Auxiliary System for Motor Vehicles

• US 20090322501A1
• Filed: 04/18/2007
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Haberland, Udo
• Granted Patent: US 8,289,141 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/006 using a distance sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9314 Parking operations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 Monitoring blind spots
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93185 Controlling the brakes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9319 Controlling the accelerator
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9321 Velocity regulation, e.g. cruise control
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93274 on the side of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93275 in the bumper area

Abstract

The invention relates to an assistance system for motor vehicles (20), said system having a distance detection system (4) and a warning system (6), wherein provision is made of an evaluation unit (18) which combines items of information (12, 14, 16) obtained by the distance detection system (4) and by the warning system (6). The invention also relates to a method for operating an assistance system (2).

Claims

1. An auxiliary system comprising:

a distance detection system for determining a distance between a motor vehicle and one or more stationary obstacles located in a side area relative to the motor vehicle;

a warning system for giving a warning signal upon detection of one or more moving obstacles located in a side or rear area relative to the motor vehicle;

an evaluation unit which links data obtained by the distance detection system and the warning system with each other.

2. The auxiliary system according to claim 1 wherein the warning system comprises a system for the detection of moving obstacles that are located in an area not visible to a driver in a rear-view mirror of the motor vehicle.

3. The auxiliary system according to claim 1 wherein the warning system comprises a system for the detection of moving obstacles that approach the motor vehicle from a rear direction.

4. The auxiliary system according to claim 1 wherein the warning system comprises a system to aid in changing lanes.

5. The auxiliary system according to claim 1 wherein the warning system comprises a system for preparing the motor vehicle for an imminent accident.

6. The auxiliary system according to claim 1 wherein the warning system comprises a parking help system.

7. The auxiliary system according to claim 1 wherein the warning system comprises a system for automating driving and braking processes.

8. The auxiliary system according to claim 1, wherein the distance detection and/or warning system comprise at least one of:

one or more radar sensors and/or one or more ultrasound sensors.

9. The auxiliary system according to claim 1 wherein different angular regions of a multi-beam radar are assigned to the distance detection system and the warning system.

10. The auxiliary system according to claim 1 wherein different angular regions of a radar system with a swiveling radar beam are assigned to the distance detection system and the warning system.

11. The auxiliary system according to claim 1 wherein individual sensors are assigned to the distance detection system and the warning system.

12. The auxiliary system according to claim 1 wherein sensors of varying types of construction are assigned to the distance detection system and the warning system.

13. The auxiliary system according to claim 1 wherein a sensor or sensors of the distance detection system and/or warning system are located in a lateral area of the front bumper of the motor vehicle.

14. The auxiliary system according to claim 1 wherein a sensor or sensors of the distance detection system and/or warning system are located in a lateral area of the rear bumper of the motor vehicle.

15. The auxiliary system according to claim 1 wherein a sensor or sensors of the distance detection system and/or warning system are located in a rear-view mirror of the motor vehicle or immediately next to it.

16. A process for operating an auxiliary system for motor vehicles comprising:

determining a distance between a motor vehicle and one or more stationary obstacles that are located in a side area relative to the motor vehicle;

giving a warning signal upon detection of moving obstacles that are located in a side or rear area relative to the motor vehicle;

linking data obtained by the distance detection system and the warning system with each other.

17. The process according to claim 16 wherein when falling short of a minimum distance of the motor vehicle to a stationary obstacle the emission of a warning signal is suppressed.

18. The process according to claim 16 wherein, upon detection of a moving obstacle by the warning system, for the determination of the distance of the motor vehicle to a stationary obstacle only that data is used that does not concern the angular range in which the warning system has detected a moving obstacle.

19. The process according to claim 18 wherein the data concerning the angular range in which the warning system has detected a moving obstacle are not forwarded to the evaluation unit.

20. The process according to claim 18 wherein the data concerning the angular range in which the warning system has detected a moving obstacle are filtered by the evaluation unit.