Articulated Vehicle Sensor Logic for False Collision Warning Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collision avoidance systems in articulated vehicles often generate unfounded warnings and unwarranted reactions due to the detection of one vehicle member by a sensor on another member, particularly during articulation, leading to operator distraction and undesirable autonomous actions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a collision avoidance sensor and a controller to determine the articulation angle between vehicle members, distinguishing between actual objects and vehicle members within the sensor's field of view, thereby suppressing unnecessary warnings and autonomous actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If collision avoidance sensors are installed on articulated vehicle members to detect objects in blind spots, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but false warnings are generated when vehicle members enter each other's field of view during articulation
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary system (controller with articulation angle detection) is introduced between the collision avoidance sensor and the warning generation mechanism. The controller receives sensor signals and articulation angle data, then intelligently determines whether to generate warnings by comparing the detected object position with the articulation angle, thereby filtering out false warnings caused by vehicle articulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of warning generation from a simple binary decision based on sensor detection to a conditional decision based on multiple parameters including articulation angle threshold values. By dynamically adjusting the interpretation of sensor data based on articulation angle parameters, the system distinguishes between actual obstacles and vehicle members during articulation.
2Reliability
If sensors generate warnings upon detecting objects in blind spots, then operator awareness is improved, but operator distraction and annoyance increase due to unwarranted warnings
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring articulation angle and using this information to modulate warning generation. The controller provides feedback to the warning system about the current articulation state, enabling dynamic adjustment of warning behavior to match actual operational conditions and reduce unnecessary operator distraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting articulation angle and predicting when vehicle members may enter sensor fields of view before actual detection occurs. This allows the system to preemptively adjust warning thresholds or suppress expected false warnings, preventing operator distraction before it occurs.
3Reliability
If autonomous control systems respond to sensor signals, then collision prevention is improved, but unwarranted autonomous actions occur due to false object detection
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves as an intermediary between collision avoidance sensors and autonomous control systems. It filters sensor signals by comparing detected object positions with articulation angle data, preventing false signals from triggering unwarranted autonomous actions while allowing genuine collision risks to be addressed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification by checking articulation angle conditions before activating autonomous control responses. This preliminary action ensures that autonomous systems only respond to genuine external obstacles and not to vehicle members during normal articulation maneuvers.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method system for determining when an object detected by a collision avoidance sensor on one member of an articulated vehicle comprises another member of the vehicle are provided. The system includes a collision avoidance sensor disposed on a first member of the vehicle and configured to detect an object within a field of view of the sensor on a side of the first member of the vehicle. The system further includes a controller configured to determine an articulation angle between the first member of the vehicle and a second member of the vehicle and to determine in response to the articulation angle, whether the second member of the vehicle is the object within the field of view of the collision avoidance sensor on the first member of the vehicle.