Road Surface Recognition Using Preceding Vehicle Vertical Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for recognizing speed bumps and concave-convex road surfaces using cameras and GPS are limited by poor painting patterns, inaccurate GPS data, and inability to detect non-predetermined patterns, leading to unstable vehicle control in ADAS and autonomous driving systems.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a signal detection unit, distance computation unit, and obstacle detection unit that employs frontward-direction sensors such as cameras, radar, and lidar to detect vertical location signals and compute distances, enabling precise recognition of speed bumps and concave-convex road surfaces by comparing the distance traveled by a host vehicle with the distance to a preceding vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a frontward-direction camera is used to recognize speed bumps, then the system can detect painted patterns on the road surface, but the recognition fails when painting patterns are not sharp or painted state is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary object (preceding vehicle) to indirectly detect road surface features. Instead of directly imaging the road surface with a camera, the system uses the preceding vehicle as a reference frame and detects road surface characteristics through changes in the vehicle's vertical position and distance variations, thereby overcoming the limitation of poor painting patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical/mechanical camera-based detection system with a sensor-based system that measures physical quantities (vertical position, distance, acceleration). By substituting visual pattern recognition with physical measurement of vehicle-road interaction, the system achieves reliable detection regardless of painting quality
2Adaptability or versatility
If a frontward-direction camera is used to recognize road surfaces, then painted speed bumps can be detected, but concave-convex road surfaces without painting patterns cannot be recognized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal detection system that can identify both painted and unpainted road surface features through a single methodology. By measuring vertical position changes and distance variations of the preceding vehicle, the system achieves multi-functionality in detecting different types of speed bumps and concave-convex surfaces without requiring separate detection mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The preceding vehicle serves as a universal intermediary that translates various road surface characteristics (whether painted or unpainted) into measurable physical quantities. This intermediary approach enables the system to detect all types of road surface features through a unified detection mechanism
3Loss of information
If GPS information is used to predict speed bump locations, then location data can be obtained, but the precision is limited due to GPS errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the actual position and vertical movement of the preceding vehicle relative to detected obstacles. This real-time feedback allows the system to refine location predictions and compensate for initial GPS errors, achieving higher precision through iterative correction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces GPS-based predictive positioning with sensor-based actual position measurement. By using sensors to directly measure the vehicle's position and movement relative to road surface features, the system substitutes satellite-based estimation with direct physical measurement, thereby eliminating GPS error limitations
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
This system allows for stable vehicle control by accurately identifying speed bumps and concave-convex road surfaces, minimizing braking distance and preventing unintended deactivation of safety functions during encounters with speed bumps, thus ensuring smooth passage and enhanced safety.
Implementation Method 1
a height component of the preceding vehicle that is sensed by a 3-dimensional lidar sensor of the host vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a frontward-direction camera sensor of the host vehicle
Implementation Method 3
compute the distance in the longitudinal direction between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle using any one of a frontward-direction radar sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system with road surface recognition includes: a signal detection unit configured to detect a vertical location signal of a preceding vehicle using a frontward-direction sensing sensor mounted in a host vehicle; a distance computation unit configured to compute a distance in a longitudinal direction between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle, and a distance traveled by the host vehicle, in response to the vertical location signal being at or above a setting value; and an obstacle detection unit configured to detect a speeding prevention obstacle located on a road surface, based on a value of a difference between the distance traveled by the host vehicle and the distance in the longitudinal direction between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle.