Integrated Radar-Camera Assembly for Low-Latency Vehicle Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle safety technologies, such as radar and camera systems, can be expensive, require additional infrastructure, suffer from signal interference, and provide insufficient environmental information, posing risks to drivers and public safety.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system integrating a camera unit and radar unit with a network switch for power and data transmission, enabling 360-degree object detection and avoidance, using a communication link to enhance data integration and reduce installation costs and latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radar and camera systems are integrated to provide sufficient environmental information, then detection capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines radar and camera systems into an integrated detection assembly where both sensors are mounted together and share common mounting structures. The radar unit and camera unit are positioned to cover complementary fields of view, creating a unified detection system that provides both electromagnetic wave-based detection and optical image-based detection capabilities simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection assembly is designed to perform multiple functions through a single integrated structure. The same mounting bracket supports both radar and camera units, the power distribution system serves both sensors, and the processing unit handles data from both sensor types, enabling the system to detect objects using multiple physical principles (electromagnetic radiation and light) while reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If radar and camera systems are integrated, then detection capability is improved, but installation cost and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates radar and camera systems into a single detection assembly that can be installed as one unit rather than separately. The common mounting structure, shared power distribution, and unified data processing reduce installation infrastructure requirements and lower overall installation costs while maintaining the enhanced detection capabilities of both sensor types.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection assembly uses universal mounting brackets and standardized connection interfaces that can accommodate both radar and camera units. The power distribution system and data processing unit are designed to handle both sensor types, creating a multi-functional platform that reduces the need for separate installation infrastructure and lowers overall system deployment costs.
3Measurement precision
If radar and camera systems operate together, then environmental awareness is improved, but signal interference occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the radar and camera units at different locations within the detection assembly and orients them to capture different aspects of the environment. The radar unit detects objects based on electromagnetic wave reflection while the camera unit captures optical images, and their spatial separation and complementary fields of view minimize mutual interference while maximizing combined detection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing unit acts as an intermediary that receives and processes data from both radar and camera sensors separately before integrating the information. This intermediary processing stage allows for independent analysis of radar signals and camera images, preventing signal interference from affecting the accuracy of either sensor type while still enabling comprehensive environmental awareness through data fusion.
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 system provides enhanced obstacle detection, reduced latency, and cost-effective installation, improving driver and machine operator awareness of dynamic environments.
Implementation Method 1
a radar device installed in a vehicle can include a transmitter that emits electromagnetic waves and a receiver that detects returning waves from surrounding environment
Implementation Method 2
some vehicle technologies utilize camera-based approaches to provide a driver with information about the environment
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for object detection and avoidance are provided. According to some aspects, the method includes providing or installing a vehicle system for object detection and avoidance on a vehicle, the vehicle system comprising at least one detection assembly with a camera unit and a radar unit in communication with the camera unit. The method also includes providing power to the at least one detection module using a network switch connected to the at least one detection module, or providing power to the radar unit using the camera unit in the at least one detection assembly, or both. The method further includes selectively processing data from the camera unit, the radar unit, or both, selectively providing data from the camera unit, the radar unit, or both, to a user interface connected or connectable to the network switch, or both.