Radar Kick Motion Detection for Reliable Tailgate Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic sensors for car tailgate opening/closing have limited detection range and are prone to environmental interference, leading to false detections and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A kick detection device using radar signals with a wide detection range and advanced signal processing to differentiate user movements, removing unwanted noise and recognizing valid kicks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasonic sensors are used for kick detection, then the system can detect user movements, but the detection range is limited and environmental factors cause false detections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ultrasonic sensors with radar-based kick detection systems. Radar uses electromagnetic waves instead of ultrasonic mechanical waves, providing longer detection range and better penetration through environmental interference. The radar system detects kick motions by measuring changes in the reflected electromagnetic signals, achieving more reliable detection without the environmental sensitivity that plagues ultrasonic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from ultrasonic wave frequency to radar electromagnetic wave frequency. This parameter change enables the system to operate effectively over longer distances and resist environmental interference. The radar system analyzes the phase and amplitude changes of reflected electromagnetic signals to detect kick motions, providing a more robust detection mechanism that is less susceptible to false positives from environmental factors.
2Ease of operation
If ultrasonic sensors with short detection range are used, then the system is simple, but the user must make deliberate big gestures which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ultrasonic sensors with radar technology, which uses electromagnetic waves instead of mechanical ultrasonic waves. This substitution enables significantly longer detection range while maintaining system simplicity. The radar system can detect user movements from a distance, eliminating the need for users to make deliberate big gestures close to the sensor. This improves ease of operation by allowing natural, smaller kick motions to be detected accurately from farther away.
3Reliability
If radar-based kick detection is used, then detection range is extended and environmental resistance is improved, but advanced algorithms and signal processing are required to handle erroneous signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms in the radar signal processing system. The system continuously monitors the radar returns and uses feedback loops to filter out erroneous signals caused by environmental interference. By comparing current radar signals with historical data and using adaptive thresholding, the system learns to distinguish between valid kick motions and false detections, reducing the complexity burden through intelligent signal discrimination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary signal processing layer that mediates between the raw radar signals and the final kick detection decisions. This intermediary processing stage uses algorithms to filter, clean, and interpret the radar data, removing erroneous signals while preserving valid kick detection capabilities. The intermediary layer acts as a buffer that manages the complexity of signal processing and presents simplified, reliable detection outputs to the control system.
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 detection accuracy and reliability by suppressing malfunctions, ensuring precise and safe operation of tailgates.
Implementation Method 1
a transceiver configured to transmit a radar signal toward a subject and receive a radar signal reflected from the subject
Implementation Method 2
receive a radar signal reflected from the subject
Implementation Method 3
derive feature information of the subject based on the radar signal
Data Source
AI summary
A device of detecting a kick using a radar signal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a transceiver configured to transmit a radar signal toward a subject and receive a radar signal reflected from the subject; a feature derivation unit configured to derive feature information of the subject based on the radar signal; a movement collection unit configured to determine whether or not to enter a kick determination state based on the feature information; and a kick determination unit configured to determine whether a movement of the subject is a valid kick based on the collected feature information in the kick determination state.