Infrared Detector Beam Splitter Blind Zone Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blind spot detection systems for vehicles often fail to timely detect smaller objects, such as compact vehicles and motorcycles, and may not adequately cover the blind zone, leading to potential collisions.
Innovation Solution
A system employing multiple infrared detectors with compound reflectors and thermopiles to sense thermal radiation in multiple coverage zones, processing temperature changes to detect objects in the blind spot, and outputting signals for collision avoidance systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple thermal detection sensors with separate lens elements are employed, then the detection coverage is increased, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection functions into a single infrared detector by using a beam splitter. The beam splitter divides the incoming infrared radiation into multiple paths that can be detected by one detector, eliminating the need for multiple separate sensors and their associated lens elements. This reduces device complexity while maintaining multi-zone detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A single infrared detector is made multi-functional by using a beam splitter to direct radiation from multiple coverage zones to the same detector. The detector thus performs multiple detection functions simultaneously, covering different zones without requiring separate specialized sensors for each zone.
2Reliability
If thermal radiation detectors are used to detect objects in blind zones, then collision warning capability is improved, but smaller objects such as compact vehicles and motorcycles are not detected timely
Solution Approach 1:
The detection field is segmented into multiple coverage zones using a beam splitter, allowing different regions to be monitored independently. This segmentation enables the system to detect objects at various distances and positions more effectively, including smaller objects that may be in specific zones, reducing detection delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection by monitoring temperature changes in multiple zones simultaneously. By establishing baseline temperature profiles for each zone and detecting deviations from these profiles, the system can identify smaller objects earlier in their approach, providing more warning time before potential collision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively detects thermal emitting objects in the blind zone, including smaller vehicles, providing timely alerts and improving collision avoidance capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared detector adapted to be located on a host vehicle and configured to sense temperature of a coverage zone proximate to the host vehicle by receiving infrared radiation from the coverage zone
Implementation Method 2
passive infrared sensors, such as thermopile sensors, to detect changes in the thermal scene along the side of a host vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
An object detection system (60) is provided for detecting a thermal emitting object in a blind zone proximate to a host vehicle (10). The system (60) includes a thermal radiation detector (20) located on a host vehicle (10) and configured to sense temperature of multiple coverage zones (22A-22C) proximate to the host vehicle (10). A processor (32) processes temperature sensed by an infrared detector (25A). The processor (32) determines a change in thermal temperature sensed by the infrared detector (25A) and determines the presence of an object (70) in the coverage zone based on the change in the sensed temperature. An output (40) provides a signal indicative of an object (70) sensed in the coverage zone (22A) based on the determined change in temperature. The thermal radiation detector (20) may include a first infrared detector configured to measure temperature of a first coverage zone (22A) by receiving infrared radiation from the first coverage zone (22A), and a second infrared detector (25B) configured to measure temperature of second and third coverage zones (22B and 22C) by receiving infrared radiation from the second and third coverage zones (20B and 22C).