Vehicle safety system having methods and apparatus configurable for various vehicle geometries

• US 20070067077A1
• Filed: 10/30/2006
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Full-View-Matic, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Full-View-Matic, Inc.
• Inventors: Liu, Hongwei, Davignon, Barry
• Application Number:
  US11/589,522
• Publication Number:
  US 20070067077A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/025 comprising special mechanical means for correcting the field of view in relation to particular driving conditions, e.g. change of lane; scanning mirrors

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for automatically adjusting the angle of a rotatable side view mirror of an articulated tractor and trailer includes transducers attached to the tractor for transmitting signals toward the trailer and for receiving signals reflected by the trailer. The transducers have a substantially symmetrical arrangement about a centerline of a linear transducer bar attached to the tractor and each has an angular orientation substantially dissimilar to adjacent transducers on a same side of the centerline. A control circuit sequentially activates ones of the transducers such that only a single transducer transmits signals at any given time. Thereafter, the control circuit only processes reflected signals received by the emitting transducer. The control circuit calculates an angle between the tractor and trailer and causes the mirrors to rotate. Transducer calibration and mirror adjustment relative to a zero position set by a driver are also contemplated.

Claims

1. A system for calculating an angle between an articulated tractor and trailer, comprising:

a plurality of transducers arranged on said tractor substantially symmetrically about a centerline of a substantially straight line and oriented towards said trailer, each transducer operable to transmit and receive signals and having an angular orientation substantially dissimilar to adjacent transducers of said plurality of transducers on a same side of said centerline; and

a control circuit operative to control said plurality of transducers to determine said angle, wherein said control circuit sequentially activates ones of said plurality of transducers such that only a single transducer of said plurality of transducers transmits signals at any given time and said control circuit only processes a return signal received by an emitting transducer.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said tractor has a rotatable side view mirror and further including a drive unit for rotating said rotatable side view mirror based on the determined angle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of transducers are arranged on a transducer bar, said transducer bar attached to said tractor.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of transducers equals six in number.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said control circuit is operable when said tractor and said trailer are separated in a range from about 40 to about 53 inches when said angle is a zero degree angle.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said each transducer transmits signals in a beamwidth of about twenty-five degrees.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of transducers equal six in number and are arranged on a transducer bar, said transducer bar attached to said tractor.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein two transducers of said plurality of transducers each occupy a terminal end of said transducer bar.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said two transducers each have an angular orientation with said transducer bar of about fifty-six degrees.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein two transducers of said plurality of transducers each exist substantially near said centerline.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said two transducers each have an angular orientation with said transducer bar of about eighty-three degrees.

12. A method of calculating an angle between an articulated tractor and trailer, comprising:

arranging a plurality of transducers on said tractor substantially symmetrically about a centerline of a substantially straight line, each transducer having an angular orientation substantially dissimilar to adjacent transducers of said plurality of transducers on a same side of said centerline;

orienting said plurality of transducers towards said trailer such that each transducer is operable to transmit signals to said trailer and receive signals reflected from said trailer;

controlling said plurality of transducers to sequentially activate such that only a single transducer of said plurality of transducers is transmitting at any given time, said single transducer being an emitting transducer;

processing signals received only by said emitting transducer; and

calculating said angle.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said tractor has a rotatable side view mirror, further including rotating said side view mirror in accordance with said calculated angle.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said controlling said plurality of transducers further includes activating said emitting transducer for about 10 msec.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said arranging said plurality of transducers on said tractor further includes arranging said plurality of transducers on a transducer bar.

16. The method of claim 15, further including attaching said transducer bar to said tractor.

17. The method of claim 15, further including arranging two transducers each at a terminal end of said transducer bar and arranging two transducers substantially near said centerline.

18. The method of claim 17, further including arranging said two transducers at said terminal ends with an angular orientation relative to said transducer bar of about fifty-six degrees.

19. The method of claim 17, further including arranging said two transducers near said centerline with an angular orientation relative to said transducer bar of about eighty-three degrees.

20. The method of claim 12, further including calibrating said plurality of transducers.

21. The method of claim 12, further including calculating a mirror position of a rotatable side view mirror of said tractor.

22. The method of claim 21, further including rotating said rotatable side view mirror from a zero position by an amount equivalent to said mirror position.