Apparatus for controlling distance between vehicles

• US 7,100,726 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2003
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Kim, Jee Young
• Primary Examiner(s): RESTIFO, JEFFREY J
• Application Number:
  US10/746,927
• Publication Number:
  US 20040238249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 180/167, 180/169, 180/178, 180/179, 342/69, 342/70, 342/71, 701/96, 701/93
• US Class Current: 180/169
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/823 Obstacle sensing
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/174 Radar
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/166 Platooning
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/0008 including means for detecting potential obstacles in vehicle path
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/00 Input parameters relating to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/4041 Position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/802 Longitudinal distance
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/143 Speed control B60W30/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/16 Control of distance between vehicles, e.g. keeping a distance to preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/42 Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S13/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/87 Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93185 Controlling the brakes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9319 Controlling the accelerator
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/932 using own vehicle data, e.g. ground speed, steering wheel direction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9321 Velocity regulation, e.g. cruise control
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9325 for inter-vehicle distance regulation, e.g. navigating in platoons
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93271 in the front of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93275 in the bumper area
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

A vehicular distance to a preceding vehicle is controlled on the basis of a mixed combination of a longer range radar sensor and shorter range microwave sensors.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling distance to another vehicle from a first vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle running state detection unit for detecting a running state of the first vehicle;

a first vehicular distance detection unit for detecting a first distance to a forwardly preceding vehicle, the first vehicular distance detection unit being mounted in a front center of the first vehicle;

a second vehicular distance detection unit for detecting a second distance to the forwardly preceding vehicle, the second distance being detected with respect to positions having a center in line with the front center of the first vehicle;

third and fourth vehicular distance detection units, respectively disposed at left and right front corners of the first vehicle, that detect third and fourth distances to a laterally preceding vehicle, the third and fourth distances being detected in a laterally biased forward direction of the first vehicle;

a vehicular distance controller

that determines existence of the forwardly preceding vehicle based on the first distance and the second distance;

that determines existence of the laterally preceding vehicle based on the third distance or the fourth distance; and

that controls the running state of the first vehicle based on the existence of the forwardly preceding vehicle or the laterally preceding vehicle; and

a distance controlling actuator unit for controlling distance to the forwardly preceding vehicle or the laterally preceding vehicle by adjusting the running state of the first vehicle under control of the vehicular distance controller;

wherein the distance controlling actuator unit controls the distance to the laterally preceding vehicle when the third or the fourth distance is smaller than the first distance, the second distance, and a predetermined distance.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first vehicular distance detection unit comprises at least one long range radar sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second vehicular distance detection unit comprises at least one short range microwave sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third and fourth vehicular distance detection units each comprise at least one short range microwave sensor.