Vehicle Obstacle Height Control for Parking Collision Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle systems fail to effectively signal and prevent collisions with obstacles of moderate height relative to the road surface, particularly during parking maneuvers, due to obstacles being undetected as they move out of the sensory system's range.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes a sensory system to detect distance and height of obstacles, an electronic control unit to verify obstacle height against a safety criterion, and control braking and signaling systems based on the detected distance and space traveled to prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensory system periodically detects obstacles within its detection range, then the signalling device can emit real-time alerts, but obstacles that move outside the detection range are no longer signalled to the driver
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit calculates the trajectory of the motor vehicle and predicts the position of obstacles that will enter the detection range in the future. By performing this prediction action in advance, the system prepares alert signals before the obstacles are actually detected, ensuring continuous monitoring coverage even when obstacles move in and out of the sensory system's detection range
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously updates the prediction of obstacle positions based on real-time detection data and compares it with the planned trajectory. This feedback mechanism allows the electronic control unit to adjust predictions and maintain accurate obstacle tracking, ensuring that obstacles are signaled throughout their entire interaction with the vehicle's path, not just when within detection range
2Shape
If the motor vehicle body height is reduced for design purposes, then the vehicle has a lower profile, but the risk of collisions with moderate-height obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit performs preliminary calculations of the space travelled by the motor vehicle and determines when obstacles will be at collision risk based on the lowered body height. This advance calculation allows the system to trigger alert signals and braking interventions before actual contact occurs, compensating for the reduced clearance caused by the lower vehicle profile
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by activating alert signals and braking forces before the collision can occur. By detecting obstacles early along the calculated trajectory and initiating countermeasures in advance, the system prevents the harmful effect of collision that would otherwise be more likely due to the reduced vehicle body height
3Speed
If the electronic control unit commands braking based on real-time detection only, then immediate response is possible, but obstacles detected earlier but now outside detection range cannot trigger braking
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit performs preliminary calculations of the space travelled and predicts when obstacles will reach critical positions relative to the vehicle. By determining braking requirements in advance based on trajectory analysis rather than waiting for real-time detection, the system ensures that braking is activated at the appropriate moment even for obstacles that have moved in and out of the detection range
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the timing and intensity of braking commands based on the calculated trajectory and predicted obstacle position. Rather than relying on static real-time detection thresholds, the electronic control unit continuously updates braking commands according to the dynamic interaction between vehicle motion and obstacle position, ensuring optimal response timing
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a motor vehicle comprising an electronic control unit and a sensory system adapted to detect an obstacle is disclosed. The sensory system generates a first informative datum related to a distance of the vehicle from the obstacle at a first time instant and a second informative datum related to the height of the obstacle. The electronic control unit verifies that the obstacle height complies with a safety criterion as a function of the second informative datum, determines the space travelled by the vehicle between the first time instant and a second time instant as a function of the first informative datum when the obstacle height does not comply with the safety criterion, and controls a braking system and/or signalling system of the vehicle on the basis of the first informative datum and of the determined space to limit the risk of collision with the obstacle.