Autonomous Perpendicular Parking Path Planning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autonomous and semi-autonomous driving systems face challenges in efficiently parking vehicles in perpendicular parking spots, often requiring readjustment maneuvers and increased passing distances due to limitations in determining optimal linear parking paths and turn paths.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a parking controller system that utilizes sensors and cameras to detect perpendicular parking spots, determine linear parking paths, and autonomously turn the vehicle into the spot, reducing the need for readjustment maneuvers by determining optimal approaching and linear parking paths based on the vehicle's minimum turning radius and the spot's boundaries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional autonomous parking systems are used, then vehicles can park in perpendicular spots, but readjustment maneuvers are required and passing distances must be increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparking efficiencyVSAvoidtime for readjustment maneuvers

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the optimal linear parking path and approaching turn path before the vehicle enters the parking spot. By pre-determining the exact trajectory based on spot boundaries and vehicle dimensions, the system eliminates the need for readjustment maneuvers during parking, thereby improving efficiency and reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If traditional parking paths are used, then vehicles can enter perpendicular spots, but increased passing distances are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparking maneuverabilityVSAvoidpassing distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically calculates and adjusts the parking path parameters (turning radius, entry angle, linear path position) based on the specific geometry of the parking spot and vehicle characteristics. This optimization allows the vehicle to park using minimal passing distance while maintaining ease of operation, resolving the contradiction between maneuverability and space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If simple parking control is used, then systems are easier to implement, but optimal paths cannot be determined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparking controller complexityVSAvoidpath determination precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical path-finding mechanisms with computational algorithms that calculate optimal parking paths. By using sensor data and mathematical optimization instead of mechanical complexity, the system achieves high path determination precision while keeping the device architecture relatively simple and implementable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10281921B2Autonomous parking of vehicles in perpendicular parking spots

Publication Date: 2019.05.07 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Method and apparatus are disclosed for autonomous parking of vehicles in perpendicular parking spots. An example vehicle includes a front corner, a sensor, and a parking controller. The parking controller is to detect, via the sensor, a perpendicular parking spot and determine a linear parking path located within the perpendicular parking spot along which the front corner is to travel. The parking controller also is to determine an approaching turn path to the linear parking path and autonomously turn along the approaching turn path and the linear parking path into the perpendicular parking spot.