In modern urban conditions, riding onthe car requires a lot of skill - personal transport every day becomes more and more, and freedom for maneuver - all less. And if drivers still manage to drive, then putting the car in a parking lot or just stopping near a store is a difficult task, requiring a good eye and speed of decision making. Just to facilitate this problem, parktronics for cars are designed. Today we will talk about them in more detail.
What is it needed for
Parking sensors, or parking radar, serve toalert the driver that his car has come too close to another car or obstacle. The device is quite simple, but very useful in situations with reduced visibility and in cramped places. In addition, modern cars, in view of the fact that almost all of them - with front-wheel drive, have a long front overhang and a sloping bonnet, which is often not visible from the driver's seat.
In addition, in order to design the designer refresh the backthe glass is made small in size, especially in sedans (there the luggage compartment edge is not visible). All this creates discomfort and the need to "estimate" the distance to an extraneous object "by eye". Sometimes it does not always end successfully. As a result, scratches from close contacts appear on the bumpers.
How it works
Constructively, the parking sensor is an ultrasonic radar, the sensors of which are simultaneously emitters. They produce ultrasonic waves and take their reflections.
By the return time of the reflected signalThe device determines the distance to the obstacle. Most modern cars are still equipped with this simple device at the factory. But on any old cars you can install it. The only question is to find out what parktronics are on the car.
Kinds
The system consists of several sensors,switching unit and information panel. Sensors can be located on the front and / or rear bumper - in the most problematic, in demand zones, which were mentioned above. Sensors per zone can be from two to four. Two pieces that are located in the corners - the most economical and cheap option.
But in the center a blind zone is formed,which is not controlled in any way. There is a risk of crashing into, say, a pipe protruding from the ground. Three sensors on the bumper are already a more reliable solution. But the best option is four elements at an equal distance from each other. Thus, the whole area of the bumper is controlled completely. According to the owners, such a system is the most common and convenient.
Notification systems
The information screen, in fact, issystem of alerting the driver to an obstacle. Structurally it is a box with a screen on which the car and sensors located on the bumpers are symbolically depicted, depending on the configuration. In addition to the symbols on the screen, an audio signal can additionally be used. Thus, there are three types of alerts:
The first type is the simplest.If there is an obstacle in the radar range (from 2.5 m to 25 cm), an intermittent signal will sound. As the obstacle (or car to it) approaches, the signal begins to increase. With close proximity to the bumper, the sound becomes continuous. With the help of such a system it is convenient to park by ear, but if with hearing problems or loud music plays, then the utility of parktronics is significantly reduced.
The next system is optical.It is a strip of LEDs of different colors, from green to red, according to the proximity of the object. These bands are located on the right and left on the information screen and correspond to the location of obstacles on the corresponding sides of the car. Digital display - the screen on which the figures are displayed - the distance in meters to the object. Numbers are often duplicated by sound indication and LED strips. The system has the possibility of various switching options. In some situations, digital display is not too necessary, or, conversely, when driving in traffic, it is desirable to turn off the audio warning, otherwise parktronik will constantly squeak. The owners' feedback indicates that all three systems are equally convenient and the comfort of use often depends on the driving experience.
Models
The types of parktronics on the car are very diverse, but they are all divided into different groups, which should be mentioned:
- The first group is parktronics for cars,the indicators of which are built into the rear-view mirror and represent strips of columns from horizontal dashes of different colors. They will light up one by one as the car approaches the obstacle.
- The second, more advanced version - parktronic,combined with a rear view camera. In this model, the information display is a digital screen, which displays a picture from the camera, located behind (and sometimes - in front). Unfortunately, the camera lens can become polluted in bad weather, which will not happen with conventional sensors - they are not afraid of such weather changes.
- The latest models of parktronics have notpoint, and tape sensors. Such sensors are very easy to install and do not stand out so much on the bumper, so they are becoming more common.
Modern parktronics for cars are often equippedadditional functions. Usually they carry redundant and unnecessary information (clock, compass). When choosing the right model for parktronics, it is better to focus on the model with maximum functionality and ease of use.
What to look for
Before you choose a parking for the car, you should pay attention to the zone that it will serve.
Often the values for the front and back differ.It is also necessary to check the conformity of the temperature regime and humidity to the conditions of the forthcoming operation. The sensors installed in the bumper of the car must have the same color, in extreme cases - the same shade, so as not to stand out from the appearance of the car. The information screen should fit organically into the interior and be in harmony with it. Ideally, it looks like a regular, factory detail. Now on sale there is a great variety of models, and it is not difficult to find a suitable copy.
Installation
Currently, installation of parktronics on auto -a fairly common service in specialized service centers. The work is not too complicated and is mainly related to pulling wires from the sensors to the switching block and the information screen.
Also drilling in bumpers of holesfor sensors. If you install a parking aid on the car, the price will depend heavily on the installation kit, as well as the type and size of the car. The kit can include both the element itself and the "heaped" system with one or two cameras and a screen. Installation parktronika on a car in Moscow will cost from 2500 to 4000 rubles for the most simple version with four sensors from the rear. For the option of the camera will have to pay 5-8 thousand rubles.
Self-assembly
Of course, you can save and install a parking aidon the car yourself (in the manual everything is described in sufficient detail). However, this work is associated with disassembly and assembly of the interior, and often - and removing the bumper. In addition, to connect the device you need to crash into the on-board electrical system.
Therefore, before you start, it is desirable to estimate your skills.
Conclusion
As you can see, parktronics for auto is a popular and popular option. In the modern rhythm of life, it passes from the category of luxury to the necessary object, greatly facilitating life.
