Optical Sensor Misalignment Correction via Motion Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles face challenges in maintaining the tight motion tolerances required for optical sensors, as existing methods like increasing stiffness can add complexity and weight, and may not be sufficient with increasing sensor resolution.
Innovation Solution
A computer system predicts the quantity of misalignment of optical sensors based on projected vehicle motion and predicts an error in this misalignment, allowing the vehicle to adjust its operation accordingly, such as by modifying its motion plan to avoid obstacles or improve ride smoothness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the stiffness of the mounting structure is increased to maintain tight motion tolerances, then the sensor alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of increasing mounting structure stiffness with a computational approach. A computer system predicts sensor misalignment based on vehicle motion parameters and corrects optical data accordingly, eliminating the need for overly rigid mechanical mounting structures while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from physical parameter adjustment (stiffness) to computational parameter adjustment. Instead of making the mounting structure stiffer, the system dynamically adjusts the optical data parameters based on predicted misalignment, achieving the same effect with fewer mechanical constraints.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor resolution is increased to improve detection capability, then the measurement precision is improved, but the tolerance requirements for sensor motion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical tolerance control with computational correction. High-resolution sensors are paired with a computer system that predicts misalignment effects and corrects the optical data, allowing the system to achieve high measurement precision without the stringent mechanical tolerances that would otherwise be required.
Solution Approach 2:
The computer system acts as an intermediary between the high-resolution sensor and the final measurement. It receives the raw optical data, applies computational correction based on predicted misalignment, and outputs corrected data, thereby enabling high-resolution sensors to function effectively without requiring extremely tight motion tolerances.
3Manufacturing precision
If active alignment or added reinforcement components are used to limit sensor motion, then the sensor alignment precision is improved, but the weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical reinforcement components with a computational correction system. Instead of adding physical reinforcement to limit sensor motion, the system uses software algorithms to correct for misalignment effects, achieving the same alignment precision without the associated weight penalty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the alignment correction function from the mechanical mounting structure and places it in the computational domain. By removing the need for physical reinforcement components, the system reduces weight while maintaining alignment precision through software-based correction.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to predict a quantity of misalignment of an optical sensor based on a projected motion of a vehicle, predict an error of the predicted quantity of misalignment, and actuate the vehicle based on the predicted quantity of misalignment and the predicted error. The vehicle includes the optical sensor.