Ultrasonic Sensor Frequency Shift for Simultaneous Parking and Door Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing environmental sensors used in vehicles for parking support and door protection face challenges in simultaneous operation due to mutual interference, particularly when operating with spatially overlapping measuring areas, leading to issues with echo pulse assignment and signal path determination.
Innovation Solution
The use of identical environmental sensors with different operating frequencies, where at least one frequency is shifted with respect to the resonance frequency, allows for independent operation of parking support and door protection devices without detrimental interference, enabling simultaneous environment detection on the same side of a vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple environmental sensors operate simultaneously with overlapping measuring areas, then environment detection coverage is improved, but echo pulse assignment and signal path determination become impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the environmental sensors. At least one sensor operates at a frequency shifted from the resonance frequency, creating distinct frequency signatures that enable echo pulse assignment while maintaining overlapping spatial coverage. This frequency differentiation allows the system to resolve which echo belongs to which transmit pulse even when measuring areas overlap.
2Ease of manufacture
If identical environmental sensors are used for both parking support and door protection devices, then cost is reduced, but simultaneous operation causes mutual interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses identical sensor hardware for both devices but changes the operating frequency parameter. At least one sensor operates at a frequency shifted from the resonance frequency, which eliminates mutual interference while maintaining cost-effectiveness through parts standardization. This allows simultaneous operation of parking support and door protection devices using the same physical sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic frequency selection where sensors can operate at different frequencies depending on the operational mode. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to switch between resonance frequency operation (for maximum sensitivity) and shifted frequency operation (for interference-free simultaneous operation), optimizing performance for each specific use case.
3Measurement precision
If environmental sensors operate at resonance frequency, then measurement sensitivity is maximized, but simultaneous operation of multiple sensors causes signal interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent strategically changes the frequency parameter based on operational requirements. Sensors can operate at the resonance frequency when single-device operation provides maximum measurement sensitivity. When simultaneous operation is required, at least one sensor operates at a shifted frequency to eliminate interference, balancing sensitivity and interference-free operation.
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 approach allows for precise and efficient environment detection across a larger spatial region for parking support and collision protection, reducing cross echo pulses and interference, while maintaining cost-effectiveness by using identical parts for both functions.
Implementation Method 1
An environmental sensor sends out a transmit pulse, for example, an ultrasonic pulse or an electromagnetic transmit pulse, which is reflected back from objects in the environment at least partially to the environmental sensor and is detected by said sensor as an echo pulse
Implementation Method 2
a transmit pulse sent by an environmental sensor generates echo pulses, which are detected not only by the environmental sensor sending the transmit pulse but also by other environmental sensors whose measuring area overlaps with a measuring area of the environmental sensor sending the transmit pulse
Implementation Method 3
operating in at least one operating mode at least two of the environmental sensors of the plurality of environmental sensors at different frequencies (operating frequencies), of which at least one of these different frequencies is shifted with respect to a resonance frequency of the environmental sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A device for lateral environment detection of a motor vehicle and a method for the substantially simultaneous operation of a parking support device and a door protection device is provided. The parking support device and the door protection device perform an environment detection with structurally identical environmental sensors. In order to be able to operate these simultaneously or overlapping in time, without interference by cross echo pulse occurring, it is provided to operate the simultaneously operated environmental sensors at frequencies that are shifted relative to one another and of which at least one of the frequencies is also shifted with respect to a resonance frequency of the environmental sensors.