Vehicle Sensor Positioning via Elliptical Approximation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the position of an object in a vehicle's surroundings using sensors approximate an ellipse with a circle, leading to reduced calculation accuracy and inaccurate object contour determination.
Innovation Solution
A method that calculates the position of an object by determining an ellipse segment within the detection range of both sensors, then approximating this ellipse segment with a circular segment that passes through specific endpoints and an intermediate point, thereby improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the ellipse is approximated by a simple circle with center on the connecting line between sensors, then the computational complexity is reduced, but the calculation accuracy and object contour stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The detection area is divided into multiple zones based on sensor positions and detection ranges. The ellipse approximation is performed separately for different segments rather than using a single global circle, allowing higher accuracy in critical regions while maintaining computational efficiency in less critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Different approximation methods are applied to different regions of the ellipse. In regions where high accuracy is critical (such as areas with multiple potential reflections), more precise local approximations are used. In other regions, simpler approximations suffice, optimizing the balance between accuracy and computational load.
2Ease of manufacture
If the ellipse is approximated by a simple circle, then the calculation process becomes simpler, but the object contour accuracy and reflection assignment reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores approximation parameters for different detection zones before actual object detection occurs. These pre-computed parameters include circle centers, radii, and other geometric properties that are reused during real-time detection, avoiding repeated complex calculations while ensuring reliable reflection assignments.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate data structure is introduced that stores pre-processed geometric information about the detection area and ellipse approximations. This intermediary representation allows the system to quickly query and use accurate approximation data without performing full ellipse calculations during object detection, maintaining both simplicity and reliability.
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
This approach reduces inaccuracies in position determination by precisely approximating the ellipse with a circular segment, enhancing the accuracy and stability of object contour detection.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor S1 with a first sensor position SP1 transmits a transmission signal, a reflection occurs at an object O and a second sensor S2, which is arranged at a second sensor position SP2 different from the first sensor position, receives the reflected signal
Implementation Method 2
the points at which a signal transmitted at the first sensor must be reflected in order to be received at the second transmitter and the signal propagation time is constant lie on an ellipse
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining the position of an object by means of a sensor system of a vehicle (F). The vehicle (F) has at least one first sensor (S1) with a first sensor position (SP1) and a second sensor (S2) with a second sensor position (SP2) which differs from the first sensor position (SP1). The method has the following steps: calculating at least one sub-region of an ellipse (E), said ellipse (E) being made of points in which the distance from the first sensor position (SP1) to the second sensor position (SP2) via the respective point is constant (S10); determining an ellipse section (EA) which lies both in the detection region (EB1) of the first sensor (S1) as well as in the detection region (EB2) of the second sensor (S2), said ellipse section (EA) having a first and a second ellipse end point (EP1, EP2) (S11); determining an ellipse section center (Z) which is located on a central normal to the straight connecting line between the first and second ellipse end point (EP1, EP2) (S12); determining a circle or circular section (KA) which runs through the first and second ellipse end point (EP1, EP2) and the ellipse section center (Z) (S13); and determining the position of a reflective object on the basis of the circle or the circular section (KA) (S14).