Parking Space Exiting Trajectory Control
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking systems effectively assist in entering a parking space but struggle with exiting, particularly in situations where the parking space has become shorter due to changes in bounding vehicles, making it difficult for vehicles to exit longitudinally from a lateral parking space.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize ultrasonic sensors to measure the length and width of the parking space, determine the vehicle's position, and calculate an optimal exit trajectory with minimal maneuvers, allowing for automatic steering and collision prevention, enabling the vehicle to exit the parking space safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the vehicle is parked in a very small parking space longitudinally with respect to the roadway, then the parking space utilization is improved, but the parking space exiting process becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The parking space exiting process is divided into multiple sequential maneuvers (first maneuver to initial position, second maneuver to intermediate position, third maneuver to final position) rather than attempting a single direct exit. This segmentation allows the vehicle to navigate complex spatial constraints by breaking down the exiting trajectory into manageable segments that can be executed step-by-step with active steering intervention at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic active steering intervention that adapts in real-time based on the vehicle's current position, parking space dimensions, and trajectory requirements. The steering angle and intervention intensity are continuously adjusted during each maneuver phase, allowing the vehicle to dynamically respond to spatial constraints and successfully exit even from tightly packed parking spaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the length of the parking space becomes shorter due to changing of vehicles which bound the parking space, then the adaptability to changing environment is improved, but the ability to exit the parking space longitudinally deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the actual parking space length by measuring distances to bounding vehicles and uses this feedback to recalculate and adapt the exiting trajectory. If the parking space length is found to be insufficient for a direct exit, the system automatically adjusts the maneuver plan and applies active steering intervention to guide the vehicle through alternative paths, ensuring successful exit despite changes in parking space configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key trajectory parameters (steering angle, speed, maneuver sequence) based on the measured parking space dimensions. When the parking space length is determined to be shorter than required for standard exiting maneuvers, the system modifies the exiting strategy by introducing intermediate positions and adjusting steering angles, thereby adapting to the changed spatial parameters while maintaining exit capability.
3Ease of operation
If active steering intervention is used to steer the vehicle into the parking space, then the ease of parking is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The active steering intervention system serves multiple functions: it assists during both parking entry and parking space exiting operations. The same control unit, sensors, and actuation mechanisms used for parking entry are reused for exiting maneuvers, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems and thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while providing comprehensive parking assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing steering mechanism and control infrastructure to perform the active steering intervention, rather than requiring entirely separate mechanical systems. The control unit leverages available vehicle sensors (ultrasonic, optical) and existing actuators to achieve autonomous steering assistance, thereby minimizing additional hardware complexity while delivering enhanced parking and exiting capabilities.
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
The solution allows for efficient and collision-free exit from parking spaces of varying lengths, transferring control back to the driver when safe to do so, and can handle tight spaces by calculating S-shaped trajectories to reach an intermediate position for final maneuvering.
Implementation Method 1
the parking-space-exiting system measuring a present length of the parking space using ultrasonic sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assisting a vehicle driver in exiting from a lateral parking space in a longitudinal direction with respect to a roadway is disclosed. The method involves measuring at least the length of the parking space to obtain measurement data, determining a parking-space-exiting trajectory at least on the basis of the measurement data, starting a process of exiting the parking space, and carrying out the process of exiting the parking space with simultaneous collision prevention by monitoring a distance from a plurality of objects which bound the parking space. During the exiting process, the steering of the vehicle is controlled automatically, and the automatic control of the steering concludes when the vehicle has reached an intermediate position from which the vehicle can exit the parking space using a single maneuver. The method concludes as soon as the parking-space-exiting trajectory allows for collision-free exiting from the parking space.