Automotive collision avoidance and/or air bag deployment radar
First Claim
1. An automotive vehicle radar for a vehicle, said vehicle having a body and steerable wheels comprising:
- a transmitter for transmitting an FM CW radar signal of a selected beam width in a selected direction relative to the direction of said steerable wheels;
a receiver for receiving the transmitted radar signals reflected from objects within said selected direction and producing a plurality of separate and distinct analog voltage level signals therefrom, each signal having a different voltage level range which represent different vehicle to object relationships;
vehicle means for producing a plurality of separate and distinct analog DC voltage level signals each having a different range of predetermined value levels and representing different relative vehicle conditions;
summing means for adding together the DC levels of the plurality of separate and distinct analog DC voltage level signals from said receiver and vehicle means and producing a single DC voltage amplitude level signal therefrom equal in amplitude to the total amplitude of the voltage levels thereof;
means for producing a first predetermined analog DC voltage level signal which represents a maximum voltage level of said single DC voltage amplitude level signal for safe vehicle operation;
comparator means for comparing said single DC voltage amplitude level signal with said first predetermined DC voltage level signal and producing a first command signal therefrom only when said single DC voltage amplitude signal exceeds the level of said first predetermined DC voltage level signal.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A Doppler radar system for a vehicle providing driver warning, vehicle brake application and air bag deployment. The system produces voltage level input directed to the distance and approach rate to an object, vehicle speed and driving monitor inputs, such as steering angles, turning rates, braking, and acceleration/deacceleration. These voltages are properly weighted as to their importance. These weighted instantaneous input voltages are summed. The summed voltage is then compared with a predetermined voltage level dividing safe and danger zones. If the summed level falls within the safe zone, the radar system produces no output signals. If the summed voltage level falls within the danger zone, the radar system produces audio warning signals and if impact with an object is eminent vehicles braking signals are then produced. The invention further includes an air bag deployment feature. A vehicle air bag is deployed when the vehicle speed exceeds a pre-determined value and the distance to impact is within a predetermined distance. The air bag deployment and audio and braking functions are independent.
136 Citations
37 Claims
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1. An automotive vehicle radar for a vehicle, said vehicle having a body and steerable wheels comprising:
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a transmitter for transmitting an FM CW radar signal of a selected beam width in a selected direction relative to the direction of said steerable wheels; a receiver for receiving the transmitted radar signals reflected from objects within said selected direction and producing a plurality of separate and distinct analog voltage level signals therefrom, each signal having a different voltage level range which represent different vehicle to object relationships; vehicle means for producing a plurality of separate and distinct analog DC voltage level signals each having a different range of predetermined value levels and representing different relative vehicle conditions; summing means for adding together the DC levels of the plurality of separate and distinct analog DC voltage level signals from said receiver and vehicle means and producing a single DC voltage amplitude level signal therefrom equal in amplitude to the total amplitude of the voltage levels thereof; means for producing a first predetermined analog DC voltage level signal which represents a maximum voltage level of said single DC voltage amplitude level signal for safe vehicle operation; comparator means for comparing said single DC voltage amplitude level signal with said first predetermined DC voltage level signal and producing a first command signal therefrom only when said single DC voltage amplitude signal exceeds the level of said first predetermined DC voltage level signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification