WO2003015050A1 - Lateral viewers for vehicle - Google Patents
Lateral viewers for vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2003015050A1 WO2003015050A1 PCT/US2002/024779 US0224779W WO03015050A1 WO 2003015050 A1 WO2003015050 A1 WO 2003015050A1 US 0224779 W US0224779 W US 0224779W WO 03015050 A1 WO03015050 A1 WO 03015050A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- viewing element
- driver
- contour
- mode
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 abstract description 7
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 abstract description 2
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003491 array Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000003813 thumb Anatomy 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R1/00—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
- B60R1/20—Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
- B60R1/22—Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles for viewing an area outside the vehicle, e.g. the exterior of the vehicle
- B60R1/23—Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles for viewing an area outside the vehicle, e.g. the exterior of the vehicle with a predetermined field of view
- B60R1/25—Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles for viewing an area outside the vehicle, e.g. the exterior of the vehicle with a predetermined field of view to the sides of the vehicle
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R1/00—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
- B60R1/20—Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
- B60R1/22—Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles for viewing an area outside the vehicle, e.g. the exterior of the vehicle
- B60R1/28—Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles for viewing an area outside the vehicle, e.g. the exterior of the vehicle with an adjustable field of view
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
- B60R11/04—Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R2300/00—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
- B60R2300/10—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of camera system used
- B60R2300/101—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of camera system used using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R2300/00—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
- B60R2300/10—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of camera system used
- B60R2300/105—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of camera system used using multiple cameras
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R2300/00—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
- B60R2300/40—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the details of the power supply or the coupling to vehicle components
- B60R2300/406—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the details of the power supply or the coupling to vehicle components using wireless transmission
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R2300/00—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
- B60R2300/80—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the intended use of the viewing arrangement
- B60R2300/802—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the intended use of the viewing arrangement for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
Definitions
- This invention relates to apparatus for safe operation of a motor vehicle and more particularly to apparatus that permits a vehicle operator to see anyone approaching that portion of the roadway that is about to be traversed by the operator's vehicle from a side of the roadway that is obscured by an obstruction adjacent the vehicle.
- the area of the roadway forward of a vehicle is generally visible through the windshield to a driver about to enter that area.
- the area of the roadway directly behind a vehicle is generally visible to a driver about to back into that area through rear or side view mirrors. In special situations a series of mirrors are employed to see this area.
- a vehicle operator cannot see if a person or vehicle is approaching from the side into the area forward or behind the driver that is about to be entered. Only after moving out from the space and partially into the traffic lane will an approaching person or vehicle become visible. This can result in damage and injury.
- the prior art has addressed the problem of viewing the obscured area directly behind the vehicle as it backs up, but not of viewing the areas to the side of and behind or ahead of the vehicle.
- a viewing element, or elements, of the invention at the front and/or the rear of the vehicle view the roadway lateral to the vehicle. Because such apparatus may be vulnerable to damage, provisions are made to retract the element to a protected position within the contour of the vehicle when not in use, and to extend the apparatus to a use position that is beyond the vehicle contour as required.
- the viewing elements may take the form of mirrors or video imaging devices such as charge coupled diode arrays that provide an electrical video signal to a video display visible to the driver, video cameras that transmit a wireless signal to a video receiver visible to the driver, and the like.
- a single viewing element may view both sides of the roadway such as by a prism or mirror.
- Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic top view of the vehicle of Fig. 3.
- Fig. 5 is a top view of a viewing element of the invention.
- Fig. 6 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention.
- Fig. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.
- Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig.7 in closed position.
- Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic side view of another embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
- a driver in vehicle 2' of the prior art in a parking lot intends to move forward into the portion 7 of the roadway.
- the driver may not be able to see, from the driver's position 6, a vehicle A about to enter portion 7, because the view of approaching vehicle A along sight line 14 is blocked by vehicle B.
- This problem is especially common when vehicle B is a sports utility vehicle or van and vehicle 2' is an ordinary sedan.
- the driver may move slowly several feet into portion 7 until the potential vehicle A is visible from position 6, while praying that any vehicle A will be moving slowly enough to stop, or is far enough from the edge of the lane to avoid hitting the front of the vehicle. Since the duration of exposure increases the probability of collision, the driver may instead move more rapidly to that position.
- a line 3 represents the vehicle contour or outer extent of any portion of the vehicle.
- the bumpers 20 ordinarily protect portions of the front and rear of the vehicle.
- the apparatus of the invention overcomes the problem of obscured visibility by providing an electronic viewing element 8 that extends beyond the forward contour end 4 of the vehicle contour 3. It has a wide enough field of view 15 to visualize any oncoming vehicle, person, or thing that is approaching from the side.
- display means 13 the image viewed by viewing element 8 is made visible to the driver from the position 6.
- the viewing element may also view whatever is approaching from the opposite side 15a.
- a similar viewing element 8' extended and retracted by means 9' may be employed to provide views beyond the rear contour end 5 to visualize approaching vehicle C for backing the vehicle safely into the roadway portion T .
- Mounting means 9' is attached underneath the vehicle body where it is hidden from view. It includes a rack and pinion translating extending and retracting mechanism 30. Guards 24 on either side of 9' protect it when retracted.
- the viewing elements 8, 8' need not extend very far beyond the contour to achieve this purpose, because the vehicle can be slowly advanced until the viewing element is just enough past the obstruction that the traffic lane is visible. At worst, only the viewing element 8 is vulnerable to collision.
- the viewing element may be extended as needed in a first position of operation and then retracted to a safe second position within the contour 3 by extending/retracting mounting means 9,9' that is remotely operated by the driver from the driver position 6.
- Means 9,9' may be any well known remotely operable extending retracting means well known in the art such as, for example, a rotary actuator, a rack and pinion motor drive, a hydraulic piston drive, and the like.
- the means 16 may of the type that is manually extended such as by pulling out from the retracted position. This action may wind a spring motor 18 or torsion spring, and engage a latch 17 to maintain the extended position while the driver returns to the driver's position .
- a clockwork mechanism 19 also actuated by the manual extension will release the latch and permit the return to the retracted position after a preset time when the vehicle is safely on the roadway.
- a single camera 25' within protective housing 26' may be used to view both sides of the roadway simultaneously by means of adjustable mirrors 27. They may be remotely adjustable, if desired.
- the apparatus may be mounted in a variety of positions, as desired. It may be mounted on the hood, on the trunk, or beneath the vehicle by mounting means. It may be built into the vehicle, or retrofitted, as desired.
- the viewing element and display means may employ a variety of means well known in the art for enabling the driver to see what the viewing element sees.
- the viewing element may be a video camera that transmits the video image by cable to a video display in a closed circuit imaging arrangement. The image transmission may be wireless or wired.
- a self-contained embodiment of the invention 28 is shown that may be readily retrofitted to a vehicle.
- the apparatus may be removably mounted on a base that is attached to the vehicle to avoid theft or damage when not in use by thumb screws 29, requiring only two threaded holes in the hood of the vehicle.
- Position adjustment means 12 may be provided to correctly adjust the cameras 25 for optimal viewing. This adjustment may be retained when the device is removed from its base, so that it need not be readjusted each time it is mounted.
- An image display means 13' may be so positioned that it is visible to the driver through the windshield.
- the device 28 may be powered by a rechargeable battery 30.
- Reversible gear motor 31 opens and closes the device 28 so that in the open position, the cameras 25 extend beyond the forward end of the vehicle contour.
- Infrared sensor 32 is actuated by a hand-held remote control (not shown) transmitting radiation through the windshield to open and close and perform other operations, such as adjusting the camera angles with means 12, as desired.
- the device may be opened manually while cocking a spring motor that closes the cover after a preset time.
- the images seen by the viewing elements may be made visible to the driver at the driver position 6 by a variety of image display means 13.
- This may be a CRT video monitor, a flat panel LCD display, or other means well known in the art.
- the viewing element or elements may be one or more mirrors that are plane or convex. They must be positioned, in their extended mode, forward of the forward contour so that they are visible to the driver through the windshield, as best seen in Fig. 3.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/922,369 US6473001B1 (en) | 2001-08-06 | 2001-08-06 | Electronic lateral viewers for a vehicle |
US09/922,369 | 2001-08-06 | ||
US99702001A | 2001-11-20 | 2001-11-20 | |
US09/997,020 | 2001-11-20 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2003015050A1 true WO2003015050A1 (en) | 2003-02-20 |
Family
ID=27129840
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2002/024779 WO2003015050A1 (en) | 2001-08-06 | 2002-08-05 | Lateral viewers for vehicle |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
WO (1) | WO2003015050A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2003104034A1 (en) * | 2002-06-05 | 2003-12-18 | Motorola, Inc., A Corporation Of The State Of Delaware | Method and apparatus for traffic flow viewing |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4778212A (en) * | 1986-04-19 | 1988-10-18 | Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft | Motor vehicle front bumper molding with air spoiler |
US4968124A (en) * | 1988-07-27 | 1990-11-06 | Poly-Optical Products, Inc. | Vehicle viewing system |
US5289321A (en) * | 1993-02-12 | 1994-02-22 | Secor James O | Consolidated rear view camera and display system for motor vehicle |
US5756988A (en) * | 1995-06-27 | 1998-05-26 | Furuta; Yoshihisa | Device for checking lateral views at front/rear ends of vehicle |
US6175300B1 (en) * | 1998-09-03 | 2001-01-16 | Byron K. Kendrick | Blind spot viewing system |
US6222447B1 (en) * | 1993-02-26 | 2001-04-24 | Donnelly Corporation | Rearview vision system with indicia of backup travel |
US6384741B1 (en) * | 2001-01-16 | 2002-05-07 | O'leary, Sr. Jerry P. | Apparatus and method for providing high mounted view of traffic |
-
2002
- 2002-08-05 WO PCT/US2002/024779 patent/WO2003015050A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4778212A (en) * | 1986-04-19 | 1988-10-18 | Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft | Motor vehicle front bumper molding with air spoiler |
US4968124A (en) * | 1988-07-27 | 1990-11-06 | Poly-Optical Products, Inc. | Vehicle viewing system |
US5289321A (en) * | 1993-02-12 | 1994-02-22 | Secor James O | Consolidated rear view camera and display system for motor vehicle |
US6222447B1 (en) * | 1993-02-26 | 2001-04-24 | Donnelly Corporation | Rearview vision system with indicia of backup travel |
US5756988A (en) * | 1995-06-27 | 1998-05-26 | Furuta; Yoshihisa | Device for checking lateral views at front/rear ends of vehicle |
US6175300B1 (en) * | 1998-09-03 | 2001-01-16 | Byron K. Kendrick | Blind spot viewing system |
US6384741B1 (en) * | 2001-01-16 | 2002-05-07 | O'leary, Sr. Jerry P. | Apparatus and method for providing high mounted view of traffic |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2003104034A1 (en) * | 2002-06-05 | 2003-12-18 | Motorola, Inc., A Corporation Of The State Of Delaware | Method and apparatus for traffic flow viewing |
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