Vehicle turning assist system and method

• US 20060250225A1
• Filed: 05/06/2005
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Smith, Matthew R., Widmann, Glenn R., Harter, Joseph E. Jr., Scharenbroch, Gregory K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,425,889 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/003 for viewing trailer hitches
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0229 for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle

Abstract

A turning maneuver assist system and method are provided for assisting the driver of a vehicle with a visual image while turning the vehicle. The system includes first and second cameras positioned to generate video images on respective first and second sides of the vehicle. The system also includes a drop-down display located onboard the vehicle for displaying images generated by the first and second video cameras. The system further includes a controller for controlling activation of the first and second cameras and the presentation of images on the display. The controller activates one of the first and second cameras and controls the display to output images captured by the activated camera when the vehicle is determined to be turning. The display is mounted forward and above the driver and moves between a stowed position and a viewable position.

Claims

1. A turning maneuver assist system for a vehicle comprising:

a first camera positioned to generate video images on a first side of a vehicle;

a second camera positioned to generate video images on a second side of the vehicle;

a display adapted to be located onboard the vehicle for displaying images generated by one of the first and second video cameras when one of the first and second video cameras is activated; and

a controller for controlling activation of the first and second cameras and presentation of the images on the display, wherein the controller activates one of the first and second cameras and controls the display to output images captured by the activated camera when the vehicle is determined to be turning.

2. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the first camera is activated when the vehicle is determined to be turning in a direction towards the first side of the vehicle and the second camera is activated when the vehicle is determined to be turning in a direction towards the second side of the vehicle.

3. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the controller estimates a turn angle of the vehicle and activates one of said first or second cameras when the estimated turn angle exceeds a threshold angle.

4. The system as defined in claim 3, wherein the controller estimates a turn angle of the vehicle as a function of a sensed yaw rate and activates the first and second cameras when the turning angle exceeds the threshold angle.

5. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the controller activates one of the first and second cameras when the vehicle is determined to be turning at an angle greater than a threshold angle.

6. The system as defined in claim 5, wherein the controller determines the turning angle based on the sensed steering wheel angle.

7. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the display comprises a drop-down display that is stowed in a position when not activated and is movable into a viewable position when activated.

8. The system as defined in claim 7, wherein the drop-down display comprises a motor and a transport rack.

9. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises a trailer towing vehicle adapted to tow a trailer.

10. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises a commercial truck.

11. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the vehicle further comprises left and right side side view mirrors.

12. A method of assisting a driver of a vehicle when the vehicle is turning, said method comprising the steps of:

determining when the vehicle is turning toward a first side;

activating a first camera to capture video images on the first side of the vehicle when the vehicle is determined to be turning towards the first side;

displaying the video images captured by the first camera on a display onboard the vehicle; and

deactivating the first camera when the vehicle is not turning in a direction toward the first side.

13. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

determining when the vehicle is turning toward a second side;

activating a second camera to capture video images on a second side of the vehicle when the vehicle is determined to be turning toward the second side;

displaying the captured video images on a display; and

deactivating the second camera when the vehicle is not turning toward the second side.

14. The method as defined in claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

sensing yaw rate;

estimating a turn angle of the vehicle as a function of sensed yaw rate; and

comparing the estimated turn angle to a predetermined angle to determine the vehicle is turning.

15. The method as defined in claim 12 further comprising the step of activating a drop-down display to move from a stowed position to a viewable position when the display is to be activated.

16. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein the vehicle comprises a trailing vehicle for towing a trailer.

17. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein the vehicle comprises a commercial truck.

18. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein the vehicle comprises side view mirrors.