Virtual Curb Parking Assistance Speed Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional parking assistance systems face challenges in accurately and comfortably maneuvering a vehicle near a curb, particularly in terms of torque and brake control, due to limitations in ultrasonic sensor effectiveness and precision.

Innovation Solution

The method involves defining and positioning virtual curbs to calculate and adapt vehicle speed set values without additional sensors, using advanced calculations to emulate various parking scenarios and dynamically adjust the number of virtual curbs based on parking space dimensions and road gradients, allowing for real-time speed adjustments during parking maneuvers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional ultrasonic sensors are used to detect curbs, then the system can detect some curb information, but the detection precision and reliability are insufficient leading to inaccurate speed control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurb detection precisionVSAvoidcurb detection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by defining multiple virtual curbs at different positions and heights before the actual parking maneuver begins. These virtual curbs serve as pre-calculated reference models that represent possible real curb scenarios. During the parking maneuver, the system compares sensor data against these pre-defined virtual curbs to identify the most likely real curb configuration, enabling accurate speed control without requiring perfect real-time detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies parameter changes by creating virtual curbs with varying parameters (positions, heights, orientations) to account for different possible curb configurations. Instead of relying on a single detection result, the system generates multiple hypothetical curb scenarios with different geometric parameters and selects the best match during the parking maneuver based on sensor feedback and vehicle response comparison.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If additional sensors or hardware components are added to improve curb detection accuracy, then detection precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurb detection precisionVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses copying by creating virtual representations (virtual curbs) of potential real curbs based on existing sensor data and parking space geometry. Instead of adding more physical sensors, the system generates multiple virtual models of curbs with different parameters and uses these copies to predict vehicle responses. The actual curb is identified by matching sensor feedback against these virtual copies, achieving improved detection accuracy without additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical/sensor-based detection approach with a calculation-based virtual model approach. Instead of relying solely on physical sensors to directly detect and measure curb properties, the system substitutes this with computational models (virtual curbs) that simulate curb effects on vehicle dynamics. This substitution reduces hardware complexity while maintaining or improving detection accuracy through advanced calculations.

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

3Ease of operation

If the system uses fixed speed values for parking maneuvers, then control is simple, but the comfort and accuracy of parking near curbs deteriorates due to abrupt movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidparking maneuver comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed speed values to dynamic, adaptive speed control. The system defines multiple virtual curbs and calculates expected vehicle responses for each scenario. During the parking maneuver, the system dynamically adjusts speed values based on which virtual curb scenario best matches the actual vehicle response to sensor inputs. This enables smooth, comfort-oriented speed adjustments that adapt to the detected curb configuration rather than using predetermined fixed speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10185319B2Method and device for assisting a parking maneuver
Publication Date: 2019.01.22 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
  • US10185319B2 patent drawing
  • US10185319B2 patent drawing
  • US10185319B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and a device assist a parking maneuver. The parking maneuver is implemented at least partly in automated manner on the basis of predetermined set speed values for the motion of the vehicle. Implementing the parking maneuver includes defining at least one virtual curb, and modifying at least one set speed value during the implementation of the parking maneuver on the basis of this virtual curb.