Vehicle Radar Sensor Scanning Rate Control for Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle sensors consume significant power, especially when the engine is shut off, and there is a need to minimize power usage while detecting living objects or occupant position in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A system with processors and a memory storing a sensor control module that controls radar sensors to scan the occupant compartment at varying rates based on vehicle movement and detected events, determining the presence of living objects and adjusting scanning rates to conserve power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vehicle sensors operate continuously to detect living objects and monitor occupant position, then detection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar sensor operates at variable scanning rates that dynamically adjust based on vehicle state. When the vehicle is moving, scanning occurs at a first rate; when stationary, scanning switches to a second rate, optimizing power consumption while maintaining necessary detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic scanning instead of continuous operation. The radar sensor scans the occupant compartment at predetermined intervals, allowing the sensor to remain inactive between scans and consume minimal power while still providing reliable detection
2Speed
If radar sensors scan at high rates to ensure timely detection, then detection speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning rate is dynamically adjusted based on vehicle motion state. The system switches between a first scanning rate when the vehicle is moving and a second scanning rate when stationary, optimizing the balance between detection speed and power consumption
3Use of energy by moving object
If sensors operate with engine shut off to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but detection capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection actions by scanning for living objects and monitoring occupant position even when the engine is off. This allows the vehicle to detect and respond to safety issues before the engine starts, preventing harmful situations rather than just responding to them
Solution Approach 2:
The radar sensor operates at predetermined scanning rates even when the engine is shut off, performing periodic detection cycles that maintain safety monitoring capability while consuming minimal power during idle periods
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 reduces power consumption while ensuring timely detection of living objects and occupant position, even when the engine is off, by optimizing scanning rates and autonomously controlling vehicle operations.
Implementation Method 1
control operation of at least one radar sensor to commence scanning of the occupant compartment of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling vehicle sensors includes one or more processors and a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing a sensor control module including instructions that control processor(s) to, if the vehicle is not moving, and responsive to occurrence of an event, control operation of at least one radar sensor to scan the vehicle occupant compartment at a first scanning rate. Responsive to an occurrence of another event following commencement of scanning at the first scanning rate, the processor(s) control operation of the at least one radar sensor to scan the occupant compartment at a second scanning rate different from the first scanning rate. After passage of a predetermined time period after commencement of scanning at the second scanning rate, it is determined whether a living object resides in the occupant compartment. If no living object resides in the occupant compartment, radar scanning of the occupant compartment is discontinued.