Adaptive Parking Positioning for Passenger Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parking systems often result in inefficient use of parking spaces due to default settings that may leave insufficient space for passengers to exit, especially when vehicles are parked close to walls or slopes, and may waste space by maintaining a large lateral distance from delimiting objects.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses ultrasonic sensors to measure parking spaces and detect passenger status, allowing for dynamic adjustment of the vehicle's end position based on the height of lateral objects and passenger occupancy, enabling more efficient use of available space by varying the distance from delimiting objects depending on passenger status and object height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large lateral distance is maintained from delimiting objects to ensure passenger safety, then collision risk is reduced, but parking space utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger safetyVSAvoidparking space utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the lateral distance from delimiting objects based on real-time detection of object height and passenger status. When a high object is detected or a passenger is present, the system maintains a larger safety distance. When neither condition applies, the system reduces the distance to maximize space utilization. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the safety margin adaptive rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of lateral distance based on detected conditions (object height, passenger status). By monitoring these parameters and adjusting the safety distance accordingly, the system optimizes both safety and space utilization. The lateral distance parameter is not static but varies according to the operational context, allowing the system to achieve both safety and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a fixed end position is used in the parking space, then the parking process is simplified, but space efficiency deteriorates when passengers need to exit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking process simplicityVSAvoidspace efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The end position in the parking space is determined dynamically based on detected conditions rather than using a fixed position. The system calculates the optimal end position by considering object height and passenger status, adjusting the position automatically. This maintains ease of operation for the driver while optimizing space efficiency based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The parking system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting conditions and determining the appropriate end position without requiring driver intervention. The system serves itself by making intelligent decisions about positioning based on sensor data, combining simplicity of operation with optimization of space usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Area of stationary object

If the vehicle is positioned close to high lateral objects, then space usage is improved, but passenger access deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace usageVSAvoidpassenger access
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system takes preliminary action by detecting the presence of passengers and high objects before finalizing the parking position. When a passenger is detected or a high object is present, the system proactively adjusts the end position to maintain adequate clearance, preventing the problem of blocked passenger access before it occurs. This anticipatory adjustment resolves the contradiction between space usage and passenger access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables vehicles to be parked in smaller spaces along roadways, optimizing space usage by maintaining sufficient distance for passenger access while preventing collisions, especially with high lateral objects, and allowing for comfortable exit and entry.

Implementation Method 1

a possible parking space is first measured by preferably using ultrasonic sensors to determine the distance to the parking space along, i.e. at the front and rear, and laterally delimiting objects

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic measurement: Ultrasound

Data Source

PatentEP2090498B1Method for operating a driver assistance system when parking a vehicle in a parking space
Publication Date: 2016.09.21 VALEO SCHALTER & SENSOREN GMBH
  • EP2090498B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2090498B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method for operating a driver assistance system when parking a vehicle (14, 24, 34, 44) in a parallel, lateral parking space (12, 22, 32, 42) is described, in which method first a parking space (12, 22, 32, 42) is measured by recording the distance to objects (13, 23, 33, 43) that bound the parking space (12, 22, 32, 42) longitudinally and laterally, then a parking trajectory (15, 25, 35, 45) with an end position (16, 26, 36, 46) of the vehicle (14, 24, 34, 44) in the parking space (12, 22, 32, 42) is calculated, and then the vehicle (14, 24, 34, 44) to the final position (16, 26, 36, 46). In addition to the data obtained by measuring the parking space (12, 22, 32, 42), a passenger status is also used to determine the final position (16, 26, 36, 46) of the vehicle in the parking space (12, 22, 32, 42).Furthermore, a driver assistance device for carrying out the procedure, as well as a computer program product, are described which causes a microprocessor with associated storage means to carry out the procedure.