Vehicle Contact Detection via Predicted Structure-Borne Sound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver assistance systems, such as those using ultrasound sensors and acceleration sensors, are ineffective in detecting bodies very close to a vehicle and fail to prevent serious damage during contact, due to blind ranges and high-mass vehicle dynamics.
Innovation Solution
A method that predicts the movement of a vehicle and detects the position of external bodies using ultrasound sensors, measures structure-borne sounds in predicted contact areas, and emits a warning signal if a specified criterion is met, allowing for timely counter-measures to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If acceleration sensors are firmly attached to the vehicle frame to detect contact, then contact detection is possible, but damage has already occurred by the time detection happens
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using ultrasound sensors to identify bodies in the vicinity and calculates potential contact risk before actual contact occurs. By detecting the presence of bodies and predicting contact scenarios in advance, the system can prepare warnings or preventive countermeasures before the acceleration sensor would detect actual contact damage.
2Strength
If the vehicle has high mass to provide structural strength, then vehicle strength is improved, but the acceleration signal during contact becomes too weak to detect
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses ultrasound sensors to detect bodies at a distance and calculate contact risk before actual contact occurs. This preliminary detection allows the system to issue warnings or trigger preventive countermeasures without relying on the weak acceleration signals that result from the vehicle's high mass during contact.
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 faster and more reliable detection of contact and initiation of counter-measures to prevent damage, such as deceleration or emergency braking, thereby reducing the risk of serious vehicle damage during parking and other driving situations.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasound sensors which are usually arranged in the rear or in the front bumper of the vehicle and they emit ultrasound signals and receive corresponding reflections
Implementation Method 2
The runtime of a signal emitted and received again is evaluated. The runtime can be used as a basis for calculating the distance of the sensors to a body, on which the emitted ultrasound signal was reflected
Implementation Method 3
a structure-borne sound is measured in the predicted spatial and/or time-related contact area
Data Source
AI summary
A method for at least partially automatically controlling, in particular automatically parking a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, includes predicting the movement of the vehicle, detecting the position of a body outside the vehicle, predicting a possible spatial and/or time-related contact area between the vehicle and the body on the outer shell of the vehicle, measuring a structure-borne sound in the predicted spatial and/or time-related contact area and issuing a warning signal the control unit if a previously specified criterion is met by the measured structure-borne sound signal.