Vehicle Road Condition Identification Using Inertial Sensor Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for identifying road conditions, such as using ultrasonic sensors, are prone to interference from ambient noise, making them unreliable for accurately determining road conditions like wetness or dryness.

Innovation Solution

The method utilizes inertial sensors installed in vehicles to measure acceleration and yaw rate data, which are then processed to determine noise values that indicate road conditions, eliminating the need for additional sensors and reducing interference from ambient noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ultrasonic sensors are used to identify road conditions, then road condition identification can be performed, but measurement precision deteriorates due to ambient noise interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroad condition identification reliabilityVSAvoidroad condition measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces acoustic sensors (ultrasonic sensors) with inertial sensors to detect road conditions. Instead of using sound waves that are susceptible to ambient noise, the invention uses mechanical vibration sensors that measure vibrations transmitted through the vehicle chassis from the tires, providing reliable road condition detection without being affected by acoustic interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the vehicle chassis and suspension system as an intermediary medium between the tires and the sensors. The inertial sensors measure vibrations transmitted through this mechanical pathway, which acts as a natural filter against ambient acoustic noise while preserving the road condition information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If additional ultrasonic sensors are installed for road condition identification, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroad condition measurement capabilityVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing inertial sensors (designed for other purposes such as stability control or acceleration measurement) serve the additional function of road condition detection. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated ultrasonic sensors while maintaining road condition identification capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle's existing inertial measurement system, originally designed for vehicle dynamics control, automatically provides road condition information as a byproduct of its normal operation. The system serves itself by utilizing data already being collected for other purposes, avoiding additional hardware requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250069447A1Identifying a Road Condition on the Basis of Measured Data from Inertial Sensors of a Vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

AI summary

A method for identifying a road condition on the basis of measured data from inertial sensors of a vehicle includes (i) receiving the measured data, the measured data indicating an acceleration and/or yaw rate of the vehicle measured by the inertial sensors, (ii) determining noise values indicating the intensity of noise in the measured data, and (iii) identifying the road condition according to the noise values.