GB2460152A - A vehicle with side impact warning means - Google Patents

A vehicle with side impact warning means Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2460152A
GB2460152A GB0908145A GB0908145A GB2460152A GB 2460152 A GB2460152 A GB 2460152A GB 0908145 A GB0908145 A GB 0908145A GB 0908145 A GB0908145 A GB 0908145A GB 2460152 A GB2460152 A GB 2460152A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
vehicle
sensors
vehicle according
alarm means
alarm
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0908145A
Other versions
GB0908145D0 (en
Inventor
Nicholas Martin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0809277A external-priority patent/GB0809277D0/en
Priority claimed from GB0822830A external-priority patent/GB0822830D0/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of GB0908145D0 publication Critical patent/GB0908145D0/en
Publication of GB2460152A publication Critical patent/GB2460152A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
    • B60R21/013—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
    • B60R21/0134—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle, e.g. using radar systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/87—Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R2021/0002—Type of accident
    • B60R2021/0006—Lateral collision
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/02—Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
    • G01S13/04—Systems determining presence of a target
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G01S2013/9314—Parking operations
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G01S2013/9327—Sensor installation details
    • G01S2013/93271—Sensor installation details in the front of the vehicles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G01S2013/9327—Sensor installation details
    • G01S2013/93272—Sensor installation details in the back of the vehicles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G01S2013/9327—Sensor installation details
    • G01S2013/93274—Sensor installation details on the side of the vehicles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G01S2013/9327—Sensor installation details
    • G01S2013/93275—Sensor installation details in the bumper area
    • G01S2013/9385—
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/02—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S13/00
    • G01S7/41—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S13/00 using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
    • G01S7/411—Identification of targets based on measurements of radar reflectivity

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Traffic Control Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A vehicle 2 having a side impact warning means 4 comprises at least four sensors with two of the sensors being front sensors 6 which are positioned one on either side of a front part of the vehicle and two of the sensors being rear sensors 8 which are positioned one on either side of a rear part of the vehicle 2, the sensors being such that they transmit a beam which activates an alarm means on the vehicle 2 consequent upon the beam being broken, and the sensors being short range sensors with a range that is sufficiently short so as not to be activated by other objects at normal safe distances from the vehicle 2 but to be activated when the other objects are too close and there is a danger of a side impact.

Description

A VEHICLE COMPRISING SIDE IMPACT WARNING MEANS
This invention relates to a vehicle and, more especially, this invention relates to a vehicle comprising side impact warning means.
Vehicles such for example as cars often suffer damage from side impacts caused by the doors of other vehicles being opened and hitting the vehicle, or by shopping trollies and the like colliding with the side of the vehicle. The problem is especially acute in parking places.
It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problem.
Accordingty, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a vehicle comprising side impact warning means, the vehicle being such that the side impact warning means comprises at least four sensors with two of the sensors being front sensors which are positioned one on either side of a front part of the vehicle and two of the sensors being rear sensors which are positioned one on either side of a rear part of the vehicle, the sensors being such that they transmit a beam which activates an alarm means on the vehicle consequent upon the beam being broken, and the sensors being short range sensors with a range that is sufficiently short so as not to be activated by other objects at normal safe distances from the vehicle but to be activated when the other objects are too close and there is a danger of a side impact.
The vehicle of the present invention is thus protected by the side impact warning means against receiving side impacts of the type caused by objects such as other vehicle doors being opened and striking the vehicle, or by objects such for example as shopping trollies colliding with the side of the vehicle. The vehicle of the present invention may receive less damage from the other objects than it would otherwise do. In addition, a reduction of claims to insurance companies for repairs may be able to be achieved. The resale value of the vehicle may be higher If it has not been damaged or it has suffered less damage than it might otherwise have done.
Because the sensors are short range sensors, they are not normally activated by other objects at normal safe distances from the vehicle. Thus if a door of a vehicle is being opened and there is no chance of the door causing damage, then the sensors will not activate the alarm means. Similarly, if someone is passing with a shopping trolley at a normal safe distance, then again the beam will not be broken and the alarm means will not be activated.
The two front sensors may be positioned one on either side of a front bumper part of the vehicle.
The two rear sensors may be positioned one on either side of a rear bumper part of the vehicle.
The vehicle may include an extra sensor positioned on a handle part of each side opening door of the vehicle. Thus if the vehicle has four of the side opening doors, there will be four of the extra sensors, making a total of eight sensors in all. If the vehicle has two of the side opening doors, then there will be two of the extra sensors, making a total of six sensors in all.
If desired and dependent on vehicle length, the vehicle may be one which includes a first extra sensor positioned on a handle part of each side opening door of the vehicle, and a second extra sensor positioned on each wing mirror part of the vehicle. In this case, if there are four of the side opening doors and two wing mirrors there will be a total of ten sensors in all.
If the vehicle has two of the side opening doors and two wing mirrors, there will be a total of eight sensors in all.
The sensors may operate over a range of up to approximately 10cm.
Other operating distance ranges may be employed. The operating distances may be factory set by a manufacturer.
The sensors may emit a divergent beam. Preferably the divergent beam is a 900 divergent beam. Other types of divergent beams may be employed. Beams other than divergent beams may be employed.
The vehicle may be one in which the sensors are such that they cause activation of the alarm means consequent only upon the other objects which are too close to the vehicle being metal objects. The use of such sensors is advantageous in avoiding the activation of the alarm means by persons or animals on their own walking past the vehicle in close proximity to the vehicle.
The sensors may operate in a variety of ways to distinguish metal objects from persons or animals. Thus, for example the sensors may operate to sense a more solid mass formed by metal objects rather than persons or animals, or the sensors may utilise an electromagnetic sensing arrangement which only senses the metal objects, or the sensors may utilise filter means for filtering signal frequencies reflected from objects or persons and animals in order to distinguish between the objects on the one hand and the persons and/or animals on the other hand. Sensors may also be used which are able to distinguish between hard and soft inanimate objects so that, for example the sensors could cause the alarm means to operate if the object were to be a hard metal object such as a shopping trolley, but not operate if the object were to be a soft object such as a child's doll.
The alarm means may be such that it ceases to operate immediately the object breaking the beam is removed. This ensures that the alarm means does not run for too long a period, thereby causing annoyance to persons in the vicinity. The side impact warning means may include timer means for controlling the duration of operation of the alarm for the alarm means. Thus, for example, the timer means may cut off the alarm after 5 -10 seconds.
Other time durations may be employed.
The vehicle may include an on/off switch means for switching the side impact warning means on and off as required. The on/off switch means may be operated by a switch on a dashboard of the vehicle. Alternatively, the on/off switch means may be operated by a switch at a position other than on the dashboard of the vehicle. Alternatively, the on/off switch means may be operated remotely by means of a transmitter, for example on a key fob and like the type presently employed for locking doors of vehicles and setting vehicle alarms.
The vehicle may include auxiliary sensors for protecting the vehicle from front and rear impacts. There may be at least one of the auxiliary sensors positioned on the front of the vehicle, and at least one of the auxiliary sensors positioned on the rear of the vehicle. The auxiliary sensors may be positioned on front and rear bumpers of the vehicle, or at other front and rear positions of the vehicle as may be desired.
The vehicle may be such that it has vehicle parking sensors for rear and/or front parking.
The alarm means may be a visual and/or audible alarm means.
The alarm means may be the vehicle's own alarm means which is used for driving purposes. In this case, the alarm means may be the vehicle's indicator lights for providing a visual alarm and/or the vehicle's horn for providing an audible alarm. Alternatively, the alarm means may be the alarm associated with the vehicle parking sensors if the vehicle parking sensors are fitted. The alarm means from such vehicle parking sensors is usually an audible bleep.
Alternatively, the alarm means may be a dedicated alarm means for use only for giving the side impact warning. Such a dedicated alarm means may be advantageous because a dedicated sound may be used so that people are aware that the vehicle from which the alarm is coming is likely to receive a side impact, and is not being broken into because the vehicle's alarm for being broken into will be a completely different sound.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a vehicle provided with side impact warning means; Figure 2 is a top plan view showing a beam transmitted from a sensor on a vehicle provided with side impact warning means; Figure 3 shows a wing mirror fitted with a sensor forming part of side impact warning means; Figure 4 is a flow chart showing a usescenario in which a vehicle of the present invention is unoccupied; Figure 5 is a flow chart showing a use scenario in which a vehicle of the present invention is occupied and with its engine on; Figure 6 is a flow chart of a use scenario in which a vehicle of the present invention is occupied and with its engine off; Figure 7 is a front view of a vehicle; Figure 8 is a rear view of the vehicle shown in Figure 7; and Figure 9 is a view from above of the vehicle shown in Figures 7 and 8.
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a vehicle 2 comprising side impact warning means 4. The side impact warning means 4 comprises two front sensors 6 which are positioned one on either side of a front part of the vehicle as shown. The side impact warning means 4 further comprises two rear sensors 8 which are positioned one on either side of a rear part of the vehicle 2 as shown. The side impact warning means 4 further comprises a first extra sensor 10 positioned on a handle part of each side opening door 12 of the vehicle 2, and a second extra sensor 14 positioned on each wing mirror part 16 of the vehicle 2. Since the vehicle has two of the side opening doors 12, there will be two of the first extra sensors 10, and two of the second extra sensors 14. The two front sensors 6 are positioned one on either side of a front bumper part 18 of the vehicle 2. The two rear sensors 8 are positioned one on either side of a rear bumper part 20 of the vehicle 2.
The sensors 6, 8, 10, 14 are such that they transmit a beam which activates an alarm means on the vehicle consequent upon the beam being broken. The sensors 6, 8, 10, 14 are short range sensors with a range that is sufficiently short so as not to be activated by other objects at normal safe distances from the vehicle 2 but to be activated when the other objects are too close and there is a danger of a side impact. The sensors, 6, 8, 10, 14 may operate over a range of approximately 10cm.
Figure 2 shows a side part 22 of a vehicle fitted with a sensor 24 forming part of side impact warning means. It will be seen that the sensor 24 is transmitting a beam 26. The beam 26 is a divergent beam 26. More specifically, the beam 26 is a 900 divergent beam 26. The range of the beam 26 is approximately 10cm. It will be seen that a side part 28 of another vehicle is beyond the range of the beam 26. Thus the beam 26 is not broken by the side part 28 of the other vehicle and thus the alarm means on the vehicle having the side part 22 is not activated.
Figure 3 shows part 30 of a vehicle door fitted with a wing mirror 32.
The wing mirror 32 is provided with a sensor 34 forming part of side impact warning means.
Figure 4 shows a use scenario which may occur whilst a vehicle is unoccupied, i.e. parked. Box 36 indicates that a door of another vehicle may be opened towards the vehicle of the present invention, If the beam is broken as indicated by box 38, then an alarm means as indicated by box 40 may operate. As shown in box 40, the alarm means may be an audible alarm plus flashing of the vehicle's own indicators, which may all flash in the manner in which they all flash to indicate a hazard. The beam emitted by the sensor whose beam is broken is then checked as indicated by box 42. If the beam is restored and not broken, the alarm means stops as indicated by box 44. If the beam is still broken as indicated by box 46, then the connection is made back to box 38 indicating that the beam is still broken and the alarm continued to operate. As shown by the right hand side of Figure 4, if the opened door is at a safe distance and the beam is not broken, then the beam is OK as indicated by box 48. No action occurs as indicated by box 50.
Figure 5 illustrates a scenario in which a vehicle is occupied with its engine on. Similar parts as in Figure 4 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. Box 52 indicates the vehicle being parked with its engine on and one or more persons remaining in the vehicle.
Figure 6 illustrates a scenario in which the vehicle is occupied and with its engine off. Similar parts as in Figure 4 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. Box 54 indicates that the vehicle is occupied with its engine off.
Referring to Figure 7, there is shown a front view of a vehicle 36 having a front bumper 28 fitted with two sensors 40. In Figure 8 there is shown a rear view of the vehicle 36. The vehicle 36 has a rear bumper 42 which is fitted with two sensors 44.
Figure 9 shows the range of output signals 46 from the sensors 40, and also the range of output signals 48 from the sensors 44.
In addition to the sensors 40 and 44, the vehicle 36 is fitted with the various types of side impact warning means shown in Figures 1 -6.
The vehicle 36 is able to provide good all round protection against damage sustained from car doors, shopping trollies and like, i.e. hard metal objects rather than persons.
It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the vehicle may have four side doors instead of the two side doors shown in Figure 1. The sensors may transmit a beam which is different to the beam 26. The sensors preferably only react to metal objects but they may also react to persons and animals if desired. The alarm means may be such that it ceases to operate immediately the object breaking the beam is removed.
Timer means may be employed for controlling the duration of operation of the alarm from the alarm means. An on/off switch may be provided for switching the side impact warning means 4 on and off as required. The on/off switch may be operated by a switch on a dashboard of the vehicle or remotely by a vehicle key fob. The alarm means may use an alarm already on a part of the vehicle and for other purposes, or the alarm means may be a dedicated alarm means just for giving a side impact warning. The vehicle may be any suitable and appropriate vehicle including road vehicles such for example as cars, vans and coaches. -10

Claims (26)

  1. CLAIMS1. A vehicle comprising side impact warning means, the vehicle being such that the side impact warning means comprises at least four sensors with two of the sensors being front sensors which are positioned one on either side of a front part of the vehicle and two of the sensors being rear sensors which are positioned one on either side of a rear part of the vehicle, the sensors being such that they transmit a beam which activates an alarm means on the vehicle consequent upon the beam being broken, and the sensors being short range sensors with a range that is sufficiently short so as not to be activated by other objects at normal safe distances from the vehicle but to be activated when the other objects are too close and there is a danger of a side impact.
  2. 2. A vehicle according to claim I in which the two front sensors are positioned one on either side of a front bumper part of the vehicle.
  3. 3. A vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the two rear sensors are positioned one on either side of a rear bumper part of the vehicle.
  4. 4. A vehicle according to any one of claims I -3 and including an extra sensor positioned on a handle part of each side opening door of the vehicle.
  5. 5. A vehicle according to claim 4 in which the vehicle has four of the side opening doors.
  6. 6. A vehicle according to claim 4 in which the vehicle has two of the side opening doors.
  7. 7. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 3 and including a first extra sensor positioned on a handle part of each side opening door of the vehicle, and a second extra sensor positioned on each wing mirror part of the vehicle.
  8. 8. A vehicle according to claim 7 in which the vehicle has four of the side opening doors and two wing mirrors.
  9. 9. A vehicle according to claim 7 in which the vehicle has two of the side opening doors and two wing mirrors.
  10. 10. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sensors operate over a range of up to approximately 10cm.
  11. 11. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sensors emit a divergent beam.
  12. 12. A vehicle according to claim 11 in which the divergent beam is a 900 divergent beam.
  13. 13. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claim in which the sensors are such that they cause activation of the alarm means consequent only upon the other objects which are too close to the vehicle being metal objects.
  14. 14. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the alarm means is such that it ceases to operate immediately the object interrupting the beam is removed.
  15. 15. A vehicle according to any one of the receding claims and including timer means for controlling the duration of operation of the alarm from the alarm means.
  16. 16. A vehicle according to claim 15 in which the timer means cuts off the alarm after 5-10 seconds.
  17. 17. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims and including on/off switch means for switching the side impact warning means on and off as required.
  18. 18. A vehicle according to claim 17 in which the on/off switch means is operated by a switch on the dashboard of the vehicle.
  19. 19. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims and including auxiliary sensors for protecting the vehicle from front and rear impacts.
  20. 20. A vehicle according to claim 19 in which there is at least one of the auxiliary sensors positioned on the front of the vehicle, and at least one of the auxiliary sensors positioned on the rear of the vehicle.
  21. 21. A vehicle according to claim 19 or claim 20 in which the auxiliary sensors are of the same construction as the said at least four sensors.
  22. 22. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the vehicle has vehicle parking sensors for rear and/or front parking.
  23. 23. A vehicle according to any one of preceding claims in which the alarm means is a visual and/or audible alarm means.
  24. 24. A vehicle according to claim 23 in which the alarm means is the vehicle's own alarm means which is used for driving purposes.
  25. 25. A vehicle according to claim 23 in which the alarm means is a dedicated alarm means for use only for giving the side impact warning.
  26. 26. A vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB0908145A 2008-05-21 2009-05-12 A vehicle with side impact warning means Withdrawn GB2460152A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0809277A GB0809277D0 (en) 2008-05-21 2008-05-21 A vechicle comprising side impact warning means
GB0822830A GB0822830D0 (en) 2008-12-15 2008-12-15 A vehicle comprising impact warning means

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0908145D0 GB0908145D0 (en) 2009-06-24
GB2460152A true GB2460152A (en) 2009-11-25

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GB0908145A Withdrawn GB2460152A (en) 2008-05-21 2009-05-12 A vehicle with side impact warning means

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2328748A (en) * 1997-08-30 1999-03-03 Ford Motor Co Collision avoidance system with sensors mounted on flexible p.c.b.
US5913375A (en) * 1995-08-31 1999-06-22 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle steering force correction system
EP1361118A2 (en) * 2002-05-10 2003-11-12 Hitachi, Ltd. Apparatus for controlling vehicle
US20040246112A1 (en) * 2003-06-06 2004-12-09 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Lane Changing Assist System For An Automotive Vehicle
US20060197521A1 (en) * 2005-03-03 2006-09-07 Trw Automotive U.S. Llc Apparatus for sensing the proximity of a vehicle to an object
US20070200747A1 (en) * 2006-02-28 2007-08-30 Hitachi, Ltd. Radar apparatus and radar system for a vehicle

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5913375A (en) * 1995-08-31 1999-06-22 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle steering force correction system
GB2328748A (en) * 1997-08-30 1999-03-03 Ford Motor Co Collision avoidance system with sensors mounted on flexible p.c.b.
EP1361118A2 (en) * 2002-05-10 2003-11-12 Hitachi, Ltd. Apparatus for controlling vehicle
US20040246112A1 (en) * 2003-06-06 2004-12-09 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Lane Changing Assist System For An Automotive Vehicle
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