Collision protection device for the protection of projecting motor vehicle parts

• US 6,204,753 B1
• Filed: 02/24/1999
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Schenk, Joachim, Faust, Arno, Haderer, Guenter
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US09/256,835
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• Field of Search: 340/903, 340/901, 340/904, 340/425.5, 340/435, 340/436, 340/932.2, 307/10.1, 359/841, 359/843, 248/479
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/062 with remote control for adjusting position B60R1/0607 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0625 by hydraulically or pneumatically powered actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/074 for retracting the mirror arrangements to a non-use position alongside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems

Abstract

A device for collision protection of projecting parts of motor vehicles has a controllable actuating mechanism at least for retracting and/or folding the projecting vehicle parts. At least one distance detection or proximity sensor, which is functionally connected to the actuating mechanism, is provided in the vehicle to detect the distance and/or the approach of an object with respect to the respective projecting vehicle part, and the actuating mechanism retracts or folds the respective vehicle part upon a detection signal delivered by the sensor and indicating a collision hazard with the object.

Claims

1. A device for protecting at least one projecting part of a motor vehicle from a collision with an object, comprising:

at least one sensor detecting at least one of a distance and an approach of the object with respect to the at least one projecting part, the at least one sensor providing a detection signal which is indicative of a collision hazard of the at least one projecting part with the object; and

at least one controllable actuating mechanism functionally coupled to the at least one sensor, the at least one actuating mechanism performing at least one of a retracting operation and a folding operation on the at least one projecting part as a function of the detection signal.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein a particular sensor of the at least one sensor is assigned to each of the at least one projecting part.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein a scanning area of the at least one sensor is oriented substantially forward in a travel direction of the vehicle.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one sensor is integrated in the at least one projecting part.

5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a control device activating the at least one actuating mechanism, the control device coupled to the at least one sensor and situated in the vehicle, the control device determining a velocity of the object with respect to the at least one projecting part, the control device controlling one of a retraction speed and a folding speed of the at least one actuating mechanism as a function of the velocity.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the control device controls at least one of the retracting operation and the folding operation as a function of at least one parameter.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the at least one parameter includes at least one of a parked status of the vehicle, a further speed of the vehicle, a travel direction of the vehicle, a steering angle and a road condition.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein, when the control device receives at least one signal and the vehicle is parked, the control device performs at least one of the retracting operation and the folding operation.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the at least one signal includes at least one of a door contact signal and an ignition key signal.

10. The device according to claim 6, wherein the control device controls at least one of the retraction speed and the folding speed as a function of the at least one parameter.

11. The device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one sensor detects a further distance between the object and a side view mirror housing, the side view mirror housing being one of retractable and foldable by a corresponding actuating mechanism of the at least one actuating mechanism.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one sensor is assigned to and integrated in the side view mirror housing.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein, when the collision hazard is detected, the control device activates the corresponding actuating mechanism to perform at least one of the folding operation and the retracting operation on the side view mirror housing at a first speed, the first speed being greater than a second speed, the second speed being a speed of a normal manual performance of at least one of the folding operation and the retracting operation.

14. The device according to claim 5, wherein, when a predetermined distance is detected between the object and the at least one projecting part and when, immediately after the predetermined distance is detected, the vehicle is unparked, the control device automatically performs the retraction operation to unfold the at least one projecting part.

15. The device according to claim 13, wherein the at least one actuating mechanism includes a slow actuator and a quick actuator, the control device utilizing the slow actuator for the normal manual performance of at least ore of the folding operation and the retracting operation, the control device utilizing the quick actuator, when the collision hazard is detected, to perform the folding operation and the retracting operation, a force of the quick actuator being enhanced by a pre-stressed spring element which is situated in parallel with the slow actuator.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the slow actuator is a motor-driven actuator.

17. The device according to claim 15, wherein the slow actuator is a hydro-pneumatically driven actuator.

18. The device according to claim 5, wherein the control device generates one of an acoustic warning signal and a visual warning signal using a warning device of the vehicle.