Abstract: An environment monitoring system for a vehicle includes at least two distance sensors for detecting distance by measuring the propagation time of detection signals. The distance sensors are each designed as a transmitting unit and receiving unit for the detection signals and, in a direct operating mode, emit detection signals, receive reflected components of the detection signals emitted by the distance sensors; and emit active measurement signals according thereto. The system also includes a control device that receives the measurement signals of the distance sensors and determines the object distance of a detected object. At least one distance sensor additionally can be operated in an indirect operating mode to detect a detection signal emitted by another distance sensor and reflected by the object and to generate an indirect measurement signal.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the area surrounding a vehicle, especially behind the vehicle and/or a connected trailer. The system includes distance sensors, which are arranged in a main plane and in at least one additional plane, for detecting objects in the respective monitoring region that pose a risk of collision and/or that limit passage height and/or width. The system also includes a device that evaluates the distance sensor signals to ascertain the current distance of the vehicle from the detected object and to compare the current distance against a predefinable, vehicle-specific setpoint distance value and to output a warning signal if a predefinable difference value therebetween is not reached. To cover the monitoring region both in area and height, additional distance sensors are arranged in at least one additional plane such that objects that cannot be identified by the sensors in the main plane can be detected over the entire width of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an environment monitoring system (3) for a vehicle (1), wherein the environment monitoring system (3) comprises: at least two distance sensors (4-1, 4-2, 4-3) for detecting distance by measuring the propagation time of detection signals, wherein the distance sensors (4-1, 4-2, 4-3) are each designed as a transmitting unit and receiving unit for the detection signal and, in a direct operating mode, emit detection signals, receive reflected components of the detection signals emitted by the distance sensors; and emit active measurement signals according thereto; and a control device (5), which receives the measurement signals of the distance sensors (4-1, 4-2, 4-3) and determines an object distance (s) of detected objects (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring system for monitoring the surrounding area, in particular the area behind motor vehicles and trailer vehicles having a plurality of distance sensors, which are arranged in a main plane and in at least one additional plane, for detecting objects or obstacles in the respective monitoring region (10?, 12?, 14?) which create the risk of a collision and/or limit the passage height and/or the passage width, and having a device (30), which evaluates the distance sensor signals, for ascertaining the current distance (actual value) of the motor vehicle from the detected object or obstacle and for comparing the actual value with a predefinable, vehicle-specific setpoint distance value and for outputting a warning signal if a predefinable difference value between the actual value and the setpoint value is not reached.