Ultrasonic Sensor Underbody Monitoring Reference Curve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic sensor systems for monitoring the underbody region of motor vehicles face challenges such as limited lateral spatial resolution, masking phenomena due to stronger reflections from vehicle components, and the inability to account for changes in vehicle loading state or varying vehicle heights.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of an ultrasonic sensor device that generates a reference measurement curve when the vehicle is parked, allowing for the determination of a measurement region between the underbody and the ground. This region is defined by decay time and ground reflection, enabling reliable monitoring. Upon restart, a comparison measurement curve is generated, and changes in height due to loading state changes are accounted for, allowing for improved object detection in the underbody region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasonic sensor devices are used to monitor the underbody region, then object detection capability is provided, but lateral spatial resolution is limited and multiple reflections cannot be distinguished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the underbody monitoring region into distinct evaluation zones (first evaluation region closer to the sensor, second evaluation region farther away) and processes reflections differently for each zone. This allows the system to handle the limited lateral spatial resolution by creating separate monitoring zones with different detection criteria, enabling object detection while acknowledging the resolution constraints through zone-specific evaluation strategies.
2Measurement precision
If ultrasonic sensor devices are used for underbody monitoring, then object detection is enabled, but masking phenomena occur where wheel reflections overpower actual object reflections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separately processes reflections from different spatial zones. By identifying and isolating reflections from the first evaluation region (closer to sensor, likely from wheels) from those in the second evaluation region (farther away, likely from objects), the system can remove the harmful masking effect of strong wheel reflections while preserving the detection capability for actual objects in the underbody region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different evaluation criteria and detection thresholds to different spatial zones. The first evaluation region (near field, likely containing wheel reflections) uses different processing than the second evaluation region (far field, likely containing object reflections). This local differentiation allows the system to handle the masking problem by treating reflections from different sources differently based on their spatial characteristics.
3Device complexity
If calibration assumes constant distance between sensor and road surface, then calibration process is simplified, but changes in vehicle loading state and height are not accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static calibration assumption to a dynamic calibration approach. Instead of assuming constant sensor-to-road distance, the system performs calibration measurements at multiple positions (first and second positions) to capture the actual varying distance caused by loading state changes. This dynamic calibration maintains simplicity while improving reliability by adapting to real-world variations in vehicle height and loading conditions.
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 enables more reliable monitoring of the underbody region by accurately determining the measurement region and accounting for changes in vehicle height and loading state, thus improving object detection and flexibility across different vehicle models and conditions.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic signals are emitted into the underbody region by means of at least one ultrasonic sensor device, and in which the reflected ultrasonic signals are received and evaluated by means of the ultrasonic sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating an ultrasonic sensor device (2) for monitoring an underbody region (12) of a motor vehicle (1), wherein ultrasonic signals (U) are emitted into the underbody region (12) by means of at least one ultrasonic sensor (4, 5, 6, 7) of the ultrasonic sensor device (2), and the reflected ultrasonic signals (U) are received and analyzed. After the motor vehicle (1) is parked at a first point in time (t1), a reference measurement curve (13) for the underbody region (12) is generated on the basis of at least one ultrasonic signal (U) and is stored, wherein a measurement region (18) is determined in the reference measurement curve (13) in which the monitoring process of the underbody region (12) is analyzed, and the measurement region (18) is determined on the basis of the decay time (16) of the ultrasonic sensor (4, 5, 6, 7) and a ground reflection (19) on the ground surface (11). The invention additionally relates to a computer program product, a computer-readable storage medium, and an ultrasonic sensor device (2).