Vehicle Dimension Estimation via Wireless External Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining vehicle dimensions, such as length, width, height, and weight, are inadequate as they often require dedicated cameras or sensors, are limited to estimating only vehicle length, and do not account for modifications, trailers, or changes in load, which are crucial for advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving.
Innovation Solution
A control arrangement and method that utilizes vehicle external sensors mounted on infrastructure or other vehicles to wirelessly receive sensor data, enabling estimation of vehicle dimensions, trailer presence, and load distribution through image recognition and computer vision, providing redundant information for navigation and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated cameras or sensors are mounted on the vehicle to estimate vehicle dimensions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses external sensors mounted on infrastructure (roads, buildings, other vehicles) as intermediaries to measure vehicle dimensions. Instead of mounting sensors on the vehicle itself, the system leverages the vehicle's interaction with externally mounted sensors to obtain dimensional data, thereby avoiding the need for complex onboard sensor arrays while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's own movement and interaction with the environment serves as the measurement mechanism. As the vehicle moves, externally mounted sensors automatically capture data about its dimensions, making the vehicle's normal operation the means of measurement without requiring additional dedicated measurement equipment
2Reliability
If the vehicle system always assumes full load for safety calculations, then reliability is improved, but productivity decreases due to suboptimal driving speed
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives real-time sensor data about the vehicle's actual dimensions and load from external sensors. This feedback allows the control arrangement to adjust safety calculations and driving parameters dynamically based on actual conditions rather than assuming worst-case scenarios, thereby maintaining reliability while optimizing productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static safety assumptions (always assuming full load) to dynamic assessment by continuously monitoring actual vehicle dimensions and load conditions through external sensors. This allows driving parameters to be optimized in real-time based on actual vehicle state, improving both safety and efficiency
3Productivity
If multiple trailers are connected to the vehicle for increased capacity, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision of total vehicle combination dimensions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
External sensors mounted on infrastructure serve as intermediaries to measure the total length of the vehicle-trailer combination. These sensors positioned at known locations can detect when the vehicle passes and calculate total length based on the time duration or position data, providing accurate measurements of the entire vehicle combination without requiring sensors on each trailer
Data Source
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AI summary
Method (600) and control unit (510), in a vehicle (101), for estimating a dimension value of the vehicle (101), or a vehicle combination (100) comprising the vehicle (101). The method (600) comprises receiving (601) sensor data from at least one vehicle external sensor (210) via a wireless signal; and estimating (602) the dimension value of the vehicle (101), or the vehicle combination (100), based on the received (601) sensor data.