Autonomous Vehicle Sensor Weighting on Banked Tire Test Courses

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Solution Overview

Problem

In actual vehicle tests on tires, the detection accuracy of vehicle position and obstacles decreases or fails in banked sections with curved and inclined road surfaces, posing safety risks due to sensor limitations, especially in autonomous vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A control method and system that adjusts sensor weighting based on the driving scenario and road surface inclination to enhance detection accuracy of vehicle position and obstacles, using 3D-LiDAR and stereo cameras for three-dimensional detection in banked sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensors are used to detect vehicle position and obstacles in banked sections, then detection function is provided, but detection accuracy decreases or detection failure occurs due to curved and inclined road surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a third dimension (vertical height) by mounting the LiDAR device above the vehicle rather than at ground level. This elevated position allows the sensor to overlook the banked road surface from above, transforming a 2D detection problem into a 3D detection scenario. The LiDAR device detects reflected light from multiple points on the road surface and uses height information to calculate accurate vehicle position and orientation even on inclined curved surfaces, thereby resolving the detection accuracy issue in banked sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses reflected light from the road surface as an intermediary medium. Instead of directly measuring vehicle position or road geometry, the LiDAR device emits light that reflects off the road surface and returns to the sensor. By analyzing the reflected light patterns from multiple detection points, the system indirectly derives vehicle position, orientation, and road surface characteristics, enabling accurate detection despite the complex banked geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If autonomous driving control is implemented using sensor detection results, then driving automation is achieved, but safety risks increase when detection fails in banked sections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous driving controlVSAvoiddriving safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By elevating the LiDAR device above the vehicle to a third-dimensional position, the system gains a top-down view of the banked road surface. This spatial repositioning allows the sensor to detect road geometry and vehicle orientation accurately from an overhead perspective, providing reliable detection data for autonomous driving control even in challenging banked sections where traditional ground-level sensors would fail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously receives detection results from the LiDAR device and uses this feedback to control vehicle driving. The detected vehicle position, orientation, and road surface information are fed back to the autonomous driving controller, which adjusts driving commands in real-time. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures safe autonomous operation by constantly updating control decisions based on current detection data from the elevated LiDAR sensor.

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

Improves driving safety in banked sections by maintaining accurate detection of vehicle position and obstacles, ensuring safe operation of autonomous vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) device to scan an environment around the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4005827B1Control method, control device, control system, and tire testing method
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 BRIDGESTONE CORP
  • EP4005827B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4005827B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4005827B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A control method of a vehicle (1) according to the present disclosure is a control method for controlling the vehicle (1) that has tires (6) mounted thereon and drives autonomously on a course (200) that includes a banked section. The control method includes a setting step of setting a weighting for a plurality of sensors (12) configured to detect information about the vehicle (1) or the course (200), and a detection step of performing detection of a position of the vehicle (1) and/or an obstacle around the vehicle (1) using the weighting for the plurality of sensors (12) and a detection result of the sensors (12). In the setting step, the weighting is changed between the banked section (230) and sections other than the banked section (230).