Obstacle Sensor Inspection During Autonomous Vehicle Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional obstacle sensor inspection devices only check for abnormalities before autonomous running, failing to detect issues during the operation of autonomous running vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An obstacle sensor inspection device that performs inspections while the vehicle is running, using a wider detection area and a still object for inspection, to determine if the obstacle sensor is functioning correctly, and includes a preparation process to prevent contact with obstacles during inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If obstacle sensor inspection is performed only before autonomous running, then the inspection process is simple, but the sensor abnormality cannot be detected during running operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by designating inspection sections and preparation sections in advance along the running path, and by pre-positioning still objects for inspection. This allows the inspection to be executed automatically during normal running without requiring complex real-time decision-making or additional hardware interventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile body inspects its own obstacle sensor during autonomous running by utilizing its existing sensing capabilities and pre-designated inspection infrastructure. The system serves itself by using its normal running mechanism and sensor suite to perform self-diagnosis, eliminating the need for separate inspection equipment or external intervention.
2Measurement precision
If the detection area is expanded to a second area larger than the first area during inspection, then the still object for inspection can be easily detected, but the detection area coverage increases beyond normal running requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The detection area is made dynamic by switching between a first area used during normal running and a second area used during inspection. The detection area is expanded to the second area specifically when the mobile body is in the inspection section, and reverted to the first area otherwise. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize detection coverage according to operational context without permanently increasing the detection area.
3Productivity
If inspection is performed while the mobile body is running in the sensor inspection section, then continuous operation is maintained, but the mobile body may come into contact with obstacles during inspection
Solution Approach 1:
Before the mobile body enters the inspection section, it passes through a preparation section where the inspection preparation processing unit performs preliminary actions by designating the inspection section and preparing the environment. This preliminary preparation ensures that the inspection can be conducted safely during running by pre-identifying the inspection area and positioning still objects appropriately.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection preparation processing unit acts as an intermediary between the running control unit and the inspection processing unit. It coordinates the transition from normal running to inspection mode, manages the designation of inspection sections, and ensures that the inspection is performed safely by mediating between the conflicting requirements of continuous operation and collision prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
An obstacle sensor inspection device that performs an inspection of an obstacle sensor detecting an obstacle present in the vicinity of a mobile body, the obstacle sensor inspection device including; and a detection area setting unit configured to set a detection area of the obstacle sensor to a second area larger than a first area that is used at the time of normal running when the inspection process for the obstacle sensor is performed using the inspection processing unit, in which the inspection processing unit determines that the obstacle sensor is normal when the still object for inspection is detected by the obstacle sensor and determines that the obstacle sensor is abnormal when the still object for inspection is not detected by the obstacle sensor.