Ultrasonic Sensor Array Beam Steering for Vehicle Cornering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic sensors in vehicles have fixed detection ranges, limiting their effectiveness in dynamic traffic situations, particularly when cornering, leading to reduced localization accuracy and misinterpretation of echoes.
Innovation Solution
A method to dynamically adjust the detection range of ultrasonic sensor arrays using phase shifts between transducer elements, allowing the detection areas to be focused or deflected based on the vehicle's direction of travel, enhancing coverage and reducing sidelobe interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a wide detection area is used to detect objects in all directions, then detection coverage is improved, but false detections from irrelevant areas (e.g., behind the vehicle) increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the detection area adjustable and direction-dependent rather than static and omnidirectional. The control unit dynamically configures the detection area based on the vehicle's driving state (e.g., reversing, parking, normal driving), activating sensor arrays only in relevant directions. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining wide coverage when needed while restricting the detection area to reduce false detections during specific maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different detection characteristics to different spatial regions. Instead of uniform omnidirectional detection, the system activates specific sensor arrays in specific directions based on the driving state. For example, during reversing, the detection area is focused on rear regions while excluding front regions, creating locally optimized detection quality that reduces false detections from irrelevant areas.
2Area of stationary object
If ultrasonic sensor arrays are activated in all directions continuously, then detection coverage is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamics by continuously monitoring the vehicle's driving state and dynamically adjusting which sensor arrays are active. During normal driving, only necessary sensor arrays are activated. During reversing or parking maneuvers, the system expands the active detection area to cover relevant directions. This dynamic activation strategy maintains adequate detection coverage while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous omnidirectional activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by activating only the necessary subset of sensor arrays required for the current driving state rather than all arrays continuously. The control unit determines the minimal required detection coverage based on the driving state and activates only those sensor arrays, achieving sufficient detection coverage while minimizing energy consumption by leaving other arrays inactive.
3Reliability
If the detection area is restricted to reduce false detections, then reliability is improved, but detection coverage in irrelevant directions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system resolves this contradiction through dynamic adaptation to driving state. During normal driving, the detection area is restricted to reduce false detections. However, during reversing or parking maneuvers, the system dynamically expands the detection area to cover all necessary directions, ensuring adequate coverage when required. This dynamic adjustment ensures reliability during normal operation while maintaining coverage during critical maneuvers.
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
Improves localization accuracy and classification of objects by ensuring comprehensive coverage of the vehicle's surroundings, reducing misinterpretations, and enabling better object detection and control in various driving scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor array from the sensor arrays is activated depending on a driving state of the vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a method for adjusting a detection area of at least one ultrasonic sensor array of a vehicle by means of a controller, wherein measurement data are received and a direction of travel is determined, control signals for controlling at least two transducer elements of at least one ultrasonic sensor array are generated, wherein by means of the control signals, a phase shift between the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the transducer elements and/or a phase shift between the ultrasonic waves received by the transducer elements is set, which phase shift is adjusted to the direction of travel of the vehicle. The invention also relates to a controller, to a computer program and to a machine-readable storage medium.