Vehicle Door Collision Avoidance Using Steerable Wheel Camera Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing collision avoidance systems for vehicle doors and steerable wheels require additional sensors, increasing design complexity and cost, and do not effectively prevent collisions without them.

Innovation Solution

Utilize existing vehicle cameras, such as those in mirror replacement or turning assistance systems, to detect the steering position of steerable wheels and determine potential collisions, initiating collision avoidance measures like blocking door opening or adjusting wheel position to prevent contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a separate sensor is used to detect the steering angle of the steerable front wheel, then the collision detection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering angle detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor and control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the multi-functionality principle by utilizing the existing camera system (originally designed for mirror replacement or turning assistance) to also detect the steering angle of the steerable front wheel. This eliminates the need for a separate dedicated sensor, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining collision detection accuracy through image processing of the wheel's position and orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the vehicle door opens outward, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of collision with the steerable wheel increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor opening convenienceVSAvoidcollision risk with steerable wheel

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the preliminary action principle by detecting the steering angle of the front wheel before the door opening operation and proactively controlling the wheel to a safe position in advance. The control unit receives the steering angle from the camera system and automatically adjusts the wheel position to prevent potential collision with the outward-opening door, thereby enabling safe door operation without eliminating the outward swing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3809322B1Device for preventing the collision of a vehicle door of a motor vehicle with a vehicle wheel

Publication Date: 2026.04.15 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE

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AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for preventing a collision between a vehicle door (2) of a motor vehicle (3), preferably a bus. The device comprises a steerable vehicle wheel (4) of the motor vehicle (3), a detection device configured to detect the steering position of the vehicle wheel (4) directly or indirectly, and a control unit (6) configured to determine, depending on the detected steering position, whether there is a risk of collision between the vehicle door (2) and the vehicle wheel (4) during the opening process of the vehicle door (2), and, if such a risk exists, to initiate and/or carry out at least one collision avoidance measure (12) to prevent the collision between the vehicle door (2) and the vehicle wheel (4). According to the invention, the detection device comprises at least one camera (7, 10, 18).The invention further relates to a motor vehicle (3), preferably a bus, comprising such a device (1) for preventing a collision of the vehicle door (2) with the steerable vehicle wheel (4).