Radar Kick Motion Detection for Wide-Range Tailgate Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ultrasonic sensors for car tailgate opening/closing systems have limited detection range and are susceptible to environmental interference, leading to false detections and safety issues.

Innovation Solution

A radar-based kick detection device that uses a transceiver to transmit and receive radar signals, filters noise with a filtering unit, derives feature information, and differentiates user movements to accurately detect a valid kick through a kick determination unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering 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 interference causes false detections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidenvironmental interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces ultrasonic sensors with a radar-based detection system. The radar transceiver emits electromagnetic waves and processes reflected signals to detect kick motions, substituting the mechanical/acoustic ultrasonic sensing mechanism with an electromagnetic field-based radar system that is inherently more resistant to environmental interference such as rain, snow, and ambient noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from ultrasonic frequency to radar frequency electromagnetic waves. This parameter change enables wider detection range and improved penetration through environmental obstacles, while the radar signal processing techniques (Doppler processing, range-Doppler mapping) transform the raw signal parameters to extract meaningful kick detection information while filtering environmental noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If radar-based kick sensors are used, then the detection range is widened and environmental resistance is improved, but advanced algorithms and signal processing are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection rangeVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the radar signal processing into distinct functional modules: a transceiver unit for signal transmission and reception, a feature derivation unit for extracting motion characteristics, a movement collection unit for accumulating detection data, and a kick determination unit for final decision-making. This segmentation organizes the complex processing tasks into manageable stages, improving both implementation feasibility and processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the kick determination unit evaluates collected movement features against predetermined criteria and provides control signals to the tailgate opening/closing system. The system continuously monitors radar signals, compares detected movements against kick patterns, and adjusts tailgate operation accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that manages complexity through iterative decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 device provides a wide detection range and high resistance to environmental influences, improving accuracy in kick detection and preventing malfunction-induced tailgate openings/closings.

Implementation Method 1

a transceiver configured to transmit a radar signal toward a subject and receive a radar signal reflected from the subject

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Data Source

PatentEP4628935A1Method and device for detecting kick motion
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 BITSENSING INC
  • EP4628935A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4628935A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4628935A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

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.