Blind Zone Visualization Using Mirrors for Autonomous Vehicle FOV
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles experience blind zones in front of the vehicle due to obstruction by structural parts, which are difficult to detect when stationary or moving at low speeds, and existing solutions like additional sensors are costly, vulnerable to damage, and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A blind zone visualization system using roof-mounted visual sensors and hood-mounted mirrors to redirect the sensor's field of view into the obstructed area, processing sensor data to confirm the absence of obstacles before movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional sensors are installed to detect obstacles in blind zones, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A mirror is introduced as an intermediary component to redirect light from blind zone areas to the existing sensor's field of view. The mirror mounted on the hood reflects light paths that would otherwise be blocked by the hood structure, enabling the existing roof-mounted sensor to detect obstacles in previously undetectable areas without adding more sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution changes the spatial dimension of detection by using optical reflection to bend light paths. Instead of adding sensors in physically inaccessible blind zones, the mirror redirects light from three-dimensional space around the hood into the two-dimensional sensor field of view, effectively expanding detection coverage through geometric optics.
2Reliability
If additional sensors are installed to detect obstacles in blind zones, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A mirror is introduced as an intermediary component to redirect light from blind zone areas to the existing sensor's field of view. The mirror mounted on the hood reflects light paths that would otherwise be blocked by the hood structure, enabling the existing roof-mounted sensor to detect obstacles in previously undetectable areas without adding more sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror creates an optical copy or virtual image of the blind zone area within the sensor's field of view. By reflecting light from physical spaces that are geometrically blocked, the mirror produces a visual representation of those areas on the sensor, allowing detection without direct line-of-sight measurement.
3Area of stationary object
If sensors are positioned lower to expand FOV, then blind zone coverage is improved, but sensor vulnerability to damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution changes the spatial dimension of detection by using optical reflection to bend light paths. Instead of adding sensors in physically inaccessible blind zones, the mirror redirects light from three-dimensional space around the hood into the two-dimensional sensor field of view, effectively expanding detection coverage through geometric optics.
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
Reduces or eliminates blind zones without additional sensors, enhancing safety and reliability by improving obstacle detection in front of the vehicle, especially at standstill or low speeds, while minimizing power consumption and cost.
Implementation Method 1
at least one mirror mounted on a hood of the autonomous vehicle. The at least one mirror is configured to redirect a portion of a field of view (FOV) of the at least one sensor into a volume of space in front of the autonomous vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A blind zone visualization system for an autonomous vehicle is described. The system includes at least one visual sensor mounted on a roof of the autonomous vehicle and at least one mirror mounted on a hood of the autonomous vehicle. The at least one mirror redirects a portion of a field of view (FOV) of the at least one sensor into a volume of space in front of the autonomous vehicle. The system also includes at least one processor programmed to execute computer-readable instructions that cause the at least one processor to receive sensor data output from the at least one visual sensor and representative of the volume of space, detect, from the sensor data, no obstacle is present in the volume of space, and transmit a first signal to a control system of the autonomous vehicle to control the autonomous vehicle to travel forward through the volume of space.