Reconfigurable Vehicle Lateral Velocity Estimation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for estimating vehicle lateral velocity are inaccurate outside the fidelity of used models and heavily dependent on tire force and road surface estimations, which are prone to errors, making them ineffective in various dynamic regions.

Innovation Solution

A reconfigurable estimation system using multiple mathematical models, dynamically switching between them based on vehicle operating regions, and incorporating parameter variations and sensor signal accuracy to improve lateral velocity estimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single mathematical model is used for lateral velocity estimation, then the system complexity is low, but the accuracy deteriorates outside the model's fidelity range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral velocity estimation accuracyVSAvoidestimation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the vehicle dynamic operating space into multiple discrete regions based on vehicle speed and yaw rate thresholds. Different mathematical models are assigned to different regions: a first model for low-speed regions and a second model for high-speed regions. This segmentation allows each model to operate within its optimal accuracy range while collectively covering all operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic model switching based on real-time vehicle operating conditions. The system continuously monitors vehicle speed and yaw rate, and automatically transitions between different estimation models when crossing region boundaries. This dynamic adaptation ensures the most appropriate model is always used for the current operating state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If tire force and road surface estimation methods are used, then lateral velocity can be estimated, but the accuracy heavily depends on tire force and road surface estimation accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral velocity estimation accuracyVSAvoiddependence on tire force and road surface estimations
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the estimation approach by creating region-specific models that avoid heavy dependence on tire force and road surface estimations in certain operating regions. In low-speed regions where tire force estimation is less reliable, the system uses a different model formulation that is less sensitive to these parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different estimation strategies tailored to local operating conditions. Each dynamic region has its own optimized model with parameters and formulations specifically suited for that operating regime, rather than using a single universal model that must compromise across all conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If a simplified vehicle lateral dynamics model is used, then the computation is efficient, but the model cannot accurately reflect all operating regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputation efficiencyVSAvoidlateral velocity estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the operating space into multiple regions, each with its own simplified model optimized for that specific region. This allows each model to remain computationally efficient while being accurate for its designated operating range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes model parameters based on operating region. Different models use different parameter sets and formulations appropriate for their respective speed and yaw rate ranges, allowing each model to maintain simplicity while achieving high accuracy for its specific operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8041491B2Reconfigurable structure method of estimating vehicle lateral velocity
Publication Date: 2011.10.18 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • US8041491B2 patent drawing
  • US8041491B2 patent drawing
  • US8041491B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system, method and computer program product is provided for estimating the lateral velocity of a vehicle. The method comprises providing a plurality of estimation structures, each estimation structure corresponding to one of a plurality of dynamic regions in which a vehicle may operate, determining in which of the plurality of dynamic regions the vehicle is operating to identify a first dynamic region, and generating a first regional lateral velocity estimation from a first estimation structure corresponding to the first dynamic region.