Automotive sensor integration module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Synchronizing object detection across various sensors in vehicles is challenging due to different sensing periods and output data formats, and sensors are prone to contamination from dirt and foreign matter, which affects their performance in identifying external objects.
Innovation Solution
An automotive sensor integration module that synchronizes detection data from multiple sensors with different sensing periods and output formats, and includes a signal processing unit to determine contamination on sensor outer covers, providing contamination data for targeted cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If sensors are disposed at different positions to detect objects, then the coverage area is improved, but the synchronization of detection results deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent sensor units (camera, lidar, radar) positioned at different locations, each performing detection independently and then contributing to a unified detection result through data fusion, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and synchronization
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple detection results from different sensor positions are merged and fused to produce a unified detection output, combining the advantages of wide coverage from distributed sensors while achieving synchronized detection through data integration
2Area of stationary object
If sensors are disposed at different positions, then the detection coverage is improved, but the difficulty of synchronizing sensors increases
Solution Approach 1:
A data fusion module acts as an intermediary between distributed sensors, receiving detection data from various positions and processing it to produce synchronized results, thereby reducing the complexity of direct sensor synchronization while maintaining wide detection coverage
3Measurement precision
If sensors are exposed to external environment for detection, then the detection capability is improved, but the contamination from dirt and foreign matter increases
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent outer cover protects the sensor from contamination while allowing detection signals to pass through, maintaining detection capability while reducing the harmful effect of dirt and foreign matter on sensor performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes a cleaning mechanism that automatically cleans the sensor or outer cover when contamination is detected, enabling the sensor to maintain its detection capability without manual intervention and counteracting the contamination effect
4Reliability
If the outer cover protects sensors from contamination, then the reliability is improved, but the detection accuracy deteriorates due to interference with sensing
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent outer cover is used that allows detection signals (light, electromagnetic waves) to pass through while providing physical protection, thus improving reliability without significantly degrading detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses non-contact detection methods (optical, electromagnetic) that can penetrate the outer cover, replacing direct mechanical contact with the sensor, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while providing protection
Data Source
AI summary
An automotive sensor integration module including a plurality of sensors which differ in at least one of a sensing period or an output data format, and a signal processing unit, which simultaneously outputs, as sensing data, pieces of detection data respectively output from the plurality of sensors on the basis of the sensing period of any one of the plurality of sensors, determines whether each region of an outer cover corresponding to a location of each of the plurality of sensors is contaminated on the basis of the pieces of detection data, and outputs a determination result as contamination data.