3D Vehicle Sensing with Laser Radar Point Clouds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle sensing systems, such as cameras and ultrasonic radars, fail to provide accurate three-dimensional information, leading to limitations in parking and obstacle detection, especially in special scenes, and ultrasonic radars have low resolution and limited range.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle-mounted sensing system with three-dimensional sensor assemblies, including laser radar assemblies using VCSEL and SPAD, strategically positioned around the vehicle to cover a 360-degree range, processing data into point cloud information for enhanced scene understanding and blind zone compensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If camera is used for sensing, then two-dimensional information can be obtained, but height information is lost causing failure in special scenes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight informationVSAvoidthree-dimensional information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional camera sensing to three-dimensional sensing by introducing laser radar assemblies that emit laser beams and detect reflected light to obtain depth information, thereby adding the third dimension (height/depth) to the sensing capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If ultrasonic radar is used for sensing, then distance information can be obtained within close range, but resolution is low and three-dimensional information is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethree-dimensional information accuracyVSAvoidsensing range
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces ultrasonic radar (mechanical wave-based sensing) with laser radar (electromagnetic wave-based sensing), which provides higher resolution, accurate three-dimensional information, and extended sensing range while maintaining the ability to detect distance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensor assemblies are positioned around the vehicle for 360-degree sensing, then comprehensive three-dimensional information can be obtained, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethree-dimensional environment sensing accuracyVSAvoidsensor assembly arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs identical laser radar assemblies with the same VCSEL and SPAD structure at multiple positions around the vehicle, allowing each sensor to perform the same three-dimensional sensing function and enabling comprehensive coverage through standardized multi-functional components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 three-dimensional environment sensing, improving automated driving functions like parking and obstacle avoidance by providing comprehensive and precise physical measurement information.

Implementation Method 1

the emitting apparatus is a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

the processing unit is further configured to implement a direct time of flight (dToF) method or an indirect time of flight (iToF) method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 3

the receiving apparatus is a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4095563A1Vehicle-mounted sensing system and vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 NIO TECH ANHUI CO LTD
  • EP4095563A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4095563A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4095563A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The disclosure comprises a vehicle-mounted sensing system and a vehicle with the vehicle-mounted sensing system. The vehicle-mounted sensing system comprises: a plurality of sensor assemblies provided at the specific positions of a vehicle to enable sensing of a specific range around the vehicle, the specific range depending on the purpose of sensing and/or characteristics of the sensor assemblies; and a processing unit configured to process sensing data from the plurality of sensor assemblies to generate sensing results; wherein the sensor assemblies are three-dimensional sensing assemblies. With the vehicle-mounted sensing assembly according to the disclosure, a three-dimensional environment around the vehicle can be accurately sensed, and the sensing results can be applied to operations such as parking.