claim 34, wherein the at least one receiver light-guide tapers towards a rear end received at the rear chamber.

39. A lamp assembly according to claim 34, wherein the at least one transmitter light-guide is cylindrical.

40. A lamp assembly according to claim 34, wherein the at least one light-guide are formed at a rear end thereof, received at the rear chamber, with a receptacle for nesting light transmitting or receiving unit.