Parking Intent Light Bar for Parallel Parking Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for parallel parking are inefficient and unsafe due to the lack of clear communication of a driver's intentions to other vehicles, often leading to congestion and accidents, as turn signals and backup lights do not universally indicate an intention to park, resulting in neighboring vehicles blocking the parking space.
Innovation Solution
A Parking Assist Light (PAL) system that uses LED lights and an audible buzzer to indicate a driver's intention to parallel park, providing visual and audio cues to alert other drivers and pedestrians, and a driver nudge system that physically alerts the driver of potential collisions through the steering wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If turn signals and backup lights are used to indicate parking intention, then the driver can signal their intention to park, but other vehicles do not universally understand this signal and may block the parking space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a visual intermediary (light bar displaying arrow symbols) between the driver's intention and other drivers' understanding. The arrow symbols serve as a universal visual language that clearly indicates the driver's intent to parallel park, making the intention unambiguous to other road users who may not understand turn signals and backup lights.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color changes in the light bar display to convey different states and intentions. The system uses different colors to indicate various parking intentions and states, making the communication more vivid and universally understandable across different cultural and linguistic contexts.
2Quantity of substance
If the driver circles a block waiting for a parking space, then the driver can find an available spot, but this consumes significant time and increases traffic congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary action by allowing drivers to signal their parking intention before actually attempting to park. By activating the light bar display early, drivers can reserve or claim parking spaces in advance, reducing the need to circle blocks and wait for spaces to become available.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the driver about the status of parking spaces and the effectiveness of their signal. This feedback mechanism helps drivers make informed decisions about where and when to attempt parking, reducing unnecessary circling and time consumption.
3Ease of operation
If the driver attempts to parallel park in a high traffic area, then the driver can access convenient parking locations, but the maneuver becomes dangerous and may cause accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using the light bar display to warn other drivers of the upcoming parking maneuver before it occurs. This advance warning allows other drivers to take preventive actions (such as slowing down or moving away), reducing the risk of collisions in high-traffic areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual display acts as an intermediary communication channel between the parking vehicle and surrounding traffic. By clearly indicating the driver's intention through universal visual symbols, the system reduces misunderstandings and potential conflicts in high-traffic parking zones.
4Productivity
If multiple vehicles attempt to park in the same area simultaneously, then parking turnover increases, but congestion and conflicts between drivers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal visual symbols (arrows) that can be understood by all drivers regardless of language or cultural background. This universality facilitates smooth coordination between multiple drivers attempting to park simultaneously, reducing conflicts and improving overall parking turnover by enabling efficient space sharing.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle intent indication system includes a sensor, a display, and a controller. The sensor is configured to detect an object in an operating environment of a vehicle. The display is configured to display a pattern visible to a person in the operating environment of the vehicle. The display includes light emitting components configured to be selectively illuminated to display the pattern. The controller is configured to receive information from the sensor indicating that the object has been detected in the operating environment and to cause the light emitting components to be selectively illuminated to display the pattern in response to receiving the information from the sensor. The pattern in configured to inform the person in the operating environment of the vehicle of an intent of the vehicle to perform a driving maneuver.