Lane departure warning and change assist system utilizing active materials
First Claim
1. An active material based lane-departure warning system adapted for use by an operator and with a vehicle traveling within a lane delineated by at least one lane-marking, said system comprising:
- at least one sensor operable to detect the location of the lane-marking relative to the vehicle;
a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, and configured to execute a warning algorithm, wherein a spatial relationship between the vehicle and lane-marking is determined, the relationship is compared to a predetermined threshold, and an activation signal is caused by the controller to be generated when the threshold is exceeded; and
a warning device including an active material element operable to undergo a reversible change in property when exposed to or occluded from the activation signal, and communicatively coupled to the controller,said device and controller being cooperatively configured to generate an alert as a result of the element being activated by the signal;
wherein the device includes an Magneto-Rheological Hydraulic Power Steering system, the element is Magneto-Rheological fluid housed and circulated within the MR-HPS system, and the device is configured to change the viscosity of the fluid when the signal is generated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A lane change assist and/or lane departure warning system adapted for use with a vehicle having a module engaged by an operator, wherein the vehicle travels within a lane, and the system includes a steering wheel sensor, at least one sensor operable to detect a lane-marking or an approaching object in adjacent lanes in the direction of host vehicle travel, a warning device including an active material element engaged with the module, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and device and configured to determine a spatial relationship between the vehicle and the lane-marking or approaching object in the direction of host vehicle travel, compare the relationship to a threshold, transmit an activation signal to the element when the relationship exceeds the threshold or when an object is detected and the wheel sensor indicates a turn towards the object, and generate an alert by activating the element.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An active material based lane-departure warning system adapted for use by an operator and with a vehicle traveling within a lane delineated by at least one lane-marking, said system comprising:
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at least one sensor operable to detect the location of the lane-marking relative to the vehicle; a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, and configured to execute a warning algorithm, wherein a spatial relationship between the vehicle and lane-marking is determined, the relationship is compared to a predetermined threshold, and an activation signal is caused by the controller to be generated when the threshold is exceeded; and a warning device including an active material element operable to undergo a reversible change in property when exposed to or occluded from the activation signal, and communicatively coupled to the controller, said device and controller being cooperatively configured to generate an alert as a result of the element being activated by the signal;
wherein the device includes an Magneto-Rheological Hydraulic Power Steering system, the element is Magneto-Rheological fluid housed and circulated within the MR-HPS system, and the device is configured to change the viscosity of the fluid when the signal is generated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An active material based lane change assist system adapted for use with a vehicle traveling within a lane and having a steering wheel, said system comprising:
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at least one active or passive sensor operable to detect an object; a first warning device including an active material element operable to undergo a reversible change in property when exposed to or occluded from an activation signal, wherein the change causes a haptic alert to be produced; a steering wheel angle sensor operable to detect the direction of rotation of the wheel; and a controller communicatively coupled to the active material element and steering wheel angle sensors and device, and configured to produce the activation signal, when the object is detected and the steering wheel sensor indicates rotation of the wheel towards the object, so as to cause the haptic alert to be produced;
wherein the device includes an Magneto-Rheological Hydraulic Power Steering system, the element is Magneto-Rheological fluid housed and circulated within the MR-HPS system, and the device is configured to change the viscosity of the fluid when the signal is generated. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method of alerting an operator of a vehicle to an impending improper lane change, wherein said vehicle includes a module engaged by the operator, said method comprising:
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a. securing an active material element, operable to undergo a reversible change in property when exposed to or occluded from an activation signal, so as to be activated and deactivated respectively, relative to the module, such that a reversible characteristic of the element causes a module condition detectable by the operator; b. determining the position of an approaching object in the direction of host vehicle travel in an adjacent lanes, or of a lane-marking, relative to the host vehicle, so as to determine a spatial relationship between the approaching object in the direction of host vehicle travel in adjacent lane, or the lane marking, and the host vehicle; c. comparing the relationship to a threshold, generating an activation signal when the relationship exceeds the threshold, and transmitting the signal, so as to activate the element; d. changing the characteristic by activating the element, and modifying the module condition by changing the characteristic; and e. alerting the operator through the change in module condition; and f. wherein the module includes an Magneto-Rheological Hydraulic Power Steering system, the element is Magneto-Rheological fluid housed and circulated within the MR-HPS system, and the module is configured to change the viscosity of the fluid when the signal is generated.
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Specification