US20020038170A1 - Vehicle surroundings monitoring device - Google Patents

Vehicle surroundings monitoring device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20020038170A1
US20020038170A1 US09/785,256 US78525601A US2002038170A1 US 20020038170 A1 US20020038170 A1 US 20020038170A1 US 78525601 A US78525601 A US 78525601A US 2002038170 A1 US2002038170 A1 US 2002038170A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
mirror surface
door mirror
vehicle
monitoring device
waves
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
US09/785,256
Other versions
US6424892B1 (en
Inventor
Katsuji Matsuoka
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Assigned to MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA reassignment MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MATSUOKA, KATSUJI
Publication of US20020038170A1 publication Critical patent/US20020038170A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US6424892B1 publication Critical patent/US6424892B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
    • H01Q1/32—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles
    • H01Q1/3208—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles characterised by the application wherein the antenna is used
    • H01Q1/3233—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles characterised by the application wherein the antenna is used particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/02—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S13/00
    • G01S7/024—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S13/00 using polarisation effects
    • G01S7/025—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S13/00 using polarisation effects involving the transmission of linearly polarised waves
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/02—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S13/00
    • G01S7/03—Details of HF subsystems specially adapted therefor, e.g. common to transmitter and receiver
    • G01S7/032—Constructional details for solid-state radar subsystems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
    • H01Q1/32—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles
    • H01Q1/325—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles characterised by the location of the antenna on the vehicle
    • H01Q1/3266—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles characterised by the location of the antenna on the vehicle using the mirror of the vehicle

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a vehicle surroundings monitoring device mounted on a vehicle and used for monitoring of surroundings around the vehicle and, more particularly, to a vehicle surroundings monitoring device for alarming a driver to enable the driver to avoid contact with or collision against an obstacle particularly at the time of lane change or the like.
  • Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 54-45040 discloses a vehicle surroundings monitoring device having a radar unit. This device is formed by using a portion of a fender mirror and a fender portion of a vehicle.
  • a mirror surface is used as an antenna reflector, and electric waves are externally radiated to the mirror surface by using a feeder horn antenna.
  • the feeder horn is therefore exposed to the outside and there is a possibility breakage of the feeder horn or failure of maintenance of the desired performance due to external causes.
  • an antenna should be housed in a body of a mirror assembly.
  • an antenna is incorporated in a mirror assembly, electric waves from the antenna are reflected by the mirror to cause the radar to operate as if an obstacle always exists within a short distance from the vehicle.
  • the radar cannot detect the object if the distance resolution of the radar is not sufficiently high.
  • the distance measuring performance may be influenced by the reflection by the mirror to such an extent that the possibility of detection failure or a false alarm is high.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle surroundings monitoring device in which reflection by a mirror is reduced to ensure the desired performance of distance measurement even in a short-distance range.
  • a vehicle surroundings monitoring device which monitors surroundings around a vehicle, the device is characterized by comprising a transmitting antenna mounted in a door mirror assembly of the vehicle, said transmitting antenna for radiating transmitted waves through a mirror surface of a door mirror in the door mirror assembly, a receiving antenna mounted in the door mirror assembly, the receiving antenna for receiving, through the mirror surface of the door mirror, reflected waves from an object existing in the surroundings of the vehicle, and electric wave transmission surfaces formed as portions of the door mirror surface corresponding to opening surfaces for said transmitting and receiving antennas to limit reflection by the door mirror surface and to enable transmission of electric waves through the door mirror surface.
  • the electric wave transmission surfaces in the door mirror surface are formed by partially removing a reflective film formed on the mirror surface.
  • the electric wave transmission surfaces in the door mirror surface are formed by partially cutting off the mirror surface.
  • the electric wave transmission surfaces in the door mirror surface are formed by forming metal slits in portions of the door mirror surface or through the entire door mirror surface.
  • electric wave transmission surfaces for limiting reflection and for enabling transmission of electric waves are formed as portions of the door mirror surface corresponding to opening surfaces for the transmitting and receiving antennas, thereby limiting reflection by the door mirror surface and maintaining the desired short-range distance measuring performance to provide unerring alarm information to a driver.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle surroundings monitoring device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a door mirror surface in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the door mirror surface in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a door mirror surface in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the door mirror surface in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a door mirror surface in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the door mirror surface in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a content of Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
  • a vehicle surroundings monitoring device which represents Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.
  • a vehicle surrounding monitoring device mounted on a vehicle includes a radar 1 and a display 6 .
  • the radar 1 has a transmitting antenna 2 for radiating transmitted waves through a door mirror surface described below; a receiving antenna 3 for receiving, through the door mirror surface, reflected waves from an object existing near the vehicle; a high-frequency circuit unit 4 having a transmitting circuit for sending out transmitted waves and a receiving circuit supplied with received waves; and a signal processing circuit unit 5 . Results of signal processing in the signal processing circuit 5 are displayed on the display 6 to provide information to a driver.
  • the radar 1 is mounted in a door mirror assembly of the vehicle, and the display 6 may be placed inside the vehicle or in the vicinity of the door mirror assembly.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the door mirror surface
  • FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the door mirror surface.
  • the door mirror surface is indicated by 7
  • opening surfaces for the transmitting antenna 2 and the receiving antenna 3 are indicated by 8
  • a mirror base is indicated by 9
  • a reflective film is indicated by 10 .
  • the door mirror surface 7 is formed by the reflective film 10 on the mirror base 9 , but the door mirror surface 7 has such a structure that the reflective film 10 is removed from the portions of the door mirror surface 7 corresponding to the opening surfaces 8 , thereby forming electric wave transmission surfaces for limiting reflection caused by the mirror surface while enabling transmission of electric waves.
  • Electric waves generated by the high-frequency circuit 4 are radiated out of the vehicle from the transmitting antenna 2 through the door mirror surface 7 and are reflected by an obstacle such as another vehicle existing near the vehicle having the monitoring device.
  • the reflected waves enter the door mirror through the door mirror surface 7 to be received by the receiving antenna 3 and input to the high-frequency circuit unit 4 .
  • the received waves input to the high-frequency circuit unit 4 are down-converted into a low-frequency signal. This signal is input to the signal processing circuit 5 , in which the distance to the obstacle, etc., are computed. If a risk of collision against the obstacle is thereby recognized, the driver is alerted to the risk by the display 6 .
  • the distance resolution (ability to separately recognize two objects) is determined from the bandwidth, and the performance of distance measurement in a short-distance range is low when reflected waves are detected through an extremely small distance.
  • the desired short-range distance measuring performance can be maintained and therefore the occurrence of a false alarm can be reduced.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a door mirror surface
  • FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the door mirror surface.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 components corresponding to those of Embodiment 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are indicated by the same reference numerals. The description for the corresponding components will be omitted.
  • Embodiment 3 of the present invention also has the configuration shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1, as in Embodiment 1. Only features of Embodiment 3 not described with respect to Embodiment 1 will be described below.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a door mirror surface.
  • FIG. 6 components corresponding to those of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 2 are indicated by the same reference numerals. The description for the corresponding components will be omitted.

Abstract

A vehicle surroundings monitoring device in which reflection by a mirror is reduced to ensure the desired performance of distance measurement even in a short-distance range. The monitoring device for monitoring surroundings around a vehicle has a transmitting antenna provided in a door mirror assembly of the vehicle to radiate transmitted waves through a mirror surface of the door mirror, and a receiving antenna provided in the door mirror assembly to receive, through the door mirror surface, reflected waves from an object existing near the vehicle. In the this monitoring device, electric wave transmission surfaces are formed as portions of the door mirror surface corresponding to openings surfaces for the transmitting and receiving antennas to limit reflection by the door mirror surface and to enable transmission of electric waves through the door mirror surface. The electric wave transmission surfaces are formed by partially removing a reflective film formed on the mirror surface, by partially cutting off the mirror surface, or by forming metal slits in portions of the door mirror surface or through the entire door mirror surface.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • 1. Field of the Invention [0001]
  • The present invention relates to a vehicle surroundings monitoring device mounted on a vehicle and used for monitoring of surroundings around the vehicle and, more particularly, to a vehicle surroundings monitoring device for alarming a driver to enable the driver to avoid contact with or collision against an obstacle particularly at the time of lane change or the like. [0002]
  • The entire content of the basic Japanese Patent Application from which the priority under the Convention is claimed in this application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. [0003]
  • 2. Description of the Related Art [0004]
  • Various radar devices have been proposed which are widely used as a vehicle surroundings monitoring device, a controller for controlling the distance of a vehicle from another vehicle, etc., by being mounted on vehicles. [0005]
  • For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 54-45040 discloses a vehicle surroundings monitoring device having a radar unit. This device is formed by using a portion of a fender mirror and a fender portion of a vehicle. [0006]
  • In the above-described conventional device, a mirror surface is used as an antenna reflector, and electric waves are externally radiated to the mirror surface by using a feeder horn antenna. The feeder horn is therefore exposed to the outside and there is a possibility breakage of the feeder horn or failure of maintenance of the desired performance due to external causes. [0007]
  • Therefore, it is desirable that such an antenna should be housed in a body of a mirror assembly. However, if an antenna is incorporated in a mirror assembly, electric waves from the antenna are reflected by the mirror to cause the radar to operate as if an obstacle always exists within a short distance from the vehicle. When an object actually exists within a short distance from the vehicle, the radar cannot detect the object if the distance resolution of the radar is not sufficiently high. Also, the distance measuring performance may be influenced by the reflection by the mirror to such an extent that the possibility of detection failure or a false alarm is high. [0008]
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • In view of the above-described problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle surroundings monitoring device in which reflection by a mirror is reduced to ensure the desired performance of distance measurement even in a short-distance range. [0009]
  • To achieve the above-described objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle surroundings monitoring device which monitors surroundings around a vehicle, the device is characterized by comprising a transmitting antenna mounted in a door mirror assembly of the vehicle, said transmitting antenna for radiating transmitted waves through a mirror surface of a door mirror in the door mirror assembly, a receiving antenna mounted in the door mirror assembly, the receiving antenna for receiving, through the mirror surface of the door mirror, reflected waves from an object existing in the surroundings of the vehicle, and electric wave transmission surfaces formed as portions of the door mirror surface corresponding to opening surfaces for said transmitting and receiving antennas to limit reflection by the door mirror surface and to enable transmission of electric waves through the door mirror surface. [0010]
  • Also, the electric wave transmission surfaces in the door mirror surface are formed by partially removing a reflective film formed on the mirror surface. [0011]
  • Also, the electric wave transmission surfaces in the door mirror surface are formed by partially cutting off the mirror surface. [0012]
  • Also, the electric wave transmission surfaces in the door mirror surface are formed by forming metal slits in portions of the door mirror surface or through the entire door mirror surface. [0013]
  • In the vehicle surroundings monitoring device of the present invention, electric wave transmission surfaces for limiting reflection and for enabling transmission of electric waves are formed as portions of the door mirror surface corresponding to opening surfaces for the transmitting and receiving antennas, thereby limiting reflection by the door mirror surface and maintaining the desired short-range distance measuring performance to provide unerring alarm information to a driver.[0014]
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • In the accompanying drawings: [0015]
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle surroundings monitoring device in [0016] Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a door mirror surface in [0017] Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
  • FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the door mirror surface in [0018] Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a door mirror surface in [0019] Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
  • FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the door mirror surface in [0020] Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a door mirror surface in [0021] Embodiment 3 of the present invention;
  • FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the door mirror surface in [0022] Embodiment 3 of the present invention; and
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a content of [0023] Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
    • DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • The present invention will be described with respect to embodiments thereof in which embodiments of the present invention in which electric wave transmission surfaces for limiting reflection and for enabling transmission of electric waves are formed as portions of the door mirror surface corresponding to opening surfaces for the transmitting and receiving antennas. [0024]
    • Embodiment 1
  • A vehicle surroundings monitoring device which represents [0025] Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.
  • Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle surrounding monitoring device mounted on a vehicle includes a [0026] radar 1 and a display 6. The radar 1 has a transmitting antenna 2 for radiating transmitted waves through a door mirror surface described below; a receiving antenna 3 for receiving, through the door mirror surface, reflected waves from an object existing near the vehicle; a high-frequency circuit unit 4 having a transmitting circuit for sending out transmitted waves and a receiving circuit supplied with received waves; and a signal processing circuit unit 5. Results of signal processing in the signal processing circuit 5 are displayed on the display 6 to provide information to a driver.
  • The [0027] radar 1 is mounted in a door mirror assembly of the vehicle, and the display 6 may be placed inside the vehicle or in the vicinity of the door mirror assembly.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the door mirror surface, and FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the door mirror surface. [0028]
  • In FIGS. 2 and 3, the door mirror surface is indicated by [0029] 7, opening surfaces for the transmitting antenna 2 and the receiving antenna 3 are indicated by 8, a mirror base is indicated by 9, and a reflective film is indicated by 10. As shown in the cross sectional view of FIG. 3, the door mirror surface 7 is formed by the reflective film 10 on the mirror base 9, but the door mirror surface 7 has such a structure that the reflective film 10 is removed from the portions of the door mirror surface 7 corresponding to the opening surfaces 8, thereby forming electric wave transmission surfaces for limiting reflection caused by the mirror surface while enabling transmission of electric waves.
  • The operation of this embodiment will now be described. [0030]
  • Electric waves generated by the high-[0031] frequency circuit 4 are radiated out of the vehicle from the transmitting antenna 2 through the door mirror surface 7 and are reflected by an obstacle such as another vehicle existing near the vehicle having the monitoring device. The reflected waves enter the door mirror through the door mirror surface 7 to be received by the receiving antenna 3 and input to the high-frequency circuit unit 4. The received waves input to the high-frequency circuit unit 4 are down-converted into a low-frequency signal. This signal is input to the signal processing circuit 5, in which the distance to the obstacle, etc., are computed. If a risk of collision against the obstacle is thereby recognized, the driver is alerted to the risk by the display 6.
  • The amount of electric waves reflected by the [0032] door mirror surface 7 is extremely small because of the above-described structure in which the reflective film 10 is removed from the mirror portions corresponding to the opening surfaces 8 for the transmitting antenna 2 and the receiving antenna 3. Therefore, the great part of the electric waves are radiated to the external space. Also, reflected waves from an obstacle can be received by the receiving antenna 3 without being reflected by the door mirror surface 7.
  • In the case of a radar, the distance resolution (ability to separately recognize two objects) is determined from the bandwidth, and the performance of distance measurement in a short-distance range is low when reflected waves are detected through an extremely small distance. However, by reducing the influence of reflection by the [0033] door mirror surface 7 as in Embodiment 1, the desired short-range distance measuring performance can be maintained and therefore the occurrence of a false alarm can be reduced.
    • Embodiment 2
  • [0034] Embodiment 2 of the present invention also has the configuration shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1, as in Embodiment 1. only features of Embodiment 2 not described with respect to Embodiment 1 will be described below.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a door mirror surface, and FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the door mirror surface. [0035]
  • In FIGS. 4 and 5, components corresponding to those of [0036] Embodiment 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are indicated by the same reference numerals. The description for the corresponding components will be omitted.
  • In [0037] Embodiment 2, the structure of the mirror is such that, as shown in FIG. 5 in detail, portions corresponding to opening surfaces 8 for the transmitting and receiving antennas, of the mirror base 9 and the reflective film 10 forming a portion of the door mirror surface 7, are cut and removed to form electric wave transmission surfaces for limiting reflection by the mirror surface and for enabling transmission of electric waves.
  • The amount of electric waves reflected by the door mirror surface is extremely small because of the above-described structure in which the portions of the mirror surface corresponding to the [0038] opening surfaces 8 for the transmitting antenna 2 and the receiving antenna 3 are cut off. Therefore, a great part of the electric waves are radiated to the external space. Also, reflected waves from an obstacle can be received by the receiving antenna 3 without being reflected by the door mirror surface 7. As a result, the desired short-range distance measuring performance can be maintained and the occurrence of a false alarm can therefore be reduced.
    • Embodiment 3
  • [0039] Embodiment 3 of the present invention also has the configuration shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1, as in Embodiment 1. Only features of Embodiment 3 not described with respect to Embodiment 1 will be described below.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a door mirror surface. [0040]
  • In FIG. 6, components corresponding to those of [0041] Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 2 are indicated by the same reference numerals. The description for the corresponding components will be omitted.
  • In [0042] Embodiment 3, the structure of the mirror is such that, as shown in FIG. 6, metal slits are formed in portions of the mirror surface corresponding to opening surfaces 8 of the transmitting and receiving antennas, thereby forming electric wave transmission surfaces for limiting reflection by the mirror surface and for enabling transmission of electric waves.
  • In general, when linearly polarized electric waves are incident upon metal slits, the electric waves can pass the slits under such a condition that, as shown in FIG. 8, metal slits [0043] 11 are arranged in the direction perpendicular to polarized waves (see electric field plane 12) (“Radar Gijutu” The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, p113).
  • Also, metal slits may be formed through the entire [0044] door mirror surface 7 to form an electric wave transmission surface.
  • The amount of electric waves reflected by the door mirror surface is extremely small because of the above-described structure in which metal slits are formed in the portions of the mirror surface corresponding to the opening surfaces [0045] 8 for the transmitting antenna 2 and the receiving antenna 3, or metal slits are formed through the entire mirror surface. Therefore, a great part of the electric waves are radiated to the external space. Also, reflected waves from an obstacle can be received by the receiving antenna 3 without being reflected by the door mirror surface 7. As a result, the desired short-range distance measuring performance can be maintained and the occurrence of a false alarm can therefore be reduced. While the metal slits extending in the vertical direction in the door mirror surface have been described, metal slits extending in the horizontal direction may be formed by considering polarization of electric waves.
  • According to the present invention, as described above, electric wave transmission surfaces for limiting reflection and for enabling transmission of electric waves are formed as portions of the door mirror surface corresponding to opening surfaces for the transmitting and receiving antennas, thereby limiting reflection by the door mirror surface and maintaining the desired short-range distance measuring performance to provide unerring alarm information to a driver. [0046]
  • Also, the electric wave transmission surfaces in the door mirror surfaces can be formed by partially removing the reflective film on the mirror surface, by partially cutting off the mirror surface, or by forming metal slits in portions of the door mirror surface or through the entire door mirror surface, thus making it possible to limit reflection by the door mirror surface, to maintain the desired short-range distance measuring performance, and to provide unerring alarm information to a driver. [0047]

Claims (4)

What is claimed is:
1. A vehicle surroundings monitoring device which monitors surroundings around a vehicle, said device comprising:
a transmitting antenna mounted in a door mirror assembly of the vehicle, said transmitting antenna for radiating transmitted waves through a mirror surface of a door mirror in the door mirror assembly;
a receiving antenna mounted in the door mirror assembly, said receiving antenna for receiving, through the mirror surface of the door mirror, reflected waves from an object existing in the surroundings of the vehicle; and
electric wave transmission surfaces formed as portions of the door mirror surface corresponding to opening surfaces for said transmitting and receiving antennas to limit reflection by the door mirror surface and to enable transmission of electric waves through the door mirror surface.
2. A vehicle surroundings monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein said electric wave transmission surfaces in the door mirror surface are formed by partially removing a reflective film formed on the mirror surface.
3. A vehicle surroundings monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein said electric wave transmission surfaces in the door mirror surface are formed by partially cutting off the mirror surface.
4. A vehicle surroundings monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein said electric wave transmission surfaces in the door mirror surface are formed by forming metal slits in portions of the door mirror surface or through the entire door mirror surface.
US09/785,256 2000-09-28 2001-02-20 Vehicle surroundings monitoring device Expired - Fee Related US6424892B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2000-296453 2000-09-28
JP2000296453A JP2002104069A (en) 2000-09-28 2000-09-28 Vehicle circumference monitoring device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20020038170A1 true US20020038170A1 (en) 2002-03-28
US6424892B1 US6424892B1 (en) 2002-07-23

Family

ID=18778729

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/785,256 Expired - Fee Related US6424892B1 (en) 2000-09-28 2001-02-20 Vehicle surroundings monitoring device

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US6424892B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2002104069A (en)

Families Citing this family (64)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5910854A (en) 1993-02-26 1999-06-08 Donnelly Corporation Electrochromic polymeric solid films, manufacturing electrochromic devices using such solid films, and processes for making such solid films and devices
US5668663A (en) 1994-05-05 1997-09-16 Donnelly Corporation Electrochromic mirrors and devices
US6891563B2 (en) 1996-05-22 2005-05-10 Donnelly Corporation Vehicular vision system
US8294975B2 (en) 1997-08-25 2012-10-23 Donnelly Corporation Automotive rearview mirror assembly
US6326613B1 (en) 1998-01-07 2001-12-04 Donnelly Corporation Vehicle interior mirror assembly adapted for containing a rain sensor
US6124886A (en) 1997-08-25 2000-09-26 Donnelly Corporation Modular rearview mirror assembly
US6172613B1 (en) 1998-02-18 2001-01-09 Donnelly Corporation Rearview mirror assembly incorporating vehicle information display
US8288711B2 (en) 1998-01-07 2012-10-16 Donnelly Corporation Interior rearview mirror system with forwardly-viewing camera and a control
US6445287B1 (en) 2000-02-28 2002-09-03 Donnelly Corporation Tire inflation assistance monitoring system
US6477464B2 (en) 2000-03-09 2002-11-05 Donnelly Corporation Complete mirror-based global-positioning system (GPS) navigation solution
US6329925B1 (en) 1999-11-24 2001-12-11 Donnelly Corporation Rearview mirror assembly with added feature modular display
US6693517B2 (en) 2000-04-21 2004-02-17 Donnelly Corporation Vehicle mirror assembly communicating wirelessly with vehicle accessories and occupants
WO2007053710A2 (en) 2005-11-01 2007-05-10 Donnelly Corporation Interior rearview mirror with display
EP1263626A2 (en) 2000-03-02 2002-12-11 Donnelly Corporation Video mirror systems incorporating an accessory module
US7167796B2 (en) 2000-03-09 2007-01-23 Donnelly Corporation Vehicle navigation system for use with a telematics system
US7370983B2 (en) 2000-03-02 2008-05-13 Donnelly Corporation Interior mirror assembly with display
US7581859B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2009-09-01 Donnelly Corp. Display device for exterior rearview mirror
ATE363413T1 (en) 2001-01-23 2007-06-15 Donnelly Corp IMPROVED VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM
US7255451B2 (en) 2002-09-20 2007-08-14 Donnelly Corporation Electro-optic mirror cell
JP2002353712A (en) * 2001-05-24 2002-12-06 Mitsubishi Electric Corp System for monitoring surrounding of vehicle
JP2002347520A (en) * 2001-05-25 2002-12-04 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Vehicle periphery surveillance device
US6918674B2 (en) 2002-05-03 2005-07-19 Donnelly Corporation Vehicle rearview mirror system
WO2003105099A1 (en) 2002-06-06 2003-12-18 Donnelly Corporation Interior rearview mirror system with compass
US7329013B2 (en) 2002-06-06 2008-02-12 Donnelly Corporation Interior rearview mirror system with compass
WO2004103772A2 (en) 2003-05-19 2004-12-02 Donnelly Corporation Mirror assembly for vehicle
AU2003278863A1 (en) 2002-09-20 2004-04-08 Donnelly Corporation Mirror reflective element assembly
US7310177B2 (en) 2002-09-20 2007-12-18 Donnelly Corporation Electro-optic reflective element assembly
US7446924B2 (en) 2003-10-02 2008-11-04 Donnelly Corporation Mirror reflective element assembly including electronic component
US7308341B2 (en) 2003-10-14 2007-12-11 Donnelly Corporation Vehicle communication system
WO2005055366A1 (en) * 2003-11-14 2005-06-16 Hitachi, Ltd. Vehicle-mounted radar
JP4545606B2 (en) * 2005-02-04 2010-09-15 三菱電機株式会社 Radar cross section measuring device
ATE517368T1 (en) 2005-05-16 2011-08-15 Donnelly Corp VEHICLE MIRROR ARRANGEMENT WITH CHARACTER ON THE REFLECTIVE PART
EP2378350B1 (en) 2006-03-09 2013-12-11 Gentex Corporation Vehicle rearview assembly including a high intensity display
US8154418B2 (en) 2008-03-31 2012-04-10 Magna Mirrors Of America, Inc. Interior rearview mirror system
US9487144B2 (en) 2008-10-16 2016-11-08 Magna Mirrors Of America, Inc. Interior mirror assembly with display
JP2011101174A (en) * 2009-11-05 2011-05-19 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Antenna structure of exterior mirror built-in antenna
US8879139B2 (en) 2012-04-24 2014-11-04 Gentex Corporation Display mirror assembly
US9598018B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-03-21 Gentex Corporation Display mirror assembly
AU2014326772B2 (en) 2013-09-24 2017-07-20 Gentex Corporation Display mirror assembly
US9511715B2 (en) 2014-01-31 2016-12-06 Gentex Corporation Backlighting assembly for display for reducing cross-hatching
WO2015143333A1 (en) 2014-03-21 2015-09-24 Gentex Corporation Tri-modal display mirror assembly
KR101894262B1 (en) 2014-04-01 2018-09-04 젠텍스 코포레이션 Automatic display mirror assembly
WO2016044746A1 (en) 2014-09-19 2016-03-24 Gentex Corporation Rearview assembly
WO2016073848A1 (en) 2014-11-07 2016-05-12 Gentex Corporation Full display mirror actuator
EP3218227B1 (en) 2014-11-13 2018-10-24 Gentex Corporation Rearview mirror system with a display
KR101997815B1 (en) 2014-12-03 2019-07-08 젠텍스 코포레이션 Display mirror assembly
USD746744S1 (en) 2014-12-05 2016-01-05 Gentex Corporation Rearview device
US9744907B2 (en) 2014-12-29 2017-08-29 Gentex Corporation Vehicle vision system having adjustable displayed field of view
US9720278B2 (en) 2015-01-22 2017-08-01 Gentex Corporation Low cost optical film stack
JP2018513810A (en) 2015-04-20 2018-05-31 ジェンテックス コーポレイション Rear view assembly with decoration
EP3297870B1 (en) 2015-05-18 2020-02-05 Gentex Corporation Full display rearview device
WO2016209877A1 (en) 2015-06-22 2016-12-29 Gentex Corporation System and method for processing streamed video images to correct for flicker of amplitude-modulated lights
CN108349435B (en) 2015-10-30 2021-06-15 金泰克斯公司 Switching board
USD798207S1 (en) 2015-10-30 2017-09-26 Gentex Corporation Rearview mirror assembly
USD797627S1 (en) 2015-10-30 2017-09-19 Gentex Corporation Rearview mirror device
EP3368375B1 (en) 2015-10-30 2020-03-04 Gentex Corporation Rearview device
USD800618S1 (en) 2015-11-02 2017-10-24 Gentex Corporation Toggle paddle for a rear view device
USD845851S1 (en) 2016-03-31 2019-04-16 Gentex Corporation Rearview device
USD817238S1 (en) 2016-04-29 2018-05-08 Gentex Corporation Rearview device
US10025138B2 (en) 2016-06-06 2018-07-17 Gentex Corporation Illuminating display with light gathering structure
USD809984S1 (en) 2016-12-07 2018-02-13 Gentex Corporation Rearview assembly
USD854473S1 (en) 2016-12-16 2019-07-23 Gentex Corporation Rearview assembly
EP3562710A4 (en) 2016-12-30 2019-11-13 Gentex Corporation Full display mirror with on-demand spotter view
CN110312641A (en) 2017-03-17 2019-10-08 金泰克斯公司 Dual display reversing camera system

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5445040A (en) * 1977-09-16 1979-04-10 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Rear warning radar device
US6078294A (en) * 1996-03-01 2000-06-20 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Antenna device for vehicles
JPH10145129A (en) * 1996-11-01 1998-05-29 Honda Motor Co Ltd Antenna equipment

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6424892B1 (en) 2002-07-23
JP2002104069A (en) 2002-04-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6424892B1 (en) Vehicle surroundings monitoring device
US6335680B1 (en) Vehicle surroundings monitoring device
US6665592B2 (en) Vehicle surroundings monitoring device
EP2458403B1 (en) Automotive radar system and method for using same
US5712640A (en) Radar module for radar system on motor vehicle
TWI430902B (en) Wireless signal transceiver and blind spot detection system
US6243024B1 (en) Device for monitoring surroundings of vehicle
US7498970B2 (en) Monitor
JP4817282B2 (en) Sensor for sending and receiving electromagnetic signals
EP1653247A1 (en) Horizontally polarized wide-angle radar object detection
KR960702623A (en) AIRPORT SURFACE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
JP2003240838A (en) Periphery monitoring device for vehicle
EP0575814A1 (en) Microwave distance sensor for parking vehicles
JPH1079616A (en) On-vehicle radar antenna
JP2000228608A (en) Antenna for on-vehicle radar
US6690329B2 (en) Vehicle surroundings monitoring device
JP3803541B2 (en) Vehicle periphery monitoring device
JP5396052B2 (en) Radar transceiver
CN114902490A (en) Antenna device for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves
US20230039021A1 (en) Radar System
WO2022044916A1 (en) Vehicular radar system and vehicle
JP2006038769A (en) Vehicle circumference monitoring device
JP2007232407A (en) Apparatus for controlling directivity of radio beam and radio type vehicle intrusion detection apparatus
JP2024026203A (en) Finder
JP2010204032A (en) Radar device for vehicle

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MATSUOKA, KATSUJI;REEL/FRAME:011556/0888

Effective date: 20001211

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20140723