Occupancy-Based Parking Alignment for Safer Vehicle Egress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle parking systems do not always optimize the alignment for parking, particularly considering passenger occupancy and space for egress and ingress, which can hinder efficient and safe parking processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize sensors and a processor to determine an offset for parking based on passenger occupancy, lane markings, and surrounding objects, thereby optimizing the parking alignment for easier passenger access and safe vehicle positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated parking systems use fixed alignment rules, then parking automation is achieved, but passenger egress and ingress safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The parking alignment is made dynamic by adjusting the offset based on real-time sensor data about passenger occupancy. The system transitions from fixed alignment rules to adaptive alignment that changes according to which seats are occupied, ensuring safe egress paths are maintained while preserving automated parking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops where sensors continuously monitor passenger occupancy and provide this information to the parking control system. This feedback enables the system to adjust the parking alignment in real-time, ensuring that automated parking does not compromise passenger safety during egress and ingress.
2Reliability
If parking alignment is optimized for passenger access, then egress and ingress safety improves, but parking space utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different alignment strategies to different parking scenarios based on local conditions. When passengers are occupied in specific seats, the alignment is adjusted locally to prioritize their egress safety. When parking spaces are constrained, the system optimizes for space utilization. This localized adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the alignment strategy context-dependent rather than universally fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parking alignment parameter (offset from center) based on passenger occupancy data. By dynamically adjusting this parameter, the system can optimize for passenger safety when needed while maintaining efficient space utilization when passenger configuration allows, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If sensors and processors are added to determine occupancy-based offset, then parking alignment accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing multi-functional components (sensors already present for other vehicle functions, processors for general vehicle control) to determine passenger occupancy for parking alignment purposes. By leveraging existing infrastructure for a new function, the system achieves improved alignment accuracy without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing sensor network and processing capabilities to automatically determine occupancy and calculate appropriate parking offsets without requiring external assistance or complex additional hardware. The vehicle essentially serves itself by repurposing existing resources for the new function of occupancy-based parking alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for controlling alignment of a vehicle during parking that include obtaining sensor data via one or more sensors of a vehicle, as to passenger occupancy of the vehicle and as to a parking location for the vehicle; identifying, via a processor of the vehicle, which passenger seats of the vehicle are occupied, based on the sensor data; identifying, via the processor, the parking location based on the sensor data; and determining, via the processor, an offset for parking of the vehicle in the parking location, based at least in part on which passenger seats of the vehicle are occupied.