Trailer-Aware Rear Gate Sensing With Adaptive Radar Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with trailers lack an effective system to control closure panels based on proximity detection, leading to potential safety issues and inefficient access management.
Innovation Solution
A system for a vehicle with a trailer, featuring a rear gate assembly, sensors, and a controller that activates security measures, such as imaging, alerts, and audible alerts, when a person is detected near the trailer, and adjusts radar beam width based on trailer connection, ensuring secure and convenient access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a trailer is coupled to the vehicle, then the radar beam width should be adjusted to a narrower width for precise detection near the trailer, but this reduces the overall detection coverage area
Solution Approach 1:
The radar beam width is dynamically adjusted based on the detected object's distance from the vehicle. When an object is detected near the trailer, the system automatically narrows the radar beam width to improve detection precision in that specific zone, while maintaining wider coverage for areas farther away.
2Reliability
If security measures are activated when a person is detected near the trailer, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The radar sensor serves multiple functions: it detects objects for access management, triggers security measures when persons are detected near the trailer, and provides data for determining when to adjust radar beam width. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each function.
3Measurement precision
If the radar beam width is continuously monitored and adjusted, then detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs periodic scans to detect objects and determines their distance from the vehicle. Radar beam width adjustments are triggered only when distance thresholds are met, rather than continuously adjusting based on real-time position data, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining detection accuracy.
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 prompting security measures when a person is near the trailer and optimizes access management by adjusting radar beam width for trailer detection, improving the vehicle's ability to handle trailer operations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one radar sensor coupled to the vehicle that emits a radar beam
Data Source
AI summary
A system for a vehicle having a trailer coupled thereto includes a rear gate assembly of the vehicle having a first closure panel operable between an open position and a closed position. The system also includes at least one sensor coupled to the first closure panel. The system further includes a controller that prompts execution of a security measure in response to the at least one sensor detecting a person within a predetermined proximity of at least a portion of the trailer.