Abstract:
A device avoids traffic accidents where at least one four-wheeled road user and another type of road user are involved, where the road user comes into contact with a side of the vehicle. The vehicle includes presence detection devices for detecting the presence of another road user in the vicinity of the side of the vehicle to be established by the driver of the vehicle. These presence detection devices include at least one proximity sensor fixed in or to the relevant side of the vehicle, for detecting the presence of the road user within a strip of selectable width from the side of the vehicle, which sensor is linked to an alarm sounding device to alert the driver if the sensor is activated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a 371 of international application number PCT/NL2004/000755, filed on Oct. 27, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The invention relates to a device for avoiding traffic accidents where at least one motor vehicle and another type of road user are involved and where said road user comes into contact with at least part of a side of the motor vehicle, which motor vehicle is provided with means by means of which the presence of another road user in the vicinity of the side of the motor vehicle can be established by the driver of the motor vehicle.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Many traffic accidents where, on the one hand, a motor vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, and, on the other hand, another road user, in particular a cyclist or pedestrian, are involved occur frequently. The driver of a motor vehicle has a view of the traffic in front of the motor vehicle and the traffic alongside the driver&#39;s cab via the windows of the cab. So as also to gain an impression of the traffic behind the motor vehicle, one or more mirrors are fitted. These are the rear view mirror that provides the driver with a view to the rear through the motor vehicle via the rear window and/or the side mirrors that provide the driver with a view to the rear along the motor vehicle. In many cases, however, a cyclist or pedestrian who is a short distance away from a motor vehicle is not detected by the motor vehicle driver because the mirrors make only a portion of the immediate surroundings of the motor vehicle visible to the driver. Especially in situations where the motor vehicle starts to make a right turn, dangerous situations can arise with this arrangement if there is a cyclist or pedestrian alongside the side of the motor vehicle. The cyclist or pedestrian can end up under the wheels of the motor vehicle.  
         [0006]     In order to reduce the risk of such accidents safety guards are being fitted on an increasing number of motor vehicles by means of which the space between the wheels is closed off in such a way that a pedestrian or cyclist is pushed away by such a guard and it is thus more difficult for such a pedestrian or cyclist to end up under the wheels. Such guards are described, for example, in GB 2 142 595 and DE 196 44 220.  
         [0007]     Although a reduction in the number of accidents has already been achieved by this means, the risk of an accident is still not precluded. A pedestrian or other road user who is pushed away by a safety guard on a motor vehicle that is turning has only a short time in which to react. The risk of the road user falling and consequently still ending up under the wheels of the motor vehicle or coming into hard contact with the motor vehicle in some other way is not hypothetical. The risk of bodily injury or material damage still exists.  
         [0008]     The use of the so-called “blind spot” mirror is also known. This mirror is fitted (usually in addition to the mirrors already present) in such a way that, via this mirror, the driver has a better view of the area immediately alongside the cab and alongside the side of the motor vehicle, where cyclists or pedestrians can be present. Such a mirror is, for example, disclosed in JP2002178832.  
         [0009]     A reduction in the number of accidents has also been achieved by this means. When driving round a bend such a mirror has the drawback that the driver, who has to pay attention to taking the bend, also still has to look regularly in the blind spot mirror. The driver thus has to divide his or her attention, which is undesirable. Especially in the case of commercial vehicles consisting of a combination of tractor and trailer, such a mirror functions only moderately well. In this case the blind spot mirror does make the side of the tractor visible to the driver, but not the side of the trailer. After all, when driving round a bend the tractor takes up an angled position relative to the trailer, as a result of which the mirror is not able to perform its function properly.  
         [0010]     Consideration has also been given to the use of one or more cameras that record images of those regions alongside the motor vehicle that are not directly visible to the driver. These images are then displayed on a monitor that has been fitted in the cab of the motor vehicle or the tractor. Such solutions are described, for example, in JP200180375 and JP10236228.  
         [0011]     A first disadvantage of cameras is that, as in the case of the blind spot mirror, it is not possible to make the entire region in the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle visible to the driver under all circumstances. A further disadvantage is that the driver not only has to look around and has to pay attention to the traffic that is immediately visible and has to look in the mirrors for any road users who are not immediately visible, but also has to pay attention to the monitor. As a result of the enforced dividing of attention, there is once again a risk of accidents, so that the advantages of the camera are at least partially eliminated.  
         [0012]     Combinations of one or more of the measures described above have also not yet led to the dramatic reduction in the number of accidents that is sought. Combinations of mirrors and cameras can be found, for example, in DE 100 61 781.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     The aim of the invention is to reduce the risk of accidents in traffic situations where a driver of a motor vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle and even more particularly a combination of tractor and trailer, has to maneuver his or her motor vehicle in the immediate vicinity of other road users, in particular pedestrians and users of two-wheeled vehicles, such as, more particularly, bicycles and mopeds.  
         [0014]     According to the invention this aim is achieved by a device as described in the first paragraph, which device is characterised in that said means are provided with at least one proximity sensor fixed in or on the relevant side of the motor vehicle by means of which the presence of an object within a strip of selectable width from the side of the motor vehicle can be detected, which sensor is linked to an alarm sounding device by means of which the driver can be alerted if the sensor is activated. The use of sensors has the advantage that the driver can give his or her undivided attention to the traffic that is immediately visible through the cab windows. As soon as an object for example in the form of another road user comes within the strip in which the sensors are active, an alarm sounding device is activated, as a result of which the driver can take suitable measures.  
         [0015]     In a first preferred embodiment the proximity sensor is constructed as a pressure sensor, by means of which the presence of an object that is pressing against the side of the motor vehicle (and thus is zero distance away from the side) can be detected. As soon as a light pressure is exerted on the sensor by another road user, an alarm signal is generated in the cab. As a result, the driver&#39;s attention is drawn to the presence of the other road user and he or she can then take appropriate measures, for example to brake and stop the motor vehicle.  
         [0016]     It is preferable that a pressure sensor is fitted on both sides of the motor vehicle. Although in general there is less risk of accidents when turning left, it is nevertheless useful to install a sensor here as well.  
         [0017]     It will be clear that the above considerations apply to countries where traffic drives on the right. For countries where traffic drives on the left, such as England, Australia, South Africa, the terms right and left must of course be interchanged. However, it will be clear that installing sensors on both sides of the motor vehicle is certainly a major advantage for motor vehicles traveling both in countries where traffic drives on the right and in countries where traffic drives on the left.  
         [0018]     Pressure sensors exist in various embodiments. A very simple embodiment consists of a simple switch. In order to achieve adequate protection it is preferable that the pressure sensor is pressure-sensitive over an elongated surface. More particularly, it is preferable that the sensor is pressure-sensitive over virtually the entire length of the side concerned. Sensors that are pressure-sensitive over a large surface area are known per se.  
         [0019]     Not all road users are the same size. The height at which the sensor is fitted on/in the side of the motor vehicle must preferably be so chosen that a signal is emitted both in the case of large and in the case of small road users if these come into contact with the side of the motor vehicle. It is then also important that the sensor is a predetermined height above the road.  
         [0020]     More certainty can be obtained if a number of sensors are installed, each at a different height above the road.  
         [0021]     The invention can advantageously be used in combination with other measures already known per se. In a preferred embodiment the invention is used with a motor vehicle that is provided with a safety guard on one side in/by the space between the wheels, wherein at least one of the sensors or a part thereof is mounted on the guard.  
         [0022]     The invention comprises not only the use of one or more pressure sensors. The proximity sensor can also be made as an infrared sensor, radar sensor and the like. Furthermore, combinations of sensors can be used.  
         [0023]     In order to facilitate the fitting of a device according to the invention it is preferable that the link between the pressure sensor and the alarm sounding device is a wireless communication link. By this means it is thus not necessary to lay run wired links, which is a major advantage especially in the case of tractor/trailer combinations. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]     The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the appended figures.  
         [0025]      FIG. 1  shows, diagrammatically, a plan view of the potentially dangerous situation that can arise if a motor vehicle wants to make a turn while there is another road user in the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  shows, diagrammatically, a side view of a first very simple embodiment of a device according to the invention used with a small type of commercial vehicle.  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  shows, diagrammatically, a side view of a second, improved embodiment of a device according to the invention used with a small type of commercial vehicle.  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  shows, diagrammatically, a side view of a third embodiment of a device according to the invention used with a combination.  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  shows, diagrammatically, a side view of a fourth embodiment of a device according to the invention used with a tractor/trailer combination that is also provided with a safety guard.  
         [0030]      FIG. 6  shows, diagrammatically, a fifth embodiment of a device according to the invention used with a tractor/trailer combination that is provided with an adapted safety guard.  
         [0031]      FIG. 7  shows a block diagram of the circuits for processing the sensor signals. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0032]     The present invention is related to international application number PCT/NL2004/000755, filed on Oct. 27, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.  
         [0033]      FIG. 1  shows, diagrammatically, a plan view of the potentially dangerous situation that can arise if a motor vehicle wants to turn right while there is another road user in the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle is indicated in general by  10 . There is a cyclist  14  between the motor vehicle  10  and the pavement  12 . Both the motor vehicle  10  and the cyclist  14  are on the road  16 . When the motor vehicle turns right the front wheels of the motor vehicle will follow the path indicated by the broken line  18 . The rear wheels of the motor vehicle, on the other hand, will follow the path  20  which differs therefrom. As can be seen in the figure, the risk that the motor vehicle collides with the cyclist when turning is not hypothetical.  
         [0034]     In order to avoid such collisions the invention now provides a device, a first very simple embodiment of which is shown diagrammatically in  FIG. 2 . In this figure a small type of commercial vehicle is indicated in general by  22 . The motor vehicle is provided with front wheels  24  and rear wheels  26 , there being an open space  28  between the front wheels and rear wheels, in particular behind the cab  30  and below the loading platform  32  of the motor vehicle  22 . It has been found that in the case of accidents the pedestrian or cyclist involved frequently ends up in this space and is run over by the rear wheels of the motor vehicle. According to the invention a pressure-sensitive sensor  33  is now mounted in the vicinity of this space, in or on the side of the motor vehicle  22 . This sensor  33  is linked to an alarm sounding device  36  via a link  34  indicated by a broken line. The alarm sounding device is positioned in the cab  30  of the motor vehicle  22  and if the sensor  33  is activated can, for example, emit an acoustic signal or other type of signal to warn the driver.  
         [0035]     If the sensor is activated because another road user comes into contact with the side of the motor vehicle, the driver is then made aware by means of the signal from the alarm sounding device  36  of the situation that has arisen, so that he or she can react by, for example, stepping on the brake to bring the motor vehicle to a stop. It will be clear that, if necessary, there will be a circuit between the sensor  33  and the alarm sounding device  36  by means of which the detection signal from the sensor  33  is converted into a control signal for the alarm sounding device  36 . This circuit, which, for example, can be combined with the alarm sounding device, is not shown separately in the figure.  
         [0036]     Only a small part of the side of the motor vehicle can be monitored by a single sensor. Although this can already produce good results with a small type of motor vehicle, it is preferable to monitor the side of the motor vehicle over a greater length. Therefore, in  FIG. 3 a  second embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown diagrammatically, in which the same motor vehicle as in  FIG. 2  is now provided with an elongated sensor  38 . Sensors that are pressure-sensitive over a large surface area, for example an elongated surface, are known per se and are commercially available and therefore require no more detailed explanation. In  FIG. 3  the sensor  38  has a length such that the entire top boundary of the gap  28  is monitored.  
         [0037]      FIG. 4  shows the application of the invention with a tractor/trailer combination that is indicated in general by  40 . The tractor  50  runs on the wheels  42  and  43 , whilst the front of the trailer  52  bears on the tractor  50  and the rear of the trailer  52  runs on a set of wheels  46 / 48 . The space  54  to be protected is located between the wheels  44  and  46 . Above this space  54  an elongated sensor  56  is mounted against the side of the trailer  52 . This sensor  56  is linked to the alarm sounding device  60  via the link  58 . As indicated, the sensor preferably has a length such that it also extends above the wheels  46  and  48  of the trailer  52 . The immediate surroundings of these wheels also constitute a potentially dangerous place for a pedestrian or cyclist.  
         [0038]     The device according to the invention can advantageously be used in combination with other protection methods, such as, for example, in combination with a safety guard. One example of this is shown in  FIG. 5 . The same combination  40  of tractor  50  and trailer  52  as shown in  FIG. 4  is now provided with a safety guard  62 . The elongated pressure-sensitive sensor  64  according to the invention is mounted on one of the horizontal parts of the guard  62 . The advantage of this embodiment is that the sensor is now at a height above the road surface that better corresponds to the height of smaller road users such as children.  
         [0039]     An improvement in this embodiment can be achieved by installing several sensors, each at a different height above the road surface. In the example in  FIG. 5 , where a safety guard with three horizontal elements has been fitted, a sensor could be installed on each of these elements. All these sensors are then connected in parallel (via a suitable circuit) to the alarm sounding device  60 . The alarm sounding device is actuated on activation of at least one sensor. The detection sensitivity of the device in the height direction increases by this means.  
         [0040]     Compared with the embodiment in  FIG. 4 , the embodiment in  FIG. 5  has the disadvantage that it is not the entire length of the trailer that is monitored but only that part that corresponds to the length of the guard  62 . This disadvantage could be eliminated by installing a further sensor on the side of the trailer in the manner as shown in  FIG. 4 . However, this disadvantage can also be eliminated by extending at least one of the horizontal parts of the guard  62  in such a way that this part extends over (virtually) the entire length of the trailer  52 . An example of such an embodiment is shown diagrammatically in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0041]     In  FIG. 6  the same combination  40  of tractor  50  and trailer  52  is shown, but now provided with a modified safety guard  66 , one of the horizontal parts of which (in particular the bottom horizontal part) extends past the wheels  46  and  48  as far as a point near the rear of the trailer  52 . In accordance with the invention an elongated sensor  68  is attached to this extended horizontal part. The sensor  68  has approximately the same length as the extended horizontal part. As a result the detection field of the sensor  66  extends over virtually the entire length of the trailer  52 . Optionally all horizontal parts of the guard  66  can be extended in a similar way beyond the wheels  46  and as far as a point near the rear of the trailer  52 , it being possible for an elongated pressure-sensitive sensor to be installed on each of these extended parts. As a result the detection field of the device is increased not only in the longitudinal direction but also in the height direction.  
         [0042]     It will be clear that in  FIGS. 5 and 6  further sensors can optionally also be mounted on the side of the trailer itself, in addition to the sensor(s) on the safety guard. Furthermore, for all embodiments one or more sensors can also be installed on the cab of the motor vehicle. As an example of this in  FIG. 6 a  further pressure-sensitive elongated sensor  70  is installed on the side of the tractor  50 . If the bodywork of the motor vehicle is suitable for this the sensor can then be mounted directly thereon. In the example shown, however, it will be necessary to fit a suitable support element beneath the cab  50  and past the wheels  42  and  44 , which support element can then serve as support for the sensor  70 . The sensor  70  is connected to the alarm sounding device  60  via a further link  72 . As can be seen in the figure, virtually the entire side of the tractor/trailer combination  40  is protected with the aid of the two sensors  66  and  70 .  
         [0043]     Instead of a pressure-sensitive sensor it is also possible to use a sensor by means of which radiation in some form or other is detected. As an example a passive infrared sensor can be mounted in or on the side of a motor vehicle. This sensor emits a signal to a signal-processing circuit that is set such that an actuating signal is transmitted to the alarm sounding device only if an object irradiating infrared, such as a pedestrian or cyclist or another road user, is a very short distance away from the sensor. In order to prevent false alarms as far as possible, the said distance is, for example, set to a maximum of 10 or 15 cm. Passive infrared sensors are known per se and are commercially available. In order to achieve a large detection region a number of sensors can be positioned next to one another in an elongated configuration or an elongated strip consisting of or provided with infrared-sensitive material can be used. Such a sensor can be used in the same way as has been shown for a pressure-sensitive sensor with the aid of  FIGS. 2-6 .  
         [0044]     Instead of the pressure-sensitive sensor it is furthermore possible to use an active sensor that operates with high frequency electromagnetic radiation, such as a radar transmitter/receiver combination. Such sensors are also known per se and are commercially available. This sensor emits a signal to a signal-processing circuit that is set such that an activation signal is transmitted to the alarm sounding device only if a reflecting object, such as a pedestrian or cyclist or another obstacle, is a very short distance away from the sensor. In order to prevent false alarms as far as possible, the said distance is, for example, set to at most 10 or 15 cm. In order to achieve a large detection region a number of sensors can be positioned alongside one another in an elongated configuration. Such a sensor can be used in the same way as has been shown for a pressure-sensitive sensor with the aid of  FIGS. 2-6 .  
         [0045]     Within the framework of the invention, further sensors, for example one or more acoustic sensors by means of which sounds from the surroundings are detected, can also be used in combination with a proximity sensor. As an example, in  FIG. 6 a  microphone  74  is mounted on or in the side of the trailer. Via a link  76 , this microphone  74  emits a signal to a processing circuit (not shown separately in the figure) that filters the background noise from this signal and allows only strong signal components through to a loudspeaker mounted in the cab. As a result, for example, shouts by other road users can be made audible to the driver whilst there is no reaction to normal traffic noise. Because this acoustic sensor essentially has to operate under conditions in which the motor vehicle is stationary or moving forwards slowly, it is preferable to add a speed-dependent signal to the processing circuit, by means of which the acoustic sensor is activated only at speeds below a specific speed. Such a speed-dependent signal is already available in the majority of motor vehicles.  
         [0046]     It is preferable to install a combination of sensors, such as one or more pressure-sensitive sensors in combination with at least one further sensor, by means of which the presence of another road user or, optionally an obstacle a very short distance away from the side of the motor vehicle can be detected. Examples thereof have been mentioned above. In one such configuration the proximity sensor can be used to emit a signal that serves as a warning to the driver that a possibly dangerous situation exists. If the alarm sounding device is actuated by the pressure sensor this means that an immediate response is required on the part of the driver, such as braking sharply and bringing the motor vehicle to a stop. In order to be able to distinguish between a warning by a signal from a proximity sensor and a genuine alarm by a signal from the pressure sensor, it is preferable that the alarm sounding device is able to emit two different, respective signals, or that two different alarm sounding devices are used.  
         [0047]     The diagram showing the principle of a circuit by means of which the signals from one or more of the sensors can be processed is shown in  FIG. 7 . The circuit itself is indicated by  80 . As an example two pressure-sensitive sensors  82  and an acoustic sensor  86  and a radar sensor  88  are connected to the inputs of this circuit  80 . The signals from these sensors are processed by the circuit  90  and, if there is a reason for this, either the loudspeaker  92  or one of the alarm sounding devices  90  or  94  is activated. Via the loudspeaker  92  the driver&#39;s attention is drawn to the fact that there are other road users in the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle. In this case the sensor signal concerned is supplied by the microphone  86 . The situation does not have to be dangerous, but additional attention is certainly desirable in that case. If the driver is warned by means of the alarm sounding device  90 , this also constitutes a warning of a possibly dangerous situation. Attention is desired in this case also. In this case the sensor signal concerned originates from the radar sensor  88 . If, however, the alarm sounding device  94  is activated by a signal from one of the pressure sensors  82  or (or both) and emits a clearly differentiated alarm, the driver has to take appropriate measures immediately, for example brake sharply and bring the motor vehicle to a stop.  
         [0048]     As has already been indicated above, it is preferable to take account of the speed at which the vehicle is moving. Therefore, in  FIG. 7 a  speed-dependent signal is added from a connection point  96  that is assumed to be present in the motor vehicle or can be implemented.  
         [0049]     It will be clear that the alarm sounding devices  90  and  94  can be combined in one piece of equipment if this piece of equipment has the facility to generate two different alarms.  
         [0050]     The links between the sensor(s) and the alarm sounding device(s) are indicated as broken lines in the various figures. These links can consist of wired links but also of wireless links. Because the installation according to the invention in many cases will be installed subsequently in a motor vehicle that is already in service, the use of wired links means that additional wires have to be run, which can be a more or less time-consuming job. In many cases it is then also preferable to make use of wireless communication between the sensor(s) and the processing circuit, which, in turn, controls the alarm sounding devices via fixed wired links. The wireless communication can be implemented in a simple manner by making use of transponder technology. In this case each of the sensors is linked to a transponder circuit and the processing circuit is provided with a send/receive circuit for transmitting polling signals and receiving the responses from the transponder circuits. The hardware required for the application of transponder technology is commercially available and therefore also requires no more detailed explanation. The transponder technology is advantageous especially in the case of tractors that travel with various trailers. The tractor can couple up a trailer without the need for wire connections. It is necessary only to adjust the transmitter/receiver in the tractor to the transponder(s) present in the trailer. There are various possibilities for this, which, however, will be known to a person skilled in the art and thus require no more detailed explanation.  
         [0051]     It has been indicated above that the driver has to take appropriate measures if an alarm signal is given. It will be clear that the installation can also be so constructed that action is taken automatically. If the braking installation of the motor vehicle is suitable for this, or has been adapted for this purpose, the control unit  80  can then, for example, be linked to the braking installation in such a way that in the situation concerned not only the alarm sounding device  90  is activated but a signal is also sent to the braking installation, as a result of which this comes into operation and the motor vehicle begins to brake. It is assumed that this will also be clear to a person skilled in the art without illustration and a detailed description.