Park-Steer Assist System Steering Control for Parking Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semi-automatic park assist systems fail to optimally align a motor vehicle within a parking space, especially in varying parking space dimensions, and do not adequately involve the driver in the alignment process, increasing the risk of collision and requiring complex sensor systems.
Innovation Solution
A semi-automatic park-steer assist system that detects the need for alignment changes and controls the vehicle's steerable wheels to align the vehicle by determining the required direction and adjusting the steering based on the drive direction, allowing the driver to focus on monitoring the environment and speed control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fully automatic parking is implemented, then the driver is relieved of steering tasks, but the driver's supervisory duties are neglected and collision risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a park-steer assist system that acts as an intermediary between fully automatic and manual parking. The system automatically controls steering actuators to adjust wheel angles while the driver maintains control of acceleration and braking, providing mechanical assistance without removing driver supervision. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by automating only the steering function while preserving driver oversight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial automation by automatically controlling only the steering mechanism through actuators, while leaving acceleration and braking under driver control. This partial action provides sufficient automation relief for the driver while maintaining enough human oversight to ensure safety and prevent collisions.
2Measurement precision
If complex sensor systems are used for fully automatic parking, then detection accuracy improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes existing multi-functional vehicle sensors (ultrasonic sensors for parking distance control, sensors for park assist systems) to serve the additional function of detecting alignment status and triggering steering adjustments. By making existing sensors multi-functional, the system achieves accurate detection without adding complex dedicated sensor systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing sensor infrastructure to automatically detect when alignment adjustment is needed and triggers appropriate steering corrections. The system serves itself by leveraging already-present sensing capabilities rather than requiring additional specialized sensors.
3Manufacturing precision
If the driver manually steers during parking, then alignment precision can be achieved, but the driver experiences time-consuming steering tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical steering input with automated steering actuators controlled by a control unit. The actuators mechanically adjust the wheel angles automatically based on detected alignment conditions, substituting the driver's manual steering actions with an automated mechanical system that achieves the same alignment precision more quickly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively detects misalignment conditions using sensors and automatically initiates steering corrections before the driver would need to manually adjust. By performing preliminary detection and automatic correction, the system eliminates the time the driver would spend on manual steering adjustments while maintaining alignment precision.
4Reliability
If semi-automatic park assist systems are used, then driver involvement is maintained, but alignment optimization in varying parking spaces is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback loop where sensors continuously monitor the vehicle's alignment status relative to the parking space boundaries. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically activates steering actuators to correct misalignment, creating a closed-loop system that maintains both driver oversight and high alignment precision across varying parking space dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
The method relates to an operating method for a semi-automatic park-steer assist system and to a semi-automatic park-steer assist system of a motor vehicle for aiding in an alignment of the motor vehicle in a parking space, including a device for detecting an activation signal; a device for determining a change direction in which an alignment of the motor vehicle is to be changed; a device for detecting a set drive direction; and a control unit which controls at least one actuator in an active state of the park-steer assist system such that steerable wheels of the motor vehicle are turned in the change direction when the set drive direction is forward, and the steerable wheels are maximally turned counter to the change direction when the set drive direction is reverse.