Active Park Assist Semi-Trailer Overhang Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active park assist systems in vehicles fail to accurately detect semi-trailer overhangs, leading to poor trajectory planning and potential accidents during parking, as ultrasonic sensors mounted lower on the vehicle cannot detect the overhang, resulting in incorrect calculations of parking space dimensions.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a combination of ultrasonic sensors and range detection sensors, such as LiDAR and cameras, to detect overhangs, and broadcasts messages via DSRC modules to account for the overhang dimensions, allowing the parking assist unit to calculate accurate trajectories for parking, either by controlling steering and acceleration in semi-autonomous vehicles or providing information to navigation systems for autonomous vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If ultrasonic sensors are mounted lower on the vehicle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of overhang detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ultrasonic sensors with range detection sensors (such as LiDAR or cameras) to create a hybrid detection system. The ultrasonic sensors provide proximity detection while the range detection sensors mounted higher on the vehicle provide overhang detection capability, resolving the contradiction between simple mounting and precise measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vertical dimension consideration by mounting range detection sensors higher on the vehicle body, allowing detection of overhangs that extend above the vehicle level. This multi-dimensional approach enables both low-mounted ultrasonic sensors and high-mounted range sensors to work together effectively.
2Device complexity
If ultrasonic sensors are used for parking detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of parking space dimension calculation deteriorates when overhangs are present
Solution Approach 1:
The range detection sensors act as intermediaries that detect the presence and extent of overhangs, providing information that mediates between the ultrasonic sensor measurements and the final parking space dimension calculation. This intermediary detection layer corrects measurements when overhangs are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from range detection sensors to adjust and correct parking space dimension calculations. When overhangs are detected, the system receives feedback information about the overhang extent and adjusts the trajectory planning accordingly, improving calculation reliability.
3Device complexity
If a single sensor type is used for parking assist, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different parking scenarios (with and without overhangs) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional sensor system where range detection sensors serve multiple purposes: detecting overhangs, measuring parking space dimensions, and providing trajectory planning data. This universal sensor performs multiple functions that would otherwise require separate specialized sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its detection and calculation methods based on the detected scenario. When overhangs are detected, the system switches to a modified calculation mode that accounts for the overhang, providing dynamic adaptability to different parking situations.
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 solution enables vehicles to accurately detect and account for semi-trailer overhangs, improving parking trajectory planning and preventing accidents by ensuring precise parking space dimension calculations, enhancing both semi-autonomous and autonomous parking capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a first range detection sensor, a second range detection sensor different from the first range detection sensor, and a parking assist unit. The parking assist unit detects, with the first and second range detection sensors, a second vehicle with an overhang adjacent to a parking space
Implementation Method 2
Additionally, the parking assist unit broadcasts, with a DSRC module, a message including properties of the parking space accounting for the overhang
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus are disclosed for active park assist detection of semi-trailer overhang. An example vehicle includes a first range detection sensor, a second range detection sensor different from the first range detection sensor, and a parking assist unit. The parking assist unit detects, with the first and second range detection sensors, a second vehicle with an overhang adjacent to a parking space. Additionally, the parking assist unit broadcasts, with a DSRC module, a message including properties of the parking space accounting for the overhang.