Vehicle Door Latch Control for Approaching Cyclist Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging for bicycle riders or scooter operators to anticipate when a vehicle occupant may open a door, especially in congested areas where rearview mirrors or camera data may not provide sufficient visibility of approaching cyclists.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a vehicle equipped with sensors to detect approaching moving objects within a 15 to 20 meter radius, providing alerts to both the vehicle occupants and the moving object operators. The system prevents door opening until the occupant acknowledges the presence of the moving object, using visual, auditory, or haptic alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If rearview mirrors and camera data are used to monitor the area around the vehicle, then the view of approaching bicyclists or scooter riders can be obtained, but in congested areas the view may be obscured and insufficient detection is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multiple sensor types (cameras, radar, LIDAR, ultrasonic sensors) that can function independently or in combination, allowing the vehicle to detect approaching objects through multiple pathways. When one sensor type's view is obscured, another sensor type can compensate, ensuring reliable detection in congested areas where line-of-sight may be blocked.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediate processing layers including sensor fusion algorithms and machine learning models that combine data from multiple sources. These intermediaries process raw sensor data to create a comprehensive picture of the environment, overcoming individual sensor limitations and providing robust detection even when direct views are obscured.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle door can be opened freely by occupants, then ease of exit is improved, but the risk of unwanted interactions with approaching moving objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the environment and provides real-time feedback to the door control system. When approaching moving objects are detected within a critical distance, the system feeds back a signal to prevent door actuation. This feedback loop maintains ease of operation under normal conditions while automatically preventing dangerous door openings when moving objects are detected nearby.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and assessment of the environment before allowing door opening. By detecting approaching moving objects in advance and evaluating their trajectory and speed, the system can prevent door actuation before the dangerous moment occurs, ensuring safe exit conditions are met before enabling door operation.
3Loss of information
If alerts are provided to notify occupants of approaching moving objects, then awareness is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges alert functions with existing vehicle information displays and notification systems. Rather than adding separate complex alert mechanisms, the invention integrates warnings into the vehicle's existing dashboard displays, audio systems, and haptic feedback mechanisms that occupants already interact with, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective communication.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for preventing doored interactions between a vehicle and moving object. According to one or more embodiments, a method for a vehicle includes detecting that a moving object is approaching the vehicle when the vehicle is stationary, detect that a moving object is approaching the vehicle when the vehicle is stationary, provide an alert within the vehicle of the approaching moving object, prevent an actuation of a door latch from opening a door of the vehicle, and provide a visual alert to notify an operator of the moving object that an occupant of the vehicle is attempting to open the door of the vehicle.