Reversing Radar Angle Compensation for Rear Corner Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensors struggle to accurately measure the closest distance to an object during reversing operations when the object is not parallel to the vehicle, leading to reliance on driver experience and potential errors in autonomous driving systems.
Innovation Solution
A reversing assistance device equipped with a radar unit that provides distance information and an evaluation unit to determine the shortest longitudinal distance between the vehicle and an object, compensating for non-perpendicular approaching angles by modifying the distance information, and issuing alerts when the distance falls below a threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensors are used to measure distance to an object during reversing, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision deteriorates when the object is not parallel to the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores correction values for different approaching angles in a lookup table. When reversing, the evaluation unit determines the approaching angle and retrieves the corresponding correction factor, applying it to the radar distance measurement. This preliminary preparation of correction data allows fast, accurate compensation without complex real-time calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an evaluation unit as an intermediary between the radar unit and the driver/autonomous system. This evaluation unit processes the raw distance information, determines the approaching angle, applies corrections based on pre-calculated values, and outputs accurate longitudinal distance. The intermediary handles the complexity of angle compensation, keeping the overall system relatively simple while achieving high measurement precision.
2Reliability
If the driver relies on conventional sensor data during reversing, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the reliability deteriorates due to inability to distinguish safe distance
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous feedback to the driver through the display unit, showing both the raw radar distance and the corrected longitudinal distance to the object. When the distance falls below a safe threshold, the system generates visual and/or audible alerts. This feedback loop enhances reliability by giving the driver accurate, real-time information about actual clearance, while the automated nature of the measurement and correction keeps the driver burden minimal.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation unit automatically performs angle compensation and safety assessment without requiring driver intervention. The system self-determines the approaching angle, self-corrects the distance measurement using pre-calculated values, and self-monitors for unsafe conditions. This self-service approach improves reliability through automated accurate measurement while maintaining ease of operation by requiring minimal driver effort beyond normal reversing control.
3Reliability
If autonomous driving units use conventional distance information, then the extent of automation is achieved, but the reliability deteriorates due to wrong conclusions in non-rectangular situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates correction factors for various approaching angles and stores them in a lookup table during system initialization or manufacturing. This preliminary preparation enables the autonomous driving unit to quickly retrieve and apply appropriate corrections during reversing operations without complex real-time trigonometric calculations, ensuring high reliability while maintaining smooth automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation unit serves as an intermediary that processes raw radar data and provides corrected longitudinal distance information to the autonomous driving unit. This intermediary handles the complexity of angle-based compensation, ensuring that the autonomous system receives accurate distance data for making correct reversing decisions, thereby improving reliability without compromising the extent of automation.
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, reducing the risk of collisions during reversing operations, especially when objects are approached at non-rectangular angles, and supports both human drivers and autonomous driving units.
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
Data Source
AI summary
A reversing assistance device for a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a radar unit mounted on a rear of the vehicle and is configured to provide distance information to an object that is fully or partially behind the vehicle when approaching the object under an approaching angle. The reversing assistance device comprises an evaluation unit configured to provide a reversing support function by: obtaining from the radar unit the distance information to the object; determining, based on the distance information, a shortest longitudinal distance between a corner of the rear of the vehicle and the object along a reversing direction of the vehicle; and, based on the shortest longitudinal distance, modifying the distance information to compensate for the approaching angle.