Vehicle Chassis Control Using Camera-Based Road Preview
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle chassis control systems react to road conditions with a time delay since they rely on information from preceding vehicles, which can lead to delayed adjustments in response to road bumps and unevenness.
Innovation Solution
A method using an image acquisition device, such as a camera, to record a preceding vehicle and determine its vertical movement relative to the road, allowing the vehicle to independently assess and transmit road conditions to its chassis control system, enabling early reaction to road bumps and unevenness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the chassis control system relies on information from preceding vehicles to determine road conditions, then the system can obtain road condition information without additional sensors, but the reaction time is delayed due to the time it takes for the preceding vehicle to encounter the road irregularity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the image acquisition device with the chassis control system, allowing the same vehicle to independently capture images of road irregularities and process this information through its own image evaluation device. This eliminates the time delay inherent in relying on preceding vehicles while maintaining system integration and avoiding the need for separate dedicated sensing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The image acquisition device captures images of road irregularities before the vehicle encounters them, allowing the chassis control system to process this information in advance and prepare appropriate damping adjustments. This preliminary detection and evaluation enables the system to react proactively rather than reactively to road conditions.
2Reliability
If the vehicle independently determines road conditions using an image acquisition device and image evaluation device, then the reaction time is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The image acquisition device serves multiple functions: it captures images for road condition analysis, can potentially be used for other vehicle assistance functions, and integrates with the existing chassis control system. This multi-functionality justifies the addition of the device by providing broader utility beyond单一 road condition detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's own chassis control system performs the image evaluation and road condition determination independently, using its own processing capabilities rather than relying on external systems. This self-service approach reduces the need for additional specialized hardware and leverages existing system resources.
3Productivity
If the chassis control system reacts only after detecting accelerations and suspension travel, then the system uses simple detection methods, but the adjustment timing is delayed reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of road irregularities using image capture before the vehicle physically encounters them. The image evaluation device identifies road conditions in advance, allowing the chassis control system to prepare damping adjustments beforehand rather than waiting for acceleration signals after the irregularity is encountered.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical detection methods (acceleration sensors, suspension travel sensors) with an optical detection system (image acquisition device). This substitution allows for earlier detection of road irregularities based on visual information rather than waiting for mechanical responses to occur.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, wherein the vehicle (1) has an image capture device (9), in particular a camera, by means of which a front vehicle (3) traveling in the direction of travel in front of the vehicle (1), in particular on the same lane, is captured pictorially and/or filmically with at least one image.According to the invention, the vehicle (1) has an image evaluation device (11) by means of which the vertical movement of at least a partial area of the front vehicle (3), in particular a body (13) of the front vehicle (1), relative to the roadway (2) and/or relative to the image acquisition device (9) is determined from the at least one image of the image acquisition device (9); the vehicle (1) has a roadway condition determination device (15) by means of which the condition of a roadway area (14) located in front of the vehicle (1) is determined and/or estimated from the determined vertical movement of the front vehicle (3); and the determined information on the condition of the roadway area (14) is transmitted to at least one vehicle system (29) connected to the roadway condition determination device (15) by means of a signaling system, in particular to at least one chassis control system of the vehicle.