Vehicle Rollover Detection Using Integrated Roll Rate and Lateral Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle rollover detection systems using angular rate sensors (ARS) and accelerometers are prone to errors due to sensor drift and noise, leading to inaccurate long-term integration and false triggering, especially during rapid vehicle rotations and steady changes in position.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing both ARS and lateral Low-G sensor signals, combined with vehicle state information from external systems, to accurately calculate the vehicle roll angle by integrating roll rate, determining estimated lateral acceleration, and generating an output activation signal for rollover detection, thereby reducing initial roll angle errors and improving detection performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If roll rate based angle calculation is used for quick vehicle rotations, then accuracy during rapid rotations is improved, but errors accumulate during long term integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously comparing the roll rate based angle with the accelerometer based angle and using this comparison to correct accumulated errors. The system monitors the difference between these two angle calculations and adjusts the integrated angle accordingly, creating a closed-loop correction mechanism that maintains long-term accuracy while preserving the responsiveness of roll rate based measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used for angle calculation based on vehicle operating conditions. During quick rotations, it relies more on roll rate integration, while during steady-state conditions, it transitions to accelerometer based angle calculation. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize accuracy for different driving scenarios while avoiding the accumulation errors associated with prolonged integration.
2Measurement precision
If accelerometer based angle is used during slow and steady changes, then accuracy is improved, but errors occur during specific driving scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the angle calculation method dynamic by continuously adapting between roll rate based and accelerometer based calculations based on vehicle motion characteristics. The system dynamically selects and blends the appropriate calculation method according to the current driving scenario, ensuring reliable accuracy across diverse operating conditions rather than relying on a single static approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite angle calculation system that combines both roll rate based and accelerometer based angle measurements. By blending these two different measurement approaches, the system leverages the strengths of each method while compensating for their individual weaknesses, resulting in a more robust and reliable angle estimation across all driving scenarios.
3Measurement precision
If two independent accelerometers are used for angle calculation, then measurement redundancy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing lateral accelerometer serve multiple functions: it provides both vehicle lateral acceleration measurement and roll angle calculation. By utilizing the same sensor for dual purposes and combining it with roll rate data, the system achieves measurement redundancy and improved accuracy without adding extra accelerometer hardware, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the existing sensor system to serve itself by using the lateral accelerometer data in combination with roll rate integration to generate the roll angle. This self-service approach allows the system to create redundant measurement capabilities using existing components, eliminating the need for additional sensors and keeping the device complexity low while still achieving improved measurement precision.
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 method provides accurate rollover detection across various driving conditions, reducing false triggering and requiring only two sensors, while leveraging available vehicle communication bus signals for efficient and reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
The most of the current systems use angular rate sensor (ARS) for calculating vehicle angle with respect to the horizontal plane
Implementation Method 2
measuring the set of input signals including at least vehicle velocity, vehicle steering angle, vehicle lateral acceleration, and vehicle roll rate
Implementation Method 3
determining the vehicle estimated lateral acceleration, corresponding to the vehicle true roll angle, on the basis of at least the vehicle state, vehicle lateral acceleration and the centrifugal acceleration
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and system for detecting a vehicle rollover or dangerous situations that may precede a rollover of a vehicle. The method comprises the steps of (a) measuring the set of input signals including at least vehicle velocity, vehicle steering angle, vehicle lateral acceleration, and vehicle roll rate; (b) integrating the vehicle roll rate to obtain the vehicle roll angle increment; (c) determining the vehicle state on the basis of the input signals; (d) determining the vehicle estimated lateral acceleration, corresponding to the vehicle true roll angle, on the basis of at least the vehicle state, vehicle lateral acceleration and the centrifugal acceleration; (e) determining the vehicle estimated roll angle on the basis of at least the vehicle roll angle increment, the vehicle estimated lateral acceleration and the vehicle state; and (f) generating an output activation signal determining a possibility of rollover of the vehicle, as a function of at least: vehicle estimated roll angle and the vehicle roll rate.