Device for detecting and evaluating the behavior of a vehicle while it is under operation, particularly in the context of sports competitions

Abstract

A device for detecting the thrust imparted with the front end by a kart, comprising a pressure sensor means (2) arranged in contact with the nose of the kart, and connected to a control unit (1) positioned on the frame, said control unit being provided with a central processing unit (101) and transmission means (301), being stored in the central processing unit the associated kart and the threshold values of the pressure data detectable by the sensor means, and being activated, when the said threshold values are exceeded, the transmission of the data towards the race direction.

Description

[0001] TITLE OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Device for detecting and evaluating the behavior of a vehicle while it is under operation , particularly in the context of sports competitions .

[0003] TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a device capable of detecting and evaluating the behavior of a vehicle while it is in operation , and more specifically relates to a device for detecting the front thrust of motor vehicles in sporting competitions ; more specifically, it relates to a device for detecting and evaluating the thrust imparted with the front end by a kart , or similar motor vehicle , during a competition .

[0005] In kart racing, the international federation bans thrusts , and disciplinary sanctions , usually penalties , are imposed on drivers who make use of them.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is to provide a device that can detect the thrust applied with the front of the kart and communicate it , in its intensity and time of application , to race judges .

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for detecting the thrust imparted with the front end by a kart comprising a pressure sensor means arranged in contact with the nose of the kart , and connected to a control unit positioned on the kart , said control unit being provided with a central processing unit and transmission means , being stored in the central processing unit the kart association in relation to the system and the threshold values of the pressure data detectable by the sensor means , and being activated, when the said threshold values are exceeded, the transmission of the data towards the race direction .

[0008] In an embodiment said pressure sensors are compression load cells . The detected data of pressure and duration of pressure applied with the nose is compared with the reference values stored in the CPU .

[0009] Transmission is preferably carried out using a communication protocol such as Lo . Ra . or similar protocols , with an appropriate level of security in the protocol ; in particular , transmission of the detected compression data that exceeds the stored values is carried out several times during the lap by multiple cycles of 5 to 30 seconds .

[0010] In an executive variant , the control unit further includes an accelerometer , which allows the evaluation of the thrust component detected by the sensor that results from the possible slowing down and / or braking of the kart in front that is being pushed . In this case , when the thrust data is detected that exceeds the parameters set in the CPU, an additional check is performed with the data detected by the accelerometer , and the thrust data is sent to the race management only where that data is positive .

[0011] In a further executive variant, the control unit comprises an inertial platform, i . e . , a system comprising at least one accelerometer , at least one gyroscope and at least one magnetometer arranged on the same support , functionally associated with a GPS device ; this system makes it possible to verify the actual movement of the kart regardless of changes in direction , even due to side or rear contacts or impacts . In this way, the detected pressure data is also completely resolved with respect to all external influences , i . e . , possible contacts with other vehicles or deviations from the racetrack .

[0012] In another executive variant , an image detection apparatus , including at least one 360 ° camera , is associated with the control unit ; the detection is made , stored in a temporary register of the control unit CPU, and erased if no anomalies are reported from the inertial platform. In the event that anomalies have been detected from the inertial platform, such as bumps or appreciable deviations from the racetrack , the stored images are sent via the transmission means to the race management, otherwise they are overwritten .

[0013] A further object of the present invention is an apparatus for detecting the behavior of a vehicle during its operation , particularly in the context of sports competitions , said apparatus comprising : a control unit located on the vehicle frame and equipped with a central processing unit ; an inertial platform for detecting the movements of the vehicle , said inertial platform comprising at least one accelerometer , at least one gyroscope and at least one magnetometer ; a GPS device and means of transmitting the detected data ; means of detecting images connected to said control unit .

[0014] Another object of the invention is a system for monitoring a plurality of vehicles during a sports competition , each of said vehicles being provided with apparatus of the type described above , and each vehicle being provided with unique means of identification of the respective apparatus , said system comprising a remote server capable of communicating with the apparatuses of the vehicles participating in the competition , acquiring the data collected by said apparatuses , and processing it according to any penalties to be imposed on the participants in the competition .

[0015] Further advantages and features of the device according to the present invention will be apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the same rendered, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes , with reference to the sole table of drawings attached, in which :

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a kart in which the device according to the present invention is mounted; and

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the operation of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention .

[0018] Figure 1 shows in plan view a kart equipped with a chassis 10 that has a nose 11 at the front end, in which the pressure sensor 2 is located, connected to the control unit 1 arranged on the frame 10 . There are also two cameras 3 , located on the front body near the steering wheel and at the rear of the driver ’ s seat ; both cameras 3 are connected to the control unit , and are active in 360 ° .

[0019] The operation of the device according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the block diagram in Figure 2 . Sensor 2 , connected to control unit 1 , and in particular to central processing unit (CPU) 101 , detects the compression force exerted by the nose of the kart against a vehicle ahead, the detected data ( 111 ) is compared ( 121 ) with the threshold value 141 set in the memory of CPU 101 ; if the value of the sensed datum exceeds the set value , the datum ( 151 ) is sent toward transmission via the transmitter 301 , provided that the values sensed by the inertial platform 201 , comprising the accelerometer 211 , gyroscope 221 and magnetometer 231 and functionally associated with the GPS 401 , account for actual thrust by the kart , purified by any braking by the competitor ahead . If not , the data is discarded ( 131 ) and the device becomes operational for later detection .

[0020] Specifically, the CPU logic can be expected to make a number of queries to the compression sensor in a relatively short period of time , detecting both the number of pushes and the intensity of the individual push , e . g . , 10 queries every 5 seconds . In this way, both the intensity of individual thrusts and the number of thrusts performed are verified, resulting in a more accurate overall assessment of whether the driver has committed an infraction .

[0021] Once the data is also ascertained vis-a-vis the data detected by the inertial platform, transmission takes place using a transmission protocol such as Lo . Ra . , which is an expanded spectrum frequency modulation technology derived from Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) technology and is the first low-cost implementation of chirp spread spectrum for commercial use . Data transmission is fully encrypted to ensure information security. In addition , due to the use of spread spectrum transmission technology, communication is immune to external disturbances . As an additional security measure , the data is retransmitted a second time at a later time , ensuring the complete reliability of the collected information .

[0022] The cameras 3 are associated with a memory register 171 of the CPU 101 , where they are stored for a given time , for example 30 seconds ; if during that interval from the inertial platform 201 come signals of abnormal movements , such as front , rear or side impacts , and the exceeding of track limits , the images contained in the register 171 are sent via the transmitter 301 to the race direction . In this way, in addition to the data on front pressure , all those episodes that need reporting , and subsequent interpretation , can be brought to the attention of the race direction . Advantageously, even in the case of the thrust detected and ascertained in the manner described above , the dynamic of the event is reproduced in its entirety .

[0023] The use of the inertial platform and image detection means makes it possible to configure an apparatus that is not solely aimed at verifying possible thrusts between karts , but more generally directed to assessing the behavior of a vehicle while it is being driven , particularly in the context of sporting competitions , and consequently to the realization of a system for monitoring a plurality of vehicles participating in a sports competition . By means of such an apparatus , all racing conduct that could be subject to penalties , such as bumps along the entire perimeter of the vehicle and any deviations from the track limits with an effective chronometric gain will be detected, thanks to the micro sector generated by the CPU using the GPS sensor .

[0024] Advantageously, the device may include an RFID , NFC or similar technologies for recognition and assignment of the kart on which it is placed .

[0025] With the use of these instruments , the Automobile Federation will be able to avoid challenges from drivers and / or teams by providing a reliable and fair thrust detection system. The pressure sensor , in fact , communicates with the central control unit ; then , the thrust is verified and the control unit , via LORA, protocol sends the information to a commissioners ’ PC , on which the software giving the thrust information is loaded . The race director will be able to apply the necessary penalties in a timely and effective manner , ensuring the integrity of the competitions and compliance with the rules . Alternatively, the software itself associated with the device may be able to assess whether or not it is fair , based on the data collected, to impose a penalty.

[0026] With the thrust detection system according to the present invention , kart racing will become even more competitive and rule violations can be dealt with unequivocally .

[0027] In addition , this tool will also be able to be used for the evaluation of front , side and rear impacts in relation to targeted kart maintenance .

[0028] The vehicle behavior detection apparatus and monitoring system according to the present invention are able to determine with high accuracy all the misconducts that occur during competition by being able to identify which vehicles hit each other , in what time sequence , and who hit and who received the hit , being able to correlate the time sequences and differences in acceleration detected on the vehicles involved .

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Device for detecting the thrust imparted with the front end by a kart , comprising a pressure sensor means (2 ) arranged in contact with the nose of the kart , and connected to a control unit ( 1 ) positioned on the frame , said control unit being provided with a central processing unit ( 101 ) and transmission means (301 ) , being stored in the central processing unit the associated kart and the threshold values of the pressure data detectable by the sensor means , and being activated, when the said threshold values are exceeded, the transmission of the data towards the race direction .2 . Device according to claim 1 , in which said pressure sensors are compression load cells .

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2 , in which the transmission of the sensed data takes place of using a communication protocol such as Lo . Ra . or similar protocols , with an appropriate level of security in the protocol .4 . Device according to claim 3 , in which the transmission of the detected compression data that exceeds the stored values is carried out several times during the lap , by multiple cycles at a rate ranging from 5 to 30 seconds .5 . Device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4 , in which the control unit further comprises an accelerometer (211 ) .

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4 , in which the control unit further comprises an inertial platform (201 ) , in turn comprising at least one accelerometer (211 ) , at least one gyroscope (221 ) , and at least onemagnetometer (231 ) , in association with a GPS (401 ) .7 . Device according to claim 6 , wherein the control unit (1 ) is connected to at least one image sensing apparatus (3) , being provided for storing the sensed images in an appropriate register ( 171) of memory of the CPU ( 101 ) of the control unit ( 1 ) , and being provided for sending the recorded images to the race direction when an anomaly in the sensed data is detected by the inertial platform (201 ) .8 . Device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7 , in which an RFID , NFC or similar technology is provided for the recognition and assignment of the kart on which it is placed .

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8 , in which the CPU logic makes a number , between 4 and 20 , of queries to the compression sensor in a relatively short period of time , between 2 and 10 seconds , detecting both the number of pushes and the intensity of the single push .10 . Device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9 , in which the data transmitted to the race direction includes all the information necessary for the evaluation of a penalty to be imposed, either fully automatically or through human supervision .11 . Apparatus for detecting the behavior of a vehicle while it is operated, particularly in the context of sports competitions , said apparatus comprising : a control unit ( 1 ) located on the chassis of the vehicle and provided with a central processing unit ( 101 ) ; an inertial platform (201 ) for detecting themovements of the vehicle , said inertial platform comprising at least one accelerometer (211 ) , at least one gyroscope (221 ) and at least one magnetometer (231 ) ; a GPS device (401 ) and means of transmission (301) of the detected data ; means of image detection (3) connected to said control unit .12 . Apparatus according to claim 11 , in which there is provision for storing the detected images in an appropriate register ( 171 ) of memory of the CPU ( 101 ) of the control unit ( 1 ) , and there is provision for sending the recorded images to the race management when an anomaly in the detected data is detected by the inertial platform (201 ) , which may consist of a bump along the perimeter of the vehicle or exceeding the track limits .

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12 , in which an RFID , NFC or similar technology is provided for the recognition and assignment of the kart on which it is placed .14 . System for monitoring a plurality of vehicles during a sporting competition , each of said vehicles being provided with an apparatus according to the preceding claims 11 to 13 , and each vehicle being provided with unique means of identification of the respective apparatus , said system comprising a remote server capable of communicating with the apparatuses of the vehicles participating in the competition , acquiring the data collected by said apparatuses , and processing said data in accordance with any penalties to be imposed to the participants in the competition .

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