Vehicle Having Active Blind Spot Lighting and Method

• US 20120191298A1
• Filed: 09/02/2010
• Published: 07/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Schwarzhaupt, Andreas, Vegh, Istvan, Wiesel, Urs, Wirnitzer, Jan
• Granted Patent: US 8,768,566 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive
• 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: G01S 15/10 using transmission of interrupted, pulse-modulated waves determination of distance by phase measurement G01S15/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/523 for presence detection burglar, theft or intruder alarms G08B13/00, e.g. G08B13/16
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/87 Combinations of sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 Monitoring blind spots
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/165 for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

In order to provide better monitoring for the side environment of a vehicle a lighting unit to light up a vehicle environment and a detection unit for detecting an object in the vehicle environment are provided. The lighting unit is automatically switched on if the detection unit has detected an object in the vehicle environment.

Claims

1-8. -8. (canceled)

9. A vehicle, comprising:

a lighting unit configured to illuminate a vehicle environment; and

a detection unit configured to detect an object in the vehicle environment,

wherein the lighting unit is configured to automatically switched on if the detection unit has detected the object in the vehicle environment.

10. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the vehicle environment is a blind spot region.

11. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the lighting unit is arranged on a passenger side of the vehicle.

12. The vehicle according to claim 9, further comprising:

an assistance unit configured to record a signal of the detection unit and at least one additional vehicle signal and to control the lighting unit depending upon the signal of the detection unit and the at least one additional vehicle signal.

13. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the lighting unit is configured to switch on unconditionally if the detection unit detects a moving object in the vehicle environment.

14. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the lighting unit is configured to switch on upon detection of a stationary object through the detection unit only when the stationary object also lies in a travel path of the vehicle that is estimated by a vehicle-internal computing unit.

15. A method for operating a vehicle, the method comprising:

illuminating a vehicle environment by a lighting unit; and

detecting an object in the vehicle environment,

wherein the lighting unit is automatically switched on if the object is detected in the vehicle environment.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the lighting unit is automatically switched on if a reverse gear of the vehicle is engaged and driving lighting of the vehicle is switched on.