Autonomous Vehicle Controller Liquid Depth Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid on a driving surface can reduce the coefficient of friction between vehicle tires and the surface, making the surface impassable for vehicles and potentially causing damage, especially during flooding conditions or deep puddles.
Innovation Solution
An automotive vehicle equipped with an actuator, sensor, and controller that captures images to detect liquid depth and control steering, acceleration, or shifting, switching to a secondary mode when the liquid depth exceeds a threshold, using geolocation, topographical data, and image analysis to adjust vehicle path or speed to avoid the liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle continues autonomous control according to the primary mode (default path), then productivity is maintained, but the vehicle risks damage from driving through deep liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of liquid depth using sensors and image processing before the vehicle reaches the liquid-covered area. By estimating depth based on sensor data, geolocation, and topographical information in advance, the system can proactively switch from primary to secondary mode, preventing potential damage while maintaining efficient routing decisions.
2Reliability
If the vehicle switches to secondary mode (discontinue autonomous control or deviate from path), then vehicle safety is improved, but productivity decreases due to path deviation or manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by selectively switching to secondary mode only when liquid depth exceeds the threshold, rather than always deviating from the default path. This allows the vehicle to maintain autonomous control and follow the efficient default path when conditions are safe, while only invoking path deviation or manual intervention when necessary, thus minimizing time loss while ensuring safety.
3Measurement precision
If the system uses multiple estimation methods (geolocation, topographical data, object recognition), then measurement precision of liquid depth is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multi-functionality by using a single controller that performs multiple roles: it processes sensor images, estimates liquid depth using various methods (geolocation, topographical data, object recognition), and controls the actuator. This unified approach achieves high measurement precision through multiple estimation techniques while avoiding the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, thus managing complexity efficiently.
4Reliability
If the controller continuously monitors liquid depth and switches modes, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases due to continuous sensor operation and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by having the controller monitor liquid depth at regular intervals or at critical decision points rather than continuously. The sensor captures images and the controller estimates depth periodically, switching modes based on threshold comparisons at these discrete moments. This approach maintains reliable safety monitoring while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
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 system automatically detects impassable driving surfaces due to liquid and adjusts vehicle control to maintain safety and reliability, improving customer satisfaction by preventing damage and ensuring safe passage.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a color reflection in images captured by the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An automotive vehicle includes an actuator configured to control vehicle steering, acceleration, or shifting, a sensor configured to capture images of a region exterior to the vehicle, and a controller in communication with the actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to selectively control the actuator according to a primary mode and a secondary mode. The controller is additionally configured to detect liquid on a driving surface proximate the vehicle, to estimate a depth of the liquid based on images captured by the sensor, and to control the actuator in the secondary mode in response to the depth exceeding a predefined threshold.