WARNING APPARATUS FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20080309515A1
• Filed: 06/13/2008
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Mueller, Holger, la Tendresse, Ingo
• Granted Patent: US 8,022,818 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/901
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes

Abstract

Warning apparatus (2) for a motor vehicle (1) having an indicator system (6) for indicating a change of lane comprising at least one signal display (7) arranged in the field of view of the driver and having a sensor system for detecting obstacles in the blind spot (4), wherein the sensor system generates a warning signal in the event of detection of an obstacle, wherein the signal display (7) of the indicator system (6) is connected to the sensor system such that the warning signal is reproduced in visual form via the signal display (7).

Claims

1. A warning apparatus for a motor vehicle having an indicator system for indicating a change of lane comprising at least one signal display arranged in the field of view of the driver and having a sensor system for detecting obstacles in the blind spot, wherein the sensor system generates a warning signal in the event of detection of an obstacle, wherein the signal display of the indicator system is connected to the sensor system such that the warning signal is reproduced in visual form via the signal display.

4. The warning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal display is configured with an illumination means for reproducing the warning signal in a color which differs from normal practice.

5. The warning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal display is configured such that the visual warning signal is reproduced in intervals.

6. The warning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal display is configured such that the visual warning signal is reproduced in different interval sequences, as a function of the position of and/or the distance to the obstacle.

7. The warning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal display is configured such that the visual warning signal is reproduced in different light intensities, as a function of the position of and/or the distance to the obstacle.

8. The warning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the warning apparatus further comprises a sound generation apparatus which generates an audible signal in addition to the visual warning signal.

9. The warning apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the visual warning signal and audible signal are generated in the same interval or with the same light intensity and volume or audio frequency.

10. The warning apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the visual warning signal and audible signal are generated with different intervals or with a different light intensity and volume or pitch.

11. The warning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal display is configured with a means for acoustic support of the visual reproduction.

2. The warning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal display of the indicator system has separate areas for the separate display of a left and right lane change.

3. The warning apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the separate areas of the signal display of the indicator system can be connected to the sensor system in such a manner that the area which corresponds to the direction of the detected obstacle is actuated.

12. The warning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal display is configured with an illumination means for reproducing the warning signal in a brightness which differs from normal practice.

12-1. Cancelled

13. The warning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal display is configured with an illumination means for reproducing the warning signal, the illumination means at least partially surrounding the area for normal use.

13-2. A warning apparatus for a motor vehicle, the vehicle having an indicator system for indicating a change of lane comprising at least one signal display arranged in the field of view of the driver, and the vehicle further having a sensor system for detecting obstacles in a blind spot of the vehicle and generating a warning signal in response thereto, wherein the signal display provides a first visual indication that the indicator is activated, and the signal display produces a second visual indication that the warning signal has been generated.

14. An indicator system for indicating a change of lane of a motor vehicle, the indicator comprising at least one signal display arranged in the field of view of the driver for providing a first visual indication that the indicator is activated, and the vehicle further having a sensor system for detecting obstacles in a blind spot of the vehicle, wherein the signal display provides a second visual indication when the sensor system has detected an obstacle.