A multimode detection vehicle detector

Abstract

This application discloses a multi-mode vehicle detector, relating to the field of sensors. The detector includes a plastic base shell, an infrared detection component installed within the base shell, a magnetic induction module and a microwave radar module also installed within the base shell, and a control motherboard installed within the base shell. The base shell is hollow, forming a mounting cavity for accommodating the infrared detection component, microwave radar module, magnetic induction module, and control motherboard. The base shell has a sensing working surface. The control motherboard is connected to the infrared detection component, magnetic induction module, and microwave radar module, respectively, and is connected to external devices via cables extending outside the base shell. The control motherboard is used to acquire and process sensing data and transmit it to external devices. This detector integrates multiple detection methods, and its optimized design improves its pressure resistance and environmental adaptability, providing a more accurate and reliable means of monitoring parking space occupancy information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of sensors, and in particular to a multi-mode vehicle detector. Background Technology

[0002] With the widespread application of intelligent parking systems, vehicle detectors, as devices for detecting and collecting parking space occupancy information, are gradually becoming an indispensable part of these systems. These detectors are typically installed on the ground above parking spaces, monitoring the occupancy status of spaces in real time by detecting whether a vehicle is parked in the designated space. However, due to the specific nature of their installation location, these detectors often face challenges from various external factors during actual use, such as frequent vehicle traffic, unintentional trampling by pedestrians, and contamination from mud and other debris. These factors directly affect the reliability and lifespan of the detectors, significantly reducing their performance in practical applications.

[0003] Currently, widely used infrared vehicle detectors mainly consist of an infrared emitting tube, an infrared receiving tube, and a control circuit. The infrared emitting and receiving tubes are typically designed with a hemispherical head and a cylindrical body. This design allows the infrared tube to be installed in a hole in the detector's outer shell. While this design facilitates installation on the ground, the hemispherical head and cylindrical body of the infrared tube can be deformed or even damaged by significant external forces. This results in frequent inaccurate detection by current infrared vehicle detectors during actual operation, affecting not only the accurate collection of parking space occupancy information but also reducing the overall operational efficiency of the parking management system.

[0004] In addition to the aforementioned external physical damage and contamination issues, infrared vehicle detectors also suffer from significant technical deficiencies in light propagation. Current infrared tube designs primarily focus infrared light through a small portion of the hemispherical head. This insufficient light energy utilization results in short detection range, low sensitivity, poor directivity, and in some cases, compromised reliability.

[0005] Due to the complexity and variability of the environment, a single detection method is insufficient to cope with complex environments, making it difficult to meet the required detection accuracy.

[0006] Given the current problems with vehicle detectors, it is particularly important to develop new vehicle detection technologies. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this application is to overcome at least one deficiency of the existing technology and provide a multi-mode vehicle detector that integrates multiple detection methods. Structurally, optimized design improves its stress resistance and environmental adaptability. These improvements not only address the shortcomings of traditional vehicle detectors but also provide intelligent parking systems with a more accurate, reliable, and continuous means of monitoring parking space occupancy information, demonstrating significant application value.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this application discloses a multi-mode vehicle detector, which includes a plastic base shell, an infrared detection component installed within the base shell, a magnetic induction module and a microwave radar module also installed within the base shell, and a control mainboard installed within the base shell.

[0009] The base shell is hollow, forming a mounting cavity for accommodating the infrared detection component, microwave radar module, magnetic induction module, and control motherboard; the base shell has a sensing working surface;

[0010] The infrared detection component, magnetic induction module, and microwave radar module have their working ends facing the sensing working surface, respectively realizing infrared detection, magnetic induction detection, and microwave radar detection.

[0011] The control motherboard is connected to the infrared detection component magnetic induction module and microwave radar module respectively, and is connected to external devices through cables leading out of the base shell. The control motherboard is used to acquire and process the sensing data and send it to the external devices.

[0012] The infrared detection assembly includes at least one infrared emitting end facing the sensing working surface and at least one infrared receiving end facing the sensing working surface. Correspondingly, the sensing working surface of the base shell has an opening that mates with the infrared emitting end and the infrared receiving end. The infrared emitting end and the infrared receiving end have the same structure, each having a focusing cup that provides a focusing function and a working tube inserted into the focusing cup from the bottom up. The working tube in the infrared emitting end is an infrared emitting tube, and the working tube in the infrared receiving end is an infrared receiving tube.

[0013] The infrared transmitter and infrared receiver work together to form the working end of the infrared detection component.

[0014] The microwave radar module is located between the infrared transmitter and the infrared receiver and close to the sensing working surface, and is used to realize microwave radar sensing.

[0015] In some embodiments, the mounting cavity is filled with sealant.

[0016] In some embodiments, there are two or more infrared emitters.

[0017] In some embodiments, there are two or more infrared receivers.

[0018] In some embodiments, the working end of the microwave radar is provided with a boss, which protrudes from the sensing working surface of the base shell.

[0019] In some embodiments, the infrared transmitter and receiver are located below the sensing working surface.

[0020] In some embodiments, the infrared transmitter and the infrared receiver are higher than the sensing working surface. Correspondingly, a ring platform is provided on the sensing working surface to protect the infrared transmitter and the infrared receiver. The ring platform has a drain outlet to prevent water from accumulating at the infrared transmitter and the infrared receiver.

[0021] In some embodiments, the mounting cavity of the base shell is provided with slots for mounting the magnetic induction module and the microwave radar module.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, this application has at least one of the following beneficial effects:

[0023] 1. Improved pressure resistance and environmental adaptability: By filling the mounting cavity with sealant inside the base shell, the pressure resistance and adaptability of the vehicle detector to the external environment are improved, effectively extending its service life.

[0024] 2. Multi-mode detection function: It integrates infrared detection components, magnetic induction module and microwave radar module. Multi-mode detection technology enhances the accuracy and reliability of the detector under different environmental conditions, ensuring accurate collection of parking space occupancy information.

[0025] 3. Improved light propagation design: The focusing cup structure of the infrared transmitter and receiver provides a focusing function, reduces the problem of light scattering, improves light energy utilization, and thus increases the detection distance and sensitivity.

[0026] The beneficial effects listed above are not exhaustive of all advantages. Other potential beneficial effects and detailed technical implementation methods will be further disclosed in the embodiments or other descriptive sections of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0027] A better understanding of various aspects of this disclosure will be achieved by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The positions, dimensions, and extents of the structures shown in the drawings, etc., do not always represent actual positions, dimensions, and extents. In the drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the vehicle detector disclosed in this application.

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the vehicle detector disclosed in this application.

[0030] Figure 3 is another structural schematic diagram of the vehicle detector disclosed in this application.

[0031] Figure 4 is another internal structure diagram of the vehicle detector disclosed in this application.

[0032] Figure 5 is another structural schematic diagram of the vehicle detector disclosed in this application.

[0033] Figure 6 is another structural schematic diagram of the vehicle detector disclosed in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below; in fact, the embodiments described below are intended to make the disclosure more complete and to fully illustrate the scope of protection of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide further additional embodiments.

[0035] It should be understood that the same reference numerals denote the same elements in all the accompanying drawings. For clarity, the dimensions of certain features may be modified in the drawings.

[0036] It should be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. All terms used in this specification (including technical and scientific terms) have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art, unless otherwise defined. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, techniques, methods, and devices known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail; however, where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and devices should be considered part of this specification.

[0037] Unless otherwise specified, the singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in this specification include the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “containing” used in this specification indicate the presence of the claimed feature but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features. The term “and / or” used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items.

[0038] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, this embodiment describes a multi-mode vehicle detector designed to improve the accuracy, reliability, and environmental adaptability of vehicle detection. By integrating an infrared detection component, a magnetic induction module 3, and a microwave radar module 2, this detector can provide stable and accurate parking space occupancy information in complex environments, and possesses excellent anti-interference capabilities and adaptability.

[0039] In this embodiment, the core structure of the detector includes a base shell 1, an infrared detection component, a magnetic induction module 3, a microwave radar module 2, and a control motherboard 4.

[0040] The base shell 1 is made of high-strength plastic or composite materials, such as polycarbonate, nylon, or glass fiber reinforced polyamide, possessing excellent corrosion resistance, weather resistance, and mechanical strength, enabling long-term use in harsh environments without deformation or aging. The base shell 1 has a hollow internal structure, forming a mounting cavity 5 to accommodate and secure the various components. The mounting cavity 5 contains multiple slots and support structures to ensure the secure installation of the infrared detection component, magnetic induction module 3, microwave radar module 2, and control motherboard 4, preventing loosening or displacement under external forces. The base shell 1 has a sensing working surface 101. Furthermore, wiring channels are provided within the mounting cavity 5 to facilitate electrical connections and signal transmission between the components.

[0041] In addition, as an application option, mounting cavity 5 is filled with sealant. This design aims to improve the detector's environmental adaptability and long-term reliability, especially in harsh environments such as outdoor and underground parking lots, where the sealant effectively protects internal electronic components and sensing modules from external factors.

[0042] It's important to understand that the primary purpose of applying sealant within mounting cavity 5 is to prevent moisture, dust, and other contaminants from penetrating the detector's internal structure. This is especially crucial for outdoor-installed detectors, as they may be exposed to rain, snow, dust, and temperature fluctuations for extended periods. If moisture or dust enters mounting cavity 5, it can cause short circuits, corrosion, or malfunction of electronic components, affecting the detector's normal operation. By filling mounting cavity 5 with sealant, the components are completely encapsulated and isolated, effectively preventing external environmental corrosion of the internal electronic components and extending the equipment's lifespan.

[0043] Secondly, sealant also serves to dampen vibrations and resist impacts. In the working environment of detectors, especially those installed on the ground, they may be subjected to being run over by vehicles, trampled by pedestrians, or subjected to other mechanical impacts. Sealant can absorb and disperse these external forces, reducing the direct impact on internal components and thus lowering the risk of equipment damage. The viscoelastic properties of sealant enable it to effectively mitigate the effects of vibration on sensitive electronic components, ensuring that the detector can still operate normally in environments with high vibration or frequent impacts.

[0044] In this embodiment, the sensing working surface 101 of the base shell 1 is typically designed to be flat to facilitate direct contact with the detection area and reduce the possibility of water or dust accumulation. The infrared detection component is one of the core components in this embodiment, responsible for detecting the presence of a vehicle by emitting and receiving infrared light. This component is designed to improve detection accuracy, sensitivity, and reliability, and to reduce the impact of external factors on detection performance through optimized structure. The infrared detection component includes an infrared emitting end 6 and an infrared receiving end 7 facing the sensing working surface 101. Both have identical structures and are arranged in the mounting cavity 5 within the base shell 1.

[0045] In some applications, as a preferred option, the infrared transmitter 6 and the infrared receiver 7 are separated by a light-blocking partition to prevent the emitted infrared light from accidentally entering the infrared receiver 7 directly, thereby avoiding light interference.

[0046] In terms of specific structure, both the infrared transmitter 6 and the infrared receiver 7 are composed of a focusing cup 8 and a working tube 10.

[0047] The focusing cup 8 is made of highly reflective materials, such as aluminum alloy or silver-plated plastic, offering excellent optical performance. Its parabolic or elliptical shape effectively focuses light, making the emitted infrared beam more concentrated. More specifically, the inner surface of the focusing cup 8 undergoes precision machining and coating to ensure maximum reflection of infrared light and minimize light energy loss. This, in turn, improves the detector's detection range and sensitivity.

[0048] In this embodiment, the working tube 10 is divided into an infrared emitting tube and an infrared receiving tube, used for emitting and receiving infrared light respectively. That is, the infrared emitting end 6 is the infrared emitting tube, and the infrared receiving end 7 is the infrared receiving tube. The infrared emitting tube is made of semiconductor material, usually gallium arsenide (GaAs) or indium phosphide (InP), which has high photoelectric conversion efficiency. After being powered on, the emitting tube can emit infrared light with a wavelength of 850nm to 950nm. Infrared light in this wavelength range has good penetrability and can penetrate slight obstructions such as dust within a certain distance. The infrared receiving tube is responsible for receiving the infrared light reflected from the target and converting it into an electrical signal. The receiving tube contains a photodiode, whose sensitivity has been precisely calibrated to accurately detect weak infrared signals and transmit them to the control motherboard 4 for processing.

[0049] The infrared detection component operates based on the emission and reflection of infrared light. When the detector starts working, the infrared emitting tube is powered on and begins emitting infrared light. Through the focusing function of the condenser cup 8, this infrared light is concentrated into a beam and directed towards the detection area in a designated direction. When the infrared light encounters reflective objects such as vehicles, it is reflected. The reflected infrared light is captured by the infrared receiving tube and refocused by the condenser cup 8 to ensure that the light accurately enters the receiving tube. The receiving tube converts the received infrared light into an electrical signal and transmits it to the control motherboard 4 for analysis. The control motherboard determines whether a vehicle is in the detection area based on the received electrical signal. If the intensity of the received signal reaches or exceeds a set threshold, it will determine that a vehicle is present and send this information to an external receiving device. Otherwise, the system will determine that no vehicle is present.

[0050] In practical implementation, the detector can be configured with different combinations of infrared transmitter 6 and infrared receiver 7 as needed. For example, in some embodiments, such as Figure 5 The configuration shown can employ two infrared transmitters 6 and one infrared receiver 7, or one infrared transmitter 6 and two infrared receivers 7. Furthermore, in some embodiments, such as... Figure 6 The diagram shows a combination of two infrared transmitters 6 and two infrared receivers 7. The extra infrared transmitters 6 or receivers 7 in these configurations serve as redundancy. If one detection channel fails due to external force or environmental factors, the other channel can still function normally, thereby further enhancing the reliability and stability of the detector. This redundancy design is particularly suitable for parking lots or parking management systems with high-frequency vehicle entry and exit, helping to reduce false alarms or missed alarms caused by detector failure.

[0051] In other embodiments, such as Figure 3 and 4 As shown, to protect the infrared detection components, the tops of the infrared transmitter 6 and the infrared receiver 7 are slightly lower than the sensing working surface 101, thus preventing them from being directly impacted when run over by vehicles or stepped on by pedestrians. Meanwhile, the ring platform 11 on the sensing working surface 101, designed to surround the infrared transmitter 6 and the infrared receiver 7, not only provides physical protection but also prevents the accumulation of rainwater or cleaning water through the drain outlet 12, effectively guiding water flow out, keeping the components clean, and ensuring their long-term stable operation.

[0052] In this embodiment, the magnetic induction module 3 plays a crucial role in the multi-mode vehicle detector, determining whether a vehicle occupies a specific parking space by detecting changes in the magnetic field. This module utilizes the influence of the vehicle's metal parts on the magnetic field, providing accurate occupancy information in practical use, and is particularly suitable for complex environments such as outdoor and underground parking lots.

[0053] Specifically, the core components of the magnetic induction module 3 are Hall effect sensors or magnetoresistive sensors, which can detect minute changes in the magnetic field. When a vehicle enters or leaves the detection area, the metal parts of the vehicle body cause disturbances in the local magnetic field. The magnetic induction module can detect these changes and convert them into electrical signals. These electrical signals are transmitted to the control board, where they are further processed and analyzed to determine the vehicle's presence status.

[0054] During operation, firstly, when the detector is in standby mode, the magnetic induction module 3 continuously monitors the surrounding magnetic field environment. At this time, the magnetic field strength recorded by the sensor serves as a baseline value. When a vehicle enters the detection area, the vehicle's metal structure alters the surrounding magnetic field distribution, causing the magnetic induction module 3 to detect a change in magnetic field strength that differs from the baseline value. The Hall sensor or magnetoresistive sensor inside the magnetic induction module 3 immediately captures this change and converts it into an electrical signal.

[0055] Next, the generated electrical signal is transmitted to the control motherboard 4. The control motherboard 4 analyzes the signal to determine the magnitude and duration of the change. If the magnitude of the change exceeds a set threshold and the duration reaches a predetermined standard, the system will confirm that a vehicle occupies the detection area. This result will be transmitted through the cable connecting the detector to the external receiving device, updating the parking space occupancy status in real time.

[0056] When the vehicle leaves the detection area, the magnetic induction module 3 detects that the magnetic field has returned to or is close to the original reference value. The control motherboard 4 interprets this information as the vehicle leaving and updates the parking space status to available.

[0057] In this embodiment, the microwave radar module 2 detects the presence and movement of vehicles by transmitting and receiving microwave signals. The module operates in the 24GHz or 77GHz frequency band. The microwave transmitter generates high-frequency microwave signals and transmits them to the detection area via an antenna system. When the microwave signals encounter a vehicle, they are reflected. The microwave receiver captures these reflected signals and converts them into electrical signals. The signal processing unit analyzes the time delay, frequency variation, and intensity of these signals to determine the vehicle's distance, speed, and presence status. The microwave radar module's strong penetration capability allows it to provide stable and reliable detection results even in adverse weather conditions, such as rain and snow, making it particularly suitable for vehicle detection in outdoor and underground parking lots.

[0058] The multi-mode sensing design of this multi-mode vehicle detector aims to improve detection accuracy, reliability, and environmental adaptability. By integrating infrared, magnetic induction, and microwave radar detection technologies, the detector can maintain high-precision detection capabilities in various complex environments, compensating for the shortcomings of single detection methods and thus providing stable and reliable parking space occupancy information in a wider range of application scenarios. The sensing working surface 101 is designed to be flat to avoid water and dust accumulation problems caused by surface depressions, ensuring long-term stable operation of the detector in various environments.

[0059] It is important to understand that the multi-mode vehicle detector in this embodiment is designed with the capability of multi-information analysis and judgment. It can comprehensively utilize data from three modules—infrared detection, magnetic induction, and microwave radar—to achieve high-precision vehicle detection in complex environments. Through this multi-mode sensing design, even if one module is interfered with or malfunctions, the detector can still rely on data from other modules to obtain accurate detection results.

[0060] For example, in the infrared detection module, if it encounters obstruction or interference from foreign objects (such as fallen leaves, snow, or pedestrians), the infrared detection component may make an incorrect judgment, identifying the parking space as occupied or vacant. In this case, the detector will automatically refer to the detection results of the magnetic induction module 3 and the microwave radar module 2. If the magnetic induction module 3 detects the presence of metal parts of the vehicle, or the microwave radar module 2 senses the shape, size, or movement of the vehicle, the detector can disregard the incorrect judgment of the infrared detection module, thus providing an accurate judgment based on multi-source information.

[0061] Similarly, when the magnetic induction module 3 generates an erroneous signal due to fluctuations in the ambient magnetic field or equipment malfunction, the detector can rely on the results from the infrared detection and microwave radar module 2 to make a judgment. If the infrared detection component detects the presence of a vehicle, or the microwave radar module 2 confirms the vehicle's position and speed, the detector can ignore the erroneous signal from the magnetic induction module 3 and still accurately determine the occupancy status of the parking space.

[0062] Microwave radar module 2 may be affected by multipath effects or signal reflection in certain situations, leading to inaccurate detection results. If microwave radar module 2 fails to detect a vehicle correctly, the detector can correct the error by combining the short-range high-precision data from the infrared detection module and the detection results of metallic objects from the magnetic induction module 3, ultimately providing accurate vehicle occupancy information.

[0063] By integrating these three detection technologies, the detector can perform cross-validation and analysis of multiple pieces of information, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the detection results. Even in complex environments, if one detection module misjudges or malfunctions, data from other modules can still supplement and correct the detection results, thus guaranteeing the accuracy of parking space occupancy information. This multi-mode fusion detection method greatly improves the system's fault tolerance and anti-interference capabilities, enabling the detector to provide stable and reliable service in various environments.

[0064] While exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, all changes and modifications are included within the scope of protection of this disclosure as defined by the claims. This disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and equivalents of those claims are also included.

Claims

1. A multi-mode vehicle detector, characterized in that, The detector includes: a plastic base shell, an infrared detection assembly installed inside the base shell, a magnetic induction module and a microwave radar module also installed inside the base shell, and a control mainboard installed inside the base shell. The base shell is hollow, forming a mounting cavity for accommodating the infrared detection component, microwave radar module, magnetic induction module, and control motherboard; the base shell has a sensing working surface; The control motherboard is connected to the infrared detection component, the magnetic induction module and the microwave radar module respectively, and is connected to external devices through cables leading out of the base shell. The control motherboard is used to acquire and process the sensing data and send it to the external devices. The infrared detection component, magnetic induction module, and microwave radar module have their working ends facing the sensing working surface, respectively realizing infrared detection, magnetic induction detection, and microwave radar detection. The infrared detection component includes at least one infrared emitting end facing the sensing working surface and at least one infrared receiving end facing the sensing working surface. The infrared emitting end and the infrared receiving end cooperate to form the working end of the infrared detection component. The microwave radar module is located between the infrared emitting end and the infrared receiving end and close to the sensing working surface, and is used to realize microwave radar sensing. An opening is opened on the sensing working surface of the base shell to cooperate with the infrared emitting end and the infrared receiving end. The infrared emitting end and the infrared receiving end have the same structure, each having a focusing cup that provides a focusing function and a working tube inserted into the focusing cup from the bottom up. The working tube in the infrared emitting end is an infrared emitting tube, and the working tube in the infrared receiving end is an infrared receiving tube.

2. The multi-mode vehicle detector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: There are two or more infrared receivers.

3. A multi-mode vehicle detector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The infrared emitter has two or more terminals.

4. A multi-mode vehicle detector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The infrared transmitter and receiver are located below the sensing working surface.

5. A multi-mode vehicle detector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The infrared transmitter and receiver are higher than the sensing working surface. Correspondingly, a ring platform is provided on the sensing working surface to protect the infrared transmitter and receiver. The ring platform has a drain outlet to prevent water from accumulating at the infrared transmitter and receiver.

6. A multi-mode vehicle detector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The working end of the microwave radar is provided with a boss, which protrudes from the sensing working surface of the base shell.

7. A multi-mode vehicle detector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting cavity is filled with sealant.

8. A multi-mode vehicle detector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting cavity of the base shell is provided with slots for mounting the magnetic induction module and the microwave radar module.

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