Pedestrian detecting system

• US 20070112513A1
• Filed: 04/08/2004
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Veoneer Sweden Safety Systems AB
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Mathevon, Vincent, Willerton, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,905,314 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/301
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/33 Arrangements for non-electric triggering of inflation electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/34 Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians B60R19/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/38 using means for lifting bonnets

Abstract

The invention relates to a pedestrian detection system provided on a motor vehicle, in order to detect a pedestrian so that an appropriate safety device can be activated in order to provide protection to the pedestrian in the event of an impact with the pedestrian. The detection system comprises a first sensor arrangement (10) which is located at least 0.5 metres behind the front end of the motor vehicle. The first sensor arrangement (10) is configured to detect the speed of and/or distance to a part of an object (such as a pedestrian) located in front of the vehicle. That part of the object which is detected is part of the object which extends above a predetermined height, which is at least the height of the front edge of the hood or bonnet (3) of the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A pedestrian detection system for a motor vehicle, having a hood generally extending from the front of the vehicle to a windshield of the vehicle, the detection system comprising:

a first sensor arrangement located more than 0.5 metres behind the front of the vehicle to detect at least one of the speed and the distance to a part of an object which may include a pedestrian located in front of the vehicle, the part of the object extending above a predetermined height, the predetermined height being at least the height of a front edge of the hood; and

a second sensor arrangement mounted at the front of the vehicle responsive to an impact of the vehicle with a pedestrian.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first sensor arrangement is a microwave radar sensor.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first sensor arrangement is an infra-red radar sensor.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first sensor arrangement is a camera.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein the camera operates in the visible spectrum.

6. A system according to claim 4 in which the camera operates in the infra-red spectrum.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first sensor arrangement is a stereo-camera arrangement.

8. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first sensor arrangement is mounted on the exterior of the vehicle in front of the windshield provided on the vehicle.

9. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first sensor arrangement is mounted on the vehicle behind the windscreen.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first sensor arrangement is mounted above the windshield.

11. A system according to claim 1 wherein the detection system being configured to activate a pedestrian arrangement device in response to the first sensor arrangement detecting at least one of the distance below a threshold and a speed above a threshold.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the threshold distance is less than the distance between the first sensor arrangement and the front of the vehicle.

13. A system according to any claim 1 wherein the second sensor arrangement includes an accelerometer.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the accelerometer is configured to provide a signal indicative of a crash situation and wherein, upon receipt of the signal, an internal safety device on the vehicle is actuated.

15. A system according to claim 1 wherein the sensor mounted at the front of the vehicle is a contact sensor.

16. A system according to claim 1 wherein the second sensor arrangement is a sensor that can discriminate objects lighter than a pedestrian.

17. A system according to claim 11 wherein the pedestrian arrangement is activated only if the first sensor arrangement detects at least one of a distance to the object below a threshold and a speed above a threshold, and also in the event the second sensor arrangement detects an object.

18. A system according to claim 11 wherein the pedestrian protection arrangement has at least two modes of activation.

19. A system according to claim 18 wherein the pedestrian protection arrangement system incorporates at least two pedestrian protection devices.

20. A system according to claim 18 wherein the pedestrian protection arrangement incorporates a first lifter to lift a front part of the hood, and a second lifter to lift a rear part of the hood, one mode of activation being the lifting of the front part of the hood, and a second mode of operation including additionally the lifting of a rear part of the hood.

21. A system according to claim 18 wherein the pedestrian protection arrangement includes a mechanism to lift the rear part of the hood or bonnet, and at least one air-bag to cover part of the windshield or a portion of an A-Pillar provided on the vehicle, one mode of activation comprising the lifting of only the rear part of the hood, the second mode including additionally the activation of at least one of the air-bags.

22. A system according to claim 18 wherein different modes are activated in response to a signal dependent on the first sensor arrangement reaching different thresholds.

23. A system according to claim 22 wherein at least one of the different thresholds is dependent upon the speed of the vehicle as measured by a third sensor arrangement.