Ultrasonic Sensor Obstacle Position Estimation for Side Flank Collision Warning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver assistance systems using ultrasonic sensors on vehicle bumpers struggle to detect and prevent collisions with obstacles in the side area during sharp turns, as they lose contact with obstacles once they enter the side area, leading to potential collisions.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a single stationary ultrasonic sensor on the vehicle bumper to detect obstacles and estimate their position relative to the vehicle, allowing for timely warnings and potential deceleration, without requiring additional sensors on the side flank, by utilizing parameters like steering angle and distance covered to track the obstacle's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single stationary ultrasonic sensor is used on the vehicle bumper, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the ability to detect obstacles in the side area during sharp turns deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of obstacles in the forward or rearward detection area before the vehicle maneuver causes the obstacle to enter the side area. By detecting obstacles early while they are still within the stationary sensor's detection area, the system can warn the driver or automatically brake before the obstacle enters the blind zone next to the side flank, preventing collisions despite using a single stationary sensor
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the detection area and provides feedback warnings to the driver when obstacles are detected. The system uses feedback from the ultrasonic sensor to trigger warning signals or automatic braking actions, creating a closed-loop system that compensates for the limited detection coverage of a single stationary sensor
2Device complexity
If the sensor detection area is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the coverage of the detection area deteriorates during vehicle maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from spatial coverage in multiple dimensions to temporal coverage by detecting obstacles earlier in time before they enter the side area. Instead of expanding the spatial detection area, the system uses the time dimension to detect obstacles while the vehicle is still approaching them, allowing the stationary sensor to effectively monitor areas that would otherwise be blind zones during 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
Enables effective prevention of collisions with obstacles in the side area by accurately estimating the obstacle's position and triggering warnings or deceleration, even after the sensor loses contact, at a lower cost without additional side-flank sensors.
Implementation Method 1
the obstacle is detected by an ultrasonic sensor stationarily arranged on a vehicle bumper
Implementation Method 2
detected by an ultrasonic sensor
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for warning a driver of a motor vehicle (2) of an obstacle (1) present in a side area (19) next to a side flank (13) of the vehicle (2) with the help of a driver assistance system (3), wherein during a motion of the vehicle (2) the obstacle (1) is detected by an ultrasonic sensor (5, 7) stationarily arranged on a vehicle bumper (6, 8), before the obstacle (1) leaves a detection area (10) of the ultrasonic sensor (5, 7) and enters the side area (19) next to the side flank (13). After the obstacle (1) leaves the detection area (10) a current position of the obstacle (1) in the side area (19) relative to the vehicle (2) is estimated by the driver assistance system (3), wherein the driver is warned by the driver assistance system (3) in dependency on a result of the estimation.