ES2600319B1 - SYSTEM FOR HELP IN ROAD ADVANCEMENTS AND METHOD FOR SUCH SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

System (1) for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) and method for said system, the system comprising (1): # - a detector for the presence of opposing vehicles (20) in the usable lane for overtaking (102), # - a support (4, 4a) for said presence detector, arranged in a projection (5, 5a) by the side (6, 6a) of the own vehicle (2) adjacent to the usable lane for overtaking (102), # - a visual and / or acoustic indicator associated with the detector, arranged within the sight and / or ear of the driver. # The method includes the steps of: # - scan of the usable lane for overtaking (102) by performing successive readings of presence in the same of opposing vehicles (20) by means of at least one detector installed in a support (4, 4a) arranged in a projection (5, 5a) by the side (6, 6a) of the vehicle itself (2), and # - sampling and making the information collected available to the driver.

Description

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SYSTEM FOR HELP IN ROAD ADVANCEMENTS AND METHOD FOR

SUCH SYSTEM

D E S C R I P C I O N

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for assistance in overtaking on the road and a method spatially conceived for said system, with the purpose of minimizing the risk in overtaking due to the dead angle that occurs between the driver who intends to overtake and the corner of the vehicle precedent to advance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The overtaking maneuver, especially on two-way roads, often requires a lot of approach to the previous vehicle, so that the overtaking itself involves the shortest possible route along the opposite lane, and a shorter time.

However, this approach produces a dead angle in the visualization of the overtaking lane - which will be occupied during the overtaking - due to the concealment of the same that produces the corner of the preceding vehicle, especially if it is a large and / or tall vehicle , like a truck or a coach. This can cause the risk of an accident, since the driver who intends to overtake must show his vehicle on the side of the vehicle to be able to overtake and can invade the opposite lane, and even adopt forced postures to show his head that may affect his position with respect to the steering wheel and unconsciously vary its trajectory; In addition, many times the road itself is turned towards the most unfavorable side and makes it even more difficult to visualize the lane that can be used for overtaking, even if the signaling allows the maneuver.

At present, the prevention of risk in these maneuvers is foreseen through the help of the driver of the previous vehicle, indicating the possibility of overtaking with his intermittent, but unfortunately this help does not occur in the great majority of cases. This can cause accidents, or at best the withdrawal of the

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maneuver, which is also an inconvenience for road traffic, as it encourages the formation of caravans.

On the part of the applicant there is no known device that can help the overtaking maneuver with the configuration and advantages of the system of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The system for road overtaking assistance includes:

-at least, a detector of the presence of opposing vehicles (that is, vehicles in the opposite direction) in the lane that can be used for overtaking or driving it,

-at least, a support for said presence detector, which is arranged in a projection by the side of the own vehicle adjacent to the lane usable for overtaking,

-a visual and / or acoustic indicator associated with the detector, and which is arranged within sight of the driver and sight.

The method of the invention comprises the steps of:

-scanning of the lane usable for overtaking by carrying out successive readings of the presence therein of opposing vehicles by means of at least one detector installed in a support arranged on a projection by the side of the own vehicle adjacent to the lane usable for overtaking,

-sampling and making available to the driver of the information collected.

In this way, the detector scans the usable lane for overtaking from a more open angle, thanks to the projection of the support of the same - which will usually be the structure or fairing of the rearview mirror on that side to avoid the provision of new projections in the vehicle and so! keep the aesthetics and aerodynamics of it-, and this information is made available to the driver so he can decide if he performs the maneuver.

The detector is mainly arranged on the inside of the vehicle, said side being adjacent to the lane division line, opposite the road maple -which will be the left in non-Anglo-Saxon countries and the right in the opposite case- that on this side the overtaking in circulation is made, being able to

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also be implemented on the opposite side for example for lane change after a caravan overtaking, or both.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a view of the dashboard of a vehicle comprising the system of the invention.

Figure 2.- Shows a front view of the rearview mirror that integrates the presence detector.

Figure 3.- Shows two views of a variant of the invention, where the camera is integrated in the front fairing of the rearview mirror through a folding arm that increases the viewing angle, in a retracted and deployed view respectively.

Figure 4.- It shows the viewing angle of a vehicle that does not incorporate the system of the invention, where it is appreciated that it is not easily seen by an opposing vehicle that comes through the usable lane for overtaking and will have to invade said lane to See, can cause an accident. It also shows an enlarged detail of the driver's area from the angle to see her turning her head to the nearest point outside the vehicle, with the danger that forced posture entails being able to affect the trajectory.

Figures 5 and 6.- They show paths similar to those shown in figure 4, where the improvement of the scan angle of the lane usable for overtaking with the system of the invention can be seen, in different paths where the detector is arranged in the rearview mirror directly and through an extendable arm respectively. They also show extended details of the detector's disposition.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The system (1) for road overtaking assistance (101) includes (see fig 1):

-at least, a detector of the presence of opposing vehicles (20) in the lane usable for overtaking (102) (which also includes its maple),

- at least one support (4, 4a) for said presence detector, which is arranged

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on a projection (5, 5a) on the side (6, 6a) of the own vehicle (2) adjacent to the usable lane for overtaking (102),

-a visual and / or acoustic indicator associated with the detector, and which is arranged within sight of the driver and sight.

The detector can comprise a long-range distance meter (3, 3a) (that is, at least 50 meters forward and up to at least 600 meters) since it must detect objects (in this case opposing vehicles (20)) at considerable distance to allow overtaking safely. In this case, the indicator would ideally comprise a first processor (70) of the distance readings taken by the meter (3, 3a), associated with a first visual indicator (71) and / or first acoustic indicator (72). This is a simple embodiment that can be implemented with known commercial elements, since for example the meter (3, 3a) may comprise at least one ultrasonic meter, and / or at least one laser meter, and / or at least one meter per infrared (including infrared laser meters) and / or at least one photoelectric meter and / or at least one electromagnetic wave (radar) meter.

Another complementary or alternative possibility would be to implement the detector so that it comprises a camera (30, 30a) to take images, while the indicator could comprise a screen (7) of direct visualization of the images taken by the camera (30, 30a) (It can be any on-board screen, a dedicated one, a projection superposition on the windshield etc. depending on the integration of the system (1) with the electronic of the own vehicle (2)) so that the driver decides if he performs the maneuver to the view of the images; complementary or alternatively the indicator could comprise a second processor (73) of the images taken by the camera (30, 30a) associated with a second visual indicator (74) and / or second acoustic indicator (75), which in the realization of the Figure 1 coincide with the first visual indicator (71) and / or first acoustic indicator (72) when jointly implementing the two variants proposed for the detector. Even visual indicators (72, 74) can be included as an icon or image on the screen (7). This variant with camera (7), can also be complemented with a memory (18) for storing the images taken (see fig. 1), which at any given time could serve as evidence for any incident taken.

The invention has also provided for the optional provision of at least one second proximity detector (10) (see figs. 2, 3) whose beam (11) is directed forward (see figs. 5 and 6) of

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form that will produce the automatic operation of the system (1) whenever it detects that the previous vehicle (200) produces a block of the forward vision that overlaps a certain angle (12) in a certain range (12a). Complementarily or alternatively, the provision of a manual operation activation command (14) is provided, for example provided on the steering wheel (15) (see fig. 1) and / or dashboard (9). The second detector (10) may be associated with a third speed processor (16) (GPS or mechanical or electronic) (see figs. 2 and 3) so that automatic activation occurs as a function of speed (for example from 40 km / h).

The optional arrangement of a timer (17) is also provided, to produce automatic deactivation after a certain time has elapsed since activation (for example 5 seconds).

The detector is ideally arranged on the inner side (6) of the own vehicle (2) to serve as overtaking maneuvers, but it can also be arranged on the outer side (6a) of the own vehicle (2) to perform the maneuver of return to the initial lane in case of caravan, where another large vehicle that is passing in front of the vehicle itself (2) prevents seeing the lane to which we must return, or simply to approach a sidewalk.

In a very preferred way, the support (4, 4a) is integrated in the front or fairing part of the rear-view mirror (8, 8a) of the corresponding side (6, 6a) of the own vehicle (2) to take advantage of this appendix or projection existing in all the vehicles (see figs 2 and 5). In addition, in another variant of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 6, the support (4) comprises an arm (40) (simple or composite) deployable to the lane usable for overtaking (102), to gain even more angle of vision, and at whose end the detector is arranged. Said arm (40) comprises, for example, sliders (41) and / or joints, not shown, and a drive motor (42).

As for the screen (7) and / or visual indicator (71, 74), they are ideally arranged in the dashboard (9) of the vehicle itself (2) (see fig. 1) which is the most visible part by the driver. For example, the own multifunction display of the own vehicle (2) or another specific one can be used. The visual indicator (71, 74) can also be seen by the driver in the corresponding rear-view mirror (8, 8a), since the driver must look at it before starting the maneuver.

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In Fig. 4 it can be seen as the driver, with the normal viewing angle (50) after a truck (200) to be passed, it does not come to the opposite vehicle (20) that circulates along the usable lane for overtaking (102); in figure 5 it can be seen as with the disposition of the detector in the front or fairing of the rear-view mirror (8, 8a) it would already have an improved angle (51) and if it were vein, and in figure 6 as with the disposition of the detector in the arm (40) would have a much improved angle (52) that would allow it to see even further.

The method of the invention comprises the steps of:

-scanning of the lane usable for overtaking (102) making successive readings of presence therein of opposing vehicles (20) by means of at least one detector installed in a support (4, 4a) arranged in a projection (5, 5a ) on the side (6, 6a) of the vehicle itself (2),

-sampling and making available to the driver of the information collected.

The scanning stage of the lane usable for overtaking (102) may comprise taking distance readings to the opposite vehicle (20) through at least one distance meter (3, 3a), and the sampling and setting stage available to the driver of the information collected would include the processing of said readings to determine the existence of a collision risk situation, and the activation of a first visual indicator (71) and / or first acoustic indicator (72) arranged within the scope of the sight and / or hearing of the driver in case of existence of said collision risk situation.

Likewise, the scanning stage of the lane that can be used for overtaking (102) could include the taking of images of said lane through a camera (30, 30a), and the stage of sampling and making available to the driver of the collected information would include the presentation of the images taken on a screen (7) arranged in the sight of the driver, so that it is the same who assesses if there is a collision risk situation.

Another possibility of using the camera (30, 30a) as a detector would be that the scanning stage of the lane usable for overtaking (102) would include the image taking of said lane through the camera (30, 30a), and the Sampling stage and making available to the driver of the information collected would include the processing of each image taken for distance determination, and depending on the existence thereof

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of collision risk situation, and the activation of a second visual indicator (74) and / or second acoustic indicator (75) arranged within sight of the driver and sight or in case of the existence of said collision risk situation . In this possibility the determination of the distance will be made by evaluating the size and shape of the image of the opposite vehicle (102) and / or that of the section of lane that can be used for overtaking (102) visible to it. Some or all of the above alternatives can be complementary to each other, that is, the vehicle itself (2) can implement the detection by distance meters and camera with image processing to determine the distance, and in any case also implement the visualization of images taken, or vice versa, even if it is redundant, since redundancy abounds in security.

In the two cases described where the collision risk situation determination is carried out by the system (1), said collision risk situation existence determination could include the sub-stages of:

-determine the distance of the opposite vehicle (20) in each reading,

-determine the speed of the opposite vehicle (20) by comparing the variation in distance between successive readings,

-activate the collision risk situation if the last distance and / or the measured speed of the opposing vehicle (20) goes outside certain established and / or tabulated safety limit values.

Describing sufficiently the nature of the invention, it is indicated that the description thereof and its preferred embodiment should be interpreted in a non-limiting manner, and that it encompasses all possible embodiments that are deduced from the content of the present specification. and of the claims.

Claims (20)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 R E I V I N D I C A C I O N E S 1. -System (1) for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) characterized in that it comprises: -at least, a presence detector of opposing vehicles (20) in the lane usable for overtaking (102), - at least one support (4, 4a) for said presence detector, which is arranged in a projection (5, 5a) on the side (6, 6a) of the vehicle itself (2) adjacent to the lane usable for overtaking (102), -a visual and / or acoustic indicator associated with the detector, and which is arranged within the sight and / or ear of the driver. 2. -System (1) for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) according to claim 1 characterized in that the detector comprises a long range distance meter (3, 3a); while the indicator comprises a first processor (70) of the readings taken by the meter (3, 3a) associated with a first visual indicator (71) and / or first acoustic indicator (72). 3. -System (1) for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) according to claim 2 characterized in that the meter (3, 3a) comprises, at least one ultrasonic meter, and / or at least one laser meter, and / or at least an infrared meter and / or at least one photoelectric meter and / or at least one electromagnetic wave meter. 4. -System (1) for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the detector comprises a camera (30, 30a); while the indicator includes: -a screen (7) of visualization of the images taken by the camera (30, 30a), and / or -a second processor (73) of the images taken by the camera (30, 30a) associated with a second visual indicator ( 74) and / or second acoustic indicator (75). 5. - System (1) for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) according to claim 4 characterized in that it additionally comprises a memory (18) for storing the images taken. 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 6. -System (1) for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises at least a second proximity detector (10) of the previous vehicle (200) for automatic operation activation. 7. -System (1) for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) according to claim 6 characterized in that it comprises a third speed processor (16) associated with the second detector (10) so that automatic activation occurs as a function of speed. 8. -System (1) for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a manual control (14) for operating activation. 9. -System (1) for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a timer (17) for configuring automatic deactivation after a certain time after activation. 10. -System (1) for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the detector is arranged on the inner side (6) and / or outer side (6a) of the vehicle itself (2) . 11. - System (1) for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the support (4, 4a) is integrated in the front part of the rear-view mirror (8, 8a) on the side (6, 6a) corresponding to the own vehicle (2). 12. -System (1) for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the support (4, 4a) comprises an arm (40) deployable to the lane usable for overtaking (102) and in whose end the detector is arranged 13. - System (1) for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) according to claim 12 characterized in that the arm (40) comprises sliders (41) and / or joints and 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 a drive motor (42). 14. -System (1) for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the screen (7) and / or visual indicator (71, 74) are arranged in the dashboard (9) of the vehicle own (2) and / or in view in the corresponding rear-view mirror (8, 8a), 15. -Method for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) characterized in that it comprises the stages of: -scanning of the lane usable for overtaking (102) by making successive readings of presence therein of opposing vehicles (20) by means of at least one detector installed in a support (4, 4a) arranged in a projection (5, 5a ) on the side (6, 6a) of the own vehicle (2), and -sampling and making available to the driver of the information collected. 16. -Method for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) according to claim 15 characterized in that the scanning stage of the lane usable for overtaking (102) comprises taking distance readings to the opposite vehicle (20) through at least a distance meter (3, 3a), and the stage of sampling and making available to the driver of the information collected includes the processing of said readings for determining the existence of a collision risk situation, and the activation of a first visual indicator (71) and / or first acoustic indicator (72) available within sight of the driver and sight or in case of the existence of said collision risk situation. 17. -Method for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the scanning stage of the lane usable for overtaking (102) comprises taking images of said lane through a camera (30, 30a ), and the stage of sampling and making available to the driver of the information collected includes the presentation of the images taken on a screen (7) arranged in the sight of the driver. 18. -Method for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) according to any of claims 15 to 17 characterized in that the scanning stage of the lane usable for overtaking comprises the taking of images of said lane through the camera (30, 30a ), and the stage of sampling and making available to the driver of the information collected It includes the processing of each image taken to determine the distance, and depending on the existence of a collision risk situation, and the activation of a second visual indicator (74) and / or second acoustic indicator (75) arranged within sight of and sight of the driver in the event of such a collision risk situation. 5 19. -Method for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) according to revindication 18 characterized in that the determination of the distance includes the evaluation of the size and shape of the image of the opposite vehicle (102) and / or that of the section of lane usable for the overtaking (102) visible to it. 10 20. -Method for assistance in overtaking on the road (101) according to any of claims 16 to 19 characterized in that the stage of determining the existence of a collision risk situation comprises the sub-stages of: -determine the distance of the opposite vehicle (20) in each reading, 15 -determine the speed of the opposite vehicle (20) by comparing the variation in distance between successive readings, -activate the collision risk situation if the last distance and / or the measured speed of the opposing vehicle (20) goes outside certain established and / or tabulated safety limit values.