Orientation Sensor System for Vehicle Component Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical systems used in vehicles and other applications often lack the ability to determine the orientation of components relative to mounting surfaces, which is crucial for proper deployment of safety devices and efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
The electrical system incorporates an orientation sensor system that uses magnetometers, accelerometers, and gyroscopes to determine the orientation of components relative to the mounting surface, allowing for precise positioning and orientation detection, including forward, rearward, and angled positions, and communicates this information to a system controller for controlling safety devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If no orientation sensor is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to determine component orientation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (magnetometer, accelerometer, gyroscope) into a single integrated orientation sensor system that works together to determine component orientation. This merging approach provides comprehensive orientation data while consolidating the sensor infrastructure into a coordinated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation sensor system serves multiple functions: determining forward/rearward orientation, detecting angled positions, and providing data for both safety device deployment and operational control. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering comprehensive orientation information across various operational contexts.
2Reliability
If orientation detection is added, then safety device deployment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The orientation sensor system continuously monitors and determines component orientation in advance, providing ready information when safety events occur. This preliminary detection ensures that safety devices can be deployed immediately based on pre-established orientation data, improving response time and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses orientation sensor data as feedback to the controller, which then adjusts safety device deployment decisions based on the detected component orientation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that safety actions are appropriately matched to the actual physical state of the system.
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 determination of component orientation, enhancing the deployment of safety devices and improving operational efficiency by ensuring components are correctly positioned and oriented, thereby enhancing safety and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an orientation sensor configured to determine an orientation (e.g., angle, direction, etc.) of the component relative to said mounting surface
Implementation Method 2
an orientation sensor configured to determine an orientation (e.g., angle, direction, etc.) of the component relative to said mounting surface
Implementation Method 3
an orientation sensor configured to determine an orientation (e.g., angle, direction, etc.) of the component relative to said mounting surface
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical system may include a mounting surface, a component configured for connection with the mounting surface and configured to move relative to the mounting surface, and/or an orientation sensor configured to determining an orientation of the component relative to the mounting surface. The orientation sensor may include a first sensor (e.g., a magnetometer, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, etc.) connected, at least indirectly, to the mounting surface, and a second sensor (e.g., a magnetometer, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, etc.) connected to move with the component. The orientation sensor may include an electronic controller. The electronic controller may be configured to compare first information from the first sensor to second information from the second sensor to determine the orientation of the component relative to the mounting surface.