Vehicle overhead clearance detection system and method of operation
First Claim
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1. An overhead clearance detection system for a vehicle having a windshield comprising:
- a first sensor having a transmitter for emitting a first signal through said windshield and a receiver, the signal being emitted on an angle less than 90 degrees relative to a roof of said vehicle; and
,a controller electrically coupled to said first sensor, said controller having a processor responsive to executable instructions when executed on said processor for determining vertical distance in response to said receiver detecting said first signal and comparing said vertical distance to a predetermined threshold.
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Abstract
An overhead clearance detection system and method of operation are provided. The system includes a sensor for measuring a distance to an object. A vertical height for the object is determined and compared to a user defined clearance height. If the object'"'"'s vertical height is less than the user defined clearance height, an alarm is sounded. In one embodiment, the system is removably mountable to a vehicle windshield.
26 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An overhead clearance detection system for a vehicle having a windshield comprising:
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a first sensor having a transmitter for emitting a first signal through said windshield and a receiver, the signal being emitted on an angle less than 90 degrees relative to a roof of said vehicle; and
,a controller electrically coupled to said first sensor, said controller having a processor responsive to executable instructions when executed on said processor for determining vertical distance in response to said receiver detecting said first signal and comparing said vertical distance to a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An overhead clearance detection system for a vehicle having a windshield comprising:
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a housing; an infrared optical sensor coupled to said housing and arranged to emit an optical signal substantially perpendicular to said windshield and at a non-vertical angle; an angle sensor operably coupled to said controller for determining an angle formed between said at least one arm and said housing; and
,a controller arranged in said housing, said controller being coupled to receive a signal from said infrared optical sensor, wherein said controller has a processor responsive to executable computer instructions when executed on said processor for determining a vertical distance in response to a first signal from said infrared optical sensor and a second signal from said angle sensor.
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8. An overhead clearance detection system for a vehicle having a windshield comprising:
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a housing; an infrared optical sensor coupled to said housing and arranged to emit an optical signal substantially perpendicular to said windshield; and
,a controller arranged in said housing, said controller being coupled to receive a signal from said infrared optical sensor, wherein said controller has a processor responsive to executable computer instructions when executed on said processor for determining a vertical distance in response to a first signal from said infrared optical sensor; at least one arm rotatably coupled to said housing; a coupler arranged on one end of at least one arm; and
,wherein said infrared optical sensor is rotatably coupled to said housing. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of operating an overhead clearance detection system in a vehicle having a windshield comprising:
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determining a height threshold; emitting a signal on an angle less than 90 degrees relative to a roof of said vehicle; receiving said signal; determining a vertical height from said signal and said angle; comparing said vertical height to said height threshold; and
,emitting an audible alarm when said vertical height is less than or equal to said height threshold. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An overhead clearance detection system for a vehicle having a windshield comprising:
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at least one arm; a coupler arranged on one end of said at least one arm, said coupler attaching said at least one arm to the inside of said windshield; a first distance sensor operably coupled to rotate relative to said at least one arm, said first distance sensor having a transmitter for emitting a first signal and a receiver for detecting a reflection of said first signal, said first distance sensor having a first operating range; and
,a controller electrically coupled to said first distance sensor, said controller having a processor responsive to executable instructions when executed on said processor for determining vertical distance in response to said receiver detecting said reflection of said first signal. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification