Magnetic Marker and Inertial Control for Vehicle Lateral Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting a vehicle's lateral position are inadequate in environments such as rainy weather or dense fog, and are also challenged by crosswind conditions, leading to inaccurate steering control.
Innovation Solution
A control device equipped with a first sensor for detecting magnetic markers, a second sensor for measuring velocity or acceleration, and units for calculating lateral position both when markers are detected and when they are not, allowing for continuous lateral position detection and correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnetic markers are continuously installed on the track, then the lateral position of the vehicle can be accurately detected even in crosswind conditions, but the cost of magnetic markers and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The track is divided into multiple sections with magnetic markers installed only at specific intervals rather than continuously. The vehicle uses inertial sensors (accelerometers and gyroscopes) to estimate lateral position between marker sections, combining discrete magnetic marker detection with inertial navigation to achieve accurate continuous tracking without continuous marker installation.
Solution Approach 2:
Inertial sensors (accelerometers and gyroscopes) serve as intermediary devices that bridge the gaps between discrete magnetic markers. These sensors measure vehicle acceleration and orientation to calculate lateral position changes between marker detections, enabling continuous position estimation without requiring continuous physical markers on the track.
2Reliability
If a track is widened to allow vehicle contact with structure even when lateral position detection error occurs, then vehicle safety is improved, but the construction cost of the track increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically widening the track with a sensor-based computational approach. Inertial sensors and magnetic markers work together to provide accurate lateral position feedback, allowing the vehicle to stay centered on the existing track width without requiring additional safety margins through track widening.
3Ease of operation
If wind pressure is detected and vehicle is controlled based on detected wind pressure, then vehicle control in crosswind is improved, but the absolute position of the vehicle with respect to the middle of track cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges wind pressure detection with magnetic marker detection and inertial sensing. While wind sensors provide force information for control adjustments, the absolute lateral position is simultaneously determined by magnetic markers and inertial navigation, combining force-based control with position-based navigation for comprehensive crosswind management.
4Measurement precision
If a marker such as white line on track is detected using camera to detect lateral position, then lateral position can be detected without magnetic markers, but it is not possible to detect lateral position in rainy weather, dense fog, and the like
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical detection (camera-based white line detection) with magnetic field detection and inertial sensing. Magnetic markers embedded in the track and inertial sensors provide detection capabilities that are unaffected by weather conditions such as rain or fog, eliminating the limitations of optical methods while maintaining lateral position detection accuracy.
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 accurate detection of a vehicle's lateral position even in adverse weather conditions and crosswind, improving steering control and reducing errors associated with marker absence or environmental factors.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic sensor installed on a vehicle is disclosed as a method of detecting the position of a vehicle in a lateral direction
Data Source
AI summary
A control device controls travel direction of a traveling body that travels along a plurality of magnetic markers arranged with intervals therebetween on a track, the control device including: a first sensor for detecting the magnetic markers; a second sensor for detecting speed or acceleration; a first lateral position calculation unit for calculating a lateral position of the traveling body by a detection result from the first sensor, when the first sensor has detected a magnetic marker; a second lateral position calculation unit for calculating a lateral position of the traveling body by a detection result from the second sensor, when the first sensor is not detecting a magnetic marker; and a travel direction control unit for controlling the travel direction of the traveling body by the lateral position of the traveling body as calculated by the first lateral position calculation unit or the second lateral position calculation unit.