Device and method for sensing and indicating inclination of an automotive vehicle
AssigneeCraig Carlson
InventorsCraig D. Carlson, Michael A. Reed, J. Thomas Fowler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device and method used to indicate vehicle inclination and conditions indicative of a potential rollover is disclosed. The device and method may be embodied in original equipment or in an aftermarket product in a manner so that the driver may easily determine s the vehicle inclination. For example, the device and method may be embodied in a mirror assembly mounted in the vehicle. The device and method may also be used to detect the rate of change of inclination to provide a warning of adverse driving conditions. The device and method may also include a compass that indicates a corrected heading of the vehicle.
Claims69
A mirror assembly for use in a vehicle, the mirror assembly comprising:
- a frame;
- a mirror mounted to the frame;
- and
- an indicator mounted to the frame, the indicator communicating directly or indirectly with a sensor that is responsive to at least one of pitch angle and roll angle of the vehicle, the indicator indicating the at least one of pitch angle and roll angle.
An apparatus for detecting inclination of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
- a controller;
- and
- a sensor communicating with the controller, the sensor being responsive to at least one of pitch angle and roll angle of the vehicle, the controller calculating a rate of change of the at least one of pitch angle and roll angle based on the at least one of pitch angle and roll angle of the vehicle sensed by the sensor.
A method of detecting inclination of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- sensing at least one of pitch angle and roll angle of the vehicle;
- and
- calculating a rate of change of the at least one of pitch angle and roll angle.
A method of detecting inclination of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- sensing at least one of a pitch angle and a roll angle of the vehicle;
- comparing the at least one of sensed pitch angle and roll angle to at least one threshold;
- and
- comparing the at least one of sensed pitch angle and roll angle to a different threshold based upon vehicle operating conditions.
A method of reducing false alarms in a device for detecting inclination of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- sensing at least one of pitch angle and roll angle of the vehicle;
- calculating a rate of change of the at least one pitch angle and roll angle of the vehicle;
- warning only if the rate of change of the at least one of pitch angle and roll angle of the vehicle exceeds a first threshold value and does not exceed a second threshold value.
In a vehicle having a vehicle plane defined by the plane through which the rotational axes of the wheels of the vehicle pass, a device comprising:
- a sensor for sensing lateral acceleration of the vehicle in the vehicle plane;
- a controller communicating with the sensor, the controller calculating a rate of change of the lateral acceleration and comparing the calculated rate of change to a threshold;
- and
- an indicator communicating directly or indirectly with the controller, the indicator indicating a warning when the calculated rate of change exceeds the threshold.
A multiple use mirror assembly for use in a motor vehicle, the mirror assembly comprising:
- a mirror frame having a mirror fixed thereto and means for adjustably securing the mirror frame to the motor vehicle;
- an indicator integrally secured to the mirror assembly and simultaneously visible with reflections in the mirror;
- and
- at least one sensor for sensing at least one of pitch angle and roll angle of the motor vehicle independent of the relative position of the mirror frame and the mirror relative to the vehicle and operatively connected to the indicator, the indicator indicating at least one of the sensed pitch angle and roll angle of the vehicle.
A method of detecting inclination of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- sensing at least one of pitch angle and roll angle of the vehicle to provide a static signal;
- calculating a rate of change of the at least one of pitch angle and roll angle to provide a transient parameter;
- combining the static signal and the transient signal to provide a combined inclination parameter;
- and,
- comparing the combined inclination parameter to a threshold.
A mirror assembly for use in a vehicle, the mirror assembly comprising:
- a frame;
- a mirror mounted to the frame;
- and
- a compass coupled to the frame, the compass detecting a heading of the vehicle, the compass communicating with a controller that communicates with a sensor that is responsive to at least one of pitch angle and roll angle of the vehicle, the controller correcting the detected heading of the vehicle based on the sensed at least one of pitch angle and roll angle of the vehicle;
- and
- an indicator mounted to the frame, the indicator indicating the corrected heading.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.