BLIND SPOT MONITOR SYSTEM


  1. FUNCTION OF MAIN COMPONENTS


    1. The blind spot monitor system has the following functions:

      Component Function
      Blind Spot Monitor Sensor LH and RH

      • Output millimeter waves from the blind spot monitor sensor to the blind spot sensor detection area, use the reflected millimeter waves for detecting the presence of a vehicle, the vehicle-to-vehicle distance and the relative speed, and then transmit 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 light accordingly.

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

      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).
      Combination Meter Assembly Blind Spot Monitor Indicator Light Illuminates when the blind spot monitor system is turned on and goes out when the system is turned off in order to inform the driver of the system status.
      Multi-information Display Displays the setting screen to turn the blind spot monitor system on or off.

      Headlight Dimmer Switch Assembly


      • Turn Signal Switch

      		 Transmits the turn signal switch signal to the blind spot monitor sensor LH and RH.
      Steering Angle Sensor Transmits the steering angle signal to the blind spot monitor sensor LH and RH.
      Skid Control ECU Transmits the vehicle speed signal to the blind spot monitor sensor LH and RH.
      Speed Sensor Transmits the vehicle speed signal to the skid control ECU.
      Main Body ECU (Driver Side Junction Block Assembly)

      • 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.

      • Sends a blind spot monitor system on or off signal to the blind spot monitor sensor LH and RH.
      ECM Transmits the reverse signal to the blind spot monitor sensors LH and RH.
      Steering Pad Switch Assembly The blind spot monitor system can be turned on or off by operating this switch.
      RCTA Buzzer (Blind Spot Monitor Buzzer)*1 Sounds when a vehicle is detected in the alert area while backing up.
      Back-up Light Switch Assembly*2 Transmits the reverse signal to the ECM.
      Park/Neutral Position Switch Assembly*3 Transmits the reverse signal to the ECM or TCM*4.

      *1: Models with RCTA function

      *2: Models with manual transmission

      *3: Models with automatic transmission

      *4: Models with A750F automatic transmission

  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 system is on.

        • The vehicle speed is greater than approximately 16 km/h (10 mph).

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


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

          B001BLRE03
          Text in Illustration
          *a 3.0 m (9.8 ft.) *b 1.0 m (3.3 ft.)
          *c 0.5 m (1.6 ft.) - -
          B001BEA 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.

          B001BFHE02
          Text in Illustration
          *a This Vehicle - -
          B001BOY Vehicle Speed (Fast) B001B9L Vehicle Speed (Slow)
          B001BEA Blind Spot Detection Area - -

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

          B001BJCE02
          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). - -
          B001BOY Motion Direction of Other Vehicle B001B9L Motion Direction of Driver's Vehicle
          B001BEA 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.

        B001BIAE02
        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
        B001BEA Alert Area - -

      2. Normal Parking

        B001B88E02
        Text in Illustration
        *a This Vehicle *b Target Vehicle
        B001BEA 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.

        B001BL3E04
        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 signal switch is not operated and by flashing when a vehicle is present and the turn signal switch is operated.

    2. 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 spot 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.

  5. DIAGNOSIS


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