Vehicle Sensor Housing Tilt Detection Using Dual Tilt Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional technologies fail to accurately detect the tilt of a sensor package housing on a vehicle, leading to degraded detection accuracy of peripheral monitoring sensors due to shifts in the detection axis, which is not considered in existing systems.

Innovation Solution

A tilt detection device and method that utilizes a first tilt sensor in the sensor package housing and a second tilt sensor elsewhere on the vehicle to identify the difference in tilt relative to a common reference state, determining if the sensor package housing is tilted from its initial position by comparing the differences outside an allowable range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single tilt sensor is installed in the sensor package housing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of housing tilt relative to the moving object deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor configurationVSAvoidhousing tilt detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The tilt detection function is segmented into two independent sensors: one mounted in the sensor package housing (first tilt sensor) and another mounted on the moving object body (second tilt sensor). This segmentation allows independent measurement of housing tilt and object tilt, enabling precise calculation of relative tilt between the housing and the moving object.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The processing unit acts as an intermediary that receives tilt information from both sensors and calculates the relative tilt. By computing the difference between the first tilt information (housing tilt) and the second tilt information (object tilt), the system obtains accurate relative tilt data without requiring a single complex sensor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If tilt detection is not implemented, then the device complexity remains low, but the reliability of peripheral monitoring sensor detection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection systemVSAvoidsensor detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary tilt detection by continuously monitoring the relative tilt between the sensor package housing and the moving object using dual tilt sensors. This preliminary detection of tilt conditions enables proactive identification of detection axis shifts before they significantly impact sensor performance, allowing for timely corrective actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The processing unit provides feedback by comparing the relative tilt against predetermined thresholds and generating tilt detection results. This feedback mechanism enables the system to respond to tilt conditions, ensuring reliable sensor operation by identifying when the detection axis has shifted beyond acceptable ranges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Accurately detects the tilt of the sensor package housing from its initial position, preventing misalignment of detection axes and enhancing the accuracy of peripheral monitoring sensors, thereby improving the overall detection performance.

Implementation Method 1

a first tilt sensor disposed in a sensor package housing that is mounted in the moving object and includes a peripheral monitoring sensor used to monitor surroundings of the moving object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a second tilt sensor disposed in a portion of the moving object other than the sensor package housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS12600308B2Tilt detection device, tilt detection system, tilt detection method, and storage medium for storing tilt detection program

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A tilt detection device for a moving object includes the first acquisition portion that acquires first tilt information detected by a first tilt sensor disposed in a sensor package housing mounted in the moving object and a peripheral monitoring sensor. The second acquisition portion acquires second tilt information detected by a second tilt sensor disposed in a portion of the moving object other than the sensor package housing. The first difference identification portion identifies a first difference between a tilt of the moving object relative to a common reference state and a tilt of the sensor package housing relative to the common reference state based on the first tilt information and the second tilt information. The tilt detection portion determines that the sensor package housing is tilted from an initial position when the first difference does not fall within a first allowable range.