Vehicle Fluid Level Transition Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles face issues with false fluid level transitions due to external influences like inclines, leading to unnecessary mitigation strategies, and conflicting information from multiple fluid level sensors.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses fluid level indicators and sensors to determine fluid level transitions, correlating them with dynamic events like acceleration and incline, and executing control actions based on reporting states to differentiate between valid and false transitions, including disabling components when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluid level sensors are used to monitor fluid levels in the reservoir, then fluid level transitions can be detected, but false transitions occur due to external influences like vehicle inclines causing fluid sloshing
Solution Approach 1:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the fluid level sensors and the mitigation strategy system. It receives readings from multiple sensors, analyzes them for consistency, and only triggers mitigation strategies when the controller determines a fluid level transition is genuine and not caused by external influences like inclines or fluid sloshing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple fluid level sensors to continuously monitor and compare readings. When readings from multiple sensors agree on a fluid level transition, the controller validates this transition before triggering mitigation strategies. This feedback mechanism helps distinguish real transitions from false ones caused by vehicle dynamics.
2Reliability
If multiple fluid level sensors are deployed in the vehicle, then redundant measurement coverage is achieved, but conflicting information from multiple sensors creates diagnostic complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The controller merges readings from multiple fluid level sensors into a single coherent assessment. By comparing and analyzing readings from all sensors simultaneously, the controller determines whether a fluid level transition is genuine. This merging approach consolidates redundant information into actionable insights without requiring complex coordination between individual sensors.
3Reliability
If mitigation strategies are triggered based on fluid level transitions, then vehicle safety is improved, but unnecessary mitigation strategies are activated due to false transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary analysis of fluid level sensor readings before triggering mitigation strategies. It evaluates multiple sensor readings, checks for consistency, and determines whether a transition is genuine before activating any mitigation measures. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary mitigation strategies from being activated while ensuring real threats are addressed.
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for controlling operation of a vehicle having a fluid reservoir. The system includes one or more fluid level indicators configured to respectively obtain a measured fluid level in the fluid reservoir. A plurality of sensors is operatively connected to the vehicle and configured to respectively obtain one or more parameters. A controller is configured to determine if a fluid level transition between the measured fluid level and a past fluid level is indicated, when there is exactly one fluid level indicator. The controller is configured to identify a reporting state from among a first state, a second state and a third state, based in part on a correlation to a dynamic event and an expected direction for the fluid level transition. A control action is executed by the controller based in part on the reporting state.