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US 2021/0233407 A1Published application
Extendable blind spot sensors and methods of use
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorSteven Schondorf
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Extendable blind spot sensors and methods of use are provided herein, which may include a blind spot sensor configured to monitor a blind spot of a vehicle and an extender in mechanical communication with the blind spot sensor. The extender is configured to move the blind spot sensor between a first position and a second position when a trailer is attached to the vehicle.
Claims24
A device, comprising:
- a blind spot sensor configured to monitor a blind spot of a vehicle attached to a trailer;
- an extender in mechanical communication with the blind spot sensor;
- and
- a controller that communicates with the extender to laterally move the blind spot sensor between a first position and a second position upon detecting the trailer that is persistently present in the blind spot of the vehicle,
- wherein the controller is configured to:
- determine that an object is moving relative to the trailer;
- determine that the object is in the blind sport based on determining that the object is moving relative to the trailer, wherein both the object and the trailer are in the blind spot;
- ignore a presence of the trailer in a blind spot sensor signal.
5 more elements
(canceled)
A system, comprising:
- a blind spot sensor mounted to a component of a vehicle;
- a mechanical actuator coupled to the component, the mechanical actuator configured to laterally extend the component away from the vehicle;
- a controller comprising a processor and a memory, the processor executing instructions stored in the memory to:
- determine when a trailer is attached to the vehicle;
- and
- cause the mechanical actuator to laterally extend the component away from the vehicle until the blind spot sensor is positioned to detect an object that is present in a blind spot of the vehicle;
- determine that the object is moving relative to the trailer;
- determine that the object is in the blind sport based on determining that the object is moving relative to the trailer, wherein both the object and the trailer are in the blind spot;
- ignore a presence of the trailer in a blind spot sensor signal.
6 more elements
(canceled)
(canceled)
A method, comprising:
- determining that a trailer is attached to a vehicle;
- determining that the trailer is present in a field of view of a blind spot sensor of the vehicle;
- laterally extending the blind spot sensor away from a body of the vehicle until an object is present in the field of view of the blind spot sensor;
- determining that the object is moving relative to the trailer;
- determining that the object is in the blind sport based on determining that the object is moving relative to the trailer, wherein both the object and the trailer are in the blind spot;
- ignoring a presence of the trailer in a blind spot sensor signal.
3 more elements
(canceled)
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.