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AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsRonald Hugh Miller, Irving Toivo Salmeen, Perry Robinson MacNeille
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A system for sensing a potential collision of a first vehicle (11) with a second vehicle (72) that transmits a second position signal. The first vehicle has a pre-crash sensing system (10) includes a memory (14) that stores vehicle data and generates a vehicle data signal. A first global positioning system (18) generates a first position signal corresponding to a position of the first vehicle. A first sensor (20) generating sensor data signals from the first vehicle. A receiver (22) receives a second position signal from the second vehicle. A countermeasure system (40) is also coupled within the first vehicle. A controller (12) is coupled to the memory (14), the global positioning receiver (18) the first sensor (20) and the counter measure system (40). The controller (12) determines a distance to the second vehicle in as a function of the second position signal. The controller determines a first vehicle trajectory from the vehicle data, the first sensor data signal and the position signal. The controller (12) determines a threat level as a function of the distance and the first vehicle trajectory and activates the counter-measure system in response to the threat level.
A method for operating a pre-crash sensing system for a first vehicle proximate a second vehicle a counter-measure system comprising:
A method for operating a pre-crash sensing system for a first vehicle proximate a second vehicle a counter-measure system comprising:
A system for sensing a potential collision of a first vehicle with a second vehicle that transmits a second position signal, said first vehicle having a pre-crash sensing system comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Decentralised systems, e.g. inter-vehicle communication: involving continuous checking
Traffic control systems
Term end not estimated
The present invention relates to pre-crash sensing systems for automotive vehicles, and more particularly, to side impact pre-crash sensing systems having counter-measures operated in response to pre-crash detection.
Auto manufacturers are investigating radar, lidar, and vision-based pre-crash sensing systems to improve occupant safety. Current vehicles typically employ accelerometers that measure forces acting on the vehicle body. In response to accelerometers, airbags or other safety devices are employed. Also, Global Position Systems (GPS) systems are used in vehicles as part of navigation systems.
In certain crash situations, it would be desirable to provide information to the vehicle operator before forces actually act upon the vehicle. As mentioned above, known systems employ combinations of radar, lidar and vision systems to detect the presence of an object in front of the vehicle a predetermined time before an actual crash occurs.
FIG. 1 is a block diagrammatic view of a pre-crash sensing system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagrammatic view of one embodiment of the invention illustrating a vehicle network established by two pre-crash sensing systems.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an automotive vehicle instrument panel display for use with the present invention.
In the following figures the same reference numerals will be used to identify the same components in the various views.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a pre-crash sensing system 10 for an automotive vehicle 11 has a controller 12. Controller 12 is preferably a microprocessor-based controller that is coupled to a memory 14. Controller 12 has a CPU 13 that is programmed to perform various tasks. Memory 14 is illustrated as a separate component from that of controller 12. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that memory may be incorporated into controller 12.
Memory 14 may comprise various types of memory including read only memory, random access memory, electrically erasable programmable read only memory, and keep alive memory. Memory 14 is used to store various thresholds and parameters including vehicle data 16 as illustrated.