System for automatically monitoring a motor vehicle

• US 7,617,037 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2002
• Issued: 11/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Desens, Jens, Hahn, Stefan, Stein, Fridtjof
• Primary Examiner(s): To; Tuan C
• Application Number:
  US10/497,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20050043879A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,537 Days
• Field of Search: 701/301, 701/96, 701/1, 701/300, 701/41, 342/29, 342/104, 342/109, 340/902, 340/903, 340/435, 340/436, 340/444, 340/465, 340/438, 340/426.31, 340/426.32, 180/170, 180/282
• US Class Current: 701/96
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/0008 including means for detecting potential obstacles in vehicle path
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/00 Input parameters relating to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/408 Traffic behavior, e.g. swarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/802 Longitudinal distance
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/16 Control of distance between vehicles, e.g. keeping a distance to preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/026 combined with automatic distance control, i.e. electronic tow bar
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0265 Automatic obstacle avoidance by steering

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for automatically monitoring a motor vehicle, especially for automatically monitoring a vehicle (E) in a traffic jam. Said system comprises at least one sensor (2) for monitoring the space in front of the vehicle (E), and an electronic regulating device for regulating travel, braking and steering. According to the invention, said sensor is designed in such a way that it detects the movement of a vehicle (A) changing lanes in front of vehicle (E). The control of the vehicle is returned to the driver, or the driver is requested to regain control of the vehicle, when motor vehicle (E) shows a desire to follow the lane change of vehicle (A), and when it is determined, by means of the signals of the lateral sensor (8, 10), that during the monitoring, vehicle (E) is not at a sufficiently safe distance from a vehicle (B) detected by the lateral sensor. One such system for automatically monitoring a motor vehicle thus increases road safety in a simple manner.

Claims

1. A system for automatic following-distance control of a motor vehicle, the system having

at least one sensor configured to monitor the space in front of the motor vehicle(E),

an electronic device for regulating travel, braking and steering, and

at least one lateral sensor configured to monitor (8;

10) a lateral space (12;

14) in an adjacent lane beside and/or behind the motor vehicle (E), the motor vehicle (E) following a vehicle (A) traveling ahead,

wherein if the vehicle (A) performs a lane change, the motor vehicle (E) will follow the lane change only if it is continuously determined in a predetermined fashion, on the basis of signals of the lateral sensor (8;

10), that, during the following-distance control, the motor vehicle (E) will in future not undershoot a safe distance from a vehicle (B) which is sensed, in the lane being changed to, by the lateral sensor.

2. The system for automatic following-distance control as claimed in claim 1, wherein data from automatic following-distance control is additionally used for determining whether the distance from the vehicle (B) sensed by the lateral sensor is undershot.

3. The system for automatic following-distance control as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral sensor is a sensor which can resolve its sensing range into a plurality of angular sections.

4. The system for automatic following-distance control as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system is adapted for automatic following-distance control of a motor vehicle in a traffic jam.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral sensor is accommodated in a rear view mirror of the motor vehicle.

6. A system for automatic following-distance control of a motor vehicle, the system having

at least one sensor configured to monitor the space in front of the vehicle (E),

an electronic device for regulating travel, braking and steering, and

at least one lateral sensor configured to monitor (8;

10) a lateral space (12;

14) in an adjacent lane beside and/or behind the motor vehicle (E), the motor vehicle (E) following a vehicle (A) traveling ahead,

wherein if the vehicle (A) performs a lane change;

the motor vehicle (E) will automatically follow the lane change if it is continuously determined in a predetermined fashion, on the basis of signals of the lateral sensor (8;

10), that, during the following-distance control, the motor vehicle (E) will in future not undershoot a safe distance from a vehicle (B) which is sensed, in the lane being changed to, by the lateral sensor, and

if it is determined, on the basis of signals of the lateral sensor (8;

10), that, during the following-distance control, the motor vehicle (E) will in future undershoot a safe distance from a vehicle (B) in an adjacent lane, the driver is requested to assume control of the vehicle, or control of the vehicle is automatically returned to the driver.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the driver is additionally warned.