Radar Sensor Micro-Movement Detection for Parking Vacancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle parking assistance systems fail to detect parking spaces that will become available in the near future, as they are currently occupied but will soon be vacated, due to limitations in detecting micro-movements and vibrations of parked vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The system uses radar sensors to emit and evaluate radar signals, detecting micro-movements such as mechanical vibrations and pitching/rolling movements of parked vehicles, which indicate that a parking space will become available, allowing for more precise detection of impending vacancy through the analysis of these movements and their correlation with potential vehicle activation or loading actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If radar sensors are used to detect parking spaces at a greater distance, then the detection range is improved, but the precision in detecting micro-movements and vibrations of parked vehicles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection process into two distinct stages: a first detection phase using radar signals to identify parking spaces at a greater distance, and a second detection phase using sensors on the searching vehicle to detect micro-movements and vibrations when the vehicle approaches the parking space. This segmentation allows each detection method to operate at its optimal performance level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of parking spaces using radar sensors before the searching vehicle reaches them. This preliminary action identifies potential parking spaces at a distance, allowing the system to prepare for subsequent detailed micro-movement detection when the vehicle approaches, rather than attempting to perform both functions simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If the vehicle stops in front of a parking space to detect micro-movements, then the detection precision is improved, but the time required to find parking spaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic detection cycles where the vehicle alternates between moving forward to scan for parking spaces using radar and stopping briefly to perform detailed micro-movement detection. This periodic action pattern balances the need for comprehensive detection with the need to maintain reasonable parking search time.
Solution Approach 2:
Radar sensors perform preliminary identification of parking spaces during vehicle movement, pre-selecting candidates for detailed micro-movement analysis. This preliminary action reduces the number of stops required, as only pre-identified potential parking spaces require the time-consuming micro-movement detection phase.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to detect micro-movements and vibrations, then the detection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges radar sensors already present on the searching vehicle with additional sensors (such as cameras or acoustic sensors) to create a unified detection system. This merging approach improves reliability by combining multiple detection modalities while avoiding the complexity of completely separate sensor systems, as they are integrated into a single control and evaluation architecture.
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 approach enables the detection of potentially available parking spaces with higher precision and flexibility, allowing for more efficient management and autonomous or semi-autonomous parking in spaces that are not yet available, even if they are not directly visible to the searching vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
Radar signals are emitted by at least one radar sensor of the searching vehicle, and whether a parking space is becoming available is recognized on the basis of received radar signals
Implementation Method 2
Micro-movements of a vehicle that is parked in a parking space are detected by evaluating the radar signals reflected by this parked vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies and techniques for detecting a parking space becoming available via an assistance system of a vehicle searching for a parking space. Radar signals are emitted by at least one radar sensor searching for the parking space and whether a parking space becoming available is recognized on the basis of received radar signals, which are evaluated by an evaluation unit of the vehicle. Micro-movements of a vehicle parked in a parking space, may characterize the vacating of the parking space, and may be detected by evaluating the radar signals reflected by this parked vehicle. A presumptive parking space becoming available may be identified by the assistance systems on the basis of such a detection of a micro-movement. An assistance system and a motor vehicle using the assistance system are also disclosed.