Automatic Parking System Wheel Dimension Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic vehicle parking systems fail to accurately account for wheel dimensions, which can lead to poor positioning during parking maneuvers due to variations caused by wear, inflation, and load, potentially resulting in accidents like hitting a sidewalk.

Innovation Solution

An automatic parking system utilizing a laser remote sensing device to measure distance and measuring sensors to count wheel revolutions, allowing for the calculation of wheel dimensions and a precise parking trajectory, incorporating averaging techniques with ultrasonic sensors or cameras for enhanced accuracy and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the automatic parking system uses standard wheel dimensions from vehicle specifications, then the system complexity is reduced, but the parking positioning accuracy deteriorates due to wheel dimension variations from wear, inflation, and load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidparking positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurement of actual wheel dimensions before the parking maneuver by combining laser distance measurement with wheel rotation counting. This preliminary action captures the true wheel circumference accounting for wear, inflation, and load conditions, which is then used to calculate an accurate parking trajectory, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces reliance on mechanical wheel dimension specifications with an optical measurement system using laser remote sensing device. The laser measures distance while rotation sensors count wheel revolutions, allowing calculation of actual wheel circumference. This substitution of optical/electronic measurement for mechanical specification data enables accurate parking positioning without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If the system measures and calculates actual wheel dimensions using laser sensing and rotation sensors, then the parking trajectory accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking trajectory accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The laser remote sensing device and rotation sensors serve multiple functions: they measure wheel dimensions for parking trajectory calculation, and can also be used for other vehicle functions such as speed measurement and distance detection. This multi-functionality justifies the added device complexity by providing versatile measurement capabilities that benefit multiple system operations, not just parking accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the vehicle's existing motion during normal operation to automatically measure and update wheel dimensions. The laser sensor and rotation sensors continuously monitor distance and wheel revolutions, allowing the system to self-calibrate wheel dimensions without requiring dedicated calibration procedures or additional complex measurement equipment. The vehicle's own movement provides the test data needed for accurate measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the system relies on fixed wheel dimension data, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the reliability of parking maneuver deteriorates due to wheel wear and condition variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidparking maneuver reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously measuring actual wheel dimensions using the laser remote sensing device and rotation sensors, then using this measured data to adjust and recalculate the parking trajectory. This feedback loop ensures that the parking maneuver adapts to current wheel conditions (wear, inflation, load), maintaining high reliability without requiring manual intervention or complex operation from the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the wheel dimension parameter from a fixed specification value to a measured actual value. By updating the wheel circumference parameter based on real-time measurements combining laser distance data with rotation sensor counts, the system adapts to variations in wheel conditions, ensuring reliable parking performance while maintaining automatic operation without user intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Improves the precision and reliability of parking maneuvers by accurately accounting for wheel dimensions, reducing the risk of mispositioning and enhancing overall parking accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a laser remote sensing device, configured to measure a distance travelled between the vehicle and a fixed target

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

a measurement of vehicle speed, obtained by Doppler effect of an acoustic signal (ultrasound) which is reflected on a fixed target

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDoppler effect: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3983278B1Automatic vehicle parking system
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP3983278B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

This system comprises: - a remote laser detection apparatus (2) which is configured to measure a distance (d1) travelled between the vehicle and a fixed target; - measurement sensors (4) which are designed to measure a number (N) of wheel revolutions of the vehicle which are required to travel a given distance; - calculation means (5) which are configured: to calculate the dimensions (DR) of the vehicle wheels from the distance measured by the remote laser detection apparatus (2) and from the number (N) of wheel revolutions which are measured by the measurement sensors (4) and required to travel the distance (d1) measured; to calculate a parking trajectory (TS) of the vehicle in accordance with the calculated dimensions (DR) of the wheels of the vehicle.