Sensor Calibration at Energy Supply Stations for Autonomous Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in refueling due to the lack of infrastructure designed to support energy resupply, leading to reduced functionality and travel range.
Innovation Solution
An energy supply station equipped with sensors and a mechanical arm, controlled via a virtual interface, autonomously refuels the vehicle by detecting its arrival, aligning the mechanical arm with the vehicle's energy input receptacle, and supplying energy under remote operator guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If autonomous vehicles use traditional refueling methods designed for human-operated vehicles, then the refueling process requires manual intervention, but this reduces the autonomy and functionality of autonomous vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle performs refueling independently through automated detection of the refueling station, self-alignment of the energy delivery receptacle with the vehicle's energy input receptacle, and execution of the refueling process without human intervention. The vehicle computer coordinates with the energy supply station computer to complete the entire refueling operation autonomously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated systems. The vehicle computer and energy supply station computer use sensor data, image processing, and coordinated control signals to substitute for human manual operations in detecting, aligning, and executing the refueling process
2Adaptability or versatility
If energy supply stations are equipped with automated refueling infrastructure, then refueling capability for autonomous vehicles is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy supply station is designed with multi-functionality to serve both human-operated and autonomous vehicles. The station includes sensors for detecting autonomous vehicle arrival, a mechanical arm for automated alignment and connection, and a control system that can operate in both automated and manual modes, making it adaptable to different vehicle types
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle computer and energy supply station computer act as intermediaries between the autonomous vehicle and the refueling infrastructure. These computers coordinate communication, process sensor data, exchange control signals, and manage the refueling process, simplifying the interaction between the vehicle and the complex infrastructure
3Measurement precision
If remote operators control the refueling process via virtual interface, then precision in alignment and connection is improved, but the operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the vehicle computer and energy supply station computer exchange control signals and coordinate before the actual refueling begins. The mechanical arm is pre-positioned and the receptacles are pre-aligned using sensor feedback, so that when connection is made, precision is achieved without prolonged operation time
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors on the vehicle and at the energy supply station provide real-time feedback on the alignment and connection status. This feedback loop allows the remote operator or automated system to make precise adjustments to the mechanical arm's position and the receptacle alignment, ensuring accurate connection while minimizing the time required
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous vehicle can include a perception sensor and one or more processors. The processors can be configured to automatically control the autonomous vehicle to an energy supply station to resupply the autonomous vehicle; detect an arrival of the autonomous vehicle at the energy supply station; detect a calibration target; collect data from the perception sensor corresponding with the calibration target; and calibrate the perception sensor based on the collected data.