Vehicle obstruction warning system and method

• US 8,013,722 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2008
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ZF CV Systems Europe BV
• Original Assignee: Wabco GmbH (Wabco Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dieckman, Thomas, Breuer, Karsten
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr.; John A
• Application Number:
  US12/291,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20090121852A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,030 Days
• Field of Search: 340/436, 340/435, 340/903, 701/45, 701/96, 701/301
• US Class Current: 340/436
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/165 for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees

Abstract

A system and method for warning vehicle operators of obstructions are provided. First clearance data of the vehicle, including vehicle height and width, are obtained and stored in memory. An obstruction in the vehicle'"'"'s path and the travel surface between the vehicle and the obstruction are scanned by a sensor device. Second clearance data of the obstruction, including the height and width of the vehicle passage defined by the obstruction, are determined and are stored in memory. Utilizing a comparison/warning signal generating device, the first and second clearance data are compared, and a warning signal is generated when values of the first clearance data are equal to or greater than corresponding values of the second clearance data. A monitoring device monitors the time period between generation of the warning signal and responsive action by the vehicle operator to avoid a collision. The vehicle is automatically brought to a stop if, upon expiration of a preselected time limit, the vehicle operator has not taken appropriate action.

Claims

1. A vehicle obstruction warning method, comprising the steps of:

obtaining first clearance data of said vehicle, said first clearance data including height and width of said vehicle;

scanning at least one obstruction presented in a path of said vehicle and a travel surface between said vehicle and said at least one obstruction;

determining second clearance data of said at least one obstruction, said second clearance data including at least one of height and width of a vehicle passage defined by said at least one obstruction;

comparing said first clearance data against said second clearance data;

generating a warning signal when values of said first clearance data are at least one of equal to and greater than corresponding values of said second clearance data, wherein said warning signal is at least one of an optical, acoustic, and haptic signal;

providing a time limit for a vehicle operator to take action responsive to said warning signal to avoid collision with said at least one obstruction; and

automatically braking said vehicle to a stop on expiration of said time limit when said operator does not take said action.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said scanning step includes scanning said at least one obstruction and said travel surface simultaneously and obtaining angle and distance information associated with said at least one obstruction.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said step of determining second clearance data includes calculating said at least one of height and width of said vehicle passage defined by said at least one obstruction based on said angle and said distance information.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said step of comparing said first clearance data against said second clearance data is effected in a comparison/warning signal generating device of said vehicle.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first clearance data are stored in a memory associated with a comparison/warning signal generating device of said vehicle.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said first clearance data are at least one of (i) input into said memory by an operator of said vehicle prior to commencing a trip in said vehicle and (ii) pre-stored in said memory.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein said step of comparing said first clearance data against said second clearance data is effected by said comparison/warning signal generating device.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle includes brakes, and said haptic signal includes brief applications of said brakes.

9. A vehicle obstruction warning system, comprising:

a sensor device;

a first memory for storing first clearance data of said vehicle including height and width of said vehicle;

a second memory for storing second clearance data of at least one obstruction presented in a path of said vehicle including at least one of height and width of a vehicle passage defined by said at least one obstruction;

a comparison/warning signal generating device in communication with said first memory and said second memory, said sensor device operative to;

obtain said second clearance data;

compare said first clearance data against said second clearance data; and

initiate a warning signal when values of said first clearance data are at least one of equal to and greater than corresponding values of said second clearance data, wherein said warning signal is at least one of an optical, acoustic, and haptic warning signal; and

a monitoring device operative to;

monitor a time period between generation of said warning signal and a responsive action by a vehicle operator to avoid collision with said at least one obstruction; and

initiate automatic braking of said vehicle to a stop on expiration of a preselected time limit when said operator does not take said responsive action.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said sensor device includes at least one distance sensor having high angular resolution adapted to simultaneously scan said at least one obstruction and a travel surface of said vehicle.

11. The system according to claim 10, further comprising an analyzer device constructed and arranged to receive angle and distance information obtained by said sensor device and to calculate said at least one of height and width of said vehicle passage defined by said at least one obstruction based on said angle and distance information.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein said at least one distance sensor is associated with a different operator assistance system of said vehicle.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said different operator assistance system is an adaptive cruise control system.

14. The system according to claim 9, further comprising a control element for enabling input of said first clearance data into said first memory.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein said first clearance data are input into said first memory using said control element by an operator of said vehicle prior to commencing a trip in said vehicle.

16. The system according to claim 9, wherein said first clearance data are parameterized.

17. The system according to claim 9, further comprising at least one optical display device for displaying said optical warning signals.

18. The system according to claim 9, further comprising at least one speaker for acoustic output of said acoustic warning signals.

19. The system according to claim 9, wherein said vehicle includes brakes, and said haptic signals include brief applications of said brakes.