UWB Sensor Inclination Detection for Vehicle Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle inclination sensing systems consume significant energy, occupy vehicle space, and require rigorous calibration, while being susceptible to inaccurate detection of unusual vehicle activity, leading to false alarms.
Innovation Solution
An ultra-wideband (UWB)-based inclination detection system utilizing UWB transceivers/sensors in radar mode to measure distance from the vehicle to the ground, comparing measured distances with threshold values to determine vehicle inclination, thereby eliminating the need for additional sensing modules and reducing energy consumption and calibration steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sensing modules (ultrasonic sensors, MEMS sensors) are used to detect vehicle inclination and unusual activity, then detection capability is provided, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling UWB sensors to perform multiple tasks: distance measurement for inclination detection, activity detection, and theft prevention. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensing modules, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining comprehensive detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical sensing systems (ultrasonic sensors, MEMS accelerometers) with electromagnetic-based UWB radar technology. This substitution provides equivalent or superior detection performance with lower power consumption, as UWB technology can detect subtle movements and inclinations through electromagnetic wave reflections without requiring the mechanical components of traditional sensors.
2Reliability
If conventional sensing modules are installed to monitor vehicle activity, then detection functionality is achieved, but vehicle space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes existing UWB sensors that are already installed in modern vehicles for proximity and communication purposes. By making these existing components multi-functional for inclination and activity detection, no additional physical space is required, eliminating the need to allocate vehicle space to separate sensing modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of existing UWB communication sensors with new inclination detection capabilities. Instead of adding separate sensing hardware that would occupy vehicle space, the system combines multiple functions into the already-present UWB transceivers, thereby achieving detection functionality without increasing vehicle volume requirements.
3Reliability
If conventional sensing modules are deployed for vehicle monitoring, then detection coverage is provided, but calibration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-calibration through the processor comparing distance measurements from multiple UWB sensors to automatically determine vehicle inclination. The system uses the existing UWB infrastructure and automatically processes the data without requiring manual calibration procedures, thereby reducing calibration complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the processor continuously receives distance measurements from UWB sensors, compares them against threshold values, and automatically adjusts inclination detection decisions. This closed-loop approach eliminates the need for complex pre-calibration by using real-time feedback to maintain accurate detection across varying conditions.
4Reliability
If conventional sensing modules are used to detect unusual vehicle activity, then activity detection is enabled, but false alarm rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process into multiple independent UWB sensor measurements rather than relying on a single sensor or module. By combining distance measurements from multiple UWB transceivers and analyzing patterns across these segmented data sources, the system achieves more precise activity detection with reduced false alarms compared to conventional single-point sensing approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical sensing systems with UWB electromagnetic sensing, which provides superior measurement precision for detecting subtle vehicle activities. The electromagnetic nature of UWB allows for more accurate distance and movement measurements, reducing false positive detections while maintaining comprehensive activity monitoring coverage.
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
The UWB-based system accurately detects vehicle inclination and other unauthorized activities with reduced energy consumption and calibration requirements, minimizing false alarms and key offload, while integrating with existing vehicle sensors for enhanced monitoring capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
UWB sensors may be used in a radar mode to transmit signals and measure a distance between a respective UWB sensor and the ground
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle including a first ultra-wideband (UWB) sensor and a second UWB sensor is disclosed. The first UWB sensor may be positioned at a vehicle front portion, and the second UWB sensor may be positioned at a vehicle rear portion. The vehicle may further include a memory and a processor configured to receive at least one of a first signal from the first UWB sensor and a second signal from the second UWB sensor. The processor may be configured to determine whether the vehicle is at an incline position based on at least one of the first signal and the second signal.