Beam-Formed Electromagnetic Wave Road Division Line Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing apparatuses for detecting division lines on road surfaces, such as lane markers, face challenges in accurately calculating the edges of division lines using luminance differences or require the use of both cameras and lasers, leading to increased apparatus size and complexity.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus that uses beam-formed electromagnetic waves to scan and detect division lines by measuring distance and intensity data based on reflected waves, allowing for accurate detection without a camera, utilizing a time-of-flight method to determine distance and analyzing signal changes to identify the location and edges of division lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If luminance difference method is used to detect division lines, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the detection accuracy of division line edges is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapparatus structureVSAvoiddetection accuracy of division line edges

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the optical luminance difference method with an electromagnetic wave-based detection system (millimeter-wave radar). This substitution enables accurate measurement of distance and reflection intensity data, allowing precise calculation of division line edges through signal processing rather than optical imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameters from luminance intensity to distance and reflection intensity of electromagnetic waves. By measuring the distance to the division line and the reflection intensity at different positions, the system can accurately calculate edge locations through analysis of parameter variations, achieving high precision without complex optical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If both camera and laser radar are used to detect division lines, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the apparatus size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the millimeter-wave radar perform multiple functions: it simultaneously measures distance, detects reflection intensity, and identifies division line edges. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate camera and laser radar systems, reducing apparatus size while maintaining high detection accuracy through comprehensive electromagnetic wave analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines distance measurement and reflection intensity detection into a single millimeter-wave radar system. By merging these functions into one apparatus, the system achieves the detection capabilities of both camera and laser radar without requiring multiple separate components, thus reducing overall apparatus size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If laser radar is used to detect division lines, then the detection capability is enhanced, but the apparatus complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidapparatus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The millimeter-wave radar system performs self-analysis by processing its own distance and reflection intensity data to automatically identify division line edges. The system uses its measured parameters to generate detection results without requiring external optical sensors, thereby enhancing detection capability while maintaining relatively simple apparatus structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The apparatus effectively detects division lines with high accuracy, enhancing safety in lane-keeping control systems by simplifying the hardware requirements and improving detection precision.

Implementation Method 1

measuring means for measuring, every beam-formed electromagnetic wave, distance data indicative of a distance between a division line on the road and the vehicle, based on information about the reflected electromagnetic wave received by the beam scanning means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

an reflected electromagnetic wave from the road being received

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS8724093B2Apparatus and method for detecting division lines depicted on road

Publication Date: 2014.05.13 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A division line depicted on a road is detected. A beam-formed electromagnetic wave is repetitively at intervals transmitted toward the road viewed from a vehicle to scan in the vehicle width direction. Each beam-formed electromagnetic wave is radiated to a radiation area on the road, and the radiation areas made by transmitting the beam-formed electromagnetic wave a plurality of times virtually produces a scan area on the road. Every beam-formed electromagnetic wave, distance data indicative of a distance between a division line on the road and the vehicle is measured based on information about a reflected electromagnetic wave. The distance data measured is received to detect the division line based on characteristics of changes in a sequence of the distance data produced by mapping the received distance data in a scanning order of the beam-formed electromagnetic wave.