Side-Mirror Pitot Tube Layout for 3D Wind Sensing in AVs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated vehicles rely on unreliable remote weather data for wind speed measurements, which can be inaccurate due to geographical discrepancies and communication faults, and lack the capability to generate and utilize three-dimensional wind measurements for safe and efficient driving operations.
Innovation Solution
Installation of a multi-hole pitot tube on the side-view mirrors of automated vehicles to gather three-dimensional wind speed measurements, ensuring resistance to environmental damage, safety, and accessibility for maintenance, with a controller processing these measurements to adjust driving tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pitot tube is mounted at the front of the vehicle, then wind speed measurements can be obtained, but the sensor is vulnerable to environmental damage and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the pitot tube from the front of the vehicle to the side-view mirrors, transitioning from a front-facing measurement position to a lateral position. This dimensional change allows the sensor to capture wind speed data while being positioned away from high-risk areas, reducing vulnerability to environmental damage and safety hazards while maintaining measurement capability
2Loss of information
If remote weather monitoring data is used, then wind speed information is available, but the data is unreliable due to geographical discrepancies and communication faults
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle equips itself with an on-board pitot tube sensor that autonomously measures local wind speed conditions. This self-service approach eliminates dependence on remote weather stations, ensuring that the vehicle obtains accurate, real-time wind speed data directly from its operational environment without communication faults or geographical discrepancies
3Measurement precision
If the pitot tube is mounted on the vehicle body, then wind measurements can be taken, but the sensor creates unnecessary drag and is difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the pitot tube on side-view mirrors, utilizing the lateral dimension of the vehicle rather than the front surface. This repositioning reduces aerodynamic drag by placing the sensor in a location with less direct airflow impact, while simultaneously improving maintenance accessibility as the side mirrors are easily reachable areas of the vehicle
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
Enables accurate, localized three-dimensional wind speed measurements, enhancing the safety and efficiency of automated driving by allowing real-time adjustments based on current environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Some conventional vehicle monitoring systems use sensors or probes to generate one-dimensional measurements for headwinds
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein include an automated vehicle having a pitot tube mounted to a side-view mirror of the automated vehicle. The pitot gathers samples of wind speed information for calculating three-dimensional wind measurements using the information gathered by the pitot tube. The pitot tube is installed at an area that offers the pitot tube access to outside “clean air,” undisturbed by the vehicle's movement. A controller and/or driving software ingest the three-dimensional wind measurements and generate driving tasks of the automated vehicle based upon the three-dimensional wind measurements.