Multi-Beam Radar Parking Space Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring parking spaces using motor vehicle radar systems require multiple sensors and complex signal processing, which can be costly and inefficient, especially when measuring spaces parallel to the vehicle's direction of travel.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a multi-beam radar sensor with a reduced number of sensors, where the radar lobe is directed obliquely forward and backward to cover the vehicle's longitudinal side, allowing dominant reflections from parked vehicles to determine the parking space's length, leveraging existing radar systems for blind spot monitoring and lane change assistance, with an opening angle of 130° to 170° and using FMCW or phase difference methods for accurate distance and angle measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to measure parking spaces, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single radar sensor to perform multiple functions: blind spot monitoring, lane change assistance, and parking space measurement. The radar sensor sequentially directs its lobe in different main beam directions (obliquely forward and backward) to cover the vehicle's longitudinal side, allowing one sensor to replace what would traditionally require multiple sensors for comprehensive parking space detection.
2Measurement precision
If complex signal processing is used to measure parking spaces, then measurement precision is improved, but processing time and computational effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection area into multiple zones by directing the radar lobe sequentially in different main beam directions (obliquely forward and backward). This segmentation allows the system to process radar echoes from specific directional zones independently, improving measurement precision for parking space length while reducing overall processing complexity compared to analyzing all directional reflections simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by focusing the radar lobe on specific oblique directions (forward and backward) rather than scanning the entire 360-degree area. This selective scanning reduces the volume of data requiring processing while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for parking space length determination, as the dominant reflections from parked vehicles are captured in these specific directional zones.
3Area of stationary object
If radar lobe is directed obliquely forward and backward, then coverage of longitudinal side is improved, but number of main beam directions required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the radar lobe to be directed sequentially in different main beam directions (obliquely forward and backward) rather than using multiple fixed sensors. This dynamic repositioning of the radar lobe allows the system to cover the vehicle's longitudinal side detection area adaptively, adjusting the beam direction based on the operational requirement while using a single sensor.
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
This approach enables reliable and accurate measurement of parking space length with reduced signal processing effort and increased accuracy, allowing multiple use of existing radar sensors without additional costs, achieving distance measurement accuracy up to the centimeter range.
Implementation Method 1
a motor vehicle radar system (12) which has a multi-beam radar sensor (14) for measuring parking spaces (PL) by directing a radar lobe (16) sequentially in different main beam directions (18.1, . . . , 18.n)
Implementation Method 2
Signals reflected by an obstacle are evaluated with regard to the associated lobe direction and time delay in order to determine the geometry of the parking space
Implementation Method 3
The transmitter sends 80 ns pulses with a repetition frequency of 10 KHz to the antenna, which sweeps its beam lobe periodically over a specific angular range with a period of 1/100 s. Signals reflected by an obstacle are evaluated with regard to the associated lobe direction and time delay
Implementation Method 4
A multi-beam radar sensor that determines an angular position based on the phase difference between receiving antennas is known from WO 2004/053523 A1
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3~5
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for parking space measurement with a motor vehicle radar system (12) which has a multi-beam radar sensor (14), the radar lobe (16) of which is aimed sequentially in different main beam directions (18.1, 18.2,..., 18. n). The method is characterized in that at least one of the main beam directions (18.1, 18.2,..., 18. n) is directed to the front at an angle, and at least one of the main beam directions (18.1, 18.2,..., 18. n) is directed to the rear at an angle, such that a detection region (24) is thereby covered which extends near to a long side (22) of the motor vehicle (10), and in that an extent of a parking space in the longitudinal direction (20) of the motor vehicle (10) is determined while driving past the parking space from radar echoes of different radar lobes (16). Further disclosed is a radar system (14) which is designed for the execution of the method.