GB2214290A - Automobile "safe parking" indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

An automobile close object detector has an infra red receiver C transmitter D and Sounder so configured within the main body and controlled with electronic circuitry to provide the operator or driver of an automobile with audio or visual warning of distance from an obstacle. Typically this unit attached to the bumper of a car would provide the driver with varying audible tones indicating distance from another car hence allowing safe parking and use of all available space. Typically the unit would be electrically connected via two wires to the reversing light wiring or via a switch if fitted to the front bumper. The confined angles of transmission, reflection and reception of infra red light defines the distance of any object rendering the colour of the object negligible in its effects. <IMAGE>

Description

AUTOMOBILE "SME PARKING" INDICATOR This invention relates to an automatic automobile close object indicator.

There are many hundreds of thousands of cars and vans on the roads today.

mach Ofl3 19 parked or manoeuvred at low speed, often many times each cay end3av3rins to place the vehicle in a safe stationary position l;'vhcuc having collided with objects or other vehicles at the rear or front. The safe manoeuvring of such vehicles' is mainly left only to the judgement of the driver which may be either over sensitive therefore leaving a relatively large distance, still available for manoeuvring, between his and another object or automobile CS undersencitive, resulting in contact with another object. This may cause even more difficulty on a vehicle with restricted rear viewing such as vans or hatchback cars.

If, however, drivers were given an indication that they were firstly within a significantly close proximity to other objects, and secondly then that further movement would result in collision, then not only would they be safer but also would be able to use available space more effectively.

According to the present invention there is provided an automobile safe parking indicator comprising an infra red light tran mitter mounted so a@ to restrict the angle of transmiscion1an infra red light receiver mounted so as to restrict the angle of received light, a sounder to provide audio indication, the main body containing the electronic circuit used to control the receiver, transmitter and sounder, transparent windows to provide protection against dirt,adjustable shields to alter the angle of transmission or reception.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with referer.ce to the accoparyirÖ drawin In which Figure 1 shows a view from above of the whole of the unit illustrating the angles of transmission and reception of infra red light and the moveable shields which may be used to reduce these if desired.

Figure 2 shows a view from the side of the whole of the unit illustrating the angles of transmission and reception of light.

Figure 3 shows the unit in positicn typically fitted to the bumper of a car and illustrating initial minimal detection and hence minimal sound volume of typically another bumper.

Figure 4 shows the unit in positicn typically fitted to the bumper of a car and illustratin the maxim,wl detection and ence sound volume of typically another bumper.

Figure 5 shows the unit in position typically fitted to the bumper of a car and illustrating the cut off point of detection and hence no sound volume, of typically another bumper.

Figure 6 shows a side view of the unit in position typically fitted to the bumper of a car and illustrating the detection of another bumper either higher than or lower than the unit.

Referring to the drawing the automatic object indicator comprises a transmitter and receiver mounted pre'erably to the most extreme point of any automobile usually as in this case the bumper and housed within a unit electronically controlling both of these and limiting the angles of max- imum and minimum transniissior and reception. Therefore by reflection of this signal off an object, determinirg theobjects distance from just within rangeato mid range, to minimum range.

Assuring for example a car was reversing up to another, the driver would receive initially at approx. 1 foot (30cm) distance sn audible but low volume tone from the sounder, at approx. 6" (15cm) away the tone would have increased in volume to its maximum and would remain at this level until it was approx. 2" (5cm) away at which point the tone would cease.

It would be prudent therefore to stop reversing on hearing the maximum volume.

It can be seen, Figure 1 and Figure 5 that an object closer than the minimum distance will reflect signals from transmitter (D) to receiver (C) at an angle that will not enable them to reach the receiver (C).

It can also be se:n, Figure 1 and Figure4, that an object at between approx. 6" (15cm) and 2t' (5cm) will reflect signals directly into the receiver (C). It can also be seen Figure 1 and Figure 3 that an object approx. 1 foot (30cm) away will only partially directly reflect signals onto the receiver (C) from transmitter (3) this partial reflection increasing to maximum at approx 6" (15cm) distance.

The color of the object is then not a determinant of distance.

It can be seen, Figure 6 and Figure 2, that even if an object or or example a bumper is hIg1:er than or lower than the unit then by reflection of the signal the same as sated aoove apples.

The distance, maximum an minimum, may be altered by (Figure 1) moving shields A and B. Shield h will minimise the angle of reflection onto receiver C hence reducing the maximum distance detected.

Shield B will minimise the angle of transmission from transmitTer D hence increasing the minimum distance cut off point.

Claims (4)

1. An automobile close object detector/indicator comprising an infra red light transmitter mounted so as to restrict the angle Of transmission, an infra red receiver mounted so as to restrict the angle df received light a sounder to provide audio indication, te mair Dodgy containing the electronic circuit used to control the receiver, transmitter and sounder, transparent windows to provide protection against dirt, adjust able shields to alter the angle of transmission or reception.

2. An automobile close object detector/indicator as i claim 1 wherein more than one receiver or transmitter is used.

3. An automobile close object detector/indicator as in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the adjustable shields are removed and a fixed angle of trans mission and/or reception is achieved by virtue of the shape of the housing body.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2 wherein the maximum.

minimum and more than one intermediate distances have present levels of detection producing defined audio indication of each level and thereby closing distance of object.

4. An automobile close object detector/indicator as in any preceeding claim wherein at least one sounder producing any type of indicating sound.

5. An automobile close object detector/indicator as in claim 4 wherein a visual indicator replacing or supporting the sounder is utilised.

6. An automobile close object detector/indicator as in any preceeding claim wherein the transmitter and/or receiver is moved to a position not housed within the main body but further apart in order to increase the area of detection.

7. An automobile close object detector/indicator as in claim 1, 2, 4 and claim 5 wherein infra red light is transmitted and received through a length of optic strip so providing an elongated area ol detection.

8. An automobile close object detector/indicator as in rr:; f?rPceeoi: claim wherein the transparent windows are replaced -dil:r i@@r@ re@ filter widows.

9. An automobile close cbject detector/Indicator substantially is escribed herein witn reterence to f'ures 1 - 6 of the accompanying dr@wing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1. An apparatus comprising a single infra red light transmitter source and a single infra red light receiver source for the automatic detection and indication without the use of focus lenses of objects entering within a predetermined distance of the apparatus and thereafter continued detection and changing indication of the distance of the obstacle as it draws nearer to the apparatus. The transmitter mounted so as to restrict the angle of the transmission, the receiver mounted so as to restrict the angle of received light.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein adjustable sheilds A and B are incorporated as part of the main body, affixed to allow movement along the body so as to alter the angle of transmitted and received light by which process the maximum and minimum distances of detection may be easily altered to suit ones needs.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2 wherein the maximu , minimum and midway distance have preset levels of detection producing defined audio indication of each level.