Autonomous EV Optical Detection Layout for Jam-Resistant 360° Vision

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autonomous vehicles and mobile robots face challenges in detecting their surroundings accurately and efficiently at high speeds, while also requiring complex and costly sensor suites and communication systems that are vulnerable to electronic jamming.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves an autonomous vehicle equipped with a detection system comprising four NanoPOP detection devices mounted at the corners of the vehicle's roof, each featuring a videocamera and infrared visor. This system allows for 360-degree horizontal and vertical field of vision without the need for lidar, radar, or satellite navigation antennas, and uses a hierarchical electronic controller system and Quantum Key Distribution for secure communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a complex sensor suite including lidar, radar, and satellite navigation antennas is used, then measurement precision and detection accuracy are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary sensor components (lidar, radar, satellite navigation antennas) from the traditional autonomous vehicle sensor suite, retaining only the essential videocamera and infrared visor that can adequately perform detection functions when properly positioned and configured

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the detection system universal by using multi-functional videocameras and infrared visors that can perform multiple detection tasks (obstacle detection, navigation, environmental monitoring) simultaneously, replacing multiple specialized sensors with fewer versatile components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional sensor suites are used, then detection coverage is improved, but vulnerability to electronic jamming and cyber attacks increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidelectronic jamming vulnerability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the vulnerability to electronic attacks into an advantage by deliberately choosing passive optical sensors (videocameras and infrared visors) that cannot be jammed or hacked through electronic means, transforming what could be seen as a limitation into a security feature

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs inexpensive, mass-producible videocamera and infrared visor components that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than relying on expensive, complex sensor systems that are vulnerable to sophisticated electronic attacks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If high-speed autonomous operation is required, then productivity is improved, but detection precision and response time become more critical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle speedVSAvoiddetection precision at speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by using infrared visors to detect thermal signatures of obstacles before they become visible in normal light conditions, providing advance warning and allowing the vehicle to prepare for potential hazards at high speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds another dimension to detection by combining visible light videocameras with infrared thermal detection, creating a multi-dimensional sensing capability that works effectively at various speeds and lighting conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3977722B1Electric vehicle with autonomous drive
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 INTERACTIVE FULLY ELECTRICAL VEHICLES SRL
  • EP3977722B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3977722B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2A
  • EP3977722B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3B

AI summary

An electric vehicle with autonomous drive includes a detection system for detecting the environment surrounding the vehicle. The detection system includes a plurality of detection devices (2) mounted on the vehicle. The detection device (2) comprises a support (200), an articulated wrist (201) pivotally mounted on said support (200) around a first substantially vertical axis (202) and a detector body (205) pivotally mounted on said wrist (201) around a second substantially horizontal axis (209) orthogonal to said first axis (202) and carrying a videocamera (206) for daylight vision, and an IR visor (208) for night vision or for vision in conditions of low visibility. The detection devices (2) are at least three in number and include one or two front detection devices and one or two rear detection devices (2). The vehicle further comprises a front area electronic controller (S1), which controls the two front detection devices (2) or the single front detection device (2) for processing front vision data, a rear area electronic controller (S2) which controls two rear detection devices (2) or the single rear detection device (2) for processing rear vision data and a supervisor electronic controller (S5) which controls said front area and rear area controllers (S1, S2).