Vehicle Radar Axis Deviation Detection Using Vertical Directivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar apparatuses mounted on vehicles face challenges in detecting axis deviation due to vibrations or secular changes, leading to erroneous object detection and impaired performance, particularly during automatic cruise control or pre-crash safety systems, and existing methods to address this increase the apparatus's size.
Innovation Solution
A radar apparatus that transmits continuous waves and uses a receiving antenna with vertical directivity to generate beat signals, analyze frequency components, and determine axis deviation by identifying intensity peaks in reflection intensity distributions, allowing for accurate detection without adding new components, thus minimizing size increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of receiving antennas in vertical and horizontal directions is used to detect axis deviation, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential function needed for axis deviation detection by using a single receiving antenna with vertical directivity, rather than implementing the full two-dimensional antenna array. This extraction approach maintains the core detection capability while eliminating unnecessary components that would increase device complexity and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving antenna with vertical directivity serves multiple functions: it detects both the presence of road surface reflections and provides information about the vertical angle, which is used to determine axis deviation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each detection task.
2Measurement precision
If an inclination sensor is added to detect radar apparatus inclination, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The radar apparatus uses its own transmitted radar waves and the reflections from the road surface to determine its own axis deviation status. The system performs self-diagnosis by analyzing the characteristics of reflected waves, eliminating the need for external inclination sensors or separate measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces road surface reflections as an intermediary medium to indirectly measure the radar apparatus's axis deviation. Instead of directly measuring inclination with a sensor, the system uses the reflected wave characteristics (presence, intensity, vertical angle) as a mediator to infer the deviation status.
3Device complexity
If downward axis deviation occurs and is not detected, then device simplicity is maintained, but detection reliability and performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the reflected wave characteristics and compares them against expected patterns to detect axis deviation. The analysis unit provides feedback about the deviation status, enabling the radar apparatus to identify and correct installation issues while maintaining a simple configuration.
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 enables accurate detection of axis deviation, improving the radar apparatus's performance and reliability while maintaining a compact configuration, thereby enhancing detection accuracy and preventing erroneous object recognition.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitting unit that transmits a radar wave, a receiving unit that receives a reflected wave of the radar wave
Implementation Method 2
mixes the received reflected wave with a radar wave transmitted from the transmitting means, and generates a beat signal
Data Source
AI summary
A radar apparatus generates a spectrum distribution where frequencies in a beat signal are associated with intensities of respective frequency components. Based on a plurality of spectrum distributions generated over a predetermined number of measurement cycles prescribed in advance, the radar apparatus generates a reflection intensity distribution where frequencies are associated with road surface reflection intensities of the radar wave from a road surface at each frequency. In the reflection intensity distribution, the radar apparatus detects an intensity peak indicating a frequency that maximizes the road surface reflection intensity. Based on the detected intensity peak, the radar apparatus determines at least whether or not the radar apparatus is in an axis deviation state that is taken as a state where a reference axis of the radar apparatus has an inclination of not less than a prescribed angle in a vehicle height direction relative to a horizontal axis prescribed to a vehicle.