May 06-21 Team InformationClientDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University

Faculty AdvisorProfessor Gary Tuttle

Team Members Joshua Bruening EE Brian Philips CprE Fei Liu EEMei-Ling Liew EE Adams Sutanto EE

• Easy operation• Affordable for the user• Easy installation• Operate in and withstand extreme weather conditions• Inform driver of objects that are dangerously close to vehicle• The object distance will be shown on a LED display• A system of mirrors shall eliminate the blind spots• The circuit shall be contained in a small box

Project Requirements

Design Objectives

Expected End Product

Assumptions & Limitations

There are many safety improvements which are currently available on new luxury cars, but are unavailable for lower valued cars. Many drivers have specific problems judging the proximity of their bumpers to different objects as well as detecting objects located in the blind spot of the vehicle operator’s view.

Solving these problems requires research, design, and testing of both front and rear sensors to alert the driver to objects in his/her way as well as research, design, and testing of blind-spot eliminators.

The front and back sensors should inform the driver of the vehicle when an object is within a certain distance of the bumpers. The sensor system should further alert the driver as these objects get closer to the vehicle. The blind spot eliminator will detect any vehicle or object which is located in a position that the current mirrors are unable to reflect. Adding these safety features to a vehicle will greatly reduce accident numbers.

General Problem Statement

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, every year there are about 3 million car-related injuries, 2 million of them permanent and 40,000 fatal. It is conceivable to assume that a large portion of these accidents are related to two important vehicle safety short comings. First, there is a lack of a system on inexpensive vehicle to inform the driver when an object is getting dangerously close to one of the vehicle’s bumpers, and second, blind spots are created by factory mirror systems. There is a need for products which eliminate these problems, and remain relatively inexpensive.

General Solution-Approach Statement

The approach the team has used to achieve this goal is to research the types of technologies available which can be used to inform a vehicle’s operator when an object becomes too close to the vehicle’s bumper, determine the location of a vehicle’s blind spots, and develop an approach to removing these shortcomings. The solution to these problems will have to fit within the constraints of a smaller, inexpensive vehicle and need to be carefully modeled, confirming that all theories which the team intends to use for the safety improvements are in fact applicable.

Uses• Alert the driver of objects near the vehicle’s bumpers• Remove blind spot from driver’s perspective

Introduction

Abstract

Problem Statement

Operating Environment

Intended Users & UsesUsers• Owners of low-cost vehicles• Drivers of low-cost vehicles• Passengers

• Humid conditions• Wind• Dust

• Extreme temperatures• Rain• Snow

Assumptions• The end product will be simple to use for the consumer• The product will be an add-on for previously owned cars• Multiple users will take advantage of the safety additions for each vehicle• The users will be qualified drivers

Limitations• Exterior equipment must be able to handle all weather conditions• Equipment must remain operational considering wear and tear from driving• Equipment may be installed by a vehicle’s owner• The system will have to fit in the space constraints

• Operational front and rear proximity sensors• LED dashboard distance display• Adjustable blind spot eliminating convex mirror• Technical documentation and schematics

Functional Requirements

Design Constraints Measurable Milestones

Approach and Considerations

Proposed Approach Testing Considerations

Closing Summary

Estimated Resources

Personal Efforts Other Resources

Project Schedule

Vehicle safety is an important issue as it can prevent the loss of life. This safety package includes front and back sensors, as well as blind spot mirrors. The challenge of this project is to create an effective design for the sensors and mirrors. It must be determined how they will be tested and how they will be setup. By carefully modeling the system and choosing the correct hardware, the desired results will be achieved. When this system is completed, it will inform of any objects near the vehicle, thus limiting possible collisions.

Vehicle Safety Modifications• Locate objects that are too close to the bumpers • Inform the driver of an object becoming dangerously close to the bumper via a sequence of LEDs• Do not inform the driver of objects that are a safe distance from vehicle• Locate other vehicles that are in the driver’s blind spot

Blind Spot Eliminator: • Electronic rotating mirror • Additional add-on mirror • Convex or concave mirror • Monitor and video camera set for driver

• Individual component or circuit analysis • Manual operational testing • Remoter operational testing • Real environment testing of coordinated functionality

Technologies Considered

175169

166 169

167

JoshBrueningMei-LingLiew

Fei Liu

BrianPhillips

AdamsSutanto

• Research technologies • Purchase or build components• Test and evaluate proposed solutions• Implement components into system

• Is an attachment to existing small vehicles• Shall not hinder the user’s ability to drive• Wire placement shall be unobtrusive• Sensors shall be installed inside bumpers• Equipment must be durable

• Selection of technology• Development of prototype• Development of testing algorithm

Proximity Sensor Module: • Controller with LCD screen Monitor and video camera set for driver • Comparator circuit with LED sequence as output

Figure 1: Ultrasonic proximity sensor

Figure 2: Convex mirror

Financial Resources

Item Description Estimated Cost

Poster $70.00

Blind Spot Mirrors $4.00

Ultrasonic Sensors $100.00

Comparators $5.00

Regulators $5.00

Other electronic components

$30.00

Total $214.00

Hours

Poster

Blind spotmirrorsUltrasonicsensorsComparators

Regulators

Other electroniccomponents

Materials $214.00

Labor @ 10.50/hr. $8,883.00

Total $9097