Onboard Perception System Using Sound Sensors for Collision Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current collision avoidance systems face difficulties in distinguishing sensor anomalies from actual changes in the motion of lead vehicles, especially in high dynamic situations such as collisions, leading to potential false interventions or delayed responses.
Innovation Solution
An onboard perception system that combines state assessment using multiple sensors (e.g., radar, lidar, cameras) with sound information to evaluate changes in the state of external objects, allowing for more robust detection of collisions and reduced reliance on single sensor data, thereby improving system accuracy and response time in critical situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single sensor system is used to detect lead vehicle motion, then the system complexity is low, but the reliability of collision detection deteriorates due to inability to distinguish sensor anomalies from actual collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor systems (radar, lidar, cameras, sound sensors) into an integrated perception system. The radar sensor detects lead vehicle position and velocity, while the sound sensor independently detects collision sounds. By merging these sensor inputs, the system cross-validates data to distinguish actual collisions from sensor anomalies, thereby improving detection reliability without excessive complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound sensor acts as an intermediary validation mechanism. When the radar detects a sudden lead vehicle deceleration, the system uses the sound sensor to detect whether collision sounds are present. This intermediary sound detection provides additional evidence to confirm or reject the radar's collision assessment, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are combined to improve detection accuracy, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The perception system is segmented into functionally independent modules: radar sensor for position/velocity detection, sound sensor for collision sound detection, and separate evaluation units for each sensor type. This segmentation allows each sensor to perform its specialized function with high precision while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated perception system is designed to handle multiple detection functions universally: the radar detects lead vehicle motion in normal conditions, the sound sensor detects collisions, and both sensors can validate each other's readings. This multi-functional design improves measurement precision across different scenarios without requiring separate specialized systems for each function.
3Productivity
If the system responds quickly to detected threats, then the productivity of collision avoidance improves, but the risk of false interventions increases due to sensor anomalies
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cross-validation of sensor data before triggering collision avoidance actions. When the radar detects sudden deceleration, the system preliminarily checks for corresponding collision sounds before confirming a true collision. This preliminary validation action reduces false interventions while maintaining quick response times for genuine threats.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple sensor channels to validate collision assessments. The sound sensor provides feedback to confirm or reject the radar's detection of lead vehicle deceleration. This feedback mechanism enables quick response to true collisions while filtering out false positives, improving both productivity and reliability.
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
The system enhances the accuracy and speed of collision detection, reducing false assessments and enabling quicker, more accurate conclusions about potential collisions, thus improving the effectiveness of collision avoidance systems, especially in multiple vehicle crashes.
Implementation Method 1
at least a first sensor assembly for assessing sound information indicating a collision in said vicinity of said vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an onboard perception system (105) of a vehicle (4) comprising: - a state assessment means (110) adapted to at least assess a state of a first external object (6) located in a vicinity (12) of the vehicle (4) hosting the onboard perception system (105), - at least a first sensor assembly (120) for assessing sound information, and - an evaluation means (130) adapted to evaluate a change in the state of the first external object (6) by using the assessed sound information. The invention further relates to a collision avoidance system (100) comprising such an onboard perception system (105) and to the vehicle (4). Additionally, the present invention relates to a method for evaluating a reason of a change in a state of a first external object (6) located in a vicinity (12) of the vehicle (4) hosting the onboard perception system (105).