Parking Assistance Virtual Obstacle Enlargement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking assistance devices may not accurately detect obstacles, leading to potential collisions when navigating through tight spaces, as the position, size, and shape of obstacles can hinder sensor detection, resulting in inadequate route determination.
Innovation Solution
The parking assistance device incorporates an obstacle detection unit, a target position determination unit, and a route determination unit that creates virtual obstacles based on detected real obstacles, allowing for route adjustments to avoid newly detected obstacles by enlarging virtual obstacles and recalculating routes to maintain safe distances and reduce turning frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle follows the initially determined route to reach the target position, then the parking process is efficient and direct, but the vehicle may collide with newly detected obstacles that were not visible before
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary obstacle detection by creating virtual obstacles based on detected real obstacles before the vehicle completes its parking maneuver. This advance preparation allows the route determination unit to recalculate paths proactively when obstacles are detected, rather than reacting to actual collision risks, thus maintaining both safety and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The obstacle detection unit continuously monitors the environment during the parking process and provides feedback to the route determination unit. When new obstacles are detected, the system updates the virtual obstacles and recalculates the route in real-time, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing conditions while maintaining reliable collision avoidance
2Reliability
If the system creates virtual obstacles based on detected obstacles, then the vehicle can plan routes to avoid known obstacles, but the system cannot detect obstacles that are hidden or out of sensor range
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates virtual obstacles as digital copies or representations of real physical obstacles detected by sensors. These virtual obstacles are stored in memory and used by the route determination unit for path planning. This copying approach allows the system to work with simplified representations of obstacles without needing direct sensor contact with every potential hazard
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual obstacle acts as an intermediary between the physical obstacle and the route determination system. Instead of directly sensing all obstacles, the system uses virtual obstacle representations that can be manipulated computationally, serving as a mediator that translates sensor data into actionable routing information while managing complexity
3Reliability
If the system enlarges the first virtual obstacle to avoid the third obstacle, then the vehicle can maintain a safe distance from undetected portions of the obstacle, but the route may interfere with the second obstacle
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the parameters of virtual obstacles, specifically enlarging the first virtual obstacle when a third obstacle is detected. This parameter modification (enlargement) creates a safety buffer that accounts for undetected portions of obstacles. The system monitors and adjusts virtual obstacle dimensions based on detection data, transforming static obstacle representations into adaptive safety zones
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual obstacles are not static but dynamic entities that change size and position based on real-time obstacle detection. When the third obstacle is detected, the first virtual obstacle dynamically enlarges to compensate for potential detection gaps. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain safe distances while the route determination unit continuously adjusts paths to avoid all virtual obstacles
4Productivity
If the system reduces the number of turns by enlarging the virtual obstacle, then the parking maneuver becomes smoother and faster, but the route may come closer to actual obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes the enlargement parameter of virtual obstacles to balance maneuver efficiency and safety. By carefully controlling the extent of virtual obstacle enlargement, the system achieves smoother paths with fewer turns while maintaining adequate clearance from actual obstacles. The parameter adjustment is calibrated to prevent excessive conservatism that would degrade parking efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
A parking assistance device includes: an obstacle detection unit (141) detecting an obstacle (303); a target position determination unit (143) determining a target position (P3) between a first virtual obstacle (311), based on a first obstacle, and a second virtual obstacle (312) based on a second obstacle being lined up with the first obstacle in a first direction; and a route determination unit (144) determining a first route (RTP1) from the position of a vehicle (1) to the target position, and that, when while the vehicle travels along the determined first route, the obstacle detection unit has detected a third obstacle positioned between the first and second obstacles and closer to the first obstacle than the second obstacle, enlarges the first virtual obstacle, and determines a second route (RTP2) that avoids the enlarged first virtual obstacle and is set from the position of the vehicle to the target position.