COLLISION DETECTION APPARATUS, VEHICLE HAVING SAME APPARATUS, AND COLLISION DETECTION METHOD

• US 20090212993A1
• Filed: 01/27/2009
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Kawasaki, Tomoya, TSUNEKAWA, Jun
• Application Number:
  US12/360,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20090212993A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/71
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01259 Brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/87 Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9327 Sensor installation details
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93271 in the front of the vehicles

Abstract

A collision detection apparatus incorporated in a vehicle has: a radar that detects an object; and a controller that determines whether there is a possibility of collision between the vehicle and the object based on a result of detection by the radar. A detection-direction center axis of the radar is tilted to right or left by 20° to 60° with respect to a straightforward running direction of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A collision detection apparatus incorporated in a vehicle, comprising:

a radar that detects an object; and

a controller that determines whether there is a possibility of collision between the vehicle and the object based on a result of detection by the radar, wherein

a detection-direction center axis of the radar is tilted to right or left by 20°

to 60°

with respect to a straightforward running direction of the vehicle.

2. The collision detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the controller performs at least one of a collision avoidance operation and a collision damage reduction operation based on a result of the determination as to the collision possibility.

3. The collision detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the radar has a detection area that horizontally extends from the detection-direction center axis to each side by 18°

to 23°

; and

the detection-direction center axis of the radar is tilted to right or left by 20°

to 40°

with respect to the straightforward running direction of the vehicle.

4. The collision detection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:

the radar has a detection area that horizontally extends from the detection-direction center axis to each side by 20°

; and

the detection-direction center axis of the radar is tilted to right or left by 25°

to 30°

with respect to the straightforward running direction of the vehicle.

5. The collision detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the radar has a detection area that horizontally extends from the detection-direction center axis to each side by 38°

to 43°

; and

the detection-direction center axis of the radar is tilted to right or left by 40°

to 60°

with respect to the straightforward running direction of the vehicle.

6. The collision detection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

the radar has a detection area that horizontally extends from the detection-direction center axis to each side by 38°

to 43°

; and

the detection-direction center axis of the radar is tilted to right or left by 45°

to 60°

with respect to the straightforward running direction of the vehicle.

7. The collision detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

a maximum detection distance of the radar is 30 m; and

it takes at least 0.65 second for the controller to perform the collision avoidance operation after receiving a result of detection by the radar.

8. The collision detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

a maximum detection distance of the radar is 30 m; and

it takes at least 0.65 second for the controller to perform the collision damage reduction operation after receiving a result of detection by the radar.

9. The collision detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the detection-direction center axis of the radar is a horizontal center axis extending in a direction in which the radar detects the object by emitting electromagnetic waves.

10. The collision detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

electromagnetic waves emitted by the radar are millimeter waves.

11. A vehicle characterized by comprising:

the collision detection apparatus according to claim 1; and

a safety system that performs at least one of a collision avoidance operation and a collision damage reduction operation under the control of the controller.

12. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein:

the collision avoidance operation is an operation for assisting braking operation that a driver of the vehicle performs to avoid collision between the vehicle and the object; and

the safety system incorporates a danger avoidance device that assists the braking operation.

13. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein:

the collision damage reduction operation is an operation for further restricting an occupant of the vehicle; and

the safety system incorporates a collision damage reduction apparatus that further restricts the occupant.

14. A collision detection method for a vehicle incorporating a radar that detects an object, characterized by comprising:

arranging the radar such that a horizontal center axis extending in a direction in which the radar detects the object by emitting electromagnetic waves is tilted to right or left by 20°

to 60°

with respect to a straightforward running direction of the vehicle; and

determining whether there is a possibility of collision between the vehicle and the object based on a result of detection by the radar.

15. The collision detection method according to claim 14, further comprising:

performing at least one of a collision avoidance operation and a collision damage reduction operation based on a result of the determination as to the collision possibility.