WO2024080960A1

WO2024080960A1 - System for improving visibility at corners during turns

Info

Publication number: WO2024080960A1
Application number: PCT/TR2023/051371
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yiğit SEYMEN; Safa YILDIRIM
Original assignee: Oyak Renault Otomobi̇l Fabri̇kalari Anoni̇m Şi̇rketi̇
Priority date: 2022-12-28
Filing date: 2023-11-22
Publication date: 2024-04-18

Abstract

The invention relates a method that pertains to the operation a system that suitable for use in vehicles, especially in situations where visibility is obstructed at corners, that enhances driving safety by displaying the relevant area the system includes at least one camera (10) connected to at least two motion arms (30) positioned in parallel and capable of independent linear movement from each other; characterized by; the motion arm (30) on the side opposite to the intended direction of the turn should move further forward than the other motion arm to direct the camera (10) to the turn indicator's indicate directions opposite side; by means of an evaluation to the detection of vehicles is carried out, generating at least one signal performed with at least one controller to determining the hazardous situation based on whether the detected vehicle is within a pre-defined distance or whether the detected vehicle is equal to or exceeds the pre-defined speed parameter within a pre-defined distance.

Description

SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING VISIBILITY AT CORNERS DURING TURNS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is related to a system that suitable for use in vehicles, especially in situations where visibility is obstructed at corners, that enhances driving safety by displaying the relevant area, and a method that pertains to the operation of this system.

PRIOR ART

In today's world, modern vehicles are equipped with driving assistance systems that enhance safety. In known technology, image processing techniques are used with cameras, and radar and lidar structures are used to detect objects and other living beings. However, there can be situations during traffic where these components may not provide accurate detection or prove to be insufficient.

For instance, when making a turn at a corner and there is a large vehicle parked at that corner, the turning vehicle may not have a clear view in both directions. In such cases, the existing equipment is also unable to detect vehicles approaching from this area due to other objects obstructing the field of view.

With the advancement of image processing technologies, wide-angle cameras can be used to scan areas during driving and detect vehicles that are driving dangerously. However, this feature can introduce additional hardware costs and may not always yield accurate results in practice.

Especially ensuring detection before the vehicle is in motion is crucial in the scenarios mentioned above, and there is a need for further development in the relevant technical field to support the driver.

As a result, all abovementioned problems have made it necessary to make an improvement in the relevant technical field. AIM OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to eliminate the abovementioned problems and to make a development in the relevant technical field.

The main objective of the invention is to minimize blind spots during turns and establish a system structure that can work in conjunction with active driving assistance systems and that inform the driver.

Another objective of the invention is to prevent accidents caused by blind spots during turns.

Another objective of the invention is to improve visibility at corners.

Another objective of the invention is to during turns, detect vehicles that are not visible in the opposite direction of turning way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is related to system for improving visibility at corners during turns so as to fulfil all aims mentioned above and will be obtained from the following detailed description.

The invention relates a method that pertains to the operation a system that suitable for use in vehicles, especially in situations where visibility is obstructed at corners, that enhances driving safety by displaying the relevant area the system includes at least one camera connected to at least two motion arms positioned in parallel and capable of independent linear movement from each other; characterized by; the motion arm on the side opposite to the intended direction of the turn should move further forward than the other motion arm to direct the camera to the turn indicator’s indicate directions opposite side; by means of an evaluation to the detection of vehicles is carried out, generating at least one signal performed with at least one controller to determining the hazardous situation based on whether the detected vehicle is within a pre-defined distance or whether the detected vehicle is equal to or exceeds the pre-defined speed parameter within a pre-defined distance. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it characterized by activation of the emergency systems in the event that the mentioned signal condition includes a hazardous situation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it characterized by informing the driver in the event that the mentioned signal condition includes a hazardous situation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it characterized by achieving the linear motion of the mentioned motion arms with at least one electrically operated motion element.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it characterized by informing the driver in the event that the mentioned signal condition does not include a hazardous situation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it includes both auditory and visual notifications.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it characterized by communicating to the braking system for the vehicle to come to a stop in the event that the mentioned signal condition includes a hazardous situation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it characterized by turning the camera in the opposite direction of the intended turn during turns to detect vehicles coming from that direction.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it characterized by controlling the camera in two independent directions to enable vehicle detection in a wider-angle field using said camera.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the camera can be integrated with the vehicle logo; and during activation, the logo unit can move together with the camera. In alternative implementations, the mentioned logo unit can be opened to allow for the movement of the camera.

The protection scope of the invention is specified in the claims and cannot be limited to the description made for illustrative purposes in this brief and detailed description. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can present similar embodiments in the light of the above descriptions without departing from the main theme of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 provides a schematic drawing explaining the operation of the invention.

Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C provides drawings from the top view depicting the movement of the camera owned by the invention.

Figure 3 presents a flowchart describing the operation of the invention.

The drawings do not necessarily need to be scaled and some details that are not necessary to understand the present invention may have been omitted. In addition, elements that are at least largely identical or at least largely have identical functions are indicated with the same number.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCES IN FIGURES

10. Camera

20. Motion body

21 . Support body

30. Motion arm

31 . Motion element

40. Signal unit-1

50. Signal unit-2

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the invention system for improving visibility at corners during turns is described by means of examples only for clarifying the subject matter such that no limiting effect is created.

The invention is related to a system that suitable for use in vehicles, especially in situations where visibility is obstructed at corners, that enhances driving safety by displaying the relevant area, and a method that pertains to the operation of this system. The invention relates a method that pertains to the operation a system that suitable for use in vehicles, especially in situations where visibility is obstructed at corners, that enhances driving safety by displaying the relevant area the system includes at least one camera (10) connected to at least two motion arms (30) positioned in parallel and capable of independent linear movement from each other; characterized by; the motion arm (30) on the side opposite to the intended direction of the turn should move further forward than the other motion arm to direct the camera (10) to the turn indicator’s indicate directions opposite side; by means of an evaluation to the detection of vehicles is carried out, generating at least one signal performed with at least one controller to determining the hazardous situation based on whether the detected vehicle is within a pre-defined distance or whether the detected vehicle is equal to or exceeds the pre-defined speed parameter within a pre-defined distance.

Figure 3 provides a flowchart explaining the operation of the invention. Within the scope of the invention, there are at least two motion arms (30) positioned on opposite sides of a vertical axis perpendicular to the ground on the camera (10). These mentioned motion arms (30) are preferably articulated to a motion body (20) that is in contact with the camera (10). The mentioned motion body (20) can move angularly about at least one axis. Preferably, this axis can be parallel or coincident with the mentioned vertical axis perpendicular to the ground. The mentioned motion arms (30) can move synchronously with each other or independently. In the preferred configuration, each motion arm (30) is associated with at least one motion element (31 ) capable of applying linear motion.

During operation, when equal motion is applied to the two mentioned motion arms (30), the camera (10) and the motion body (20) can move together linearly. When independent forces are applied to the mentioned motion arms (30), the motion body (20) connected to the camera (10) can move angularly.

In the preferred configuration of the invention, the support body (21 ) ensures that the mentioned motion body (20) is positioned in the desired area.

Within the scope of the invention, the blind spot situation occurring in the opposite direction of the intended turn is eliminated by improving visibility. In alternative implementations, the angle of the camera (10) can be controlled by the driver with at least one data input. Figure 1 provides a drawing illustrating the operation of the camera (10) that related to the invention. The camera (10) includes a motion body (20) with a support body (21 ) consisting of at least one part. The mentioned motion body (20) is in contact with at least one, preferably two motion arms (30). The position of the camera (10) can be changed depending on the angular movement of at least one of the mentioned motion arms (30). In a preferred configuration, the mentioned motion can be driven by at least one motion element (31 ). Figure 2A, 2B, and 2C provide drawings illustrating the mentioned movement.

In the preferred configuration of the invention, signal unit-1 (40) represents the signal for one direction, while signal unit-2 (50) represents the signal for the other direction, and the camera (10) can change its position upon the triggering one of these units. In an example scenario: the camera (10) that included by the invention can measure at a 75° angle, and when signal unit-1 (40) is triggered, it rotates in the relevant direction by 37.5°. A similar situation can occur with signal unit-2 (50), thus allows for capturing images at a 150° angle. When signal unit-1 (40) and signal unit-2 (50) are activated, the motion arms (30) move linearly forward by 10 mm. In addition to this, when either signal unit-1 (40) or signal unit-2 (50) is activated, the associated motion arm (30) linked to the respective signal unit moves forward by 5 mm, thus provides angular movement (in the direction where the 5 mm-moving motion arm (30) is located) which corresponds to the camera's (10) direction.

In the preferred configuration of the invention, the camera (10) enables the detection of vehicles, pedestrians, or animals at a range of 100 meters. This allows the driver to be alerted both audibly and visually.

In the preferred configuration of the invention, when fast-moving vehicles are detected within a range of 100 meters by the camera (10), the driver is alerted. If necessary, the Automatic Emergency Braking System (AEBS) is activated to ensure safety. In this context, the camera (10), along with at least one controller, is capable of detecting the range and speed of vehicles.

In the preferred configuration of the invention, the camera (10) is positioned within the brand logo located in the front grille area of the vehicle. When activated, the mentioned logo moves linearly, providing visual aesthetics. The dimensional and angular values described in this context are provided for illustrative purposes and may vary in alternative implementations.

Claims

CLAIMS A method that pertains to the operation a system that suitable for use in vehicles, especially in situations where visibility is obstructed at corners, that enhances driving safety by displaying the relevant area the system includes at least one camera (10) connected to at least two motion arms (30) positioned in parallel and capable of independent linear movement from each other; characterized by;

The motion arm (30) on the side opposite to the intended direction of the turn should move further forward than the other motion arm to direct the camera (10) to the turn indicator’s indicate directions opposite side; by means of an evaluation to the detection of vehicles is carried out, generating at least one signal performed with at least one controller to determining the hazardous situation based on whether the detected vehicle is within a predefined distance or whether the detected vehicle is equal to or exceeds the predefined speed parameter within a pre-defined distance. A method according to the claim 1 , characterized by, activation of the emergency systems in the event that the mentioned signal condition includes a hazardous situation. A method according to the claim 1 , characterized by, informing the driver in the event that the mentioned signal condition includes a hazardous situation. A method according to the claim 1 , characterized by, achieving the linear motion of the mentioned motion arms (30) with at least one electrically operated motion element (31 ). A method according to the claim 1 , characterized by, informing the driver in the event that the mentioned signal condition does not include a hazardous situation. A method according to the claim 3 or claim 5, includes both auditory and visual notifications. A method according to the claim 2, characterized by, communicates to the braking system for the vehicle to come to a stop in the event that the mentioned signal condition includes a hazardous situation. A method according to the claim 1 , characterized by, turning the camera (10) in the opposite direction of the intended turn during turns to detect vehicles coming from that direction. A method according to the claim 1 ; characterized by controlling the camera (10) in two independent directions to enable vehicle detection in a wider-angle field using said camera (10).