Adaptive Protective Zone Selection for Vehicle Collision Avoidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective devices for vehicles, particularly driverless transportation systems, face challenges in adapting the dimensions of the protective zone to changing surrounding conditions and vehicle speed, leading to potential unnecessary emergency stops due to fixedly preset zones.
Innovation Solution
The method involves an optical sensor that continuously detects objects and determines the vehicle's direction and speed, allowing for the selection of an optimally adapted protective zone from pre-stored options, eliminating the need for external sensors and enabling adaptive collision prevention without requiring preparation of the surrounding area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the protective zone dimensions are fixedly preset in the optical sensor, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot adapt to changing surrounding conditions and vehicle speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the protective zone dimensions variable rather than fixed. The optical sensor system dynamically adjusts the protective zone size based on detected object characteristics and vehicle speed, allowing the protection area to adapt to changing conditions. This resolves the contradiction by enabling adaptability through dynamic adjustment while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the protective zone parameters (size, shape, position) based on detected conditions. The system changes the protective zone parameters dynamically according to object distance, speed, and type, allowing the same device to provide appropriate protection under varying conditions without requiring multiple fixed configurations.
2Reliability
If the protective zone size is increased to ensure safe braking distance at high speed, then collision protection is improved, but unnecessary emergency stops occur when walls or other fixed objects are detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of different objects detected in the protective zone. The system analyzes object characteristics (mobility, type, distance) and applies different protective responses: larger protective zones for mobile objects requiring safe braking distance, and smaller or adjusted zones for fixed objects like walls. This resolves the contradiction by providing appropriate protection levels locally tailored to each object type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring detected objects and their characteristics, then adjusting the protective zone dimensions accordingly. The optical sensor provides feedback about object type and position, which the control unit uses to dynamically modify the protective zone, preventing unnecessary stops while maintaining adequate protection for genuine hazards.
3Adaptability or versatility
If external sensors are added to determine vehicle speed and direction for adaptive protective zone selection, then the protective zone adaptation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the optical sensor perform multiple functions: it not only detects objects for protective zone monitoring but also determines vehicle speed and direction by analyzing object position changes over time. This multi-functionality allows the same sensor to provide both protective zone adaptation and vehicle parameter detection, resolving the contradiction by improving adaptability without adding external sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by having the optical sensor determine vehicle speed and direction autonomously through its own measurements of object positions at different times. The sensor serves itself by using its detection capability to derive additional information (vehicle motion parameters) needed for adaptive protective zone selection, eliminating the need for separate sensors or external assistance.
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
This approach ensures secure and adaptive collision monitoring, preventing unnecessary stops by dynamically adjusting the protective zone based on current conditions, thus enhancing safety and efficiency in dynamic environments.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor installed on the vehicle for locating objects within an area of coverage
Data Source
AI summary
Objects within an area of coverage are located at predetermined points in time with an optical sensor. Based on detected locations of the objects, a driving direction and/or a speed of the vehicle is determined as a function of measuring variables measured with the optical sensor. Based on the determined direction and/or speed, (a) a protective zone is selected among a plurality of protective zones previously stored in the optical sensor, or (b) a validity of a preset protective zone or a preset vehicle parameter value stored in the optical sensor is checked.