Reverse Radar Distance Compensation for Angled Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensors struggle to accurately measure the closest distance to an object during a vehicle's reverse maneuver when the object is not parallel or perpendicular to the vehicle's rear, relying heavily on driver experience and potentially leading to incorrect assessments by autonomous driving units.
Innovation Solution
A radar unit mounted on the vehicle's rear, capable of measuring distance and angle to an object behind it, is used to determine the shortest longitudinal distance by compensating for its offset position, combined with an evaluation unit to provide precise distance information and trigger warnings or actions when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensors are used to measure distance to an object during reversing, then the system is simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates when the object is not parallel or perpendicular to the vehicle rear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional single-dimension distance measurement to two-dimensional measurement by incorporating angle detection capability. The radar unit not only measures distance R but also determines the approaching angle α, enabling accurate calculation of the shortest longitudinal distance C through trigonometric relationships, thus resolving the measurement precision issue in non-parallel scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameters from simple distance to a combination of distance R and angle α. By measuring both parameters simultaneously and using the relationship C = R × sin(α), the system achieves precise measurement of the shortest longitudinal distance regardless of the object's orientation relative to the vehicle
2Adaptability or versatility
If the radar unit is mounted at an offset position from the center of the vehicle rear, then the installation flexibility is improved, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to the offset
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of centering the radar unit with an electronic/software-based solution. Instead of physically positioning the radar at the center, the system uses the measured angle α and offset distance a to calculate the correct shortest longitudinal distance C through the formula C = R × sin(α) + (b-a) × b/F, thereby eliminating the need for precise mechanical positioning while maintaining measurement accuracy
3Loss of information
If conventional sensors only measure closest distance R, then the device complexity is low, but the information completeness deteriorates for non-rectangular approaching angles
Solution Approach 1:
The radar unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a distance measurement device and an angle detection device. By integrating these two functions into a single radar unit, the system obtains complete information (distance R and angle α) without significantly increasing device complexity, as the same hardware components are utilized for both measurement tasks
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
Enhances safety by providing accurate distance measurements and alerts, assisting both human drivers and autonomous systems in maneuvering safely around obstacles, reducing the risk of collisions.
Implementation Method 1
a radar unit mounted on a rear of the vehicle and configured to provide distance information to an object that is fully or partially behind the vehicle when approaching the object under an approaching angle α
Data Source
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AI summary
A reversing assistance device (100) for a vehicle (50) is disclosed. The vehicle (50) comprises a radar unit (51) mounted on a rear (52) of the vehicle (50) and is configured to provide distance information (R, α) to an object (60) that is fully or partially behind the vehicle (50) when approaching the object (60) under an approaching angle α. The reversing assistance device (100) comprises an evaluation unit (110) configured to provide a reversing support function by: obtaining from the radar unit (51) the distance information (R, α) to the object (60); determining, based on the distance information (R, α), a shortest longitudinal distance C between a corner (56) of the rear (52) of the vehicle (50) and the object (60) along a reversing direction y of the vehicle (50); and, based on the shortest longitudinal distance C, modifying the distance information (R, α) to compensate for the approaching angle α.