Active Vehicle Sensing Functional-Limit Detection in Adverse Weather
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active sensors in vehicles face challenges in adverse weather conditions such as gusty rain or thick fog, leading to potential sensing failures without additional hardware for detection.
Innovation Solution
A sensing system comprising an illumination device, image sensor, and arithmetic processing device that determines object detection success or failure for each frame, generating a stop flag when sensing is impossible, allowing the system to adjust its operation based on this determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a raindrop sensor or fog sensor is added to monitor weather conditions, then the ability to detect functional limits of the active sensor is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The active sensor system monitors its own functional status by analyzing the quality of reflected light signals and detection results internally, without requiring external weather sensors. The arithmetic processing device evaluates detection success rates and signal characteristics to self-diagnose sensing capability degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The arithmetic processing device performs multiple functions: it processes detection data, monitors detection success rates, evaluates signal quality, and determines functional limits. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated monitoring sensors.
2Productivity
If the active sensor continues to operate in adverse weather conditions, then productivity is maintained, but reliability decreases due to sensing failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time monitoring of detection success rates and signal quality. When adverse weather conditions cause repeated detection failures, the system automatically reduces operation frequency or stops sensing, and resumes normal operation when conditions improve.
Solution Approach 2:
The arithmetic processing device continuously monitors detection results and signal characteristics, providing feedback to control the illumination device and image sensor. This closed-loop control enables the system to adapt to changing weather conditions and maintain reliability while preserving productivity during acceptable conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the detection of functional limits of active sensors without additional hardware, reducing costs and power consumption by adjusting operation frequencies during adverse weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination device configured to irradiate a field of view with illumination light
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor configured to capture reflected light by an object from the illumination light
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing system 400 includes an illumination device 410, an image sensor 420, a sensing controller 430, and an arithmetic processing device 440. The arithmetic processing device 440 receives image data generated by the image sensor 420, determines whether detection of an object is successful for each frame, and generates a stop flag STOP indicating that sensing is impossible based on a result of determination.