Auto-Steering Sensor Offset Compensation for Pitch Calibration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current auto-steering systems face inaccuracies due to fixed assumptions about inertial sensor offsets, which are not updated when the mounting orientation of the steering control unit changes, leading to erroneous projections and requiring manual recalibration.
Innovation Solution
An auto-steering system that automatically recalibrates inertial sensor mounting offsets during normal vehicle operation, using GNSS and inertial data to estimate and compensate for changes in vehicle attitude, allowing continuous accurate steering without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If inertial sensor offsets are fixed and measured once at installation, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates when mounting orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static calibration approach into a dynamic self-calibration process. The system continuously monitors vehicle attitude from inertial sensors and automatically adjusts the mounting offset compensation values during normal operation, eliminating the need for manual recalibration when mounting orientation changes. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by maintaining high measurement precision without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically detecting mounting orientation changes through inertial sensor data and adjusting its own compensation parameters. The control unit continuously compares expected versus actual vehicle attitude and autonomously updates the mounting offset values, making the system self-correcting without external intervention. This self-service mechanism maintains precision while keeping the system simple to operate.
2Measurement precision
If manual recalibration is required when steering control unit orientation changes, then measurement precision can be maintained, but loss of time increases due to separate calibration processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous self-calibration during normal vehicle operation rather than requiring periodic manual calibration stops. The system continuously processes inertial sensor data to detect mounting orientation changes and automatically updates compensation values in real-time. This continuous useful action eliminates calibration downtime while maintaining mounting offset accuracy throughout the vehicle's operational life.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated calibration processes are used to identify mounting biases, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to separate calibration procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs the calibration function that would otherwise require separate dedicated procedures. By monitoring vehicle attitude through inertial sensors during normal operation and autonomously adjusting mounting offset compensation, the system eliminates the need for operators to perform complex calibration sequences. This self-service approach maintains high measurement precision while dramatically simplifying operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If steering column rake angle is adjustable, then adaptability is improved for different driving preferences, but measurement precision deteriorates due to mounting orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic compensation system that automatically adapts to steering column position changes. When the rake angle is adjusted, the inertial sensors detect the resulting mounting orientation changes through attitude measurements, and the control unit automatically updates the mounting offset compensation values. This dynamic adaptation maintains measurement precision regardless of steering column position, enabling full adjustability without sacrificing accuracy.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A calibration system calibrates inertial sensor readings on a vehicle (102). The calibration system estimates an attitude of the ground from a series of height and position measurements and reads an attitude from an inertial sensor subsystem (108) attached to the vehicle (102). The calibration system then calculates an attitude offset between the vehicle (102) and inertial sensor subsystem (108) based on a difference between the estimated attitude of the ground and the attitude reading of the inertial sensor subsystem (108). The calibration system may estimate a slope of the ground from a 3-dimensional terrain map. The slope of the ground is converted into an estimated roll and/or pitch of the vehicle (102) which is then compared with the roll and pitch readings from the inertial sensor subsystem (102) to determine the attitude offset.