Warning Chimes - Blind Spot Information System

Description and Operation System Diagram   Item Description 1 Exterior mirror with LED (light emitting diode) and system symbols 2 Instrument Cluster 3 GEM (generic electronic module) 4 Blind spot monitoring module 5 DDM (driver door module) or PDM (passenger door module) A private MS-CAN (controller area network) B MS CAN C hard wired System Operation The blind spot monitoring modules communicate via a private MS-CAN (known as the X-CAN) with the GEM. This is done for security reasons, because the modules are easily accessible at the rear bumper. Otherwise the door modules of the vehicle could be controlled via the MS-CAN and the doors could be opened. The GEM is the gateway between the blind spot monitoring modules and the door modules. The exterior mirrors with the LEDs are hard-wired to the respective door modules. The system can be switched on and off via the instrument cluster. If a fault occurs in the blind spot monitoring system, a yellow warning lamp comes on in the instrument cluster and a message appears in the driver information system. Blind spot monitoring The blind spot monitoring system recognizes other moving vehicles on both the left-hand side and the right-hand side of the vehicle and warns of them as soon as they are located in the detection area of the system. The detection area is larger than the actual blind spot. The detection range of the system starts at half a meter distance from the side of the vehicle at the height of the exterior mirror, is 3 meters wide and extends 3 meters behind the rear bumper. The system does not warn of infrastructure, stationary vehicles, vehicles approaching from the other direction or vehicles which are being overtaken with a difference in speed (relative speed) of more than 10 kph. "Vehicles" in terms of this system comprises commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles and motorcycles. By emitting radar beams and analyzing the reflections, the system identifies vehicles that arrive in the blind spot detection area. The driver is made aware of the danger by the illumination of a yellow LED in the particular exterior mirror. NOTE: If imminent overtaking maneuvers are detected on both sides of the vehicle at the same time, the LEDs in both mirrors will illuminate. Blind spot monitoring   Item Description 1 Vehicle in process of overtaking 2 Vehicle changing lane 3 Own vehicle in process of overtaking 4 Surroundings Vehicle in process of overtaking The system recognizes a vehicle in the process of overtaking, located on the left-hand side in the blind spot. The driver is warned until the overtaking object has left the area. Vehicle changing lane The driver is warned as soon as a vehicle enters the blind spot during a lane change. The warning disappears when the area is cleared again. Own vehicle in process of overtaking The driver is in the process of overtaking another vehicle. The driver is warned if the vehicle being overtaken remains longer than 2 seconds in the blind spot. Surroundings There is no warning given for parked vehicles, infrastructure and vegetation. The warning display only operates while the overtaking vehicle is a maximum of 20 to 30 km/h faster. At a speed of more than 40 km/h, the system does not detect it any longer. LED The lens on the LED is shaped in such a way that the warning symbol is hardly visible to other drivers. The LED and the system symbols are arranged at the outer edge of the exterior mirror. The warning symbol does not cover any important objects thereby and the driver is not distracted by the warning symbol. The LED outputs the following signals: Yellow LED permanently lit - system is active, vehicle detected in blind spot No LEDs lit – system is active, no vehicle detected in blind spot The system is subject to certain limitations in its operation and under certain conditions will automatically be shut down. Under these conditions the yellow warning lamp in the instrument cluster is continuously lit. The following operating limitations may exist: The operation of the radar modules may be limited by the presence of magnetic objects in the detection area The system only becomes active at driving speeds above 10 km/h. If the vehicle is operated with a trailer which meets defined criteria, the system will be switched off (yellow warning lamp in the instrument cluster continuously lit) The system will be deactivated if reverse gear or park is selected. If a radar sensor is obstructed or impaired (e.g. by water), if the surface of the module is covered by mud, slush or snow, the system may switch off in rare cases. The yellow warning lamp in the instrument cluster will be lit and the warning message 'Blind spot monitoring blocked’ will be displayed in the driver information system. The system remains deactivated until the contamination/damage has been corrected, and subsequently a time of about 10 minutes has elapsed and 2 to 3 vehicles have overtaken or have been overtaken. The restriction can also occur through heavy rain. When the rain eases, 10 minutes must pass and 2-3 vehicles must have overtaken or have been overtaken. Alternatively, the blockage message clears with one ignition cycle. System error If there is a fault in the system, the yellow warning lamp in the instrument cluster is permanently lit and a ‘Blind spot monitoring not available’ message is displayed in the driver information system. The system remains deactivated until the fault is rectified. Warnings will be output for the following system faults/obstructions: The system will be deactivated if the radar module signal is obstructed (yellow warning lamp in the instrument cluster permanently lit and message appears in the driver information system) The system will be deactivated by a fault (yellow warning lamp in the instrument cluster permanently lit and message appears in the driver information system) If faults occur in the system, DTC (diagnostic trouble code)s are stored in the particular blind spot monitoring module. All modules are delivered as a left-hand side module. The modules recognize where they are installed and the right-hand module configures itself accordingly. However, if new software needs to be installed, first that for the left-hand module is loaded, then that for the right-hand module. The modules can be swapped for troubleshooting. Calibration of the modules using the IDS (Integrated Diagnostic System) enables updates to be downloaded once new functions become available or any faults require software updates.