Device for preventing a collision of a pivoting element of a vehicle

• US 8,638,205 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2011
• Issued: 01/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Boehme, Aiko, Bald, Heiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie
• Application Number:
  US13/037,978
• Publication Number:
  US 20110215916A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,064 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/436
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/434 with cameras or optical sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/483 for detection during opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailgates

Abstract

A device is provided for preventing a collision between a pivoting element of a vehicle, with an obstacle located in its pivoting area, with a control unit which controls the pivoting movement of the vehicle pivoting element and with a lighting device which is coupled to the pivoting movement and emits light into the pivoting area. Depending on the reflection of the emitted light on the obstacle the control units intervenes in the pivoting movement.

Claims

1. A device for preventing a collision between a pivoting element of a vehicle and an obstacle located in a pivoting area, comprising:

a control unit configured to control a pivoting movement of the pivoting element; and

a lighting device coupled with the pivoting element and configured to emit a light into the pivoting area,

wherein the control unit is configured to intervene in the pivoting movement based at least in part on a reflection of the light on the obstacle, and wherein the lighting device comprises a vehicle light.

2. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the vehicle light is a vehicle rear light.

3. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lighting device is arranged on the pivoting element.

4. The device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a recording device that is configured to record the reflection of the light on the obstacle.

5. The device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the recording device comprises a camera system.

6. The device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the light emitted into the pivoting area is configured to form a light pattern on the obstacle, and

wherein the recording device is configured to generate information that represents the light pattern, and

wherein an evaluation unit evaluates the information in determining if the control unit is to intervene in the pivoting movement.

7. The device in accordance with claim 6, wherein the evaluation unit evaluates a size of the light pattern formed on the obstacle.

8. The device in accordance claim 6, wherein the evaluation unit evaluates a shape of the light pattern formed on the obstacle.

9. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to interrupt the pivoting movement if the reflection of the light indicates the collision.

10. A device for preventing a collision between a pivoting element of a vehicle and an obstacle located in a pivoting area, comprising:

a control unit configured to control a pivoting movement of the pivoting element;

a lighting device coupled with the pivoting element and configured to emit a light into the pivoting area,

wherein the control unit is configured to intervene in the pivoting movement based at least in part on a reflection of the light on the obstacle; and

a recording device that is configured to record the reflection of the light on the obstacle,

wherein the light emitted into the pivoting area is configured to form a light pattern on the obstacle, and

wherein the recording device is configured to generate information that represents the light pattern, and

wherein an evaluation unit evaluates the information in determining if the control unit is to intervene in the pivoting movement.

11. The device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the lighting device comprises a vehicle light.

12. The device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the vehicle light is a vehicle rear light.

13. The device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the lighting device is arranged on the pivoting element.

14. The device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the recording device comprises a camera system.

15. The device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the evaluation unit evaluates a size of the light pattern formed on the obstacle.

16. The device in accordance claim 10, wherein the evaluation unit evaluates a shape of the light pattern formed on the obstacle.

17. The device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the control unit is configured to interrupt the pivoting movement if the reflection of the light indicates the collision.