GPS Pitch Sensing for Vehicle Stability Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle stability control systems face challenges in accurately estimating vehicle states, particularly during low signal-to-uncertainty driving conditions on slippery surfaces, due to sensing uncertainties from sensors like accelerometers, which can lead to inaccurate detection of lateral instability and side slipping.
Innovation Solution
The integration of GPS information with vehicle motion sensors using sensor fusion algorithms to estimate the vehicle's pitch angle and rate, replacing the need for a pitch rate sensor and enhancing sensing capability without adding costly hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pitch rate sensor is added to enhance sensing capability and remove sensing uncertainties, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual pitch rate sensor by computing pitch angle from GPS velocity measurements. This computational copy replaces the need for a physical pitch rate sensor, achieving the same measurement function through software processing of existing GPS data rather than adding hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses GPS velocity measurements as an intermediary to derive pitch angle information. Instead of directly measuring pitch rate with a dedicated sensor, the system uses GPS velocity data as a mediator to compute the pitch angle, thereby obtaining the desired information without adding sensor complexity
2Measurement precision
If GPS information is integrated with vehicle motion sensors using sensor fusion algorithms, then vehicle state estimation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing GPS receiver multi-functional by using it not only for navigation but also for vehicle stability control. The GPS velocity measurements are used to compute pitch angle for both navigation purposes and stability control estimation, eliminating the need for dedicated stability control sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the existing GPS system to serve the additional function of pitch angle estimation for stability control. By processing the GPS velocity data through appropriate algorithms, the system makes the existing infrastructure serve multiple purposes, including the previously required pitch rate sensing function
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for sensing vehicle global pitch angle and rate that uses global velocities measured from a single antenna global positioning system (GPS) receiver together with sensor fusion algorithms involving sensor signals and other computed signals. This constructed, or computed, vehicle body's pitch angle may replace the role of a pitch rate sensor in an integrated stability control system. Namely, it achieves enhanced vehicle state estimation without the need for a pitch rate sensor.