Vehicle Cabin Pressure Detection for Automated Driving Damage Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles designed for automated driving lack efficient methods to detect damage to the vehicle shell, such as windowpanes, without requiring extensive hardware and software, which can lead to unreliable detection and potential unsafe automated operations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a control unit with pressure and temperature sensors to actively ventilate the vehicle interior, determine setpoint pressure values, and infer damage by measuring deviations, while blocking automated driving if damage is detected, and optionally transmitting information to a central processing unit for timely repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If extensive hardware and software are used for damage detection, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing ventilation device is made multi-functional by adding damage detection capability. The control unit now serves both ventilation control and damage detection functions, using the same hardware infrastructure for dual purposes, thereby improving detection reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's own ventilation system is utilized for damage detection purposes. The existing airflow generation and pressure measurement capabilities serve the additional function of detecting shell damage, eliminating the need for separate dedicated detection hardware and reducing overall system complexity
2Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are installed to detect damage, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensors originally intended or planned for other vehicle functions are repurposed for damage detection. The same sensors measure both operational parameters and damage indicators, achieving precise damage detection without adding dedicated detection sensors
Solution Approach 2:
Air pressure serves as an intermediary parameter that indirectly indicates shell damage. Instead of directly detecting damage, the system measures pressure changes caused by damaged shells, providing precise indirect measurement that avoids complex direct detection hardware
3Productivity
If automated driving continues with damaged vehicle, then productivity is maintained, but safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors pressure sensor data and provides feedback on vehicle shell integrity. When damage is detected through pressure deviations, the system automatically stops automated driving operations, creating a safety feedback loop that prevents continued operation of damaged vehicles
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary damage detection before automated driving operations commence or continue. By checking shell integrity in advance through pressure measurements, the system prevents unsafe operations from occurring, addressing safety issues before they affect productivity
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 rapid and reliable detection of vehicle shell damage, reducing false detection risks and preventing unsafe automated operations by using a minimal hardware and software approach, allowing for quick repair notifications.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor assembly (6) implemented for detecting an air pressure present in the vehicle interior
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor assembly (5) implemented for detecting an air temperature present in the vehicle interior and/or an air temperature present outside of the vehicle interior
Implementation Method 3
a ventilation device (2) for actively ventilating an interior of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle designed for an automated driving operation may have a ventilation device for ventilating a vehicle interior. A control unit and at least one pressure sensor assembly may be provided. The control unit may be designed to activate the ventilation device and to determine a setpoint pressure value of the air pressure within the vehicle interior while the vehicle interior is closed, to infer damage to a vehicle shell surrounding the vehicle interior. Further, the control unit may block the automated driving operation if it is inferred that there is damage to the vehicle shell. Methods for detecting damage to the vehicle and for operating a vehicle are also provided. A device for carrying out a method for detecting damage to a vehicle and/or for carrying out a method for operating a vehicle to a computer program and to a machine-readable storage medium are also provided.