Steering assist system

Abstract

A steering assist system is applied to a vehicle and includes a steering sensor, a plurality of environmental sensing devices, a data storage device, a processing module, a projection module, and a warning module. The processing module is signal-connected to the steering sensor, environmental sensing devices, data storage device, projection module, and warning module. When the processing module receives a steering signal from the steering sensor, it controls the environmental sensing devices to activate. If the first sensing information sensed by the environmental sensing devices within a first sensing range matches the obstacle information stored in the data storage device, the processing module outputs a first image signal and a first warning signal based on the obstacle information. The projection module projects a first image based on the first image signal. The warning module issues a first internal warning and a first external warning based on the first warning signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to driving assistance systems; in particular, it refers to a steering assistance system. Prior Technology

[0002] As transportation tools have evolved, automobiles have become one of the main modes of transportation for modern people. However, with the dramatic increase in the number of cars, the number of traffic accidents has also increased year by year, seriously threatening the safety of drivers and pedestrians. For example, when a vehicle turns while driving, blind spots or blind areas are inevitable. Large vehicles, in particular, are more prone to blind spots or blind areas due to their large size and high driver's seat position. This makes it difficult for drivers to identify other vehicles or pedestrians within the blind spot or blind area, significantly increasing the risk of collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians and thus reducing driving safety.

[0003] Therefore, improving driving safety is a key technical issue that related industries are currently focusing on. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a steering assistance system that issues the first internal warning and the first external warning during the turning process of the vehicle, and projects the first image onto the ground on the turning side, so as to warn the driver of the vehicle and other drivers or pedestrians, thereby improving driving safety.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a steering assist system applied to a vehicle. The steering assist system includes a steering sensor, a plurality of environmental sensing devices, a data storage device, a processing module, a projection module, and a warning module. The steering sensor outputs a corresponding steering signal when the vehicle turns. The environmental sensing devices sense first sensing information within a first sensing range on one of the turning sides of the vehicle. The data storage device stores obstacle information. The processing module is signal-connected to the steering sensor, the environmental sensing devices, and the data storage device. When the processing module receives... When the turn signal is received, the processing module controls the environmental sensing devices to turn on. The processing module receives the first sensing information and determines that the first sensing information matches the obstacle information. Based on the obstacle information, the processing module outputs a first image signal and a first warning signal. The projection module is connected to the processing module and projects a first image onto the ground on the turning side based on the first image signal. The warning module is connected to the processing module and issues a first internal warning inside the vehicle and a first external warning outside the vehicle based on the first warning signal.

[0006] The effect of this invention is that the steering assist system outputs a corresponding steering signal from the steering sensor when the vehicle turns. The processing module receives the steering signal and controls the environmental sensing devices to activate. The environmental sensing devices sense the first sensing information within the first sensing range. When the processing module receives the first sensing information and determines that the first sensing information matches the obstacle information, the processing module outputs the first image signal and the first warning signal based on the obstacle information. The projection module projects the first image onto the ground on the turning side based on the first image signal. The warning module issues a first internal warning inside the vehicle and a first external warning outside the vehicle based on the first warning signal. Thus, when the vehicle turns while driving and other vehicles or pedestrians enter the first sensing range, it can remind the driver of the vehicle and other drivers or pedestrians to pay attention, thereby achieving the effect of warning the driver of the vehicle and other drivers or pedestrians, and improving driving safety. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the steering assist system of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle according to the preferred embodiment described above. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the first sensing range and the inner wheel difference range of the above preferred embodiment. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the first image of the preferred embodiment described above. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the steering assist system of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the second sensing range of the preferred embodiment described above. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the second image of the preferred embodiment described above. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the steering assist system of the third preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle according to the preferred embodiment described above. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the display device of the above preferred embodiment, showing the display device displaying a third image. Implementation

[0008] To more clearly illustrate the present invention, preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Please refer to Figures 1 to 4, which show a steering assist system 100 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The steering assist system 100 is applied to a vehicle 1. The steering assist system 100 includes a steering sensor 10, multiple environmental sensing devices 20, a data storage device 30, a processing module 40, a projection module 50, and a warning module 60.

[0009] The steering sensor 10 outputs a corresponding steering signal when the vehicle 1 turns; when the vehicle 1 switches back to straight driving mode from turning, the steering sensor 10 outputs a straight driving signal. In this embodiment, the steering sensor 10 may be, for example, a steering wheel angle sensor, but is not limited thereto.

[0010] The environmental sensing devices 20 are disposed outside the vehicle 1. The environmental sensing devices 20 sense first sensing information within a first sensing range R1 on one of the turning sides of the vehicle 1. In this embodiment, the environmental sensing devices 20 may be, for example, radar, but are not limited thereto.

[0011] The data storage device 30 stores obstacle information, which may correspond to vehicles 1', human bodies, animals, etc. in practice. In this embodiment, the data storage device 30 may be, for example, a hard disk, a memory card, or a cloud storage space connected to the network, but is not limited thereto.

[0012] The processing module 40 is signal-connected to the steering sensor 10, the environmental sensing devices 20, and the data storage device 30. When the processing module 40 receives the steering signal, it controls the environmental sensing devices 20 located on the turning side to turn on in response to the steering signal. When the processing module 40 receives the first sensing information and determines that the first sensing information matches the obstacle information, it outputs a first image signal and a first warning signal based on the obstacle information. In this embodiment, the processing module 40 may be, for example, a microcontroller or a microprocessor, but is not limited thereto.

[0013] The projection module 50 includes a projection control unit 52 and a plurality of projection lenses 54. The projection control unit 52 is signal-connected to the processing module 40. The projection lenses 54 are disposed outside the vehicle 1 and are signal-connected to the projection control unit 52. The projection control unit 52 controls the projection lenses 54 to project a first image I1 onto the ground on the turning side based on the first image signal. The first image I1 corresponds to an inner wheel difference range 1a of the vehicle 1, and the inner wheel difference range 1a partially overlaps with the first sensing range R1. The first image I1 can be adjusted to be presented in the form of color blocks or text as needed. In this way, when the vehicle 1 turns while driving, and other vehicles 1' or pedestrians enter the first sensing range R1, other drivers or pedestrians can clearly identify the first image I1 to remind other drivers or pedestrians to stay away from the inner wheel difference range 1a and avoid traffic accidents.

[0014] The warning module 60 includes an internal warning unit 62 and an external warning unit 64. The internal warning unit 62 is located inside the vehicle 1, and the external warning unit 64 is located outside the vehicle 1. The internal warning unit 62 and the external warning unit 64 are signal-connected to the processing module 40. The internal warning unit 62 issues a first internal warning inside the vehicle 1 based on the first warning signal, and the external warning unit 64 issues a first external warning outside the vehicle 1 based on the first warning signal. In this embodiment, the first internal warning and the first external warning can be presented, for example, through sound or light, but are not limited thereto. In this way, when the vehicle 1 turns while driving, and other vehicles 1' or pedestrians enter the first sensing range R1, the driver of the vehicle 1 can be reminded to pay attention to other vehicles 1' or pedestrians located on the turning side, and other drivers or pedestrians can be reminded to stay away from the inner wheel difference range 1a.

[0015] In practice, when the vehicle 1 turns while driving, the steering sensor 10 senses the vehicle 1's turn and outputs a corresponding steering signal. The processing module 40 receives the steering signal and controls the environmental sensing devices 20 located on the turning side to activate based on the steering signal. The environmental sensing devices 20 sense the first sensing information within the first sensing range R1 located on the turning side. When the processing module 40 receives the first sensing information and determines that the first sensing information matches the obstacle information, the processing module 40 outputs the first image signal and the first warning signal based on the obstacle information. The projection control unit 52 controls the environmental sensing devices 20 located on the turning side to activate based on the first image signal. The projection lenses 54 on the turning side project the first image I1 onto the ground on the turning side. The internal warning unit 62 issues the first internal warning inside the vehicle 1 based on the first warning signal, and the external warning unit 64 issues the first external warning outside the vehicle 1 based on the first warning signal, so as to remind the driver of the vehicle 1 to pay attention to other vehicles 1' or pedestrians located on the turning side, reduce the driving speed of the vehicle 1 or even brake, and remind other drivers or pedestrians located on the turning side to stay away from the inner wheel difference range 1a of the vehicle 1, thereby achieving the effect of warning the driver of the vehicle 1 and other drivers or pedestrians, thereby avoiding traffic accidents and improving driving safety.

[0016] Furthermore, the processing module 40 outputs the first image signal and the first warning signal until the first sensing information does not conform to the obstacle information within a predetermined time. Then, the processing module 40 controls the projection control unit 52 of the projection module 50, causing the projection control unit 52 to control the projection lenses 54 to stop projection. The processing module 40 also outputs a third warning signal to the internal warning unit 62 of the warning module 60. The internal warning unit 62 issues a third internal warning inside the vehicle 1 based on the third warning signal. In this embodiment, the third internal warning can be presented through sound or light, but is not limited to this. The predetermined time can be adjusted as needed. Thus, after the first internal warning reminds the driver of the vehicle 1, and other vehicles 1' or pedestrians have left the turning side for the predetermined time, the third internal warning can remind the driver of the vehicle 1 that other vehicles 1' or pedestrians have left, and the vehicle 1 can resume normal driving.

[0017] When the vehicle 1 switches from turning to straight driving, the steering sensor 10 senses that the vehicle 1 is going straight and outputs the straight driving signal to the processing module 40. The processing module 40 controls the environmental sensing devices 20 and the projection module 50 to standby according to the straight driving signal, so as to save the power consumption of the environmental sensing devices 20 and the projection module 50.

[0018] Figures 5 to 7 show a steering assist system 200 according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, which has a similar architecture to the first embodiment. The difference is that in this embodiment, the steering assist system 200 further includes a turn signal control unit 70, which is signal-connected to the processing module 40. When the turn signal control unit 70 is operated, it outputs a turn signal to the processing module 40. The processing module 40 controls the environmental sensing devices 20 corresponding to the turn signal to activate. The environmental sensing devices 20 sense second sensing information of the vehicle 1 within a second sensing range R2 on one side of the turn signal. When the processing module 40 receives the second sensing information and determines that it matches the obstacle information, it outputs a second warning signal to the internal warning unit 62 and the external warning unit 64 based on the obstacle information. 2. Based on the second warning signal, a second internal warning is issued inside the vehicle 1, and the external warning unit 64 issues a second external warning outside the vehicle 1 based on the second warning signal. The processing module 40 outputs a second image signal to the projection control unit 52 based on the obstacle information. The projection control unit 52 controls the projection lenses 54 located on the turning side based on the second image signal, so that the projection lenses 54 project a second image I2 on the ground in the second sensing range R2. The second image I2 can be adjusted to be presented in the form of color blocks or text as needed. In this way, when the driver of the vehicle 1 operates the turn signal control unit 70 to display the turn signal, the driver of the vehicle 1 and other drivers or pedestrians can be warned before the vehicle 1 turns, reminding the driver of the vehicle 1 to pay attention to other vehicles 1' or pedestrians that may enter the inner wheel difference range 1a, and reminding other drivers or pedestrians that the vehicle 1 is about to turn, so as to avoid traffic accidents.

[0019] Figures 8 to 10 show a steering assist system 300 according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, which has a generally similar architecture to the first embodiment. The difference is that in this embodiment, the steering assist system 300 further includes a plurality of image capturing devices 80 and a display device 90. The image capturing devices 80 may be disposed, for example, on the side or rearview mirror outside the vehicle 1, but are not limited thereto. The display device 90 is disposed inside the vehicle 1. The image capturing devices 80 and the display device 90 are signal-connected to the processing module 40. When the processing module 40 receives the first sensing information and determines the first sensing... When the information matches the obstacle information, the processing module 40 controls the image capturing devices 80 located on the turning side to capture a third image I3 corresponding to the first sensing range R1 and outputs a third image signal to the processing module 40 accordingly. The processing module 40 controls the display device 90 to display the third image I3 based on the third image signal. Thus, when the vehicle 1 turns while driving, the driver of the vehicle 1 can simultaneously view the third image I3 through the display device 90 to know the actual situation on the turning side of the vehicle 1 and drive carefully, thereby avoiding traffic accidents and improving driving safety.

[0020] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Any equivalent changes made by applying the present invention specification and the claims should be included within the patent scope of the present invention.

[0021] 100, 200, 300: Steering assist system 10: Steering Sensor 20: Environmental sensing device 30: Data storage device 40: Processing Module 50: Projection Module 52: Projection Control Unit 54: Projection Lens 60: Warning Module 62: Internal warning unit 64: External warning unit 70: Turn signal control unit 80: Image capturing device 90: Display device 1,1': Vehicle 1a: Inner wheel difference range R1: First sensing range R2: Second sensing range I1: First Image I2: Second Image I3: Third Image

Claims

1. A steering assist system applied to a vehicle, the steering assist system comprising: A steering sensor senses when the vehicle turns and outputs a corresponding steering signal; multiple environmental sensors sense first sensing information within a first sensing range on one of the turning sides of the vehicle; a data storage device stores obstacle information; a processing module is signal-connected to the steering sensor, the environmental sensors, and the data storage device. When the processing module receives the steering signal, it controls the environmental sensors to activate. When the processing module receives the first sensing information and determines that the first sensing information matches the obstacle information, it outputs a first image signal and a first warning signal based on the obstacle information; a projection module is signal-connected to the processing module and projects a first image onto the vehicle based on the first image signal. The ground on the turning side, wherein the first image corresponds to an inner wheel difference range of the vehicle, and the inner wheel difference range partially overlaps with the first sensing range; a warning module, signal-connected to the processing module, the warning module issues a first internal warning inside the vehicle and a first external warning outside the vehicle based on the first warning signal; a plurality of image capturing devices and a display device, the image capturing devices and the display device being signal-connected to the processing module, when the processing module determines that the first sensing information matches the obstacle information, the processing module controls the image capturing devices to capture a third image of the first sensing range and outputs a corresponding third image signal to the processing module, the processing module controls the display device to display the third image based on the third image signal.

2. The steering assist system as described in claim 1 includes a turn signal control unit, which is signal-connected to the processing module. When the turn signal control unit is operated, it outputs a turn signal to the processing module. The processing module controls the activation of some environmental sensing devices. The environmental sensing devices sense second sensing information within a second sensing range on one side of the vehicle. When the processing module receives the second sensing information and determines that the second sensing information matches the obstacle information, it outputs a second warning signal to the warning module based on the obstacle information. The warning module issues a second internal warning inside the vehicle and a second external warning outside the vehicle based on the second warning signal.

3. The steering assist system as described in claim 2, wherein when the processing module determines that the second sensing information matches the obstacle information, the processing module outputs a second image signal to the projection module based on the obstacle information, and the projection module projects a second image onto the ground within the second sensing range based on the second image signal.

4. The steering assist system as described in claim 1, wherein when the vehicle is traveling straight, the steering sensor outputs a straight-line signal to the processing module, and the processing module controls the environmental sensing devices and the projection module to standby.

5. A steering assist system applied to a vehicle, the steering assist system comprising: A steering sensor that outputs a corresponding steering signal when the vehicle turns; a plurality of environmental sensing devices that sense first sensing information within a first sensing range on one of the turning sides of the vehicle; a data storage device that stores obstacle information; a processing module that is signal-connected to the steering sensor, the environmental sensing devices, and the data storage device; when the processing module receives the steering signal, the processing module controls the environmental sensing devices to turn on; when the processing module receives the first sensing information and determines that the first sensing information matches the obstacle information, the processing module outputs a first image signal and a first warning signal based on the obstacle information; a projection module that... The processing module is connected to the projection module, which projects a first image onto the ground on the turning side based on the first image signal; a warning module is connected to the processing module, which issues a first internal warning inside the vehicle and a first external warning outside the vehicle based on the first warning signal. The processing module outputs the first image signal and the first warning signal according to the obstacle information. When the first sensing information does not conform to the obstacle information within a predetermined time, the processing module controls the projection module to stop projection and outputs a third warning signal accordingly. The warning module issues a third internal warning inside the vehicle based on the third warning signal.

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