tech today
Vehicle Safety and Parking Sensor Systems
The display that comes with the Brandmotion 90023003 universal four-sensor parking system can be mounted on the dash, upside-down on the headliner or in the rear of the vehicle, so it’s visible in the rearview mirror.
In order to successfully sell parking sensors, retailers must understand placement on the vehicle, options, installation techniques and how to explain these products to clients. WORDS BY DAVE MACKINNON As we continue to look at different collision avoidance systems, our path brings us to parking sensor systems. First introduced to the automotive industry in 1982 on the Toyota Corona, these compact and inconspicuous devices provide drivers with clear warnings that an object or person is in the path of their vehicle. In terms of preventing back-over accidents while parking or maneuvering, parking sensors are considered one of the best solutions available.
52 Mobile Electronics December 2020
How do Parking Sensors Work? A parking sensor uses low-power electromagnetic transmitters and receivers to detect objects. In most applications, an array of four sensors are integrated into the vehicle’s bumper to provide full coverage of one end of the car or truck. The sensors include an antenna that looks for reflections of the pulsed signal it transmitted. When an object is detected, the system can provide an alert to the vehicle operator. Because parking sensors work
similarly to radar, the system can also let the driver know the distance to its detected object. Sensor placement is crucial to the reliable operation of the system. The distance between the sensors and their mounting angle plays a significant role in determining how well they cover the vehicle’s front or back. As with any aftermarket collision avoidance system, proper installation is crucial to the overall functionality.
