Automated Vehicle Test Bench With Rail Intersection Priority Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing test benches for validating driver assistance systems in automated vehicles face challenges in preventing collisions between test vehicles at intersection points of rail systems due to the need for precise control and safety measures, particularly when simulating diverse scenarios requiring varying speeds and angles.

Innovation Solution

A rail system with intersecting guide rails and a safety system featuring a priority circuit and braking mechanism to prevent simultaneous passage of transport carriages at an intersection point, utilizing position sensors and control units to manage vehicle movement and apply braking forces as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rail system with intersecting guide rails is used to simulate diverse driving scenarios, then the adaptability and realism of test scenarios are improved, but the risk of collision between transport carriages at intersection points increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest scenario diversityVSAvoidcollision prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The priority circuit determines which transport carriage has priority to pass through the intersection point before the carriages reach it. This preliminary determination allows the system to prepare and execute collision-free passage in advance, preventing collisions while maintaining the rail system's versatility for diverse test scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The priority circuit acts as an intermediary control mechanism between the multiple transport carriages and the intersection point. It mediates their passage by granting priority rights to specific carriages, ensuring safe interaction at the intersection while allowing the rail system to maintain its adaptability for various test configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If transport carriages are moved at high speeds to increase test efficiency, then the productivity of the test bench is improved, but the difficulty of preventing collisions at intersection points increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest execution speedVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The priority circuit determines priority rights before the transport carriages reach the intersection point, allowing high-speed operation without complex real-time collision avoidance systems. This preliminary determination simplifies the control architecture while maintaining safe high-speed operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical collision avoidance mechanisms with an electrical/electronic priority circuit system. This substitution allows for simpler, more reliable control at high speeds while reducing mechanical complexity in the rail system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If traditional target models are replaced with real vehicles for validation, then the realism and accuracy of test results are improved, but the safety risks and complexity of the test bench increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalidation accuracyVSAvoidtest bench complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The priority circuit serves as an intermediary safety mechanism that enables the use of real vehicles in the test system. By mediating passage at intersection points, it allows realistic vehicle-based validation while managing the increased safety risks through automated control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Ensures safe and precise control of vehicle movements to avoid collisions at intersection points, allowing for realistic simulation of scenarios while protecting both the test bench and vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

The linear motor (12) has a stator (12.1) and a rotor (12.2), wherein the stator (12.1) is fixed on the guide rail (3, 4) and the rotor (12.2) is fixed on the transport carriage (6, 7)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP4469777B1Test bench and method for safeguarding driving assistance systems of automated motor vehicles
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP4469777B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4469777B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4469777B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a test stand for protecting driver assistance systems of automated motor vehicles. The test stand comprises a rail system having at least two guide rails which intersect at an intersection point, each guide rail having a transport carriage for transporting a test vehicle, and a safety system having a priority circuit which is arranged at the intersection point and is designed to prevent the intersection point being passed through simultaneously by the two transport carriages.