Vehicle Hazard Detection Using Trigger-Based Roadside Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting and reporting dangerous situations in road traffic, such as broken-down vehicles, are inadequate due to reliance on inaccurate and unreliable warning triangles and limited vehicle assistance systems, especially in complex environments like motorway exits and tunnels, leading to potential accidents.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a vehicle's environment monitoring sensors to detect a trigger, such as a warning triangle or emergency vehicle, and collect detailed data on the surroundings within a specific radius, which is then transmitted to other vehicles or reporting points to alert road users to potential hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a warning triangle is placed to alert other road users, then visibility of the hazard is improved, but the position may not be far enough away and the information is unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of environment monitoring sensors, trigger detection mechanisms, and communication devices that mediate between the hazard (warning triangle) and other road users. This intermediary automatically detects the warning triangle, determines the hazard position, and transmits accurate information to other vehicles, eliminating the unreliability of manual warning triangle placement while preserving its information function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the vehicle's own environment monitoring sensors to automatically detect warning triangles and hazards without human intervention. The trigger detection unit automatically identifies the warning triangle, the evaluation unit assesses the situation, and the communication device automatically transmits the hazard information, making the system self-activating and reliable.
2Loss of time
If vehicle assistance systems are equipped to detect warning triangles, then early warning is possible, but the system may be too late if the warning triangle is not placed far enough away
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously scanning the environment for warning triangles using environment monitoring sensors before the vehicle reaches the hazard. The trigger detection unit is always active, ready to detect warning triangles at a distance, and upon detection, immediately activates the evaluation and communication processes, ensuring early warning and adequate response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual system of placing and observing warning triangles with an automated sensor-based detection system. The environment monitoring sensors optically detect warning triangles, the evaluation unit processes the information, and the communication device transmits data electronically, substituting manual mechanical processes with automated technological systems for faster and more accurate hazard detection.
3Reliability
If environment monitoring sensors continuously scan for hazardous objects, then comprehensive hazard detection is achieved, but computing power is wasted and sensors are unavailable for other assistance systems
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous scanning, the system uses periodic action by continuously monitoring for triggers (warning triangles) and only activating full hazard detection and data transmission when a trigger is detected. The trigger detection unit operates continuously at low power, but the comprehensive environment scanning and communication functions are activated periodically only when needed, reducing overall computing power consumption while maintaining detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the hazard detection process into distinct functional units: trigger detection, environment monitoring, hazard evaluation, and communication. Each unit operates independently and only when required, allowing the system to allocate computing resources efficiently. The trigger detection unit operates continuously at minimal power, while the more computationally intensive environment scanning and evaluation are performed only when triggers are detected.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for detecting a dangerous situation (8) in road traffic, wherein a visible environment (3) of a motor vehicle (4) is scanned by at least one surrounding monitoring sensor (5) to detect the presence of a trigger (6). According to the invention, once a trigger (6) is detected in a radius (7) specific to the triggers about said trigger (6), data relating to the environment (3) of the motor vehicle (4) is collected by means of at least one surrounding monitoring sensor (5) and information is transmitted to at least one receiver independent of the motor vehicle (4), based on the collected data, by means of a communications device (11).