Collision avoidance system

• US 9,505,404 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2015
• Issued: 11/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Original Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Inventors: Jones, Matt, Rowe, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Butler, Rodney
• Assistant Examiner(s): BRUSHABER, FREDERICK M
• Application Number:
  US14/683,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20160297430A1
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/179 Distances to obstacles or vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/023 for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/80 characterised by the intended use of the viewing arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/22 initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an external object, e.g. another vehicle , or by means of contactless obstacle detectors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/18 including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/20 including control of steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/22 including control of suspension systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/403 Image sensing, e.g. optical camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/22 Suspension systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/18 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/08 Active safety systems predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision or attempting to minimise its consequences
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/085 Taking automatic action to adjust vehicle attitude in preparation for collision, e.g. braking for nose dropping
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/09 Taking automatic action to avoid collision, e.g. braking and steering
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/0953 : the prediction being responsive to vehicle dynamic parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/0956 : the prediction being responsive to traffic or environmental parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0097 : Predicting future conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 : Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0265 : Automatic obstacle avoidance by steering
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/58 : Recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians; Recognition of traffic objects, e.g. traffic signs, traffic lights or roads
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/165 : for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees

Abstract

The present invention relates to a collision system in a vehicle that uses a three dimensional imaging device to map a three dimensional object external to the vehicle. A positioning module will superimpose the position of the body of the vehicle onto the mapped object in dependence of the potential impact location. The positioning module will communicate the impact location to a collision avoidance aid such as an audio or visual warning.

Claims

1. A collision avoidance system for a vehicle, comprising:

a three-dimensional-imaging-device arranged to map a three dimensional object located within a surrounding environment of a vehicle;

a positioning module arranged to superimpose a potential position of a body of the vehicle on to the mapped object;

an impact detection module arranged to distinguish between an impact location on the mapped object above a ride height of the body of the vehicle and a clearance location on the mapped object below a ride height of the body of the vehicle based on the potential position of the body of the vehicle on the mapped object; and

a communication module for communicating the impact location to a collision avoidance aid.

2. The collision avoidance system of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional-imaging-device is located at a front end of the vehicle for observing an environment in front of the vehicle.

3. The collision avoidance system of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional-imaging-device is located at a rear end of the vehicle for observing an environment behind the vehicle.

4. The collision avoidance system of claim 1, wherein the positioning module comprises a detector for detecting a vehicle state and a geometric model of the vehicle, the positioning module arranged to determine the potential position of the body of the vehicle based on the vehicle state and the geometric model of the vehicle.

5. The collision avoidance system of claim 4, wherein the vehicle state is selected from a list including suspension setting, vehicle velocity, and steering wheel angle.

6. The collision avoidance system of claim 1, wherein the collision avoidance aid comprises a display arranged to display the impact location superimposed on to the mapped object within the surrounding environment of the vehicle.

7. The collision avoidance system of claim 6, wherein the display is situated within a cabin of the vehicle for use by a driver of the vehicle.

8. The collision avoidance system of claim 6, wherein the display comprises a remote user interface device communicable with the communication module over a network.

9. The collision avoidance system of claim 1, wherein the collision avoidance aid comprises an audio device.

10. The collision avoidance system of claim 1, wherein the collision avoidance aid comprises a vehicle adjustment system arranged to adjust the vehicle automatically to avoid a collision between the body of the vehicle and the mapped object.

11. The collision avoidance system of claim 10, wherein the vehicle adjustment system comprises a suspension system arranged to adjust a ride height of the vehicle.

12. The collision avoidance system of claim 10, wherein the vehicle adjustment system comprises a drive or braking system arranged to adjust a velocity of the vehicle.

13. The collision avoidance system of claim 10, wherein the vehicle adjustment system comprises a steering system arranged to control a turning path of the vehicle.

14. A vehicle comprising the collision avoidance system of claim 1.

15. A method of sensing a collision risk comprising:

mapping a three dimensional object located within a surrounding environment of a vehicle;

superimposing a potential position of a body of the vehicle on to the mapped object;

distinguishing between an impact location on the mapped object above a ride height of the body of the vehicle and a clearance location on the mapped object below a ride height of the body of the vehicle based on the potential position of the body of the vehicle on the mapped object; and

communicating the impact location to a collision avoidance aid.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

adjusting a configuration of the vehicle automatically to avoid the body of the vehicle contacting the mapped object to thereby avoid a collision.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

displaying the impact location to a navigator of the vehicle.