Smartphone Camera Suspension Degradation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle suspension systems degrade over time, leading to decreased vehicle control and ride comfort, with operators often unaware of the degradation until it affects safety, necessitating a simple and cost-effective monitoring system.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device, such as a smartphone, is positioned in the vehicle to capture data using a camera and accelerometer, calculating suspension operating characteristics and alerting the operator if they exceed predetermined thresholds, with additional features like GPS and image stabilization to enhance data collection and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a suspension monitoring system is implemented using traditional sensors and electronic components, then measurement precision and reliability improve, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to capture optical images of the suspension system components, creating a visual copy that can be analyzed digitally. This replaces traditional physical sensors with an optical copying mechanism, maintaining measurement capability while reducing mechanical complexity. The camera captures images that are then processed to detect suspension degradation through image analysis algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical sensing systems with an optical-based system using a camera and image processing. Instead of using mechanical sensors to detect suspension component wear, the system uses optical imaging and digital image analysis to identify degradation patterns, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while improving measurement precision.
2Reliability
If comprehensive suspension system monitoring is implemented, then reliability and safety improve, but ease of operation and cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically capturing images of the suspension system and analyzing them for degradation patterns. The electronic device autonomously monitors the suspension components, processes the image data, and generates alerts without requiring manual inspection or intervention from the operator, thereby maintaining high reliability while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous monitoring with feedback loops that automatically analyze suspension component conditions and provide real-time alerts to operators when degradation is detected. This automated feedback mechanism ensures high reliability through continuous surveillance while maintaining ease of operation by eliminating the need for manual checks and reducing operator burden.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual inspection of suspension systems is performed, then cost is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a camera to create digital copies (images) of the suspension components, which can then be analyzed with high precision using image processing algorithms. This optical copying approach enables automated, accurate detection of degradation patterns without requiring expensive specialized sensors or manual inspection by trained personnel, thereby achieving both low cost and high measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device and a method for determining whether a vehicle suspension system has degraded by positioning the electronic device in a vehicle includes activating a camera to initiate data capture within the electronic device. The camera is positioned to capture a change in a field of view during vehicle operation. The method includes calculating a vehicle suspension operating characteristic based on information captured by the camera and determining whether the calculated vehicle suspension operating characteristic exceeds a threshold. A signal indicative of suspension degradation is output when the threshold is exceeded.