Device for detecting obstacles comprising an imaging system for motor vehicles

• US 7,693,302 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2006
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo Vision (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Vision (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Ravier, Jean-Paul, Le Bars, Jean-Francois, Leleve, Joel, Reiss, Benoit, Albou, Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): Lu; Tom Y
• Application Number:
  US11/419,231
• Publication Number:
  US 20070025596A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• Field of Search: 382/103, 382/104, 375/77, 348/148
• US Class Current: 382/104
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0023 the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/483 with obstacle sensors of electric or electronic type
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0001 characterised by position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0092 with motorization

Abstract

An obstacle detection device comprising an imaging system for a motor vehicle, including at least one optical sensor, integrated in a lighting or signaling device of this vehicle. A field of vision of this at least one optical sensor can be oriented substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle or substantially along a transverse axis of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A detection device comprising an imaging system for a motor vehicle, including at least one optical sensor integrated in a lighting or signaling device for this vehicle, wherein a field of vision of the at least one optical sensor can be oriented substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle or substantially along a transverse axis of the vehicle;

and

a deviation device situated in operative relationship of said at least one optical sensor, said deviation device being moveable from a first position at which said at least one optical sensor captures an image in a direction of said longitudinal axis and a second position at which said at least one optical sensor captures an image in a direction of said transverse axis.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one optical sensor is fixed with respect to the vehicle, a deviation device being disposed in front of the at least one optical sensor.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the change in orientation of said field of vision of said at least one optical sensor is effected manually.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one optical sensor is a video camera.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one optical sensor is a CMOS or CCD sensor.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one optical sensor is coupled to an image signal processing system.

2. A detection device comprising an imaging system for a motor vehicle, including at least one optical sensor integrated in a lighting or signaling device for this vehicle, wherein the field of vision of the at least one optical sensor can be oriented substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle or substantially along a transverse axis of the vehicle;

wherein said at least one optical sensor is mounted to as to be able to move in rotation about a vertical axis between a first position in which its field of vision is oriented substantially along said longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a second position in which its field of vision is oriented substantially along said transverse axis of the vehicle.

4. A detection device comprising an imaging system for a motor vehicle, including at least one optical sensor integrated in a lighting or signaling device for this vehicle, wherein the field of vision of the at least one optical sensor can be oriented substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle or substantially along a transverse axis of the vehicle;

wherein said at least one optical sensor is fixed with respect to the vehicle, a deviation device being disposed in front of the at least one optical sensor;

wherein said deviation device consists of a tilting mirror.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said tilting mirror is mounted so as to be able to move in rotation about a vertical axis between a first position in which it is retracted, said field of vision of said at least one optical sensor being oriented substantially along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a second position in which it is inclined by at about 45°

with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle such that the field of vision of the at least one optical sensor being oriented substantially along the transverse axis of the vehicle.

6. A detection device comprising an imaging system for a motor vehicle, including at least one optical sensor integrated in a lighting or signaling device for this vehicle, wherein the field of vision of the at least one optical sensor can be oriented substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle or substantially along a transverse axis of the vehicle;

wherein said at least one optical sensor is fixed with respect to the vehicle, a deviation device being disposed in front of the at least one optical sensor;

wherein said deviation device consists of an electro-optical device.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said electro-optical device is able to change from a reflecting state to a transparent state under the effect of an electrical field.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein, in said reflecting state, the field of vision of said at least one optical sensor is oriented substantially along the transverse axis of the vehicle, and in that in said transparent state, the field of vision of said at least one optical sensor is oriented substantially along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein, in the transparent state, the field of vision of said at least one optical sensor is oriented substantially along the transverse axis of the vehicle, and in that in the reflecting state, the field of vision of said at least one optical sensor is oriented substantially along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

11. A detection device comprising an imaging system for a motor vehicle, including at least one optical sensor integrated in a lighting or signaling device for this vehicle, wherein the field of vision of the at least one optical sensor can be oriented substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle or substantially along a transverse axis of the vehicle;

wherein the change in orientation of said field of vision of said at least one optical sensor is effected automatically as a function of a speed of the vehicle.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein said field of vision is oriented substantially along the transverse axis of the vehicle for a speed thereof less than a predetermined value, and the field of vision is oriented substantially along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle for a speed thereof greater than said predetermined value.