Vehicle Sensor Overlap Layout for Redundant Driver Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle driver assistance systems with multiple sensors are costly to manufacture and maintain, and if one sensor fails or is obstructed, the adaptive cruise control system may not function correctly.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with two sensors mounted on a vehicle, where one sensor covers a primary area and the other covers an overlapping area with a rearward and leftward or rightward component, allowing for redundant detection and reduced power consumption, enabling adaptive cruise control and cross-traffic alerts with minimal sensor installation costs and maintaining system functionality even if one sensor fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to provide adaptive cruise control and cross-traffic alert functions, then system reliability and detection coverage are improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor is configured to perform multiple functions: detecting objects in its primary area for cross-traffic alerts and detecting objects in the overlapping area for adaptive cruise control. This multi-functionality allows two sensors to replace what would traditionally require three or more sensors, reducing device complexity while maintaining system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the detection areas of two sensors to create an overlapping area that serves adaptive cruise control functions. By combining the detection capabilities of both sensors in this overlapping region, the system achieves reliable adaptive cruise control without requiring a separate dedicated sensor
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are installed to ensure system functionality, then redundancy and reliability are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor is designed to universally perform both cross-traffic alert detection in its primary area and adaptive cruise control detection in the overlapping area. This eliminates the need for additional dedicated sensors, reducing manufacturing cost while ensuring system functionality through redundant detection paths
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of two sensors by configuring them with specific detection areas that include an overlapping region. By adjusting the detection area parameters rather than adding more sensors, the system achieves the required redundancy and reliability at lower manufacturing cost
3Reliability
If sensors cover overlapping areas for redundancy, then system reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by having sensors transmit electromagnetic radiation with different characteristics in different areas: higher power in the overlapping area for reliable adaptive cruise control detection, and reduced or no transmission in non-overlapping areas. This localized energy distribution maintains reliability while reducing overall power consumption
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 provides effective adaptive cruise control and cross-traffic alerts using just two sensors, ensuring system reliability and reduced power consumption while maintaining functionality even if one sensor is impaired.
Implementation Method 1
the first sensor is configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation to detect the presence of an object in a first area; the second sensor is configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation to detect the presence of an object in a second area
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of the present invention relate to an apparatus for providing driver assistance of a vehicle, an autonomous system, a vehicle, a method, a controller and a non-transitory computer readable medium. The apparatus comprises a first sensor and a second sensor mounted on a vehicle. The first sensor is configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation to detect the presence of an object in a first area, and the second sensor is configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation to detect the presence of an object in a second area. The first area and the second area overlap to define an overlapping area forward of the vehicle. The first area extends from the overlapping area to a first extreme direction having a rearward component and a leftward component, and the second area extends from the overlapping area to a second extreme direction having a rearward component and a rightward component.