System for assisting reverse cornering operation of vehicle and method for controlling the same

• US 5,754,100 A
• Filed: 08/21/1996
• Issued: 05/19/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Inventors: Park, Chon-Kyu
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): LIEU, JULIE BICHNGOC
• Application Number:
  US08/700,944
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 340/435, 340/436, 340/903, 340/904, 340/443, 340/465, 340/437, 367/909, 362/37, 362/40, 362/65, 362/66, 180/167, 180/199, 180/274, 180/280, 315/82
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/12 due to steering position
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/122 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/128 Steering dead zone
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/144 Rearward ratio actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/41 preceding vehicle

Abstract

A system for assisting a reverse cornering of a vehicle includes: left and right cornering sensors, which are respectively mounted on left and right corners of the front side of the vehicle, for detecting objects which approach near the left and right corners; a warning device mounted near a driver'"'"'s seat for generating a warning sound to a driver, when one of the cornering sensors detects objects approaching near the corners of the vehicle; and a head lamp angle adjusting device for adjusting the angle of left and right head lamps toward left and right side of the vehicle in accordance with the front wheel steering angle when the vehicle is in a reverse state.

Claims

1. A system for assisting a reverse cornering of a vehicle, comprising:

left and right cornering sensors, which are respectively mounted on left and right corners of the front side of the vehicle, for detecting objects which approach near the left and right corners; and

a warning device for generating a warning sound to a driver, when one of the cornering sensors detects objects approaching near the corners of the vehicle; and

a head lamp angle adjusting device for adjusting the angle of at least one of the left and right head lamps toward left and right sides, respectively, of the vehicle in accordance with the wheel steering angle when the vehicle is in a reverse state; and

wherein the head lamp angle adjusting device adjusts the angle of the left and right head lamps in a direction opposite to that of the direction of the steering wheel.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cornering sensors are designed to detect an object approaching within 15 cm from the vehicle.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the angle adjusting device comprises:

a wheel steering angle sensor for detecting the steering angle of the wheel;

a shift position sensor for detecting a gear mode of a transmission;

a left head lamp motor for displacing the left head lamp toward the left side of the vehicle;

a right head lamp motor for displacing the right head lamp toward the right side of the vehicle; and

an electronic control unit for controlling each operation of the left and right head lamp motors in response to signals from the wheel steering angle sensor and the shift position sensor;

wherein the electronic control unit controls each of the head lamps so as to adjust an angle of at least one of the head lamps in response to a signal from the wheel steering angle sensor.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the warning device is mounted near a driver'"'"'s seat.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the electronic control unit controls each of the head lamps so as to adjust an angle of at least one of the head lamps to a direction opposite to that of a direction of a steering wheel in response to a signal from the steering wheel angle sensor.

6. A method for controlling a reverse cornering assisting system of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

determining a shift selector lever position;

determining a wheel steering angle when the shift selector lever position is determined to be in a reverse mode;

determining if an object is in existence within a predetermined distance from the vehicle; and

adjusting the angle of the left and right head lamps in a direction opposite to that of the direction of the steering wheel in response to a signal from the determined steering angle.

operating a warning device when an object is determined to exist within the predetermined distance from the vehicle, thereby alerting a driver.

7. A method for controlling a reverse cornering assisting system of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

determining a shift selector lever position;

determining an On/Off state of head lamps when the shift selector lever position is determined to be in a reverse mode;

determining a wheel steering angle when the head lamps are determined as being in an ON state; and

operating a head lamp angle adjusting device in response to the determined wheel steering angle, thereby adjusting an illuminating angle of at least one of the head lamps so as to widen a driver'"'"'s visual fields;

wherein the electronic control unit controls each of the head lamps so as to adjust an angle of at least one of the head lamps in a direction opposite to that of the direction of the steering wheel in response to a signal from the wheel steering angle sensor.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the electronic control unit controls each of the head lamps so as to adjust an angle of at least one of the head lamps to a direction opposite to that of a direction of a steering wheel in response to a signal from the steering wheel angle sensor.