Banked Curve Detection via Vertical Lateral Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic stability control systems in vehicles are not fully operative when driven on banked curves due to inaccurate acceleration values, as they fail to effectively determine the banked curve angle and radius, leading to suboptimal performance in maintaining vehicle stability.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that detect a banked curve by sensing vertical and lateral accelerations, determining if they exceed previous values and specific thresholds, and providing a banked curve signal to adjust the electronic stability control, using yaw rate, steering angle, and wheel speed sensors to calculate a reference lateral acceleration value without requiring direct measurements of the banked curve angle or radius.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic stability control uses standard acceleration sensing methods, then the system operates normally on flat roads, but the system fails to accurately detect vehicle conditions on banked curves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the problem from two-dimensional lateral acceleration measurement to three-dimensional analysis by incorporating vertical acceleration measurements. This dimensional expansion allows the system to detect banked curve conditions by analyzing changes in the vertical acceleration component caused by the banking angle, thereby enabling accurate stability control operation on banked curves while maintaining normal operation on flat roads
2Measurement precision
If the system requires direct measurement of banked curve angle and radius, then accurate detection is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vertical acceleration as an intermediary measurement to indirectly detect banked curve conditions. Instead of directly measuring the banked curve angle and radius with specialized sensors, the system uses the vertical acceleration component (caused by the banking angle) as a mediator to infer banked curve presence and characteristics, thereby achieving accurate detection without complex sensing requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for mechanical or specialized sensors to directly measure banked curve geometry with an electronic computation approach. By using standard acceleration sensors to measure vertical and lateral acceleration components and then computationally analyzing these signals to detect banked curve conditions, the system achieves accurate detection while avoiding complex mechanical sensing systems
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 accurate detection of banked curve conditions, ensuring proper operation of electronic stability control systems by differentiating between banked and unbanked road scenarios, enhancing vehicle stability and control.
Implementation Method 1
sensing a vertical acceleration for the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
sensing a lateral acceleration for the vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
A banked curve detection system determines the presence of a vehicle on a banked curve by sensing a vertical acceleration and a lateral acceleration of a vehicle. A banked curve is determined when the vertical acceleration and lateral acceleration are each greater than previously sensed vertical and lateral accelerations, the lateral acceleration is less than an expected reference lateral acceleration value, and the vertical acceleration is greater than gravity. The reference lateral acceleration value is based on yaw rate, steering angle, and wheel speed. When the acceleration conditions are met, the electronic stability control adjusts the parameters due to the vehicle being driven on a banked curve. Once the acceleration condition is no longer valid, the electronic stability control returns to normal operation.