Distance Sensor Blindness Detection in Adaptive Cruise Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distance sensors in motor vehicles, particularly in adaptive cruise control systems, fail to properly detect vehicles ahead in adverse weather conditions due to lens icing, leading to unreliable speed control and driver discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that detect sensor blindness by averaging angle values of lost stationary objects, setting a status bit for blindness when angles fall below a threshold, and using temporal filtering to differentiate between temporary and permanent object loss, thereby switching off the speed controller and alerting the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the distance sensor operates in adverse weather conditions (snow, ice), then the lens heater is activated to prevent icing, but the lens becomes covered with ice layers that block detection signals
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring detection quality indicators (signal strength, object stability, angular quality) before complete sensor failure occurs. The lens heater is activated preemptively when adverse conditions are detected, and the system switches off ACC before the ice layer completely blocks the sensor, preventing harmful acceleration/deceleration behaviors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously evaluating detection quality indicators and using this information to determine sensor blindness status. The processor monitors signal characteristics, object tracking stability, and detection consistency, then feeds this information back to control the lens heater and ACC status, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing weather conditions.
2Reliability
If the lens heater is activated continuously to prevent icing, then ice formation is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the lens heater is activated periodically based on detected adverse conditions. The system monitors detection quality indicators and activates the heater only when snow or ice conditions are detected, creating a periodic on-demand heating pattern that reduces energy consumption while maintaining sensor clarity when needed.
3Measurement precision
If multiple detection indicators are monitored to accurately determine sensor blindness, then detection accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors multiple detection indicators (signal strength, object stability, angular quality, detection consistency) beyond what a single indicator would provide. This excessive monitoring of partial aspects of sensor performance creates a comprehensive blindness detection algorithm that accurately determines sensor status through pattern recognition across multiple parameters, improving precision despite increased processing requirements.
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
Effectively prevents undesirable acceleration and deceleration behaviors by reliably determining sensor blindness and switching control to the driver, ensuring safe operation in icy conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The distance sensor is a radar or lidar-based driver assistance system
Implementation Method 2
The distance sensor is a radar or lidar-based driver assistance system
Implementation Method 3
Objects are detected by the radar or lidar in consecutive scanning cycles
Implementation Method 4
the lens heater is on, snow will hit the sensor, thaw and refreeze before leaving the sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device (2) for detecting the condition of a distance sensor (1) mounted on a motor vehicle. When it is snowing or there is snow on the road and the speed-controlled motor vehicle is following a target vehicle at a short distance, an ice layer (19) in the form of an ice ring will cover a lens (17) of the distance sensor (1), despite the lens heater (21) being switched on. This leads to reduced performance of the distance sensor (1). By means of the present method, a corresponding warning message is issued to the driver.