AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING VEHICLE DRIFT IN A CORNER
An automated system using vehicle-mounted transmitters and track-mounted detectors objectively evaluates drift performance, addressing subjective scoring and training limitations in drifting competitions.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SJ CONCEPT INDOOR
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
AI Technical Summary
The subjective assessment of pilot performance in drifting competitions and the inability to evaluate progress during training phases due to the unavailability of judges hinder objective scoring and feedback.
An automated system comprising transmitters and detectors installed in vehicles and positioned beacons along the track, which use directional beams to detect vehicle drift, calculating evaluation indices based on parameters like detector count and time intervals, with optional distance measurements and distinct beam characteristics for vehicle identification.
Provides objective scoring and progress evaluation by quantifying drift performance, enabling fair comparisons among drivers and enhancing training efficiency.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING THE DRIFT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE IN A CORNER Technical field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an automated system for evaluating the drift of a motor vehicle in a turn.
[0002] The invention relates more particularly to an automated system for objectively evaluating, according to predefined criteria, the trajectory followed by a motor vehicle skidding on a track. Technical background
[0003] In the field of motorsport, there is a discipline called "drifting." In this discipline, drivers must position their vehicle in a drift through corners and maintain that drift. This discipline is practiced on a suitable racetrack.
[0004] Currently, the assessment of pilot performance and the rating of their performance are ensured by judges, members of an evaluation committee, according to predefined criteria.
[0005] Such subjectivity in assessing pilot performance can be detrimental to achieving objective scoring in competitions. Furthermore, during training phases, it is not always possible to evaluate pilot progress if judges are unavailable.
[0006] The present invention aims to provide a more objective automated scoring solution that facilitates the practice of this sport. Summary of the invention
[0007] The invention proposes an automated system for evaluating the drift of a motor vehicle in a turn, the system comprising: - at least one transmitter installed in the vehicle and capable of producing a directional beam emitted outwards from the vehicle and detectable by a detector, - at least a first series of beacons positioned on at least one section of the bend, each beacon having a detector capable of detecting an impact of the directional beam emitted by the transmitter on a detection zone of the detector, each detector being configured to detect the impact of the directional beam only when the directional beam is aligned, or close to an alignment, with a principal detection axis of the detector, said alignment corresponding to a situation of vehicle drift in the bend, - a central control unit which is configured to receive detection data provided by the beacons and to calculate at least a first index of evaluation of the vehicle's drift in the turn as a function of at least one of the following parameters: number of detectors which detected the directional beam as the vehicle passed through the turn, value of the time interval between several detections of the directional beam as the vehicle passed through the turn.
[0008] According to other features of the invention:
[0009] - each detector is configured to detect only the impact of the directional beam when the angle between the directional beam and the main detection axis is between -10 degrees and +10 degrees;
[0010] - each detector is fitted with a fairing which prevents the directional beam to reach the detection zone when it is not aligned with the main detection axis at + or - 10 degrees;
[0011] - the directional beam is a light beam, in particular an infrared laser semi-directive;
[0012] - the transmitter is positioned on the vehicle so that the directional beam is oriented generally along the main axis of the vehicle;
[0013] - each beacon has an indicator light which is designed to light up when the associated detector detects the vehicle's directional beam in the turn;
[0014] - each beacon has a distance sensor configured to measure the distance between said beacon and the vehicle as it passes through the bend;
[0015] The invention also proposes a method for evaluating the drift of a motor vehicle in a turn, the method comprising the following steps: - equipping the vehicle with at least one on-board transmitter capable of producing a directional beam emitted outwards from the vehicle and detectable by a detector, - detection of the directional beam by a first series of beacons positioned on at least one section of the curve, each beacon having a detector capable of detecting an impact of the directional beam emitted by the transmitter on a detection zone of the detector, each detector being configured to detect the impact of the directional beam only when it reaches the detection zone of the detector at an angle within a range of values corresponding to a situation of vehicle drift in the curve, - reception of detection data provided by the beacons by a central control unit, - calculation of at least a first index for evaluating vehicle drift in the turn based on at least one of the following parameters: number of detectors that detected the directional beam as the vehicle passed through the turn, value of the interval time between several detections of the directional beam as the vehicle passes through the bend.
[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the process further comprises the following steps: - measurement of the distance between the vehicle and each beacon, when the beacon detects the directional beam, - calculation of a second index for evaluating vehicle drift based on the distance measured in the previous step.
[0017] According to another advantageous embodiment, a method for evaluating the drift of several motor vehicles in a turn is proposed, this method implementing for each vehicle the method mentioned above, this method further comprising the following steps: - assigning to each vehicle a directional beam with a distinct characteristic enabling each detector to distinguish the directional beams of different vehicles from each other, in particular by assigning a distinct light pulse width in the case of a directional light beam,
[0018] - calculation of drift evaluation indices for each vehicle based on type of directional beam assigned to the previous step. Brief description of the figures
[0019] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, for an understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0020] [Fig-1] is a diagram that represents an automated drift evaluation system of a motor vehicle in a turn on a track, each turn being equipped with drift detection beacons;
[0021] [Fig.2] is a diagram that represents a beacon of the system of [Fig.1] in the cases where a transmitter is in a drift detection situation and cases where a transmitter is in a non-drift detection situation;
[0022] [Fig.3] is a diagram that represents a section of the curve of the track of [Fig.1] and which illustrates a situation where a vehicle makes an unconventional drift that does not allow the drift to be detected by the beacons equipping the bend;
[0023] [Fig.4] is a diagram similar to that of [Fig.3] which illustrates a situation where a vehicle makes a conformal drift allowing the drift to be detected by a beacon fitted to the turn. Detailed description of the invention
[0024] In the description that follows, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numerals.
[0025] Fig. 1 represents an automated system 10 for evaluating the drift of a motor vehicle 12 in a turn V, in particular for a race track 14, or motor circuit.
[0026] According to the embodiment illustrated here, track 14 is in the form of a ring comprising a first turn VI and a second turn V2. Of course, the invention is applicable to any type of track 14, whether looped or not.
[0027] Each V-turn is here equipped with a series of beacons 16 which are positioned along the V-turn, here from the entrance of the V-turn to the exit of the V-turn, on the outer edge of the V-turn.
[0028] Two motor vehicles 12 are shown here travelling on track 14 and each engaged in the first turn VI.
[0029] Each motor vehicle 12 includes an on-board transmitter 18 which is capable of producing a directional beam Fd emitted towards the outside of the vehicle and detectable by a detector.
[0030] Advantageously, the directional beam Fd is a light beam, for example a semi-directional infrared wave laser.
[0031] According to the embodiment shown, the transmitter 18 is positioned on the motor vehicle 12 such that the directional beam Fd is oriented overall along the principal axis of the motor vehicle 12, that is, the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle 12 when it is moving in a straight line with all its wheels aligned longitudinally. In the example shown, the transmitter 18 emits the directional beam Fd to the rear, which corresponds to the detection requirement when the beacons 16 are arranged on the outer edge of the curves V.
[0032] Each of the beacons 16 equipping the track 14 is equipped with a detector 20 so as to be able to detect the impact of the directional beam Fd on a detection zone 22 of the detector 20, when a vehicle passes near the associated beacon 16, if and only if this directional beam Fd is oriented according to a certain angle, or according to a range of angle values, as will be explained later.
[0033] The series of beacons 16 which equip the first turn VI, called first series SI, and the series of beacons 16 which equip the second turn V2, called second series S2, are connected to a central control unit 24. These elements can be connected by wire or by a wireless communication device.
[0034] The central control unit 24 collects detection data provided by the beacons 16, this detection data providing information useful for evaluating the trajectory of the motor vehicles 12 on the track 14, in particular characteristics related to the quality of the drift produced by said motor vehicles 12 in the turns V.
[0035] From these detection data, the central control unit 24 calculates at least a first evaluation index II of the drift of each vehicle 12 in each turn V as a function of at least one of the following parameters: number of detectors 20 having detected the directional beam Fd at the passage of the associated vehicle 12 in the defined turn V, value of the time interval Int between several detections of the directional beam Fd at the passage of the vehicle 12 in the turn V.
[0036] The central control unit 24 can then transmit the value of the first evaluation index II, and possibly other information relating to the quality of the drift of each vehicle 12, to a score display device 26.
[0037] In [Fig.2], a beacon 16 equipping track 14 of [Fig.1] has been shown in more detail.
[0038] As previously stated, the detector 20 which equips the beacon 16 is configured to detect the impact of the directional beam Fd of the vehicle 12 only when it reaches the detection zone 22 at an angle ad within a range of values corresponding to a drift situation of the vehicle 12 in the turn V. The objective here is that the detector 20 is activated only when the vehicle 12 is substantially aligned with the detector 20 and its detection zone 22, when the transmitter 18 is emitting along the main axis of the vehicle 12, here towards the rear of the vehicle 12.
[0039] In [Fig.2], the dashed line represents the main detection axis Al of detector 20.
[0040] The detector 20 is here equipped with a shroud 28 that restricts the ability of the light rays from the directional beam Fd to reach the detection zone 22 of the detector 20. This shroud 28 may be tubular in shape or simply consist of two substantially parallel walls. The shroud 28 is configured to define an optical channel that prevents any radiation from reaching the detector 20 until it arrives directly above the receiving zone 22, within a few degrees. The shroud 28 thus restricts the receiving field of the detector 20.
[0041] The length of the fairing 28 contributes here to defining the ability of the detector 20 to receive the directional beam Fd, even when it is not perfectly aligned with the main detection axis AL
[0042] We therefore have a detector 20 with a restricted reception field which limits the ability of the detection zone 22 to detect the directional beam Fd emitted by the emitter 18.
[0043] Thus, the beacons 16 and the associated detectors 20 are configured so that the light signal emitted by the transmitter 18 on board the vehicle 12 is detected by a beacon 16 if and only if the vehicle 12 is in a drift position.
[0044] According to the examples shown in [Fig.2], a first emitter 18a emits a first directional beam Fdl which is not sufficiently aligned with the main detection axis Al, for example describing an angle adl of 20 degrees. This first beam The Fdl directive therefore does not reach the detection zone 22, which does not trigger detection validation by the associated beacon 16.
[0045] In [Fig. 2], a second transmitter 18b emits a second directional beam Fd2 which describes an angle ad2 with the principal detection axis Al of less than 10 degrees, for example 7 degrees. This second directional beam Fd2 therefore reaches the detection zone 22, which triggers a detection validation by the associated beacon 16 since the detector 20 has detected the second directional beam Fd2.
[0046] Figure 3 illustrates the passage of a vehicle 12 through a turn V when the drift is not in accordance with expectations, that is to say, the vehicle 12 is considered not to be well oriented in the turn V, for example not inclined enough with respect to the main direction of the turn V, to achieve a compliant drift.
[0047] It can be seen on [Fig.3] that the directional beam Fd emitted by the vehicle 12 describes an angle ad too large relative to the main detection axis Al of the detector 20 of the beacon 16 closest to the rear of the vehicle 12. The directional beam Fd therefore does not reach the detection zone 22 and the beacon 16 is not activated.
[0048] According to the trajectory described by vehicle 12 in [Fig. 3], it can be considered that none of the beacons 16 will be validated, or that only the last beacons 16 of the turn will be validated. The indices or scores that will be calculated by the central control unit 24 will therefore reflect this drift not being entirely successful for vehicle 12, since not all the beacons 16 will have been validated.
[0049] Figure 4 illustrates the passage of a vehicle 12 through a turn V when it validates at least one beacon 16. The vehicle 12 is correctly oriented here with respect to the beacon 16 closest to the rear of the vehicle 12, which allows the directional beam Fd to reach the detection zone 22 of the associated detector 20.
[0050] In the example of [Fig.4], vehicle 12 validates at least the first marker 16 of the turn V. If it maintains the correct orientation throughout the turn V, it will validate all the markers 16, which will lead the central control unit 24 to calculate a first evaluation index II corresponding to a good score for this vehicle 12.
[0051] It is noted that the configuration of the runway 14, the vehicle 12, and the detectors 20 allows the directional beam Fd emitted by the on-board transmitter 18 to be oriented along a substantially horizontal plane corresponding to a detection plane of the detectors 20. This is possible in particular for the following reasons:
[0052] - the focal point of the directional beam Fd is large, for example about 2 cm of diameter at a distance of 4 meters from the transmitter 18, which allows detection by the detector 20, if the directional beam Fd is correctly oriented in a horizontal plane, that is to say a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the runway 14;
[0053] - the chassis of the vehicle 12 used for this type of drift competition is very rigid, without mechanical damping, and the inflation pressure of the tires equipping vehicle 12 is such that it does not provide damping either, which thus limits the body movements of vehicle 12 along a vertical axis;
[0054] - the vehicle 12 used for this type of drift competition does not have any camber on the rear axle which allows it to turn perfectly flat;
[0055] - the surface of track 14, for drift competitions, is designed to be as flat as possible, using for example quartz concrete, that is to say a concrete surface containing quartz on the surface, so as to allow the vehicle 12 to slide with its main axis substantially parallel to the plane of the runway 14.
[0056] Advantageously, each beacon 16 may include a light 30 which is designed to light up when the associated detector 20 detects the directional beam Fd of the vehicle 12 travelling in the turn V. This makes it possible, for example, to provide an indication to spectators present nearby of the quality of the drift performed by the vehicle 12 which they see passing in this turn V.
[0057] Advantageously, each beacon 16 further comprises a distance sensor 32, for example an ultrasonic sensor, which is configured to measure the distance between said beacon 16 and the vehicle 12 as it passes through the turn V. The distance information complements the drift detection, which allows the central control unit to calculate the score taking into account, for example, the proximity of the vehicle 12, as it passes in front of the beacon 16, with a predefined ideal distance, or with a predefined ideal trajectory.
[0058] The central control unit 24 can calculate a second evaluation index 12 of the drift of the vehicle 12 as a function of the distance measured by the distance sensors 32 as said vehicle 12 passed.
[0059] The central control unit 24 can also use information on the time interval Int between the detection of drift on two successive beacons 16 in the same turn V, to evaluate the quality of the drift and / or the trajectory of the vehicle 12 on the basis of criteria related to passage times or a reference speed.
[0060] The central control unit 24 can thus provide scores or performance indices which allow several vehicles 12, and therefore several drivers, to be compared with each other.
[0061] According to an advantageous embodiment, the different vehicles 12 present on the track 14 can be equipped with emitters 18 emitting with distinct wave characteristics, which allow the detectors 20 and the beacons 16 to distinguish the different vehicles 12. For example, it is possible to assign to the different vehicles 12 a distinct light pulse width.
[0062] A method for evaluating the drift of a motor vehicle 12 travelling in the turn V is now described.
[0063] In a preliminary step, the vehicle 12 is equipped with the on-board transmitter 18. This is installed here so as to direct its directional beam Fd along the main axis of the vehicle 12, towards the rear.
[0064] The central control unit 24 activates the beacons 16 positioned along the track 14, here in the two turns VI, V2, so that the detectors 20 can detect the directional beam Fd emitted by the transmitter 18 of the vehicle 12, if the trajectory and drift conditions are met.
[0065] When the vehicle 12 passes in front of each beacon 16, if the vehicle 12 is in a conforming drift position, the detector 20 associated with said beacon 16 detects the directional beam Fd of the vehicle 12, which validates said beacon 16. This validation can be identified, optionally, by the lighting of the associated indicator light 30.
[0066] The validation information of the beacon 16 is transmitted to the central control unit 24. Other detection data can be transmitted simultaneously by the beacon 16 to the central control unit 24. For example, the beacon 16 transmits information on the distance measured by the distance sensor 32 associated with the time of the validation of the beacon 16, and / or the time interval between the validation of said beacon 16 and the previous and / or next beacon 16.
[0067] From the detection data collected from all the beacons 16 equipping the runway 14, the central control unit 24 calculates drift evaluation indices of the vehicle 12 in the different turns VI, V2.
[0068] The central control unit 24 can then transmit the evaluation indices and / or detection data to the score display device 26.
[0069] The multiplication of the beacons 16 along each turn V allows the track 14 to be discretized into several sections along which the pilot must maintain a drifting behavior of his vehicle 12.
[0070] For example, if a set of juxtaposed beacons 16 does not receive the directional beam Fd from the vehicle 12, it is understood that the drift situation ended prematurely or, on the contrary, began too late.
[0071] It should be noted that the invention is not limited to binary detection of a drift situation. Preferably, the beacons 16 allow for the collection of speed values for each vehicle 12 and the proximity of each vehicle 12 to the beacons 16 as they pass through the associated turn V. This makes it possible, in particular, to evaluate the position of the vehicle 12 relative to the width of the runway 14, since the position of the beacons 16 is known in advance.
[0072] It is thus possible to reconstruct the trajectory of the drifting vehicle 12 in order to compare it to a so-called ideal trajectory. The notation model can thus be enriched to produce a score based on the trajectory, which makes it possible, for example, to separate pilots who have managed to maintain a drift behavior along all 16 markers of each V turn.
[0073] This so-called ideal trajectory is not fixed. It can differ depending on the chosen drift competition mode. For example, in a time trial mode, the objective is to cross each V-turn as quickly as possible while drifting, whereas in an artistic mode, the objective is to approach the most beautiful trajectory without being dependent on the speed at which the V-turn is crossed.
[0074] The speed of the vehicle 12 can be deduced from the time of passage between two validated beacons 16, while the position of the vehicle 12 is evaluated via the distance sensor 32 which equips the beacons 16.
[0075] It should be noted that the invention is not specifically limited to the positioning of the beacons 16 along the track 14 and to the orientation of the light radiation emitted by the emitter 18 along the main axis of the vehicle 12, since the directional beam Fd intersects the receiving field of the detector 20 in an effective drift situation of the vehicle 12.
[0076] For example, it is possible to position the detectors 20 along the inner edge of the curve V. In this case, the transmitter 18 is positioned on the vehicle 12 so that the directional beam Fd is directed towards the front of the vehicle 12.
[0077] According to an alternative embodiment, the beacons 16 could be positioned on a section of the V curve and not on the entire V curve.
[0078] LEGEND
[0079] 10: system 12: motor vehicle 14: track 16: beacon 18, 18a, 18b: emitter 20: detector 22: detection zone 24: Central control unit 26: Score display device 28: fairing 30: indicator light 32: Distance sensor Al: main axis of detection ad, adl, ad2: angle of the directional beam relative to the principal detection axis; Fd, Fdl, Fd2: directional beam II, 12: evaluation index Int: time interval V, VI, V2: turn
Claims
Demands
1. An automated system (10) for evaluating the drift of a motor vehicle (12) in a curve (V), the system comprising: - at least one transmitter (18) mounted in the vehicle (12) and capable of producing a directional beam (Fd) emitted outwards from the vehicle (12) and detectable by a detector (20), - at least a first series of beacons (16) positioned on at least one segment of the curve (V), each beacon (16) comprising a detector (20) capable of detecting an impact of the directional beam (Fd) emitted by the transmitter (18) on a detection zone (22) of the detector (20), each detector (20) being configured to detect the impact of the directional beam (Fd) only when the directional beam (Fd) is aligned, or close to an alignment, with a principal detection axis (Al) of the detector (20), said alignment corresponding to a situation of drift of the vehicle (12) in the curve (V),- a central control unit (24) which is configured to receive detection data provided by the beacons (16) and to calculate at least a first evaluation index (II) of the drift of the vehicle (12) in the turn (V) as a function of at least one of the following parameters: number of detectors (20) which detected the directional beam (Fd) as the vehicle (12) passed through the turn (V), value of the time interval (Int) between several detections of the directional beam (Fd) as the vehicle (12) passed through the turn (V).,
2. System (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each detector (20) is configured to detect the impact of the directional beam (Fd) only when the angle (ad) between the directional beam (Fd) and the principal detection axis (Al) is between -10 degrees and +10 degrees.
3. System (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each detector (20) is provided with a fairing (28) which prevents the directional beam (Fd) from reaching the detection zone (22) when it is not aligned with the main detection axis (Al) at + or - 10 degrees.
4. System (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the directional beam (Fd) is a light beam, in particular a semi-directional infrared wave laser.
5. System (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the emitter (18) is positioned on the vehicle (12) so that the directional beam (Fd) is oriented globally along the main axis of the vehicle (12).
6. System (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each beacon (16) includes an indicator light (30) which is intended to light up when the associated detector (20) detects the directional beam (Fd) of the vehicle (12) in the turn (V).
7. System (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each beacon (16) includes a distance sensor (32) configured to measure the distance between said beacon (16) and the vehicle (12) as it passes through the bend (V).
8. Method for evaluating the drift of a motor vehicle (12) in a curve (V), the method comprising the following steps: - equipping the vehicle (12) with at least one on-board transmitter (18) capable of producing a directional beam (Fd) emitted outwards from the vehicle (12) and detectable by a detector (20), - detection of the directional beam (Fd) by a first series of beacons (16) positioned on at least one segment of the curve, each beacon (16) comprising a detector (20) capable of detecting an impact of the directional beam (Fd) emitted by the transmitter (18) on a detection zone (22) of the detector (20), each detector (20) being configured to detect the impact of the directional beam (Fd) only when it reaches the detection zone (22) of the detector (20) at an angle (ad) within a range of values corresponding to a situation of drift of the vehicle (12) in the curve (V),- reception of detection data provided by the beacons (16) by a central control unit (24), - calculation of at least a first evaluation index (II) of the drift of the vehicle (12) in the turn (V) as a function of at least one of the following parameters: number of detectors (20) that detected the directional beam (Fd) as the vehicle (12) passed through the turn (V), value of the time interval (Int) between several detections of the directional beam (Fd) as the vehicle (12) passed through the turn (V).
9. A method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it further comprises the following steps: - measurement of the distance between the vehicle (12) and each beacon (16), when the beacon (16) detects the directional beam (Fd), - calculation of a second evaluation index (12) of the drift of the vehicle (12) as a function of the distance measured in the previous step.
10. A method for evaluating the drift of several motor vehicles (12) in a turn (V), this method implementing for each vehicle (12) the method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it further comprises the following steps: - assigning to each vehicle (12) a directional beam (Fd) having a distinct characteristic enabling each detector (20) to distinguish the directional beams (Fd) of the different vehicles (12) from each other, in particular by assigning a distinct light pulse width in the case of a directional light beam, - calculating the evaluation indices (II, 12) of the drift of each vehicle (12) as a function of the type of directional beam (Fd) assigned in the previous step.