CA2120638A1 - Blind spot warning device - Google Patents
Blind spot warning deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2120638A1 CA2120638A1 CA002120638A CA2120638A CA2120638A1 CA 2120638 A1 CA2120638 A1 CA 2120638A1 CA 002120638 A CA002120638 A CA 002120638A CA 2120638 A CA2120638 A CA 2120638A CA 2120638 A1 CA2120638 A1 CA 2120638A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- transducer
- blind spot
- signal
- active zone
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
- G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
- G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
- G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
- G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
- G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
- G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
- G01S2013/9315—Monitoring blind spots
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
- G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
- G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
- G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
- G01S2013/9327—Sensor installation details
- G01S2013/93274—Sensor installation details on the side of the vehicles
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Traffic Control Systems (AREA)
Abstract
A blind spot warning device having one or more transducers mounted on a vehicle to detect objects in a pre-determined active zone. The improvement comprises the activation of the alarm means only when the turn signal of the driver is on.
Description
BLIND SPOT WARNING DEVICE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a detector to be mounted on a 5 motor vehicle for detecting other nearby vehicles while in traffic and, in particular, to the improvement of combining the detection system with a turn signal.
On many modern highways, a number of parallel lanes 10 carry traffic in the same direction. Accordingly, a car may be overtaken on either side and, may overtake other cars, as it is proceeding along the highway. Consequently, the attention of the driver must be directed not only to the traffic in front of the vehicle, but also to traffic moving beside and to the rear of the vehicle. Cars 15 are equipped with rear-view mirrors and side-mirrors to provide side and rear viewing with minimum head turning. However, often the mirrors are positioned in such a manner that there is a blind spot on either side of the vehicle i.e. a spot in which it is difficult for the driver to see another vehicle without turning his or her head.
It is known in the prior art that detectors may be assembled on an automobile to detect nearby objects. Such detectors may use infrared, ultrasonic or RF sensors to activate a transducer to signal if an object is in an active zone of the
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a detector to be mounted on a 5 motor vehicle for detecting other nearby vehicles while in traffic and, in particular, to the improvement of combining the detection system with a turn signal.
On many modern highways, a number of parallel lanes 10 carry traffic in the same direction. Accordingly, a car may be overtaken on either side and, may overtake other cars, as it is proceeding along the highway. Consequently, the attention of the driver must be directed not only to the traffic in front of the vehicle, but also to traffic moving beside and to the rear of the vehicle. Cars 15 are equipped with rear-view mirrors and side-mirrors to provide side and rear viewing with minimum head turning. However, often the mirrors are positioned in such a manner that there is a blind spot on either side of the vehicle i.e. a spot in which it is difficult for the driver to see another vehicle without turning his or her head.
It is known in the prior art that detectors may be assembled on an automobile to detect nearby objects. Such detectors may use infrared, ultrasonic or RF sensors to activate a transducer to signal if an object is in an active zone of the
2 5 transducer. One problem with such devices in a highway situation is constant activatation by passing vehicles entering and leaving the active zone when it is of no concern to the driver. A continually occurring alarm would be a distraction to the driver.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a means for activating the signalling device at a time when it is needed, namely when the driver is about to switch lanes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This invention may be generally described as a blind spot 5 warning device comprising a transducer mounted on a vehicle to detect objects in a predetermined active zone and to emit a signal when an object is detected More particularly, the invention is an improvement in an 10 alarm means mounted on the vehicle to alert the driver to the presence of an object in the active zone when a signal is received by the alarm means from the transducer. The improvement comprises a switching unit in communication with the turn signal switch which connects the transducer and the alarm means when the 15 turn signal is activated.
In other words, the improvement of this invention is a switching means which is activated by the turn signal switch to permit communication of the signal from the transducer to the alarm means 20 when the turn signal switch is activated in either the right or left turn mode. Thus, a driver may turn on the blind spot warning mechanism at the same time that he or she activates the turn signal prior to making a lane change. When the turn signal is on, the transducer will then indicate an alarm if an object is detected in the blind spot.
25 At that point, the driver can make the extraordinary head movement required to visually inspect the blind spot to determine whether there is a danger before making a lane change.
It will be appreciated that the unit may also be shut off 30 when driving in the city environment or in situations where blind spot detection would not be required.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Figure 1 is an overhead view of a vehicle equipped with 5 a warning device of this invention.
Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the preferred embodiment of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PRt~tkr~cu EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 illusl,ales a vehicle (10) travelling in a lane (12) of a multi-lane highway (14). A second vehicle (16) is travelling in a lane (18) beside the first vehicle (10). A transducer (20) is located near the rear of the vehicle (10) to scan an active zone (22) in the adjoining lane (18) to detect the overtaking vehicle (16).
The transducer (20) emits a signal when it senses a vehicle (16) in the active zone (22). As illustrated in Figure 2, there would be a left sensing transducer (20) and a right sensing transducer (20'). A signal from the transducers (20) or (20') travels along a conductor (30) or (30') to an activation switch (40). A turn signal indicator (50) sends a signal along a conductor (60) to the switch (40) when the turn signal is activated in either the right or left direction. Upon activation of the turn signal (50), switch (40) is turned on to permit the signal proceeding along the conductors (30) 2 5 or (30') to continue along conductor (70) to an alarm (80). The alarm (80) alerts the driver of the vehicle (10) that there is an overtaking vehicle (16) in the active zone (22). At this point, the driver can make a decision as to whether or not a lane change would be safe in the circumstances.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a means for activating the signalling device at a time when it is needed, namely when the driver is about to switch lanes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This invention may be generally described as a blind spot 5 warning device comprising a transducer mounted on a vehicle to detect objects in a predetermined active zone and to emit a signal when an object is detected More particularly, the invention is an improvement in an 10 alarm means mounted on the vehicle to alert the driver to the presence of an object in the active zone when a signal is received by the alarm means from the transducer. The improvement comprises a switching unit in communication with the turn signal switch which connects the transducer and the alarm means when the 15 turn signal is activated.
In other words, the improvement of this invention is a switching means which is activated by the turn signal switch to permit communication of the signal from the transducer to the alarm means 20 when the turn signal switch is activated in either the right or left turn mode. Thus, a driver may turn on the blind spot warning mechanism at the same time that he or she activates the turn signal prior to making a lane change. When the turn signal is on, the transducer will then indicate an alarm if an object is detected in the blind spot.
25 At that point, the driver can make the extraordinary head movement required to visually inspect the blind spot to determine whether there is a danger before making a lane change.
It will be appreciated that the unit may also be shut off 30 when driving in the city environment or in situations where blind spot detection would not be required.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Figure 1 is an overhead view of a vehicle equipped with 5 a warning device of this invention.
Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the preferred embodiment of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PRt~tkr~cu EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 illusl,ales a vehicle (10) travelling in a lane (12) of a multi-lane highway (14). A second vehicle (16) is travelling in a lane (18) beside the first vehicle (10). A transducer (20) is located near the rear of the vehicle (10) to scan an active zone (22) in the adjoining lane (18) to detect the overtaking vehicle (16).
The transducer (20) emits a signal when it senses a vehicle (16) in the active zone (22). As illustrated in Figure 2, there would be a left sensing transducer (20) and a right sensing transducer (20'). A signal from the transducers (20) or (20') travels along a conductor (30) or (30') to an activation switch (40). A turn signal indicator (50) sends a signal along a conductor (60) to the switch (40) when the turn signal is activated in either the right or left direction. Upon activation of the turn signal (50), switch (40) is turned on to permit the signal proceeding along the conductors (30) 2 5 or (30') to continue along conductor (70) to an alarm (80). The alarm (80) alerts the driver of the vehicle (10) that there is an overtaking vehicle (16) in the active zone (22). At this point, the driver can make a decision as to whether or not a lane change would be safe in the circumstances.
Claims (2)
1. A blind spot warning device for a vehicle to detect objects in a predetermined active zone comprising: a transducer mounted on a vehicle to detect objects in a predetermined active zone and to emit a signal when an object is detected;
an alarm means mounted on the vehicle to alert the driver to the presence of an object in the active zone when a signal is received by the alarm means from the transducer; and a switching unit in communication with the turn signal switch to connect the transducer and the alarm means when the turn signal is activated.
an alarm means mounted on the vehicle to alert the driver to the presence of an object in the active zone when a signal is received by the alarm means from the transducer; and a switching unit in communication with the turn signal switch to connect the transducer and the alarm means when the turn signal is activated.
2. The apparatus of Claim 1 having a manual override switch to disconnect the alarm means from the transducer when blind spot detection is not be required.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002120638A CA2120638A1 (en) | 1994-04-06 | 1994-04-06 | Blind spot warning device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002120638A CA2120638A1 (en) | 1994-04-06 | 1994-04-06 | Blind spot warning device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2120638A1 true CA2120638A1 (en) | 1995-10-07 |
Family
ID=4153317
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002120638A Abandoned CA2120638A1 (en) | 1994-04-06 | 1994-04-06 | Blind spot warning device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2120638A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2409721A (en) * | 2003-12-02 | 2005-07-06 | La Mare Alex De | Collision prevention system |
| CN108572642A (en) * | 2017-12-15 | 2018-09-25 | 蔚来汽车有限公司 | A kind of automated driving system and its crosswise joint method |
| US11866042B2 (en) | 2018-08-20 | 2024-01-09 | Indian Motorcycle International, LLC | Wheeled vehicle adaptive speed control method and system |
-
1994
- 1994-04-06 CA CA002120638A patent/CA2120638A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2409721A (en) * | 2003-12-02 | 2005-07-06 | La Mare Alex De | Collision prevention system |
| CN108572642A (en) * | 2017-12-15 | 2018-09-25 | 蔚来汽车有限公司 | A kind of automated driving system and its crosswise joint method |
| US11866042B2 (en) | 2018-08-20 | 2024-01-09 | Indian Motorcycle International, LLC | Wheeled vehicle adaptive speed control method and system |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |