Vehicle Bump Mapping Using Impulse-Based Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for vehicles to detect and mitigate impacts from obstacles like speed bumps are inefficient, as they rely on expensive sensors and fail to account for dynamic changes in obstacles and vehicle conditions, leading to inconsistent passenger comfort.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that includes a communication circuit, internal sensors, and a controller to detect impacts, calculate impulses, estimate bump shapes, match and update bump information in a database, allowing for real-time adaptation and improved obstacle detection without high-cost sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive sensors like lidar devices are used to measure front obstacles, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual model (copy) of the obstacle based on impulse data from inexpensive internal sensors, matching it against a database of known obstacle shapes. This copying approach replaces the need for expensive direct measurement sensors like lidar, achieving obstacle identification through data representation rather than direct physical measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/optical sensing systems (lidar, cameras) with an impulse-based detection system using internal sensors. The mechanical system for direct obstacle measurement is substituted with a computational approach that infers obstacle characteristics from vehicle response impulses, eliminating expensive sensing hardware.
2Device complexity
If obstacle detection relies on fixed database information, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to changing obstacle conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where impulse data from internal sensors is continuously collected and used to update the obstacle database. The system compares detected impulses with database entries, identifies mismatches, and updates the database with new obstacle shape information, enabling the system to adapt to changing obstacle conditions while maintaining relatively simple architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static obstacle database into a dynamic system that evolves over time. The database is continuously updated with new obstacle shape information derived from impulse matching, allowing the system to adapt to changing obstacle conditions (such as worn speed bumps or newly installed obstacles) without requiring complex real-time sensing systems.
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle passes over obstacles at varying speeds and loading conditions, then driving flexibility is improved, but impact detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accounts for varying driving conditions by treating impulse characteristics as parameters that change with speed and loading. The system uses impulse matching to identify obstacles despite variations in impulse magnitude caused by different driving conditions, effectively separating obstacle identification from condition-dependent impulse parameters.
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
Enhances passenger comfort by accurately detecting and adapting to dynamic obstacle conditions, reducing the need for expensive sensors and improving obstacle data reliability, enabling more precise impact prediction and mitigation.
Implementation Method 1
a controller configured to detect an impact to a vehicle through the internal sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system includes a communication circuit, an internal sensor, and a controller connected to the communication circuit and the internal sensor. The controller is configured to detect an impact to a vehicle through the internal sensor, calculate an impulse for the detected impact, estimate a bump shape based on the calculated impulse, match first bump information that represents the estimated bump shape and second bump information acquired from a database by using the communication circuit, and update bump information of the database based on a matching result.