Vehicle Deflection Device for Blind Spot Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous driving vehicles equipped with distance measurement devices like LiDAR or millimeter-wave radar face blind spots due to vehicle obstructions, which prevent detection of obstacles in certain regions around the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A measurement device unit comprising a distance measurement device mounted on the vehicle's roof and a deflection device positioned on the vehicle's front or rear end to deflect detection waves towards blind regions, allowing for the detection of obstacles within previously obscured areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a distance measurement device is mounted on the roof of the vehicle, then the detection region is reduced due to blind spots, but adding more devices to cover blind spots increases parts count, weight, and power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobstacle detection capabilityVSAvoidparts count

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A deflection device is introduced as an intermediary component that redirects detection waves from the roof-mounted distance measurement device into blind regions. This mediator allows the original device to perform additional detection functions without requiring duplicate measurement devices, thereby improving reliability while avoiding increased parts count

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The deflection device enables the roof-mounted distance measurement device to serve multiple functions: detecting obstacles in both the direct detection region and the previously inaccessible blind regions. This multi-functionality approach allows comprehensive obstacle detection without adding separate measurement devices for each region

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If additional distance measurement devices are added to cover blind regions, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but vehicle weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblind region detection capabilityVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection device acts as a lightweight intermediary that redirects detection waves into blind regions without requiring additional heavy measurement devices. This approach achieves blind region detection capability while minimizing weight increase, as the deflection device is significantly lighter than a complete distance measurement system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple distance measurement devices are installed to eliminate blind spots, then detection coverage is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection coverageVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection device enables a single distance measurement device to perform multiple detection functions by redirecting waves into blind regions. This allows the original device to cover both direct and indirect detection zones, improving overall detection coverage without the power consumption penalty of operating multiple separate measurement devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If the detection region is expanded to include blind regions, then obstacle detection accuracy is improved, but the original detection region coverage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobstacle detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection region coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The detection space is segmented into the direct detection region and the blind region, with the deflection device creating a separate detection pathway for each. This segmentation allows the system to maintain comprehensive coverage by directing different portions of detection waves to different regions, thereby improving overall detection accuracy without sacrificing coverage area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 accurate detection of obstacles in blind regions without the need for additional distance measurement devices, reducing the vehicle's parts count, weight, and power consumption while enhancing obstacle detection capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a deflection device that is configured to be arranged on at least one of a front end portion and a rear end portion of the vehicle in the detection region to deflect a traveling direction of the detection wave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20230010027A1Measurement device unit mountable and usable on vehicle and obstacle detection method for vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.01.12 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A measurement device unit mountable and usable on a vehicle includes a distance measurement device that is arranged on a roof of the vehicle to detect a reflection wave corresponding to an emitted detection wave to detect a distance to an object present in a detection region, and a deflection device that is arranged on at least one of a front end portion and a rear end portion of the vehicle in the detection region to deflect a traveling direction of the detection wave toward a region outside of the detection region including a blind region of the vehicle.