Multi-Modal Tactile Sensor Vehicle Exterior Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicles lack the ability to detect and respond to tactile interactions with the exterior, making it difficult to control their movement from outside, particularly for simplified and efficient control.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of multi-modal tactile sensors on the vehicle's exterior, comprising temperature, pressure, shear force, proximity, and accelerometer sensors, allows for efficient detection and interpretation of human and object interactions, enabling controlled movement through tactile inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple sensors (camera, LIDAR, radar) are used to detect objects in the environment, then the detection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensor types (temperature sensor, pressure sensor, shear force sensor, proximity sensor, accelerometer sensor) into a single multi-modal tactile sensor assembly integrated into the vehicle exterior. This merging approach maintains comprehensive detection capability while reducing overall system complexity compared to using separate sensors distributed throughout the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-modal tactile sensor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects temperature, pressure, shear force, proximity, and acceleration. This universal sensor design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate sensors, thereby improving detection capability across multiple physical quantities while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a touch sensor or proximity sensor is used in the exterior of the vehicle for door unlocking, then the ease of operation is improved, but the functionality is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidfunctionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-modal tactile sensor extends the functionality of exterior touch sensors beyond simple door unlocking to include vehicle movement control. By integrating multiple sensor modalities (temperature, pressure, shear force, proximity, accelerometer), the system can detect various types of tactile interactions and translate them into different control commands, thereby improving both ease of operation and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts its functionality based on the type of tactile interaction detected. Different combinations of sensor signals trigger different vehicle responses, allowing the same physical interface to serve multiple purposes depending on the user's intent, thus enhancing versatility while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the vehicle exterior comprises an array of multi-modal tactile sensors, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetactile interaction spaceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The tactile sensor system is divided into discrete multi-modal sensor units that can be individually manufactured and then assembled into arrays on the vehicle exterior. Each sensor unit contains all necessary sensor types (temperature, pressure, shear force, proximity, accelerometer), allowing for modular manufacturing that reduces overall complexity while enabling flexible deployment across different vehicle surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If multi-modal tactile sensors are used to detect tactile interactions for vehicle movement control, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexterior controlVSAvoidtactile interaction detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges signals from multiple sensor modalities (temperature, pressure, shear force, proximity, accelerometer) to detect and interpret tactile interactions. By combining these different measurement types, the system achieves robust detection capability that compensates for the precision requirements of individual sensors, enabling accurate vehicle movement control through simple exterior touches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution allows for efficient movement and repositioning of vehicles, including parking, by accurately detecting and responding to various tactile interactions, enhancing exterior control and preventing collisions.

Implementation Method 1

The first signal comprises a signal of the at least one temperature sensor of the at least one multi-model tactile sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

The first signal comprises a signal of the at least one proximity sensor of the at least one multi-model tactile sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProximity sensing:

Implementation Method 3

The movement pattern depends on a force distribution of the at least one pressure sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Implementation Method 4

The movement pattern depends on a force distribution of the at least one shear force sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShear force sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP3702865B1Method, system, and computer program product for controlling a movement of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP3702865B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3702865B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3702865B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

It is described a method for controlling a movement of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a vehicle body part of an exterior of the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle body part of the exterior of the vehicle comprises at least one multi-modal tactile sensor, the method comprising: receiving a first signal of the at least one multi-modal tactile sensor of the vehicle body part; determining a first tactile interaction with the vehicle body part based on the first signal of the at least one multi-modal tactile sensor; receiving a second signal of the at least one multi-modal tactile sensor of the vehicle body part, the second signal depending on the first tactile interaction; determining a second tactile interaction with the vehicle body part based on the second signal of the at least one multi-modal tactile sensor; determining a movement pattern of the vehicle based on the second tactile interaction; and controlling the movement of the vehicle using the movement pattern.