Vehicle Radar Large Vehicle Detection Dynamics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle-mounted radar systems face accuracy issues in detecting the position of preceding vehicles, especially large vehicles, due to variations in reflection points caused by the vehicle's movement and size, leading to incorrect lane detection.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle-mounted radar apparatus that includes a target detection unit, an object position determination unit, a representative target selection unit, a same-object target selection unit, a large-vehicle determination unit, and a target inclusion region changing unit, which determines the position of a preceding vehicle by adjusting the target inclusion region based on the number and power spectrum of radar reflections to accurately identify large vehicles and prevent misclassification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a fixed target inclusion region is used for detecting preceding vehicles, then the detection process is simple, but the detection accuracy decreases for large vehicles due to reflection point variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddetection process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the target inclusion region adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically changes the inclusion region based on detected reflection points - expanding it when multiple reflection points are detected (indicating large vehicles) and maintaining or reducing it for single reflection points (smaller vehicles). This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by improving detection accuracy for large vehicles without permanently increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of the target inclusion region (its size and position) based on detected reflection characteristics. When multiple reflection points are detected within an initial inclusion region, the system determines this indicates a large vehicle and adjusts the inclusion region parameters accordingly. This parameter change approach allows the system to adapt to different vehicle types, improving measurement precision while using a systematic method to manage complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the target inclusion region is expanded to cover all possible reflection points, then detection accuracy for large vehicles improves, but false detection of multiple vehicles increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection accuracyVSAvoidfalse detection rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different target inclusion regions for different vehicle types. Instead of using one large inclusion region for all vehicles, the system detects reflection points and creates a localized inclusion region appropriate for each specific vehicle. For large vehicles, the region is expanded to cover multiple reflection points, while for smaller vehicles, it remains compact. This prevents false detection of multiple vehicles while maintaining accuracy for large vehicles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the target inclusion region based on the detected number and position of reflection points. When multiple reflection points are detected, the inclusion region is expanded to accommodate them; when fewer points are detected, the region remains smaller. This dynamic adjustment prevents false detection of multiple vehicles while ensuring adequate coverage for large vehicles with multiple reflection points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple reflection points from the same large vehicle are detected as separate targets, then the system can identify large vehicles, but the position determination becomes inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelarge vehicle identification capabilityVSAvoidposition determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining multiple reflection points that belong to the same large vehicle into a single unified target inclusion region. Instead of treating each reflection point as a separate vehicle target, the system creates one inclusion region that encompasses all reflection points from the same vehicle, thereby identifying the large vehicle as a single entity and maintaining position determination accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters of the target inclusion region to accommodate multiple reflection points from the same large vehicle. By adjusting the region's size and position based on the distribution of reflection points, the system can include all points within a single region, enabling proper identification of large vehicles while maintaining accurate position determination through the region's central or representative position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively enhances the accuracy of detecting the position of large vehicles, preventing incorrect lane detection and ensuring precise control in automatic cruise control systems by dynamically adjusting the target inclusion region based on the vehicle's size and reflection characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

A vehicle-mounted radar apparatus transmits radar waves, such as laser waves or millimeter waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

receives the radar waves reflected from an object around the vehicle mounting the radar apparatus thereon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9073548B2Vehicle-mounted radar apparatus
Publication Date: 2015.07.07 DENSO CORP
  • US9073548B2 patent drawing
  • US9073548B2 patent drawing
  • US9073548B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A vehicle-mounted radar apparatus for transmitting radar waves toward the outside of a vehicle mounting the apparatus thereon and receiving the radar waves reflected from an object to thereby acquire information about the object. In the apparatus, a target detection unit transmits and receives the radar waves to detect positions of targets. An object position determination unit determines a position of the object reflecting the radar waves on the basis of the positions of the targets. A representative target selection unit selects a representative target from the targets. A same-object target selection unit selects targets belonging to the same object as the representative target. A large-vehicle determination unit determines whether or not the object is a large vehicle on the basis of a number of targets selected by the same-object target selection unit and reflection wave received powers for the respective targets.