Reverse Brake Control Using Speed-Based Obstacle Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic sensors in vehicles are ineffective in accurately detecting obstacles during high-speed reverse travel, leading to delayed brake actuation and potential collision risks due to displaced obstacle detection.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with multiple ultrasonic sensors in the rear of a vehicle to detect obstacles and set distinct low-speed and high-speed operation areas on plane coordinates, actuating brakes accordingly based on vehicle speed, using rectangular regions defined by lateral and longitudinal contact determination lines to manage brake actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single ultrasonic sensor is used for obstacle detection during reverse travel, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision deteriorates at high speeds due to displaced obstacle detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the obstacle detection task into multiple segments by using multiple ultrasonic sensors positioned at different locations in the rear of the vehicle. Each sensor detects obstacles in its specific detection range, and the ECU determines the appropriate brake operation area based on which sensor detects the obstacle and the vehicle speed. This segmentation approach maintains measurement precision at high speeds while keeping individual sensor complexity low.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a speed dimension to the obstacle detection system by setting different brake operation areas based on vehicle speed. When the vehicle travels at high speed, a wider brake operation area is set in the vehicle widthwise direction compared to low-speed operation. This dimensional approach allows the system to compensate for displaced obstacle detection at high speeds by expanding the detection coverage area.
2Reliability
If the brake operation area is expanded to cover displaced obstacle positions at high speed, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and speed-based area setting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the brake operation area based on vehicle speed. The ECU determines different brake operation areas depending on whether the vehicle is traveling at low speed or high speed during reverse travel. This dynamic approach ensures that the brake operation area is appropriately expanded at high speeds to cover displaced obstacle positions, improving reliability without requiring a permanently complex system configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple ultrasonic sensors to determine obstacle positions and triggers feedback from the vehicle speed sensor to adjust the brake operation area. The ECU continuously monitors sensor outputs and vehicle speed, and dynamically adjusts the brake actuation decision based on this feedback information, ensuring reliable brake actuation while managing system complexity through intelligent control logic.
3Measurement precision
If multiple ultrasonic sensors are deployed in the rear of the vehicle, then the measurement precision improves for high-speed reverse travel, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rear detection space into multiple zones, each monitored by a specific ultrasonic sensor. The ECU determines which sensor detected the obstacle and uses this information along with vehicle speed to set the appropriate brake operation area. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high measurement precision through multiple sensors while managing complexity by assigning specific detection responsibilities to each sensor.
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
Ensures accurate brake actuation even at displaced obstacle positions during high-speed reverse travel, preventing collisions by setting appropriate operation areas for low-speed and high-speed conditions, reducing computational load on the ECU.
Implementation Method 1
an obstacle detection apparatus that detects an obstacle with the use of a sensor that sends out ultrasonic waves or electromagnetic waves and receives reflected waves reflected from the obstacle
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic brake control apparatus to be applied to a vehicle is configured to: detect, with an ultrasonic sensor, a position of an obstacle on reverse travel of the vehicle, in which the ultrasonic sensor is disposed in a rear part of the vehicle; set a brake operation area on plane coordinates corresponding to the detected position by the ultrasonic sensor; and actuate an automatic brake. The brake operation area includes a low-speed operation area and a high-speed operation area. The low-speed operation area is set on the reverse travel at a lower speed than a setting vehicle speed, and the high-speed operation area is set on the reverse travel at a higher speed than the setting vehicle speed. The high-speed operation area is wider than the low-speed operation area at least in a vehicle widthwise direction.