Adjustable Vehicle Sensors for Disturbance-Free Surround View
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor units for environmental perception in vehicles face disturbances in surround views due to vehicle components, which can lead to unreliable object detection and potential collisions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with two position adjustable sensors and a control unit that composes their views to create a surround view, detects disturbances, and adjusts sensor positions to resolve or reduce these disturbances without additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed position sensors are used to capture the environment around the vehicle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of object detection deteriorates due to disturbances in the surround view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the sensor positions adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the position of sensors (14, 17) based on detected disturbances in the surround view, allowing the system to adapt to different operational conditions and vehicle configurations while maintaining reliable object detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the control unit to continuously monitor the surround view quality and automatically adjust sensor positions when disturbances are detected. The system receives feedback about view quality and responds by repositioning sensors to eliminate obstacles or attachments blocking the view, thereby maintaining detection reliability
2Reliability
If additional sensors are added to compensate for disturbed views, then the reliability of surround view is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding static additional sensors, the patent uses dynamic repositioning of existing sensors to compensate for disturbed views. The control unit adjusts the position of sensors (14, 17) to alternative positions where they can capture the environment despite obstacles or attachments, maintaining surround view quality without increasing sensor count
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates alternative viewing positions for sensors that effectively copy the function of additional sensors would provide. By repositioning existing sensors to different locations, the system obtains redundant view information without physically adding more sensor units
3Reliability
If sensor positions are adjusted frequently to maintain optimal views, then the reliability of object detection is improved, but the loss of time for calibration and adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing sensor position adjustments automatically and continuously in the background during vehicle operation. The control unit monitors for disturbances and adjusts sensor positions proactively before they affect detection reliability, rather than requiring manual calibration stops
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service calibration where the control unit automatically detects disturbances and adjusts sensor positions without external intervention. The sensors self-correct their positioning based on real-time feedback from the surround view quality, eliminating the need for manual calibration time
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a sensor unit for environmental perception and a control unit. The sensor unit includes a first position adjustable sensor providing a first view of an environment and a second position adjustable sensor providing a second view of the environment. The control unit is configured to provide a surround view of the environment by composing the first view and the second view, to detect a disturbance in the surround view and to adjust the position of the first or the second position adjustable sensor for reducing the disturbance in the surround view. Related method is also disclosed.