BLIND SPOT MONITOR SYSTEM


  1. FUNCTION OF MAIN COMPONENTS

    Component Function
    Blind Spot Monitor Sensor

    • Outputs millimeter waves from the blind spot monitor sensor to the blind spot sensor detection area, uses the reflected millimeter waves for detecting the presence of a vehicle, the vehicle-to-vehicle distance, and the relative speed, and then transmits this information to the built-in signal processing circuit.

    • The signal processing circuit determines if a vehicle is present, and illuminates or blinks the outer rear view mirror indicator accordingly.

    • Dims the outer rear view mirror indicator light on the outer rear view mirror assembly.

    Driver Side Switch Module (Outer Mirror Switch Assembly)

    - Blind Spot Monitor Main Switch

    		 Pressing the blind spot monitor main switch (warning canceling switch assembly) turns the blind spot monitor system on or off.

    Outer Rear View Mirror Assembly

    - Outer Rear View Mirror Indicator Light

    • Illuminates when a vehicle is detected in the detection area (blind spot monitor function).

    • Blinks when the turn signal switch is operated while a vehicle is detected in the detection area (blind spot monitor function).

    • Blinks when another vehicle is detected in the alert area while the vehicle is backing up (RCTA function).

    Headlight Dimmer Switch Assembly

    - Turn Signal Switch

    		 Transmits the turn signal switch signal to the blind spot monitor sensors LH and RH.

    Combination Meter Assembly

    - Multi-information Display

    		 Displays "Check BSM System" when the blind spot monitor system malfunctions and "BSM not available" when the system cannot be used temporarily to inform the driver.
    Steering Sensor Transmits the steering angle signal to the blind spot monitor sensors LH and RH.
    Steering Control ECU*1 Transmits the steering angle signal to the blind spot monitor sensors LH and RH.
    Skid Control ECU Assembly Transmits the vehicle speed signal to the blind spot monitor sensors LH and RH.
    Main Body ECU (Driver Side Junction Block)

    • Transmits the destination signal to the blind spot monitor sensor LH and RH.

    • Transmits the illumination signal to the blind spot monitor sensor LH and RH.

    • Transmits the dimmer signal to the blind spot monitor sensor LH and RH.
    ECM Transmits the reverse signal to the blind spot monitor sensors LH and RH.
    RCTA Buzzer*2 Sounds when a vehicle is detected in the alert area while backing up.

    • *1: Models with VGRS

    • *2: Models with RCTA function

  2. OPERATING CONDITION


    1. Blind Spot Monitor Function


      1. The blind spot monitor function operates when both of the following conditions are met:


        • The blind spot monitor main switch is on.

        • The vehicle speed is greater than approximately 40 km/h (25 mph).

      2. The blind spot monitor function can detect vehicles in its detection areas.


        • The detection areas formed by the blind spot monitor sensors LH and RH are as shown below:

          A00108FE04
          Text in Illustration
          *a 3.0 m (9.8 ft.) *b 1 m (3.3 ft.)
          *c 0.5 m (1.6 ft.) - -
          A0010MK Blind Spot Detection Area - -

      3. The following are examples of the operation of the function:


        • The driver's vehicle is overtaken by another vehicle in the adjacent lane.

          A0010OLE03
          Text in Illustration
          *a This Vehicle - -
          A0010U0 Vehicle Speed (Fast) A0010GO Vehicle Speed (Slow)
          A0010MK Blind Spot Detection Area - -

        • When another vehicle enters the detection area of the driver's vehicle due to a lane change.

          A0010GLE03
          Text in Illustration
          *a Other vehicle enters the detection area during lane change (merge in) (Type 1). *b This Vehicle
          *c Other vehicle enters the detection area during lane change (merge in) (Type 2). - -
          A0010U0 Motion Direction of Other Vehicle A0010GO Motion Direction of Driver's Vehicle
          A0010MK Detection Area - -

    2. The RCTA function can detect vehicles in its detection areas.


      1. The system continuously measures the relative speed of an approaching vehicle and its distance. If it is determined that the approaching vehicle will cross in the path of this vehicle, the Estimated Crossing Time (ECT) is calculated. When the ECT is 2.5 seconds or less, the system alerts the driver by flashing the outer rear view mirror indicator lights and sounding the RCTA buzzer.

        A0010XAE02
        Text in Illustration
        *a This Vehicle *b Target Vehicle (Approximately 8 km/h (5 mph))
        *c Target Vehicle (Approximately 28 km/h (18 mph)) *d Approximately 5.5 m (18.0 ft.)
        *e Approximately 20 m (66 ft.) *f Target Detection Line
        A0010MK Alert Area - -

      2. Normal Parking

        A0010K9E04
        Text in Illustration
        *a This Vehicle *b Target Vehicle
        A0010MK Alert Area - -

      3. Angle Parking

        A0010P3E04
        Text in Illustration
        *a This Vehicle *b Target Vehicle
        A0010MK Alert Area - -

  3. CONSTRUCTION


    1. Blind Spot Monitor Sensor


      1. The blind spot monitor sensor consists of a millimeter wave radar circuit and a signal processing circuit.

      2. The millimeter wave radar uses frequencies in the 24 GHz band.

        A0010O4E03
        Text in Illustration
        *1 Blind Spot Monitor Sensor LH *2 Blind Spot Monitor Sensor RH
        *a Distance: Approximately 50 m (164 ft.) *b Horizontal Angle: Approximately 150°
        *c Vertical Angle: Approximately 20° - -

      3. The distance to the object, azimuth and relative speed are calculated from the information that is provided by the reflected millimeter wave radar as described below:

        Item Calculation Method
        Distance Calculated from the length of time that has elapsed from the time the waves of the millimeter wave radar have been emitted, until the reflected waves are received by the millimeter wave radar circuit. The distance is approximately 50 m (164 ft.).
        Azimuth Calculated from the reception angle of the millimeter wave radar reflections received. The detection angle has a horizontal range of approximately 150° and a vertical range of approximately 20°.
        Relative Speed Calculated by utilizing the change (Doppler effect*) that occurs in the frequency of the reflected millimeter wave radar waves.

        Tech Tips

        *: The Doppler effect causes the observer to perceive the radio waves emitted by a moving object to be a higher frequency as it approaches, and to be a lower frequency as it recedes. This phenomenon is created because when an object is located far away, the radio waves are perceived at higher frequencies than those of the radio source. An SST is used if radar axis confirmation is needed. For details, refer to the Repair Manual.

  4. OPERATION


    1. Blind Spot Monitor Function


      1. According to operation conditions, the blind spot monitor function promotes safety confirmation by using the outer rear view mirror indicator light to inform the driver that another vehicle has entered the blind spot monitor sensor detection area of this vehicle.

      2. The outer rear view mirror indicator light informs the driver that a vehicle is present in the blind spot detection area by illuminating when the turn light switch is not operated, and by flashing when a vehicle is present and the turn light switch is operated.

        A0010STE04

    2. RCTA Function (Models with RCTA Function)


      1. According to operation conditions, the RCTA function promotes safety confirmation by using the outer rear view mirror indicator lights and RCTA buzzer to inform the driver that another vehicle has entered the blind spot monitor sensor alert area of this vehicle.

      2. When this vehicle is reversing, if a vehicle enters the alert area of the blind sport monitor sensors and it is determined the vehicle will cross in the path of this vehicle, the system alerts the driver by flashing the outer rear view mirror indicator lights and sounding the RCTA buzzer.

        A0010XQE03

  5. DIAGNOSIS


    1. The blind spot monitor system is equipped with a diagnosis function that can display warning messages in the multi-information display. For details, refer to the Repair Manual.