Visteon Global Technolgoies, Inc.

Autoliv Asp, Incorporated

Chrysler Group LLC

Visteon Corporation

Vistoen Global Technologies, Inc.

Paul Zoratti

Jeffrey Allen Bochenek

Jeffrey Schaefer

Andrew Zachary Glovatsky

Jay DeAvis Baker

Robert Edward Belke

Lawrence LeRoy Kneisel

Colm Peter Boran

Stephen J Buckley

Mark Edward Shields

Robert Joseph Gordon

Anne Marie Shields

Myron Ihor Senyk

Terry Joseph Anson

Joe Attard

Michael Bassier

David Ming Chi

Jimmy Attard

Gary Richard Collins

Joseph Charles Attard

Eric Lewis Raphael

Ammon Keefe Wright

Timothy Arthur Tiernan

Jeffery A Bochenek

Samuel G Rahaim

A proximity sensor system for a vehicle in reverse includes a zone detection module. The zone detection module switches a first remote sensor from a first mode corresponding to a near zone rearward of the vehicle to a second mode corresponding to a far zone rearward of the vehicle. The near zone includes an area of coverage wider and shorter in range than an area of coverage of the far zone. A response module responds to first objects in the near zone and selectively responds to second objects in the far zone when the second objects are in motion.

Dual mode vehicle blind spot system

The object detection system includes an object sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to compare a sensed range of an object with a range gate based on the azimuth angle of the object. The range gate for each azimuth angle is programmable and is selected to form a contiguous sensing region closely matching the shape of a desired detection zone. The object sensor is switchable between the plurality of sensing fields, wherein a range gate for each sensing field is programmable to form a contiguous sensing region. The object sensor may be a variety of range sensors including radar, ultrasonic, laser or infrared technologies. The range gate and parameters of the sensing field are each programmable through a controller. Further, the controller may automatically vary the range gate or sensing field based on vehicle parameters.

Object detection system: zone matching and programmability

An Impact sensor assembly provides a modular housing for vehicle impact sensors. The assembly comprises an impact sensor, an upper housing member, a lower housing member and a connector for establishing an electrical connection between the assembly and an appropriate vehicle system. The assembly may further include electronics for processing signals received from the sensor. The lower housing member receives and retains the sensor, and closeably interacts with the upper housing member to encase the sensor. The assembly defines structural features that ensures its proper installation into a vehicle. The preferred embodiment assures proper functioning of deformation impact sensors. A method of installing the assembly provides a process for rapid and proper installation of the assembly into a vehicle.

Impact sensor assembly and method of attaching same to a vehicle

A vehicle impact sensing system for detecting impact events to a vehicle, and allowing deployment decisions of passive restraint devices based on information gathered and relayed regarding such impact events. The sensing system includes one or more sensor elements capable of directly detecting vehicle deformation occurring as a consequence of the impact event. The sensor elements generate an output that varies upon deformation of the element. The sensor elements are in communication with a restraints control module. Upon deformation of the sensor element, the control module receives impact signals from the sensor elements based upon the altered output, and discriminates between impact events that warrant deployment of a passive restraint, such as a side air bag, and those that do not. The control module utilizes information gathered from the sensor elements to make deployment decisions, such as which restraint to deploy and the appropriate degree of deployment.

Vehicle impact sensing system

The present invention involves a method of actuating a deployment of a vehicle airbag during an impact event of a vehicle. The method includes providing a vehicle impact sensor having a plurality of elements, wherein each element is adapted to generate an impact sensor signal having a sensor signal value representing a level of impact. The method further comprising receiving an impact sensor signal from each element during the impact event of the vehicle and summing the sensor signal values of the impact sensor signals to define an aggregate sensor signal value. The method further includes determining a number of impact sensor signals having respective sensor signal values greater than an active element threshold value to define a number of active elements and determining a threshold aggregate sensor signal value based on the number of active elements. The method further includes generating an actuating signal for deploying the airbag, when the aggregate sensor signal value is greater than the threshold aggregate sensor signal value.

Method and system of actuating a deployment of a vehicle restraint system

An object-presence alert is given to a driver by a vehicular side-object detection system in response to a remote sensor for sensing objects in a predetermined zone of interest along side a vehicle. The zone of interest includes a front region and a rear region, and the remote sensor provides sensor data to generate a set of localized detection points. When detection points are sensed in the zone of interest, then a plurality of respective sets of detection points are collected at successive sample times. For each of the sets of detection points, a tracking type of the object within the zone of interest is determined in comparison to a speed of the vehicle and the object is classified as either a moving vehicle or a stationary object in response to the tracking type and in response to locations of the detection points in the zone of interest. If the object first appeared in a region other than the front region, then a short observation period is selected including a first predetermined number of sets of detection points and otherwise a long detection period is selected including a second predetermined number of sets of detection points longer than the first predetermined number. A number of times that the object is classified as a moving vehicle within the selected observation period is compared to a predetermined percentage threshold and the alert is initiated if classified as a moving vehicle for greater than the predetermined percentage threshold.

Stopped object filtering for side object detection system

A vehicle lamp that includes an integrated sensor for interacting with an operating environment of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle lamp includes a sensor and a light channel adapted to transmit data received by the sensor. The vehicle lamp can also include a flat wire that has a component integrally formed by the light channel. A vehicle illumination and data transmission system is also provided. The system includes vehicle lamps according to the present invention, and can include sensor processors located within each of a plurality of lamps, or sensor processors that are centrally located within the vehicle. A system processor is connected to the sensor processors and enables operating decisions based upon data received from the environment by the sensors.

Vehicle lamp and vehicle illumination and data transmission system incorporating same

A method of aligning a sensor device attached to an automobile includes the steps of positioning a first detection object relative to the automobile and generating a plurality of beams at the sensor device. A beam crossing point common to first and second adjacent beams is selected, and the sensor alignment is verified by determining whether the beam crossing point is coincident with the first detection object.

Sensor alignment method and system

A sensor cover is disclosed for camouflaging a high frequency sensor, including for example, a radar sensor. The sensor cover includes a substrate having a non-planar surface with non-signal transmitting regions and signal transmitting regions. A metal layer is disposed on each of the non-signal transmitting regions. Further, each of the non-signal transmitting regions is separated by one of the signal transmitting regions. The method of constructing such a sensor cover is also disclosed.

Sensor cover and method of construction thereof

An object type of a 3-D object sensed by a remote sensor for detecting objects to a side of a transportation vehicle is classified according to whether the object is a stationary object or a moving vehicle. The transportation vehicle moves along a front-to-rear directional axis. The remote sensor is mounted at a predetermined reference point on the transportation vehicle. A set of detection points is identified substantially to the side of the transportation vehicle using the remote sensor. A closest one of the detection points to the remote sensor is identified. If the closest one of the detection points is at a substantially perpendicular direction from the remote sensor, then a size of the object is determined in response to an area defined by locations of the set of detection points. The size of the object is compared with a size threshold. If the size is greater than the size threshold then the object is classified as a stationary object.

Method for determining object classification from side-looking sensor data

An object location of a 3-D object to a side of a transportation vehicle is classified wherein the transportation vehicle moves along a front-to-rear directional axis and has a remote sensor mounted at a predetermined reference point. A set of detection points is identified substantially to the side of the transportation vehicle using the remote sensor. A detection point is found having a closest range to the vehicle reference point. The object is classified as on-center if a position Y along the directional axis corresponding to the closest-range detection point is within a predetermined threshold distance from a position Y along the directional axis corresponding to the predetermined reference point. If not on-center, then the object is classified as spanning if a first position Y along the directional axis and a second position Y along the directional axis are on opposite sides of the position Y . If not spanning, then the object is classified as front if any particular detection point is forward of the position Y . If not spanning, then the object is classified as rear if any particular detection point is rearward of the position Y .

Method for determining object location from side-looking sensor data

A radar field-of-view enhancement method particularly adapted for vehicle radar detection systems having a specified detection zone. In accordance with the invention, a pair of discrete radar beams are employed having differing arc widths. Return signals from the discrete beams are compared and related to the area of a desired detection zone. This approach increases the reliability of detection in the detection zone while minimizing false alarms and missed detection areas. The beams are alternately switched on using discrete sources or by implementing a discrete phase shifting element interposed between the sources.

Radar-field-of-view enhancement method and apparatus for matching field-of-view to desired detection zone

Radar field-of-view enhancement method and apparatus for matching field-of-view to desired detection zone

A sensor system for detecting impacts to a vehicle, including diagnostics for monitoring the sensor system. The sensor system includes one or more piezoelectric sensor assemblies (,), each including a coaxial piezoelectric cable (,) contained within a tube housing (,), which is mounted to a structural member of the vehicle. The sensor system may also include accelerometers (,) that are also in communication with the restraints control module (,) and employed in combination with one or more piezoelectric sensor assemblies (,). Further, the sensor system includes diagnostics for monitoring one or more of the sensor assemblies (,) in order to detect a sensor failure, while not interfering with the impact signals from the sensor assemblies (,).

Diagnostics for vehicle deformation sensor system

A sensor system for detecting impacts to a vehicle, allowing for actuation decisions of passive restraint devices. The sensor system includes one or more piezoelectric sensor assemblies (,), each including a coaxial piezoelectric cable (,) contained within a tube housing (,), which is mounted to a structural member of the vehicle. The sensor system may also include accelerometers (,) that are also in communication with the restraints control module (,) and employed in combination with one or more piezoelectric sensor assemblies (,). Further, the sensor system may include diagnostics for monitoring one or more of the sensor assemblies (,) in order to detect a sensor failure, while not interfering with the impact signals from the sensor assemblies (,).

Growing community of inventors

South Lyon, MI, United States of America

Paul Zoratti