Two-wheel-vehicle detecting device for an automotive vehicle

• US 20080297332A1
• Filed: 05/22/2008
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Kagawa, Masakazu, Suzuki, Tadao
• Granted Patent: US 7,834,746 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096741 where the source of the transmitted information selects which information to transmit to each vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096791 where the origin of the information is another vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

A motorcycle-detecting device according to the present invention is mounted on an automotive vehicle. The device includes ultrasonic sensors for detecting objects around the vehicle, a device for predicting that a motorcycle is approaching the vehicle, and a device for adjusting a detection distance and a detection sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensors. When the predicting means predicts a motorcycle approach, the adjusting device makes the detection distance longer than a normal distance and the detection sensitivity higher than a normal sensitivity. Illuminating devices may be mounted on the vehicle to make the motorcycle passing by visible. A warning may be given to a driver when a motorcycle passing by is actually detected by the sensors. Information regarding the detected motorcycle may be given to other vehicles. According to the present invention, the motorcycle passing by the vehicle is surely and stably detected to thereby avoid any traffic accident with the motorcycle.

Claims

1. A motorcycle-detecting device mounted on an automotive vehicle, comprising:

ultrasonic sensors for detecting objects located around of an automotive vehicle;

means for predicting whether a motorcycle is approaching the automotive vehicle; and

means for adjusting a detection distance of the ultrasonic sensors from a normal detection distance to a motorcycle-mode distance that is longer than the normal detection distance and a detection sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensors from a normal sensitivity to a motorcycle-mode sensitivity that is higher than the normal sensitivity, when the predicting means predicts that a motorcycle is approaching the automotive vehicle.

2. The motorcycle-detecting device as in claim 1, wherein:

the predicting means predicts that a motorcycle is approaching the automotive vehicle when information that there is a motorcycle coming toward the automotive vehicle is received through communication with an outside or when information that the automotive vehicle is involved in heavy traffic is received through communication with an outside.

3. The motorcycle-detecting device as in claim 1, further including:

means for illuminating sides of the automotive vehicle; and

means for activating the illuminating means when the predicting means predicts that a motorcycle is approaching the automotive vehicle.

4. The motorcycle-detecting device as in claim 1, further including means for transmitting information that a motorcycle is detected by the ultrasonic sensors to an outside.

6. The motorcycle-detecting device as in claim 1, wherein the predicting means predicts that a motorcycle is approaching the automotive vehicle when a driving speed of the automotive vehicle becomes lower than a predetermined speed.

5. The motorcycle-detecting device further including means for giving a warning to a driver of the automotive vehicle when the ultrasonic sensors detect a motorcycle.