Contact Sensor Assembly for Autonomous Vehicle Brake Signal Prioritization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicles may not have sufficient redundant braking systems to effectively handle emergency situations, particularly when sensing systems fail to provide timely brake control commands.

Innovation Solution

A contact sensor assembly is mechanically coupled to the exterior of the vehicle, producing a second brake control signal that overrides the primary brake control signal when contact with an object is detected, ensuring prioritization of safety in braking operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a contact sensor assembly is added as a redundant braking system, then the reliability of braking in emergency situations is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking system reliabilityVSAvoidbrake system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The braking control system is segmented into two independent pathways: the primary autonomous driving system and the secondary contact sensor assembly. Each operates independently with its own sensing and control logic, allowing the redundant safety mechanism to be added without complicating the core autonomous driving system architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A brake control signal prioritization mechanism acts as an intermediary between the autonomous driving system and the contact sensor assembly. This mediator determines which system's brake command takes precedence, managing the complexity of coordinating multiple braking sources while ensuring reliable emergency response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the contact sensor assembly is used to provide faster brake control in emergency situations, then the response speed is improved, but the loss of time for system integration and coordination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrake response speedVSAvoidsystem coordination time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The contact sensor assembly is pre-configured and positioned on the vehicle exterior before emergencies occur. The sensor is mechanically coupled to detect contact forces immediately upon impact, eliminating the need for real-time system coordination decisions during critical emergency moments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The contact sensor assembly replicates the essential braking function independently of the autonomous driving system. By creating this simplified copy of the braking control pathway dedicated solely to emergency contact detection, the system achieves faster response without the overhead of complex inter-system communication and coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10336302B2Contact sensor assembly for brake systems in autonomous vehicles

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

An autonomous vehicle includes an autonomous driving system configured to produce a first brake control signal, and a contact sensor assembly mechanically coupled to an exterior surface of the autonomous vehicle. The contact sensor assembly is configured to produce a second brake control signal. A brake system is configured to control braking of the autonomous vehicle by prioritizing the second brake control signal over the first brake control signal.