DOOR VICINITY MONITORING SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE AND CORRESPONDING METHODS

• US 20090033477A1
• Filed: 07/23/2008
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: KANNING, Torsten, ILLIUM, Justus
• Application Number:
  US12/178,449
• Publication Number:
  US 20090033477A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/436
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01252 Devices other than bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01508 detecting forces or pressure in bags or modules
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 using strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 17/00 Devices for holding wings open; Devices for limiting opening of wings or for holding wings open by a movable member extending between frame and wing; Braking devices, stops or buffers, combined therewith combined with hinges E05D11/00; combined with operating apparatus for wings E05F; other braking devices, stops, buffers E05F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 17/006 with means for detecting obstacles outside the doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/483 for detection during opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors

Abstract

In a method and a control device for a vehicle, it is proposed that a vicinity monitoring system monitors the immediate vicinity of the vehicle, that it is checked if a collision with possibly opening vehicle doors can occur, that the occupation of the corresponding vehicle seats is also checked, and that the corresponding door is only secured by means of warning signals or blocking in case a corresponding vehicle seat is occupied.

Claims

1. An apparatus for minimizing collision of a motor vehicle door with an object, comprising:

a vicinity monitoring system adapted to identify the object in a detection area within a vicinity of the motor vehicle door;

a collision risk calculator adapted to compare a trajectory of the object with a pivoting range of the motor vehicle door to determine a collision risk if the object is identified in the detection area with the vicinity of the motor vehicle door;

a seat monitoring system adapted to monitor a seat associated with the motor vehicle door and determine an occupant status of the seat; and

a safety device adapted to initiate a preventative measure if an attempt is made to open the motor vehicle door, the collision risk exists, and the occupant status of the seat indicates the seat is occupied.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the seat monitoring system monitors weight to determine the occupant status of the seat.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the seat monitoring system monitors weight distribution to determine the occupant status of the seat.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the seat monitoring system monitors changes in a weight distribution to determine the occupant status of the seat.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vicinity monitoring system utilizes ultrasound.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vicinity monitoring system utilizes a camera.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preventative measure comprises vibration of the motor vehicle door.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein preventative measure comprises deceleration of the motor vehicle door.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preventative measure comprises an acoustical warning signal.

10. A method for minimizing collision of a motor vehicle door with an object, comprising the steps of:

monitoring the vicinity of the motor vehicle door for a presence of the object until detecting the object;

calculating a corresponding trajectory of the object;

comparing the corresponding trajectory of the object with a pivoting range for the motor vehicle door to determine if a collision possibility exists;

determining an occupant status of a seat associated with the motor vehicle door to determine if the collision possibility exists; and

initiating a preventative measure to at least inhibit movement of the motor vehicle door if the occupant status of the seat indicates the seat is occupied.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the seat monitoring system monitors weight to determine the occupant status of the seat.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the seat monitoring system monitors weight distribution to determine the occupant status of the seat.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the seat monitoring system monitors changes in a weight distribution to determine the occupant status of the seat.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the vicinity monitoring system utilizes ultrasound.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the vicinity monitoring system utilizes a camera.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the preventative measure comprises vibration of the motor vehicle door.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein preventative measure comprises deceleration of the motor vehicle door.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the preventative measure comprises an acoustical warning signal.