Vehicle Ranging Sensor Wet Road Detection Without Extra Hardware
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing road surface condition detection systems for vehicles are complex and costly, making it difficult to accurately detect a wet road surface, which can increase braking distance and compromise safety.
Innovation Solution
A road surface condition determination system using a ranging sensor installed on a vehicle that emits light and measures distance based on reflected light, determining a wet surface by absence of reflected light or excessive measurement values, with a determination unit that can also utilize reference data for accurate detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dedicated device such as a camera device or laser device is newly mounted on a vehicle to detect road surface condition, then the road surface condition can be detected, but the system configuration becomes complicated and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling the ranging sensor, originally designed for obstacle detection or self-position estimation, to perform an additional function of road surface condition detection. The same sensor that measures distance to obstacles can also detect wet road surfaces by analyzing reflected light characteristics, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated detection devices and simplifying the overall system configuration while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by allowing the ranging sensor to serve itself across multiple functions. The sensor's emitted light and received reflected light data are utilized both for its primary purpose (obstacle detection or position estimation) and for secondary purpose (road surface condition detection), making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional hardware requirements
2Measurement precision
If a dedicated device such as a camera device or laser device is newly mounted on a vehicle to detect road surface condition, then the road surface condition can be detected, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling the ranging sensor, originally designed for obstacle detection or self-position estimation, to perform an additional function of road surface condition detection. The same sensor that measures distance to obstacles can also detect wet road surfaces by analyzing reflected light characteristics, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated detection devices and simplifying the overall system configuration while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by allowing the ranging sensor to serve itself across multiple functions. The sensor's emitted light and received reflected light data are utilized both for its primary purpose (obstacle detection or position estimation) and for secondary purpose (road surface condition detection), making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional hardware requirements
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 wet road surface in a simple configuration, reducing the complexity and cost of the system while enhancing vehicle safety by adjusting driving speed or stopping the vehicle when necessary.
Implementation Method 1
a ranging sensor that is installed at a predetermined position on a vehicle, emits light toward a road surface in a measurement area around the vehicle and receives reflected light of the emitted light
Implementation Method 2
measures a distance to the road surface based on a light reception state of the reflected light
Data Source
AI summary
A road surface condition determination system includes: a ranging sensor that is installed at a predetermined position on a vehicle, emits light toward a road surface in a measurement area around the vehicle and receives reflected light of the emitted light, and measures a distance to the road surface based on a light reception state of the reflected light; and a determination unit that determines that the road surface is wet when the reflected light is not received by the ranging sensor, or when a measurement value measured by the ranging sensor is longer than a predetermined value.