Vehicle Radar Elevation Angle Segmentation for Truck Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Radar devices in motor vehicles often fail to detect trucks without underrun protection in the dead angle zone, leading to potential safety issues during lane changes due to the lack of electromagnetic wave reflection from these trucks.
Innovation Solution
The radar device is designed to emit electromagnetic waves in a vertical direction covering an angle interval of 15° to 90° above the horizontal, allowing detection of objects laterally above the vehicle, such as trucks, and also includes a side lobe with a power ratio of 10-15 dB lower than the main lobe to enhance detection capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the radar device uses a narrow main lobe in the elevation direction (approximately 15° width) as in prior art, then the detection precision for objects at normal height is improved, but the detection capability for trucks without underrun protection in the dead angle zone is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The elevation angle zone is segmented into multiple intervals, with different detection strategies applied to each segment. The first interval (0°-15°) uses the existing narrow main lobe for precise detection of normal-height objects, while the second interval (15°-90°) is specifically activated to detect trucks without underrun protection, thereby resolving the contradiction between precision and reliability across different object types
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extends the detection capability by adding a new dimensional coverage in the elevation angle domain. By introducing detection in the 15°-90° elevation angle interval above the horizontal, the system captures reflected waves from high-positioned trucks that were previously undetectable, while maintaining the original narrow main lobe configuration for normal-height objects
2Reliability
If the radar device expands the elevation angle coverage to 15°-90° above horizontal, then the detection capability for trucks without underrun protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar device employs dynamic beamforming capabilities to adjust the elevation angle coverage based on detection needs. The antenna group can dynamically switch between narrow main lobe mode for normal detection and expanded coverage mode for truck detection, allowing the system to adapt its complexity level to the specific operational context rather than maintaining fixed high complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna group is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a narrow main lobe for precise detection of normal-height objects and as an expanded elevation coverage system for detecting trucks without underrun protection. This universal design eliminates the need for separate dedicated systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving multiple detection goals
3Reliability
If the radar device radiates electromagnetic waves with power 15 dB lower than the main direction into the partial angle zone, then the detection of objects in the vertical direction is enabled, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies partial action by radiating electromagnetic waves at reduced power (15 dB lower) only in the specific elevation angle intervals where truck detection is needed, rather than uniformly increasing power across all directions. This targeted approach enables detection of trucks without underrun protection while minimizing overall energy consumption compared to a full-power omnidirectional transmission
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
This solution enables reliable detection of trucks without underrun protection, ensuring continuous and safe detection, reducing the risk of interrupted dead angle alarms and improving lane change safety.
Implementation Method 1
The radar device is able to transmit electromagnetic waves into the mentioned partial angle zone—that is, in the direction obliquely upwards with respect to the motor vehicle—, wherein said waves have such a strength which allows to detect objects located in this partial angle zone
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a radar device (3, 4) which is designed for detecting an object (25) located in a detection zone (7, 8) of the radar device (3, 4), wherein the detection zone (7, 8) is defined by an elevation angle zone (δ1, δ2) and an azimuth angle zone (α), wherein the elevation angle zone (δ1, δ2) also covers at least such a partial angle zone (δ1) which lies within an angle interval of 15° to 90° above a horizontal (33) defined with respect to the motor vehicle (1).