Ultrasonic Sensor Frequency Modulation for Vehicle Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic object detection systems for vehicles face challenges in accurately determining the position of an object when ultrasonic pulses bounce off multiple objects or the wrong object, leading to incorrect positioning due to reliance on signal reflection.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an ultrasonic sensor with a piezoelectric material that vibrates in response to transmitted and received ultrasonic signals, generating an inquiry signal and steering the vehicle based on a frequency difference between the inquiry and acknowledgement signals, allowing for object detection independent of signal reflection from other objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasonic pulses are transmitted to detect objects, then object detection capability is provided, but positioning accuracy deteriorates when pulses bounce off multiple objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies frequency modulation to ultrasonic signals, where each object is assigned a unique frequency identifier (similar to color coding). The transmitting vehicle sends inquiry signals at specific frequencies, and responding objects reply at different frequencies. This frequency differentiation allows the system to distinguish which object reflected the signal, eliminating confusion from multiple reflections and improving positioning accuracy while maintaining detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If frequency differentiation is implemented to improve positioning accuracy, then detection accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where objects receive inquiry signals and automatically respond with acknowledgement signals at different frequencies. This automated feedback loop eliminates the need for complex manual identification systems. The controller simply needs to compare transmitted and received frequencies to identify the responding object, significantly reducing system complexity while achieving high detection accuracy through frequency differentiation.
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
This method enables accurate object positioning by distinguishing the intended object through frequency differences, reducing errors caused by multiple reflections and improving detection accuracy in constrained or poorly visible areas.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic sensor including piezoelectric crystals, and a controller configured to power electrical excitation to cause the crystals to oscillate generating an inquiry ultrasonic signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system for a vehicle includes an ultrasonic sensor including a layer of material such that vibration of the material is indicative of frequency of transmitted and received ultrasonic signals, and a controller configured to, through electrical excitation, cause the material to vibrate to transmit an inquiry ultrasonic signal and, responsive to receiving from an object an acknowledgement ultrasonic signal having frequency different from frequency of the inquiry signal, steer the vehicle from the object.