Lidar Road Surface Reflectivity Detection for Precipitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems are reactive in detecting road surface conditions, such as precipitation, which can lead to vehicle stability issues, and fail to proactively enable safety features before the precipitation affects vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A lidar-based system that transmits a light beam and analyzes the response to determine the presence of ice, snow, or water on the road surface, using techniques like signal scattering analysis and false object detection, to generate a precipitation indicating signal and enhance the detection with other sensing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wheel slip detection is used to sense precipitation on the road surface, then the system can identify when the vehicle wheels have sudden increases in rotation speed, but the precipitation is already negatively impacting vehicle operation by the time it is detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using lidar to detect road surface precipitation before the vehicle reaches it. The system scans the road ahead and identifies ice, snow, or water accumulation in advance, allowing the vehicle control system to proactively adjust parameters like speed and traction control settings before the vehicle encounters the hazardous surface conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses lidar as an intermediary sensing mechanism between the vehicle and the road surface precipitation. Instead of directly detecting wheel slip (which occurs after contact), the lidar intermediary detects the presence and properties of precipitation on the road surface remotely by analyzing light reflection characteristics, providing early warning before vehicle-road interaction occurs.
2Reliability
If reactive vehicle operation changes are made after precipitation detection, then the vehicle can reduce the effects of precipitation already affecting operation, but the vehicle cannot proactively enable safety features before precipitation affects operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of road surface conditions using lidar before the vehicle encounters precipitation. This early detection enables proactive activation of safety features such as adjusted traction control, modified braking parameters, and speed adjustments before the vehicle loses stability, rather than reacting after instability occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback loop where lidar continuously scans road surface conditions ahead, provides real-time information about precipitation presence and characteristics, and the vehicle control system adjusts operations accordingly. This closed-loop feedback enables continuous proactive adaptation to changing road conditions.
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
Enables proactive vehicle stability control operations by accurately identifying road surface conditions, reducing the risk of traction loss and improving vehicle safety by enabling features like autonomous braking and driver warnings.
Implementation Method 1
A light beam directed at a surface in the road of travel is transmitted utilizing a lidar system. A response at a photodetector of the lidar system is analyzed after transmitting the light beam.
Implementation Method 2
The system utilizes a lidar technique which determines whether a signal is received at a photodetector.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of determining a surface condition of a road of travel. A light beam directed at a surface in the road of travel is transmitted utilizing a lidar system. A response is analyzed at a photodetector of the lidar system after transmitting the light beam. A determination is made whether a form of precipitation is present on the road of travel in response to analyzing the response at the photodetector. A precipitation indicating signal is generated in response to the determination that the ground surface includes a form of precipitation on the road of travel.