Vehicle Direction Detection Using Jerk Sign Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems face challenges in accurately determining the direction of travel, as wheel speed sensors are direction-independent, leading to incorrect information and increased costs when additional sensors or transmission status are used for direction detection.
Innovation Solution
A processor is programmed to determine the direction of travel by analyzing signs derived from acceleration and speed sensor outputs, using jerk values and applying a band-pass filter to remove frequency content indicative of road grade, enabling automatic steering and parking commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If wheel speed sensors are used to obtain speed indication, then speed data can be obtained, but directional information is lost because the sensors are direction independent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses jerk (rate of change of acceleration) as an intermediary parameter to infer directional information from speed and acceleration data. By calculating the sign of jerk and comparing it with transmission status, the system can determine vehicle direction without adding directional sensors, thus recovering lost directional information through mathematical derivation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the measurement approach by changing from direct speed measurement to analyzing the rate of change of acceleration (jerk). This parameter transformation allows extraction of directional information that was not directly measurable by the original sensors, enabling direction detection using existing sensor data in a different computational form.
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors or transmission status are used to detect direction, then directional information can be obtained, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing speed and acceleration sensors multi-functional by using them not only for speed measurement but also for direction detection through jerk analysis. This eliminates the need for separate directional sensors, reducing system complexity while maintaining directional detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing sensors (speed and acceleration sensors) to determine direction, rather than relying on external directional sensors or transmission status. The sensors serve themselves by providing data that can be processed to extract directional information, reducing overall system dependency on additional components.
3Measurement precision
If transmission status is used to determine direction, then direction information is available, but incorrect information may be provided in certain driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where jerk sign analysis continuously monitors and validates transmission status-based direction determination. When the sign of jerk derived from acceleration data conflicts with transmission status indication, the system can detect and correct erroneous direction information, improving reliability through real-time validation and correction.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle may include a processor programmed to control operation of the vehicle. The processor may control operation of the vehicle according to an indication of a direction of travel. The indication of direction of travel may be based on signs of data representing jerk of the vehicle. The signs of data representing jerk may be derived from acceleration and speed sensor outputs. The indication may be such that the indication is reverse in response to the signs being opposite when the vehicle is in a forward drive gear.