Patent Document

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/942,238, filed Feb. 20, 2014. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to motor vehicles and to devices used with such motor vehicles. It also relates generally to warning devices that are used to improve the safe trafficking of motor vehicles and the persons who drive them. It also relates, in certain embodiments, to wireless technology to control the selective access of vehicle position information. More specifically, it relates to a blind spot warning apparatus that allows a first vehicle to sense when a second vehicle is in the driver of the first vehicle&#39;s “blind spot” and that provides a visual warning to the driver of the second vehicle such that the second vehicle can move out of the first vehicle&#39;s blind spot. It also relates specifically to a system that uses such apparatus and to a method of using such apparatus whereby letters, words, symbols or other warning indicia are used in conjunction with the system and method to convey the visual warning to the driver of the second vehicle. Further, the apparatus, system and methodology of the present invention can be provided by original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”) and aftermarket retailers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is well known in the art of motor vehicles in general, and in the art of semi-trucks (or “tractors”) and trailers pulled by such semi-trucks, that visualization of other vehicles is often difficult, if not impossible, due to the size and configuration of such vehicles. In an attempt to visualize other vehicles, over-sized and parabolic mirrors and other devices have been utilized, particularly in the area of tractor-trailer combinations. All of those types of devices aid the driver of a first vehicle in visualizing a second vehicle prior to a lane change or other maneuver, but no one of them is completely fool-proof. Accordingly, blind spots continue to be a problem for drivers, particularly drivers of large tractor-trailer combinations and other large vehicles including, but not limited to, straight trucks, buses, motor homes and recreational vehicles. 
     In the experience of this inventor, such devices do absolutely nothing to alert the driver of the second vehicle of the fact that the second vehicle is actually in a blind spot of the first vehicle. Accordingly, there is a clear need for an apparatus, system and method that accomplishes the task of warning the driver of the second vehicle that the second vehicle is in the first driver&#39;s blind spot and that the second vehicle should move. 
     In the view of this inventor, there is also a need to provide such an apparatus, system and method that accomplishes the task of warning the driver of the second vehicle that the second vehicle is in the first driver&#39;s blind spot without being actuated each time the second vehicle enters or simply passes through that blind spot. To configure such an apparatus, system and method, it would be desirable to use a pre-programmed or programmable time-delay functionality such that the driver of the second vehicle is warned of its position within the blind spot of the first vehicle after a certain pre-programmed period or amount of time passes. This would avoid situations where the apparatus, system and method is triggered or over-actuated by a second vehicle that simply passes by the first vehicle, thereby passing relatively quickly through the blind spot. 
     It would also be desirable for the blind spot warning apparatus, system and method to be user-friendly and effective in all light conditions in which vehicles are driven. For example, the amount of illumination required from a light that is actuated for a day-time visual alert must be greater than that required for a night-time visual alert. 
     Lastly, it would also be desirable for the blind spot warning apparatus to utilize letters, words, symbols or other warning indicia to convey the visual warning to the driver of the second vehicle. Such warning indicia could be of the type that is unique to the apparatus or of the type that is universally understood to have a specific meaning. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The blind spot warning apparatus, system and method of the present invention has obtained these objects. It provides for at least one electrically-actuated blind spot detection sensor that is electronically or wirelessly connected to a programmable logic controller (“PLC”). The PLC is then electronically or wirelessly connected to at least one electrically-actuated light-emitting fixture that can be affixed to the exterior surface of a first vehicle. The light fixture is positioned in such a way that the fixture, when actuated, is easily visualized by the driver of a second vehicle. Visualization can be accomplished by using letters, words, symbols or other warning indicia within the fixture to convey a visual warning to the driver of a second vehicle. 
     Further, actuation of the light fixture should be controlled by the PLC in such a way that responds to both the position of the second vehicle relative to the first vehicle and to the amount of time that the second vehicle remains in a particular blind spot position as detected by the detection sensor and processed via the PLC. It is also to be understood that the PLC could control one light fixture and its component parts or multiple fixtures and their component parts. An electrical power supply is also provided which could be battery powered or connected to the electrical system of the first vehicle. 
     The blind spot warning apparatus, system and method of the present invention is user-friendly and effective in all light conditions and the amount of illumination required from a light that is actuated for a day-time visual alert must be greater than that required for a night-time visual alert. Further, the blind spot warning apparatus, system and methodology of the present invention can be provided by both original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”) and aftermarket retailers. 
     The foregoing and other features of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an assembly that is configured in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a tractor-trailer combination with which the present invention would be used. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are perspective views of the light fixture that would be attached to a portion of a tractor and/or trailer and their respective letters, words or warning indicia in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of a tractor-trailer combination and showing placement of the light fixtures in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numbers represent like elements throughout,  FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic view of an assembly, generally identified  10 , as it would be configured in accordance with the present invention. The assembly  10  is comprised of at least one blind spot or “proximity” sensor  12 , at least one PLC  14  and at least one light fixture  16 , the light fixture  16  having a visual indicator or a light emission component  18  coupled to it. The sensor  12 , PLC  14  and fixture  16  are each provided with an electrical supply source (not shown), such as a battery. Alternatively, the power to the assembly  10  could be provided via an electrical connection to the vehicle. The blind spot sensor  12  is positioned so as to detect the presence of a moving object (not shown) that enters a blind spot  11 . The sensor  12  is electrically connected  13  to, or wirelessly in communication with, the PLC  14 . 
     When an object enters the blind spot  11 , the PLC  14  is activated and begins a timing function. This timing function is programmable to set the PLC  14  in accordance with a desired period of time, such as 10 to 15 seconds. The PLC  14  can also be configured to eliminate increased power consumption due to the PLC  14  being required to “listen” for incoming signals from the sensor  12 . Once activated, the PLC  14  counts the time that the object continues to be in the blind spot  11  via a timer  24 . Once the pre-programmed amount of time passes, the PLC  14  actuates the fixture  16  that is electrically connected  15  to, or wirelessly in communication with, the PLC  14 . The visual indicator portion  18  of the fixture  16  emits light  17  via a plurality of diodes or backlit screen with a message that is visualized by the driver of the object that is in the blind spot  11 . See  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
     Although the schematic illustrated in  FIG. 1  shows the assembly  10  as having its elements “hard-wired” to one another, it is to be understood that the elements of the assembly  10  could also use wireless technology to accomplish the same functionality and wireless communication between the elements shown is within the scope of the present invention. It is also within the scope of the present invention to use a combination of hard-wired and wireless components or elements in the assembly  10  and such is not a limitation of the present invention. Further, it is also possible with the assembly  10  of the present invention that each fixture  16  is electronically-driven by its own PLC  14 . That is, the present invention is not limited to a single PLC  14  as a processor for the complete assembly  10 . It is within the scope of the present invention that the use of more than one PLC  14  is contemplated and such is not a limitation of the present invention. 
     The present invention also implements means to adjust the intensity of the light emitted  17  from the visual indicator portion  18  depending on a secondary sensor  19  that senses ambient light conditions. This ambient light sensor  19  is electrically connected  21  to, or wirelessly in communication with, the PLC  14 . In situations where the assembly  10  is used in full daylight, the intensity of the light emitted  17  is greater. At dusk, the emitted light intensity can be lessened. In full darkness, the intensity can be minimal. The key point here is that the light intensity is adjustable based on the ambient light that is sensed. 
     In application, the proximity sensor  12  can be mounted, for example, at a number of locations  31  on the tractor  32  and/or a number of locations  33  on the trailer  34  of a representative tractor-trailer combination  30 . See  FIGS. 2 and 4 . The proximity sensor  12  is adjustable for size and distance, which corresponds roughly to multiple blind spots  42 ,  44 ,  46  that are created at various points relative to the combination  30 . The PLC  14  can be positioned virtually anywhere within the combination  30 , but would most likely be placed within the cab of the tractor  32 . Although specific blind spots  42 ,  44 ,  46  are shown, it is to be understood that such blind spots are vehicle-specific and are illustrated here as representative only. Further, the location of the proximity sensor  12  and the ambient light sensor  19  at points along the tractor  32  and trailer  34  can vary and such variance is within the scope of the present invention, as is the number of proximity sensors  12  used. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , shows a representative light fixture, generally identified  50 , which is the counterpart of the element  12  shown in the schematic diagram of  FIG. 1 , that is attachable to the tractor  32  or trailer  34  of the combination  30 . To reduce drag on the combination  30 , this inventor intends that the fixture  50  be a three-sided structure that is configured in a somewhat triangular shape when viewed from the top of the fixture  50 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The fixture  50 , or several of them, would be placed at a point or a number of points  31 ,  33  along the tractor  32  or the trailer  34 , respectively, or possibly both. See  FIG. 4 . Proper placement of the light fixture  50  and its light emissive element is important. As illustrated, the light fixture  50  is shown as a triangularly-shaped structure  52  having a rearwardly-directed face  54 . This face  54  is the one facing other vehicles that may be in the blind spot of the tractor-trailer combination  30 . 
     The lighted or backlit lighting and lettering, words, symbols or other warning indicia  56  are positioned along the face  54  such that the driver of a vehicle  60  within the blind spots  42 ,  44 ,  46  can easily visualize them. Again, see  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Though not limiting, this inventor believes that the lettering in a preferred embodiment would be, for example, “YOU ARE IN MY BLIND SPOT.” It is also within the scope of the present invention that more than one message could be displayed using the warning indicia  56 . For example, it is possible that the “YOU ARE IN MY BLIND SPOT” phrase could be followed by the message “YOU NEED TO MOVE,” which would then indicate to the driver of the vehicle  60  in that blind spot  42  needs to move out of that blind spot. These two phrases could be sequentially repeated until the proximity sensor  12  has detected that the vehicle  60  is now out of that blind spot  42 . After a second preprogrammed amount of time following departure of the vehicle  60  from the blind spot  42 , the PLC  14  will cause the light emission  17  to stop. 
     As alluded to earlier, it is also desirable that the warning indicia  56  not be lit each time a vehicle  60 ,  62  enters a blind spot. Referring back to  FIG. 2 , for example, it will be appreciated that a vehicle  60  passing the combination  30  on the tractor driver&#39;s side would enter the blind spot  42 . This would actuate the PLC  14  to start a counting functionality via the timer  24 . However, and because the vehicle  60  is moving quickly through the blind spot  42 , the proximity sensor  12  will signal the non-existence of the vehicle  60  within that blind spot  42  and the fixture  50  will not be actuated. If the vehicle  60  lingers within that blind spot  42  for the preprogrammed period of time, however, the timer  24  will signal the PLC  14  to send a signal to the fixture  16 , thereby actuating the light emission portion  18  of the assembly  10  and warn the driver of the vehicle  60  within the blind spot  42  that he or she should move out of that blind spot  42 . Further, no light  17  is emitted when a vehicle  62  is wholly outside the blind spot  42  or passes through it within the pre-set amount of time as described above. The same functionality is true of blind spots  44  and  46 . 
     Further, and as was also alluded to previously, the assembly  10  utilizes an ambient light sensor  19  which can send a constant feed to the PLC  14  such that actuation of the light emission portion  18  can be controlled in a way that adjusts the intensity or brightness of the light  17  being emitted by the fixture  50 . During bright sunny days, the intensity would need to be greater than it would be in the dark. The PLC  14  can control the amount light  17  being emitted depending on the ambient light being detected by the sensor  19  as may be desired or required in order to optimize the ability of the other driver to visualize the warning. 
     It is also desirable for the foregoing functionality to be inoperative when the engine (not shown) of the tractor-trailer combination  30  not running in traffic, such as when the combination  30  is parked and even though the engine may be idling, which can be for extended periods of time. It is, however, desirable for the foregoing functionality to be fully operative when the engine is running and in traffic, such as when the tractor-trailer combination  30  is not moving in traffic or when the combination  30  is stopped at an intersection. The key notion here is that the functionality be discontinued whenever the combination is not moving, or not soon to be moving, in traffic. 
     Lastly, it is also desirable to adapt the foregoing functionality to an auditory mode or other visual mode, both of which are incorporated here by reference though not completely disclosed in a detailed embodiment. 
     As referred to in the claims below, the tractor-trailer combination  30  can be referred to simply as “a first vehicle and/or a trailer.” Such “first vehicle” may be any large motor vehicle such as a straight truck, a bus, a motor home, among others that may have been mentioned in this detailed description or elsewhere in this disclosure. 
     The vehicles  60 ,  62  which may drive through or remain within a blind spot can be referred to in the claims below simply as “a second vehicle.” Such “second vehicle” may be any large or small motor vehicle, but would typically comprise an automobile or small truck, among others that may have been mentioned in this detailed description or elsewhere in this disclosure.

Technology Category: b