What are the components of a parking sensor?
2 Answers
Parking sensors consist of: ultrasonic sensors (commonly known as probes), controllers, and displays (or buzzers). Parking sensors, also known as "reverse collision avoidance radar" or "parking assist devices," are particularly useful when reversing a car, helping to prevent accidents and hazards. Parking sensors are safety assist devices for car parking or reversing, which can inform the driver of surrounding obstacles through sound or more intuitive displays, eliminating the troubles caused by the driver's need to look around when parking, reversing, or starting the vehicle, and helping the driver overcome blind spots and unclear vision.
I've been driving a car with a reverse parking sensor for several years. This device mainly consists of three parts: sensors, a control box, and an alarm. The sensors are installed on the rear bumper, usually in the form of several small circular probes that emit ultrasonic waves to detect the distance to obstacles. The control box is hidden under the trunk or dashboard, processing the sensor signals to calculate the actual distance. The alarm can be a buzzer or a screen displaying the distance and warning sounds. I find it quite convenient—when it beeps during parking, I know to be careful. However, the sensors tend to get dirty, and after rain, mud can cause false alarms, so I usually wipe them when washing the car. There are also wiring harnesses connecting all parts, and if the control box fails, it can be quite troublesome. Overall, it’s extremely helpful for beginners when parking, but don’t neglect regular checks.
