Low-Profile Robotic Platform for Overrunnable Vehicle Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vehicle testing platforms are inadequate for evaluating advanced automotive features such as advanced driver systems, autonomous driving systems, and partially autonomous driving systems, as they lack the capability to effectively measure, score, or compare these features.
Innovation Solution
An automated robotic platform with a low-profile, over-runnable design that includes a chassis with drive and pivoting wheels, a control system, and optional features like soft targets, vision systems, and sacrificial wear plates, allowing it to simulate real-world driving scenarios and withstand vehicle loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional vehicle testing platforms are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but they lack the capability to effectively measure, score, or compare advanced automotive features
Solution Approach 1:
The testing platform is divided into modular components including a chassis, sensor array, computing device, and power system. This segmentation allows the platform to be customized for different testing scenarios while maintaining a manageable complexity level through standardized interfaces and interchangeable modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform incorporates a multi-functional sensor array that can detect various parameters (position, speed, acceleration, environmental conditions) simultaneously. The computing device is configured to process multiple types of data and generate different metrics for evaluating advanced driver systems, autonomous driving systems, and partially autonomous driving systems, making the platform versatile across different testing needs.
2Length of stationary object
If the robotic platform uses a low-profile design with wheels inside the chassis, then the platform height is reduced, but the wheels need cut-out portions in the chassis which complicates the manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel mounting structure is extracted from the traditional bottom-mounted configuration and repositioned within the chassis interior. Cut-out portions are created in the chassis floor to accommodate the wheels, allowing the wheels to be positioned inside the chassis while maintaining easy access for assembly and disassembly through the cut-out openings.
3Strength
If the platform is designed to withstand heavy loads from over-running vehicles, then the structural strength is improved, but the suspension system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A suspension system is integrated into the chassis to provide beforehand cushioning for heavy loads. The suspension comprises springs and dampers positioned between the chassis and the wheel mounting structure, designed to absorb and dissipate impact forces from vehicles that may run over the platform during testing, thereby protecting the platform components while maintaining structural strength.
4Measurement precision
If the platform includes comprehensive testing apparatus and sensors, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensing functions are merged into an integrated sensor array mounted on the chassis. The sensor array combines position sensors, speed sensors, acceleration sensors, and environmental sensors into a single coordinated system. The computing device merges the processing of all sensor inputs to generate comprehensive evaluation metrics, reducing the need for separate testing apparatus while maintaining high measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are robotic platforms and associated features that may have applicability in a wide variety of applications and industries, but that may have particular applicability in automotive testing and testing of vehicles having autonomous or semi-autonomous driving features. Robotic platforms may include a low-profile chassis, one or more rotational elements coupled to one or more drive motors and supported within the chassis, and a control system coupled to and controlling the drive motor(s). Also disclosed are suspension systems that may maintain the chassis of a robotic platform above the ground in use but that allows the chassis to ground out when subject to a pre-determined load, thereby spreading the load across the chassis.