Frunk Access Repositioning Around Parking Obstacles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles lack efficient methods to automatically facilitate access to front cargo spaces, such as frunks, by maneuvering around obstacles to enhance user accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that includes a sensor suite to detect user intent and obstacles, autonomously moving the vehicle to a more accessible position, and opening a split gate frunk hood assembly to provide enhanced access to the cargo space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle remains in the first parked position, then the cargo space is closer to obstacles, but the vehicle requires no movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the vehicle's parking position based on real-time obstacle detection and user interaction patterns. The vehicle automatically transitions from a static parked state to a more accessible position when sensors detect user approach and cargo access is requested, resolving the contradiction between maintaining fixed position and improving accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an autonomous vehicle control system as an intermediary between the user's access request and the physical cargo space. This mediator detects user intent through sensors, evaluates obstacle positions, and automatically maneuvers the vehicle to optimize access, eliminating the need for manual repositioning while ensuring safe clearance from obstacles.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle moves automatically to improve cargo access, then accessibility is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous movement system leverages the vehicle's existing autonomous driving infrastructure, sensor suite, and control systems to perform cargo access facilitation. By reusing multi-functional components already present in modern vehicles, the system achieves enhanced cargo accessibility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle autonomously detects when cargo access is needed through its sensor suite, automatically determines the optimal position, and executes the movement without external intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex user interfaces or manual operations, simplifying the interaction model despite the underlying system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle moves to a second parked position, then cargo space accessibility is improved, but movement time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of user approach and cargo access intent before initiating vehicle movement. By anticipating the user's needs and preparing the optimal parking position in advance, the system minimizes the actual movement time required when access is requested, as the vehicle can execute a pre-planned, efficient trajectory.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous movement system executes rapid, direct trajectories to reposition the vehicle for cargo access, skipping unnecessary intermediate positions or maneuvers. This optimized pathing reduces the time required for position changes while ensuring safe clearance from obstacles, balancing speed with safety constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle cargo space access providing method includes, in response to a request to access a cargo space of a vehicle that is in a first parked position, confirming that a movement of the vehicle from the first parked position to a second parked position is unobstructed. The method further includes, continuing the confirming, and moving the vehicle automatically from the first parked position to the second parked position. The cargo space is more accessible to a user when the vehicle is in the second parked position than when the vehicle is in the first parked position.