Vehicle Sensor Fiducial Alignment for Impact-Induced Shift Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle components such as lidar sensors, radar systems, and camera systems may inadvertently move relative to their base members due to high-force impacts, affecting their operation and potentially leading to unintended vehicle control actions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a fiducial marker on the base member and an image sensor on the vehicle component to capture images of the marker, allowing for the detection of movement and subsequent adjustment of the component's operation to prevent unintended operation, such as disabling or re-aiming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle component is mounted to the base member, then the component can perform its function (environmental mapping, vehicle control), but the component may inadvertently move relative to the base member due to high-force impacts, affecting operation accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-mounting the vehicle component to the base member in a controlled environment where alignment can be established before deployment. The component is initially secured with proper alignment, and then the system continuously monitors and maintains this alignment through image capture and comparison, preventing drift before it affects operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by capturing images of the fiducial marker with the image sensor, comparing captured images to reference images, and using this comparison data to detect any relative movement between the vehicle component and base member. This feedback loop enables continuous monitoring and correction of alignment, maintaining operational accuracy despite potential impacts or environmental changes.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the vehicle component is designed to be secure against movement, then alignment stability is improved, but the complexity of the mounting and monitoring system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a fiducial marker as a reference object and an image sensor as a monitoring intermediary between the vehicle component and base member. Rather than creating a complex mechanical locking system, the patent employs optical intermediaries (marker and sensor) to detect and monitor alignment, simplifying the physical mounting while adding intelligent monitoring capability.
3Measurement precision
If the image sensor continuously monitors the fiducial marker, then movement detection accuracy is improved, but the energy consumption and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by capturing images at scheduled intervals or triggered by specific events (such as detected vibrations or changes in environmental conditions) rather than continuously streaming data. This periodic monitoring maintains measurement precision for detecting movement while significantly reducing energy consumption and data processing requirements compared to continuous monitoring.
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
Ensures the vehicle component remains properly aligned with its base member, preventing unintended operation and maintaining accurate environmental mapping and control functions.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor fixed to the housing and aimed at the fiducial marker
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a base member having a fiducial marker, a vehicle component having a housing mounted to the base member, and an image sensor fixed to the housing and aimed at the fiducial marker. A method includes mounting the vehicle component to the base member of a vehicle, capturing a baseline image of the fiducial marker, capturing a subsequent image of the fiducial marker, comparing the subsequent image to the baseline image, and adjusting operation of the vehicle component in response to the identification of differences between the baseline image and the subsequent image.