Blind spot detector

• US 6,744,353 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2002
• Issued: 06/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sjönell, Göran
• Original Assignee: Sjönell, Göran
• Inventors: Sjönell, Göran
• Primary Examiner(s): Trieu, Van T.
• Application Number:
  US10/149,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20030052773A1
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 340/435, 340/436, 340/438, 340/903, 340/904, 340/909, 340/943, 701/300, 701/301, 701/41, 180/167, 180/168, 180/169, 342/70, 342/71
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 Monitoring blind spots
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/932 using own vehicle data, e.g. ground speed, steering wheel direction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9324 Alternative operation using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93274 on the side of the vehicles

Abstract

A warning device for mounting onto a vehicle, in order to attract the attention of the driver when another vehicle (2) or object is located in a position that is wholly or partially critical for the driver. The device comprises two sources (5, 6) of laser radiation arranged at a distance from each other, a convex lens (8) arranged outside of each source and a position-sensitive radiation detector (7) arranged between the sources (5, 6). The device reacts with different levels of warning signals on the detection of direction indicator (58), angular deviation (60) of a wheel or the steering wheel, speed (62), etc., in combination.

Claims

1. A warning device for a motor vehicle having at least one direction indicator and wheel in order to attract the attention of a driver when an object is located in a position that is critical for the driver, the device comprises:

(a) at least one source of wave energy;

(b) an arranged position-sensitive wave energy detector for detecting an object in a position that is critical for the driver;

(c) an output for activating a warning signal when the wave energy detector detects an object located in a position critical for the driver;

(d) a direction indicator sensor for detection of an input signal from the at least one direction indicator of the vehicle indicating that the at least one direction indicator is on;

(e) an output for activating a warning signal when both the direction indicator sensor detects the input signal of the at least one direction indicator is on and when the wave energy detector detects an object located in a position critical for the driver;

(f) an angular sensor deviation for detecting angular deviation of the at least one wheel of the vehicle;

(g) an output for activating a warning signal when both the angular deviation sensor detects at least a certain angular deviation of the at least one wheel and the wave energy detector detects an object located in a position critical for the driver;

(h) speed sensor for detecting the speed of the vehicle;

(i) an output for activating a warning signal when the speed sensor detects speed over predetermined threshold values of speed and the wave energy detector detects an object located in a position critical to the driver in combination with at least one input signal from at least one of the direction indicator sensor and the angular deviation sensor; and

(j) threshold detection means for a maximum allowed angular deviation in order for the warning device to be active, which indicates rounding of a curve or normal turning of the vehicle.

2. The warning device according to claim 1, wherein the warning signal achieved when the direction indicator sensor detects the input signal that the at least one direction indicator is on and the wave energy detector detects an object located in a position critical to the driver is a further level of signal.

3. The warning device according to claim 1, wherein the warning signal achieved when the angular deviation sensor detects at least a certain angular deviation of the at least one wheel and the wave energy detector detects an object located in a position critical to the driver is a further level of signal.

4. The warning device according to claim 1, wherein the warning signal when the speed sensor detects speed over the predetermined threshold values of speed and the wave energy detector detects an object located in a position critical to the driver in combination with at least one input signal from at least one of the direction indicator sensor and the angular deviation sensor is a further level of signal depending on speed detection as compared with the predetermined threshold values.

5. The warning device according to claim 4, wherein, if the speed sensor detects speed of the vehicle lying below a predetermined maximum speed, the further level is activated for change of lane or overtaking through the input signal from the angular deviation sensor.

6. The warning device according to claim 5, wherein the further level is activated if the detection of angular deviation lies above a predetermined angle when the speed lies above a predetermined minimum speed.

7. The warning device according to claim 4, wherein, if the speed of the vehicle lies above a predetermined maximum speed, the further level is activated when the direction indicator sensor detects that the input signal indicating that the at least one direction indicator is on.

8. The warning device according to claim 7, wherein the further level is activated when the angular deviation sensor detects an angular deviation.

9. The warning device according to claim 1, wherein the outputs for warning signals are deactivated when the speed sensor detects the vehicle travelling slower than a predetermined minimum speed.

10. The warning device according to claim 1, wherein the warning device is contained in a rear-view mirror of the vehicle.

11. The warning device according to claim 10, wherein the rear-view mirror contains a battery for operation of the warning device.

12. The warning device according to claim 1, wherein the wave energy detector is arranged on a rear section of the vehicle.

13. The warning device according to claim 1, wherein the wave energy detector is one detector arranged in a rear-view mirror and a further detector arranged on a rear section of the vehicle whereby the detectors collaborate in order to receive reflected wave energy.

14. The warning device according to claim 13, wherein the vehicle is a truck.

15. The warning device according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the detectors is arranged on a side section of the vehicle for reception of reflected wave energy.

16. The warning device according to claim 15, wherein the vehicle is a truck.