Motor Vehicle Environmental Sensor Pivoting for Aerodynamic Displacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motor vehicles, especially trucks, experience aerodynamic forces that displace environmental sensing devices due to airflow, leading to compromised field of view and detection accuracy, particularly when traveling at high speeds.

Innovation Solution

An adjustment device is integrated into the motor vehicle to pivot the field of view of environmental sensing devices, such as radar, lidar, or camera systems, based on airflow strength, compensating for pitch angle changes caused by wind, using active or passive mechanisms like air suspension or air deflectors to maintain optimal alignment and reduce aerodynamic influences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If environmental sensing devices are mounted on elastically suspended cabins, then the motor vehicle structure allows for vibration damping and comfort, but aerodynamic forces at high speeds displace the sensing devices from their ideal positions, compromising detection accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabin position stabilityVSAvoidenvironmental detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously receives signals from sensors detecting the actual position of the sensing device, compares it with the desired position, and automatically adjusts the device's position through the adjustment mechanism to compensate for aerodynamic displacement, maintaining detection accuracy despite cabin suspension movements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the position parameters of the sensing device dynamically based on detected displacement, adjusting pitch and yaw angles to counteract aerodynamic forces and maintain the device in its ideal detection position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If the field of view of environmental sensing devices is kept wide to compensate for position changes, then detection coverage is maintained, but device size and processing power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield of view coverageVSAvoidsensing device size and processing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary adjustment of the sensing device position before aerodynamic displacement occurs or as it begins to occur, using the adjustment mechanism to proactively maintain the device in the ideal position, thereby preventing the need for wide-field compensation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution enhances environmental detection accuracy by maintaining the field of view, allowing for smaller, less power-intensive sensing devices and improved resolution, while reducing the need for extensive software compensation and processing power.

Implementation Method 1

an air flow acting on the environmental sensing device does not cause the environmental sensing device to deflect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerodynamic force: Drag

Implementation Method 2

a strength of the air flow against a front of the motor vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow: Wind

Data Source

PatentEP3683098B1Motor vehicle comprising an environmental sensing device and method for adjusting an environmental sensing device
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP3683098B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3683098B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a motor vehicle (10), preferably a commercial motor vehicle, more preferably a truck. The motor vehicle (10) comprises an environmental sensing device (16) for monitoring an environment of the motor vehicle (10). The motor vehicle (10) comprises an adjustment device (20) configured to adjust, preferably pivot, a field of view (18) of the environmental sensing device (16) depending on a strength of an airflow against the motor vehicle (10), preferably during travel of the motor vehicle (10). The motor vehicle (10) allows to compensate for changes in position and/or orientation of the environmental sensing device (16) effected by an air flow acting against the motor vehicle (10). As a result, aerodynamic influences on the field of view (18) can be compensated or reduced.