Trailer Dimension Measurement Using View-Angle Sensor Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated vehicles face challenges in accurately measuring the dimensions of trailers due to varying sensor accuracy, leading to potential safety issues and inefficiencies in route planning and navigation, especially when dealing with width restrictions and low-height bridges.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using vehicle sensors, such as LIDAR, cameras, and RADAR, to repeatedly measure trailer dimensions from multiple angles, evaluating the accuracy based on perspective view angles, and selecting the most accurate data to determine representative dimensions, with the option to add safety margins dynamically adjusted based on measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If safety margins are increased to compensate for measurement inaccuracies, then safety is improved, but the vehicle's effective operating dimensions are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual measurement methods with automated sensor-based measurement systems (LIDAR, cameras, RADAR) to obtain precise trailer dimensions. This substitution enables accurate measurement data to be fed into the automated driving system, eliminating the need for conservative safety margins that would otherwise be required to compensate for measurement uncertainties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where measurement data from multiple sensors is continuously processed and used to update the vehicle's understanding of trailer dimensions. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain accurate dimension information dynamically, replacing the static safety margin approach with adaptive, data-driven dimension estimation.
2Reliability
If conservative safety margins are applied to all measurements, then safety is improved, but measurement precision is effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different levels of measurement precision and safety margins to different dimensions based on their individual accuracy characteristics. Rather than uniformly applying conservative margins to all measurements, the system evaluates each measurement's quality and applies appropriate safety factors locally, preserving measurement precision where possible while maintaining safety where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts safety margin parameters based on the actual quality of measurement data obtained from sensors. When high-precision measurements are achieved, smaller safety margins are applied; when measurement quality is lower, larger margins are used. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by making safety margins conditional rather than fixed.
3Measurement precision
If multiple measurements are taken from different angles, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional sensor system where the same set of sensors (LIDAR, cameras, RADAR) performs multiple functions: detecting trailer presence, measuring dimensions, and assessing measurement quality. This universal approach avoids the need for specialized measurement equipment, reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability to take multiple measurements from different angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple measurement functions into a single integrated sensor system. Instead of using separate devices for different measurement tasks, the system combines LIDAR, cameras, and RADAR into a unified measurement platform that can simultaneously or sequentially measure various dimensions, reducing overall system complexity while improving measurement precision through data fusion.
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 approach enhances the accuracy of trailer dimension measurements, reducing the risk of navigation errors and optimizing route planning by ensuring more precise data is used for safety margins and vehicle trajectory adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
The measurements may be taken by processing data generated by sensors of the vehicle. For example, vehicle may measure dimensions of a trailer
Implementation Method 2
using vehicle sensors, such as LIDAR, cameras, and RADAR, to repeatedly measure trailer dimensions
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A method of measuring trailer dimensions using a vehicle comprises generating measurement data by repeatedly measuring one or more dimensions of a trailer using a set of one or more sensors of the vehicle, evaluating the accuracy of the measurement data based on a view angle at which each measurement was captured by the vehicle, and determining a subset of the measurements based on their evaluated accuracy to represent the trailer dimensions. A vehicle, a computer programme and a computer program carrying device are also described.