Vehicle Vision System for Autonomous Reverse Path Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Navigating long, narrow driveways or alleys in reverse can be challenging for vehicle drivers, as existing systems lack effective methods to determine driveway edges and avoid obstacles while reversing autonomously.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle vision system utilizing rearward-facing cameras to determine driveway edges and non-imaging sensors like ultrasonic or short-range radar to detect objects, enabling autonomous reversing by processing image and sensor data to control the vehicle's path and avoid collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autonomous reversing control is implemented, then reversing safety and precision are improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and processing units
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous reversing system is divided into distinct functional modules: image processing unit for detecting driveway edges, non-imaging sensor unit for measuring distances to obstacles, and control unit for executing reversing commands. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that receives processed information from both the image processing unit and non-imaging sensor unit, integrates this data, and generates appropriate reversing control signals. This intermediary role coordinates the multiple sensors and actuators, managing system complexity while ensuring safe autonomous operation.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect obstacles and determine distances, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges complementary sensing technologies: image processing for visual detection of driveway edges and non-imaging sensors (ultrasonic or radar) for precise distance measurement to obstacles. This combination leverages the strengths of each sensor type to achieve high measurement precision while consolidating functionality into an integrated system rather than separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-imaging sensors serve multiple functions: detecting obstacles, measuring distances to buildings or fences, and providing spatial awareness in the vehicle's projected path. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized sensors, maintaining measurement precision while limiting the increase in device complexity.
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
The system effectively guides the vehicle along the determined path, maintaining a safe distance from objects and avoiding debris or potholes, allowing for safe autonomous reversing in tight spaces.
Implementation Method 1
a rear/side non-imaging sensor (such as ultrasonic sensors or short range radar or SRR sensors or the like) to provide a control feature to autonomously back up the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a rear/side non-imaging sensor (such as ultrasonic sensors or short range radar or SRR sensors or the like) to provide a control feature to autonomously back up the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at the vehicle and having a field of view at least rearward of the vehicle, and may include at least one non-imaging sensor disposed at the vehicle so as to sense a region at least rearward of the vehicle. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle along a pathway, the control, responsive to processing of image data captured by the camera, determines edges of the pathway. During the reversing maneuver of the vehicle along the narrow pathway, the control, responsive to processing of data sensed by the non-imaging sensor, determines distances to objects present at or near the determined pathway and rearward and sideward of the vehicle. The control, responsive to determination of the pathway and determination of objects present along the pathway, steers the vehicle along the pathway to reverse the vehicle along the pathway.