Apparatus for a vehicle for protection of a colliding object

• US 7,143,856 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2004
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Asanuma, Nobuyoshi, Takahashi, Akio
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan, Ruth
• Application Number:
  US10/791,038
• Publication Number:
  US 20040182629A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 348/148, 180/274, 180/271, 701/45, 280/735, 280/730.1, 340/461, 340/435, 340/436
• US Class Current: 180/274
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/36 using airbags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/38 using means for lifting bonnets

Abstract

An apparatus for a vehicle for protection of a colliding object is provided, which includes one of a collision prediction module that delivers a precautionary signal when the collision prediction module predicts a collision of the vehicle with the object and a collision detection module that delivers a collision signal when the collision detection module detects the collision, an air bag which deploys on either a hood of the vehicle or an outside of its windshield when the collision is either predicted by the collision prediction module or detected by the collision detection module, a camera for taking a forward image of the vehicle and a monitor disposed in a cabin of the vehicle. In the apparatus, the monitor displays the image taken by the camera when the monitor receives one of the precautionary signal and the collision signal.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a vehicle for protection of a colliding object comprising:

one of a collision prediction module which delivers a precautionary signal when the collision prediction module predicts a collision of the vehicle with the object and an collision detection module which delivers a collision signal when the collision detection module detects the collision;

an air bag which deploys on either a hood of the vehicle or an outside of a windshield thereof when the collision is either predicted by the collision prediction module or detected by the collision detection module;

a camera for taking a forward image of the vehicle; and

a monitor disposed in a cabin of the vehicle,

wherein the monitor displays the image taken by the camera simultaneously with deployment of the air bag when the monitor receives one of the precautionary signal and the collision signal.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the monitor comprises a head-up display unit which projects the image taken by the camera on the windshield.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the collision prediction module employs image processing.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein one of an object sensor and an infrared camera is used for the image processing.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the collision detection module comprises one of an impulsive force detector and an accelerometer.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the camera comprises an infrared camera.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the hood comprises a hood skin and a hood frame, an air bag storage space is defined between the hood skin and the hood frame, and the air bag is within the air bag storage space.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the hood skin and hood frame are pivotally connected to each other and are separable from each other upon deployment of the air bag.

9. An apparatus for a vehicle for protection of a colliding object comprising:

one of a collision prediction module which delivers a precautionary signal when the collision prediction module predicts a collision of the vehicle with the object and an collision detection module which delivers a collision signal when the collision detection module detects the collision;

an air bag which deploys on an outside of a windshield of the vehicle when the collision is either predicted by the collision prediction module or detected by the collision detection module;

a hood skin which the deployed air bag elevates so that the hood skin can perform the protection of the colliding object in collaboration with the air bag;

a camera for taking a forward image of the vehicle; and

a monitor disposed in a cabin of the vehicle,

wherein the monitor displays the image taken by the camera simultaneously with deployment of the air bag when the monitor receives one of the precautionary signal and the collision signal.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the vehicle includes a hood that includes the hood skin, and the hood further comprises a hood frame, an air bag storage space is defined between the hood skin and the hood frame, and the air bag is within the air bag storage space.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the hood skin and hood frame are pivotally connected to each other, and the hood skin is separable from the hood frame in order to elevate upon deployment of the air bag.