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Obstacle detection system for vehicles moving in reverse

  • US 5,574,426 A
  • Filed: 06/30/1995
  • Issued: 11/12/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An obstacle detection system for a vehicle moving in reverse for warning a driver of obstacles in a detection area to the rear of the vehicle, said detection system comprising:

  • an angled, stepped sensor cluster adapted to be attached to the rear of the vehicle, said sensor cluster comprising an array of signal transmitting means for transmitting signals from the rear of the vehicle and an array of signal receiving means for receiving return signals deflected from a target object located in the detection area;

    detection means coupled to said transmitting means and said receiving means for detecting the presence of a target object in the detection area iteratively, said detection means comprisingmulti-target screening means for screening return signals and determining one which corresponds to a closest target object,calculating means for calculating the distance from the rear of the vehicle to the closest target object,memory means for storing a first threshold value corresponding to a minimum distance allowed between an obstacle in the detection area and the rear of the vehicle,first comparator means for comparing the calculated distance to the first threshold distance and generating a first output signal if the calculated distance is less than the first threshold distance; and

    indication means coupled to said detection means and responsive to the first output signal for indicating to the driver to activate the brakes and stop the vehicle or signaling directly to the brake system to activate the brakes.

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