Sensor Height Deviation Compensation in Motor Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial vehicles face performance losses in sensor detection due to changes in installation height caused by varying loads and suspension levels, which affect the accuracy of environmental data collected by sensors mounted on the chassis.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle with a resiliently mounted chassis and at least one sensor device, where the sensor is attached to the chassis in a predetermined reference position, and a control device adapts environmental data to compensate for height deviations, using a position model and correction functions to maintain accurate detection despite changes in installation height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the sensor device is permanently mounted on the vehicle chassis, then the sensor position changes due to vehicle load and suspension level changes, but the sensor must remain fixed to the chassis for structural simplicity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor position adaptabilityVSAvoidmounting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using a control device that dynamically adjusts sensor data based on changing installation height parameters. Instead of mechanically adjusting the sensor position, the system changes the data parameters (coordinates, detection ranges, orientation angles) to compensate for height variations caused by load and suspension changes, thereby maintaining detection accuracy without mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical adjustment system with an electronic/software-based solution. Rather than using mechanical mechanisms to physically reposition or reorient sensors in response to height changes, the system uses a control device with processing logic to calculate and apply correction factors to the sensor data, substituting mechanical complexity with computational processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If the sensor installation height changes due to load or suspension adjustments, then the sensor detection accuracy deteriorates, but the vehicle must accommodate varying load conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor detection accuracyVSAvoidvehicle load adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using a control device that receives information about the actual installation height (from suspension position sensors or load information) and uses this feedback to adjust the sensor data accordingly. The control device calculates correction factors based on the detected height deviation and applies them to compensate for accuracy losses, creating a closed-loop system that maintains precision under varying load conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system compensates for height changes by dynamically changing the data processing parameters. The control device adjusts coordinates, detection ranges, and orientation angles based on the actual installation height, transforming the sensor data to maintain accurate environmental representation despite physical position variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensor devices are used to compensate for height deviations, then the detection accuracy is maintained, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental data accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary control device that acts as a mediator between the sensors and the environmental data output. This control device processes sensor data and applies correction factors based on installation height, serving as an intermediary layer that maintains accuracy without requiring additional physical sensors. The intermediary processes the information from existing sensors to compensate for height variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4151438A1Motor vehicle with at least one sensor device
Publication Date: 2023.03.22 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP4151438A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4151438A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4151438A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (10) comprising a chassis (1), a chassis (2) which is resiliently mounted on the chassis (1), and at least one sensor device (3) for acquiring environmental data. The at least one sensor device (3) is mounted on the chassis (2) in a predetermined reference position (PR) with respect to the chassis (1) and/or a road surface. Furthermore, the motor vehicle (10) includes a control unit (4) configured to adjust the environmental data in the event of a height deviation (ΔH) of the at least one sensor device (3) from the reference position (PR) (e.g., due to load), in order to at least partially compensate for a change in the environmental data caused by the height deviation (ΔH).