WO2006014069A1

WO2006014069A1 - Rear sensor system of car

Info

Publication number: WO2006014069A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/002516
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dae-Woong Kwon
Original assignee: Optmix Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-08-03
Filing date: 2005-08-02
Publication date: 2006-02-09
Also published as: KR100714997B1; KR20040080398A; KR20060049011A

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a rear sensor system for a car. The rear sensor system (100) is constructed so that a microwave sensor (110), a control unit (120), a warning sound generating unit (130), and a reverse light (140) are installed in one housing (150) to be operated in conjunction with each other. Thus, by mounting the rear sensor housing (150) to a car in the manner of installing or replacing the conventional reverse light, all components constituting the rear sensor system can be easily mounted to the car. Further, additional wiring work for connecting the components to each other is not required.

Description

REAR SENSOR SYSTEM OF CAR

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to a rear sensor system for a car and, more particularly, to a rear sensor system for a car, having the function of a reverse light.

Background Art

[2] Generally, a rear sensor system includes a distance measuring sensor 10, a control unit 20, and a warning sound generating unit 30, as shown in Fig. 1. The distance measuring sensor 10 detects whether an object is present within a predetermined distance of the rear of a car, and measures the distance between the car and the object present within the predetermined distance of the rear of the car. A signal corresponding to the distance measured by the distance measuring sensor 10 is input to the control unit 20. In response to the measuring signal, the control unit 20 controls the operation of the warning sound generating unit 30. The operation of the warning sound generating unit 30 is controlled by the control unit 20, so the warning sound generating unit 30 outputs an audible signal to the outside.

[3] Meanwhile, a reverse light 40 is installed at a predetermined position on the car to assist a driver's vision when the car is driven in reverse gear. The reverse light 40 is installed in a rear combination lamp (RCL), together with turn signal lamps and brake lamps. Alternatively, the reverse light 40 may be independently installed on a trunk door or a rear fender of the car. Figs. 1 and 2 show an example wherein the reverse light 40 is mounted in the rear combination lamp (RCL). In Fig. 2, reference numeral a denotes an RCL housing having a reverse light mounting part a' and a brake lamp mounting part a. Further, reference numeral b denotes a lens comprising a reverse light lens b' sealing the reverse light mounting part a' and a brake lamp lens b" sealing the brake lamp mounting part a. Reference numeral 60 denotes a brake lamp.

[4] When the car is driven in reverse gear, the operation of the conventional rear sensor system having the components 10, 20, and 30, and the reverse light 40 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

[5] First, when a driver manipulates a transmission to engage a reverse gear, electric power is supplied to the distance measuring sensor 10, the control unit 20, and the reverse light 40, so that the rear sensor system having the components 10, 20, and 30 starts operating. At this time, the reverse light 40 is turned on, thus ensuring visibility to the rear of the car. In this case, the warning sound generating unit 30 is directly turned on or off by the control unit 20.

[6] As such, while visibility to the rear of the car is ensured by the reverse light 40, a driver drives the car in reverse. In this case, when the distance measuring sensor 10 installed in the rear of the car determines that no object is present within a pre¬ determined distance of the rear of the car, no warning sound is generated even if the car is driven in reverse.

[7] Conversely, when the distance measuring sensor 10 determines that an object is present within a predetermined distance of the rear of the car, the control unit 20 senses the existence of a hazard via a signal transmitted by the distance measuring sensor 10, and thereafter, outputs a control signal to the warning sound generating unit 30. The operation of the warning sound generating unit 30 is controlled through a control signal of the control unit 20, so that the warning sound generating unit 30 periodically outputs warning sounds to the outside. Afterwards, when the driver continues driving the car in reverse, the rear portion of the car gradually nears the hazard which is present behind the car. As the car approaches the hazard, the warning sound is rapidly output from the warning sound generating unit 30. Meanwhile, when the rear portion of the car is near enough to collide with the object which is located behind the car, the warning sound is continuously output.

[8] However, the conventional rear sensor system is manufactured independently from the reverse light 40. Further, as shown in Fig. 1, the components 10, 20, and 30 con¬ stituting the rear sensor system are separately manufactured and mounted to the car. For the interaction of the components 10, 20, and 30, additional wiring work is required. Thus, it is very complicated and complex to install the rear sensor system.

[9] Moreover, an ultrasonic sensor or an infrared sensor having low object penetrating capability is typically used as the distance measuring sensor 10. Thus, in order to allow the distance measuring sensor 10 to reliably output an ultrasonic signal or an infrared signal or to allow a reflected ultrasonic or infrared signal to be reliably input to the distance measuring sensor 10, the distance measuring sensor 10 must be installed so that it is exposed on a rear surface of the car. Such a construction worsens the appearance of the car, and it is very difficult to install the distance measuring sensor 10. This will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 1 and 3. Figs. 1 and 3 show the state where the distance measuring sensor 10 is mounted to a rear bumper RB of the car via a sensor support unit 60. As shown in the drawings, the sensor support unit 60 includes a front cover 61, a sensor housing 62, a spring 63, a spring holder 64, and a rear cover 65. The front cover 61 is secured to the rear bumper RB. The sensor housing 62 engages and is coupled with the front cover 61. The spring 63 surrounds the outer surface of the sensor housing 62. The spring holder 64 is secured to the sensor housing 62, and holds an end of the spring 63. The rear cover 65 prevents the undesirable removal of the distance measuring sensor 10, which is secured to and inserted into the sensor housing 62. Thus, in order to mount the distance measuring sensor 10, such as the ultrasonic sensor or infrared sensor having low object penetrating capability, to the rear bumper RB of the car, the sensor support unit 60 comprising a plurality of members 61, 62, 63, 64, and 65 is required. Thus, it is very complicated and difficult to install the distance measuring sensor. Further, the distance measuring sensor 10 must be directly or indirectly exposed to the outside through the sensor support unit 60, thus greatly worsening the appearance of the car. In Fig. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes an electric wire, and reference numeral 2 denotes an electric connection terminal.

[10] An electric bulb using a filament is typically applied to the reverse light 40.

However, the electric bulb using the filament is disadvantageous in that its power consumption is large. Further, the electric bulb heats up to a high temperature when being turned on, thus generating high heat. Thus, it is basically impossible to install the components 10, 20, and 30 of the rear sensor system and the reverse light 40 in a single housing, and thereby manufacture them in the form of one module.

[11] Recently, a lamp which has low power consumption and a long lifespan, and generates low heat when being turned on, such as a light emitting diode (LED) or an organic light emitting diode (OLED), has been proposed as the reverse light 40.

[12] Thus, when the LED or OLED having the characteristics of generating low heat is applied to the reverse light 40, the reverse light 40 may be installed in one housing together with the rear sensor system having the components 10, 20, and 30 to form one module. Such a construction prevents the circuit of the rear sensor system having the components 10, 20, and 30 from being damaged due to the high heat generation of the reverse light 40.

[13] However, the ultrasonic sensor or infrared sensor having low object penetrating capability, which is applied to the distance measuring sensor 10, is installed in the lens (see, b' of Fig. 2). Thus, the ultrasonic signal of the ultrasonic sensor or the infrared signal of the infrared sensor is blocked by the lens b', so that the detection of an object behind a car and the measurement of the distance between the object behind the car and the rear portion (or ultrasonic sensor or infrared sensor) of the car using the ultrasonic sensor or the infrared sensor cannot be realized.

[14] For these reasons, research leading to manufacturing the rear sensor system having the components 10, 20, and 30 and the reverse light 40 as one module has not been conducted. At present, there is no proposal for a rear sensor system having an il¬ lumination function.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[15] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rear sensor system having the function of a reverse light, in addition to having a simple structure.

Technical Solution

[16] In order to accomplish the object, the present invention provides a rear sensor system for a car, including a distance measuring sensor detecting whether an object is present within a predetermined distance of a rear of the car, and measuring a distance between the car and the object located behind the car; a control unit to receive a measuring signal from the distance measuring sensor, thus controlling an operation of a warning sound generating unit; and the warning sound generating unit controlled by the control unit, and outputting an audible signal to an outside, wherein the distance measuring sensor comprises a microwave sensor having excellent object penetrating capability, and a reverse light which is controlled by the control unit and has a low heat generation characteristic is provided, said components being installed in one rear sensor housing having a connection terminal in such a way as to be operated in conjunction with each other. Brief Description of the Drawings

[17] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a car equipped with a conventional rear sensor system;

[18] Fig. 2 is a view to show the installed state of a reverse light constituting the con¬ ventional rear sensor system;

[19] Fig. 3 is a view to show the installed state of an ultrasonic sensor constituting the conventional rear sensor system;

[20] Fig. 4 is a block diagram to show the configuration of a rear sensor system, according to the present invention;

[21] Fig. 5 is a block diagram to show the configuration of a microwave sensor con¬ stituting the rear sensor system, according to this invention;

[22] Fig. 6 is a front sectional view to show part of the rear sensor system, according to the present invention;

[23] Fig. 7 is a left side view of the rear sensor system of Fig. 6, illustrating the ar¬ rangement of a transceiving antenna and LEDs;

[24] Fig. 8 is a view to show the sensing angle of the rear sensor system in a vertical direction, according to the present invention;

[25] Fig. 9 is a view to show the sensing angle of the rear sensor system in a horizontal direction, according to the present invention;

[26] Fig. 10 is a view corresponding to Fig. 6 and illustrating another embodiment of a rear sensor system, according to the present invention; and

[27] Fig. 11 is a view corresponding to Fig. 7 and illustrating the arrangement of a transceiving antenna and LEDs constituting the rear sensor system of Fig. 10. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[28] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[29] Figs. 4 through 11 are views illustrating the present invention. Those elements common to both the conventional technology shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and the present invention will carry the same reference numerals. The description of common elements will be omitted.

[30] Referring to Fig. 4, a rear sensor system 100 of a car according to the present invention includes a distance measuring sensor, a control unit 120, a warning sound generating unit 130, and a reverse light 140. The distance measuring sensor detects whether an object is present within a predetermined distance of the rear of the car, and measures the distance between the car and the object located within the predetermined distance of the rear of the car. A signal measured by the distance measuring sensor is input to the control unit 120. In response to the measuring signal, the control unit 120 controls the operation of the warning sound generating unit. The warning sound generating unit 130 is controlled by the control unit 120, thus outputting an audible signal to the outside. The reverse light 140 having low heat generation characteristics is controlled by the control unit 120.

[31] According to the present invention, a microwave sensor 110 having superior object penetrating capability is used as the distance measuring sensor. The components 110, 120, 130, and 140 are installed in a rear sensor housing 150 having a connection terminal 150a in such a way as to be operated in conjunction with each other.

[32] The rear sensor system 100 according to the present invention uses the reverse light

140 having low heat generation characteristics. Thus, even if the components 110, 120 and 130 and the reverse light 140 are installed in the single housing 150 in such a way as to be operated in conjunction with each other, the components 110, 120, and 130 are not damaged by the heat generated by the reverse light 140.

[33] Further, the rear sensor system 100 according to this invention uses the microwave sensor 110 having superior object penetrating capability as the distance measuring sensor. Thus, even if the rear sensor housing 150 is detachably mounted to the reverse light mounting part a' of the RCL housing a, as shown in Fig. 2, a microwave signal and a return signal of the microwave sensor 110 freely penetrate the reverse light lens b'.

[34] Consequently, the microwave sensor 110 affords satisfactory operation.

[35] According to this invention, the rear sensor system 100 is constructed so that the microwave sensor 110, the control unit 120, the warning sound generating unit 130, and the reverse light 140 are installed in the single housing 150 in such a way as to be operated in conjunction with each other.

[36] Thus, like the method of installing or replacing the conventional reverse light 40, all components 110, 120, 130, and 140 constituting the rear sensor system 100 can be easily installed merely by mounting the rear sensor housing 150 to the car. Additional wiring work is not required for the interaction of the components 110, 120, 130, and 140.

[37] Therefore, the rear sensor system 100 according to this invention has a simple structure, so that it can be manufactured in the form of one module having a small size. Further, the work of installing the rear sensor system is dramatically simplified.

[38] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the microwave sensor 110 includes a microwave generator 111, an amplifier 112, a transceiving antenna 113, and a return signal detector 114. The microwave generator 111 is controlled by the control unit 120, and generates a microwave of 2~40GHz. The amplifier 112 amplifies and outputs the microwave input from the microwave generator 111.

[39] The transceiving antenna 113 transmits the microwave to the outside, and receives the microwave from the outside. The return signal detector 114 outputs the return signal from the transceiving antenna 113 to the control unit 120. According to the present invention, the microwave sensor 110 may be variously modified without being limited to the above-mentioned structure.

[40] The control unit 120 is provided with a power supply. The power supply reduces the voltage of external electric power so as to prevent an electric circuit of the control unit 120 from being damaged, and appropriately changes the external electric power, prior to supplying the electric power to the components 120, 130, and 140.

[41] The warning sound generating unit 130 may use a known buzzer or speaker.

However, a buzzer which is easy to control and has a simple structure is used as the warning sound generating unit 130.

[42] As shown in Figs. 6, 7, 10 and 11, LEDs 141, 142, and 143 are applied to the reverse light 140 due to their low heat generation. However, the reverse light 140 of this invention is not limited to the LED. Any elements may be applied to the reverse light 140, as long as the elements do not thermally damage the peripheral components 110, 120, and 130, unlike an electric bulb having a filament or a discharge light, such as a fluorescent light, which is heated to a high temperature. For example, the reverse light 140 may comprise an OLED having a low heat generation characteristic. If desired, a combination of LEDs and OLEDs may be applied to the reverse light 140 having low heat generation.

[43] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 and 7, a printed circuit board forming the circuits of the microwave sensor 110 and the control unit 120 includes horizontal printed circuit boards 100a and 100c and a vertical printed circuit board 100b. The horizontal printed circuit boards 100a and 100c are connected at first ends thereof to the rear sensor housing 150 to be electrically connected to the connection terminal 150a. The vertical printed circuit board 100b is secured to second ends of the horizontal printed circuit boards 100a and 100c to be electrically connected thereto. Thereby, the transceiving antenna 114 of the microwave sensor 110, the warning sound generating unit 130, and the reverse light 140 comprising the LEDs 141, 142, and 143 are installed on the printed circuit board.

[44] In the embodiment of Figs. 6 and 7, a simple structure comprising only a housing body 151 with the connection terminal 150a is applied to the rear sensor housing 150. The circumferential surface of the connection terminal 150a is treated smooth to have the same diameter. In such a state, the housing body 151 is inserted and secured to the reverse light mounting part a' of the RCL housing a. However, as necessary, a screw may be formed on the circumferential surface of the connection terminal 150a so that the housing body 151 is directly connected to an electric connector, such as a socket, through a screw-type fastening method.

[45] In this case, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the printed circuit board consists of the horizontal printed circuit boards 100a and 100c and the vertical printed circuit board 100b. The transceiving antenna 114 of the microwave sensor 110 is mounted to the vertical printed circuit board 100b which is secured to free ends of the horizontal printed circuit boards 100a and 100c. Such a construction has an advantage in that the transmission of the microwave and the reception of the return signal are more ef¬ ficiently carried out by the trasnceiving antenna 114.

[46] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, the cylindrical transceiving antenna 114 is arranged in the center of the vertical printed circuit board 100b, and the LEDs 141 are arranged around the transceiving antenna 114. Further, "-"-shaped plates 100a and 100c are crossed to have a "+" shape, and are applied to the horizontal printed circuit boards 100a and 100c. In such a state, the LEDs 142 and 143 and the warning sound generating unit 130 are installed on the horizontal printed circuit boards 100a and 100c.

[47] Figs. 8 and 9 show an example wherein rear sensor systems 100 and 100' according to the present invention are installed on a car. As shown in the drawings, the rear sensor system 100 installed in the rear combination lamp RCL is positioned at a height of about 600~700mm from the ground. The sensing angle of the rear sensor system 100 in a vertical direction is 75 degrees, and the sensing angle of the rear sensor system in a horizontal direction is 150 degrees. In this case, reference numeral B denotes the center of the rear bumper RB.

[48] Figs. 10 and 11 show another embodiment of a rear sensor system 100, according to the present invention.

[49] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 10 and 11, a rear sensor housing 150 includes a housing body 151, having a connection terminal 150a, and a lens 152 which is secured to the housing body 151 to seal the components 110, 120, 130, and 140 installed in the housing body 151.

[50] Such a construction is advantageous in that the components 110, 120, 130, and 140 installed in the housing body 151 are sealed and protected by the lens 152.

[51] Particularly, when a fresnel lens is used as the lens 152, light of the LEDs 141, 142, and 143 is uniformly and efficiently emitted through the fresnel lens 152.

[52] A microwave signal and a return signal of the microwave sensor 110 can penetrate the fresnel lens 152 as well as the reverse light lens b' of the rear combination lens, thus being capable of being freely transceived, therefore preventing the function of the microwave sensor 110 from being deteriorated.

[53] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modi¬ fications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

[54] For example, the rear sensor system 100 according to the present invention is intended to detect an object behind a car. However, the rear sensor system 100 according to this invention may be widely applied to a variety of fields, without being limited to the above-mentioned purpose.

[55] In the above-mentioned embodiment, when a drivers shifts into reverse gear, the reverse light 140 turns on continuously. However, when the rear sensor system 100 according to this invention is otherwise implemented, the reverse light 140 may be controlled by the control unit 120 to be repeatedly turned on and off. Industrial Applicability

[56] As described above, the present invention provides a rear sensor system, which is constructed so that a microwave sensor 110, a control unit 120, a warning sound generating unit 130, and a reverse light 140 are installed in one housing 150 to be operated in conjunction with each other.

[57] Thus, by mounting a rear sensor housing 150 to a car in the manner of installing or replacing the conventional reverse light 40, all components 110, 120, 130, and 140 constituting the rear sensor system 100 can be easily mounted to the car. Further, additional wiring work for connecting the components 110, 120, 130, and 140 to each other is not required.

[58] Therefore, a rear sensor system 100 according to this invention has a simple structure, so that it can be manufactured in the form of one module having a small size. The work of installing the rear sensor system is remarkably simplified.

Claims

[1] A rear sensor system for a car, comprising a distance measuring sensor detecting whether an object is present within a predetermined distance of a rear of the car, and measuring a distance between the car and the object located behind the car; a control unit to receive a measuring signal from the distance measuring sensor, thus controlling an operation of a warning sound generating unit; and the warning sound generating unit controlled by the control unit, and outputting an audible signal to an outside, wherein the distance measuring sensor comprises a microwave sensor having excellent object penetrating capability, and a reverse light which is controlled by the control unit and has a low heat generation char¬ acteristic is provided, said components being installed in one rear sensor housing having a connection terminal in such a way as to be operated in conjunction with each other.

[2] The rear sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the reverse light having the low heat generation characteristics is an LED, an OLED, or a combination of an LED and an OLED.

[3] The rear sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the rear sensor housing comprises: a housing body having a connection terminal; and a lens secured to the housing body, thus sealing the components installed in the housing body.

[4] The rear sensor system according to claim 3, wherein the lens is a fresnel lens.

[5] The rear sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board forming circuits of the microwave sensor and the control unit comprises: a horizontal printed circuit board secured at a first end thereof to the rear sensor housing, thus being electrically connected to the connection terminal; and a vertical printed circuit board secured to a second end of the horizontal printed circuit board, thus being electrically connected to the horizontal printed circuit board, whereby a transceiving antenna of the microwave sensor, the warning sound generating unit, and the reverse light are installed on the printed circuit board, the transceiving antenna of the microwave sensor being installed on the vertical printed circuit board.