Integrated Radar-Camera Sensor for Close-Range Vehicle Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle sensor systems, particularly those using ultrasonic, camera, and radar technologies, suffer from limitations in reliability and accuracy, especially in providing seamless coverage in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle, leading to unreliable slow-speed maneuvering and parking aid systems.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system incorporating a sensor device with an optical sensor and radar, housed together, sharing a common field of view, which processes both optical and radar data to determine the presence, movement, and characteristics of objects, generating alerts and controlling vehicle operations based on predefined criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional radar installation locations (bumpers, front grill, B-pillars) are used, then radar can be installed, but seamless coverage in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines radar and camera sensors into a single integrated sensor package mounted on the vehicle bumper. This merging allows the system to achieve seamless coverage in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle by positioning both sensors at the same location, eliminating the coverage gaps that occur when radar is installed separately at traditional locations like front grills or B-pillars.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional radar installation locations (front grill, B-pillar) to a bumper-mounted location, changing the spatial dimension of sensor placement. This dimensional change enables the radar to provide coverage in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle, including areas previously inaccessible from traditional mounting positions.
2Reliability
If multiple separate sensors are used, then coverage can be achieved, but system reliability and accuracy for slow-speed maneuvering and parking aid systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges radar and camera sensors into a single integrated package, reducing the number of separate sensors and their associated wiring, mounting, and calibration systems. This consolidation improves system reliability by reducing potential failure points while maintaining comprehensive coverage through the coordinated operation of both sensor types.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor package performs multiple functions simultaneously: the radar provides distance and velocity measurement while the camera provides visual confirmation and detailed imaging. This multi-functionality in a single package improves system reliability for slow-speed maneuvering and parking aid applications by ensuring consistent data from both sensing modalities.
3Measurement precision
If radar and camera share a common housing and field of view, then detection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines radar and camera sensors in a common housing with aligned fields of view, creating an integrated sensor package. This merging achieves improved detection accuracy by ensuring both sensors observe the same spatial region simultaneously, enabling better correlation and validation of detected objects while reducing the overall system complexity through consolidation.
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
Enhances accuracy and responsiveness in obstacle detection, enabling reliable low-height object detection, improved 3D mapping, and faster motion detection, facilitating safer autonomous parking and enhanced driver assistance systems.
Implementation Method 1
The radar includes a transceiver and an antenna element
Implementation Method 2
The sensor device includes an optical sensor with a first field of view
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system includes a sensor device. The sensor device includes an optical sensor with a first field of view, a radar with a second field of view, and a common housing enclosing the optical sensor and the radar. The vehicle control system includes a control module configured to receive sensor data, including both optical data and radar data, from the sensor device over a shared communications channel. The control module is configured to determine whether an object is present within a threshold distance of the vehicle. The control module is configured to determine whether the object is moving. The control module is configured to determine whether the object satisfies one or more of a set of alert criteria. The control module is configured to generate an alert and a set of characteristic data describing the object.