Vehicle Flooded-Road Depth Detection Using Roadside Reference Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles lack effective means to determine the water level on flooded roads, which can affect vehicle performance and safety, and there are limited options for drivers to navigate through such conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with exterior cameras and sensors to detect water depth by analyzing images of objects like overpass bridges or other vehicles, calculating depth based on object height and distance, and performing remedial actions such as stopping, alerting the driver, or recommending alternative routes when the depth exceeds a predefined threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vehicle drives through flooded roads without detection systems, then the vehicle can maintain simple structure and lower cost, but the vehicle safety and performance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary object (bridge, vehicle, or other reference structure) to indirectly measure water depth. Instead of directly measuring water depth, the system captures images of known objects in the flooded area, calculates their apparent size and position, and derives water depth from this indirect measurement. This intermediary approach enables safety detection without requiring complex direct measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical depth measurement devices (such as physical probes or gauges) with an optical system using exterior cameras and image processing. The mechanical system would require direct contact with water and complex calibration, while the optical substitution uses standard camera equipment and computational algorithms to determine water depth, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
2Measurement precision
If the vehicle uses exterior cameras and image processing to detect water depth, then the measurement capability is enhanced, but the device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy (image) of known physical objects (bridge, vehicle) and uses this copy for measurement. By capturing the optical image and analyzing the apparent size and position of the known object, the system derives water depth information without physically interacting with the water. This copying approach transforms a complex physical measurement problem into a simpler image analysis problem using standard camera equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the exterior camera serve multiple functions: it captures images for normal driving assistance, captures images of objects for water depth measurement, and potentially captures images for other environmental assessments. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated water depth measurement devices, as the existing camera infrastructure is leveraged for multiple purposes including water depth detection.
3Reliability
If the vehicle performs remedial actions based on water depth detection, then the vehicle safety is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced due to autonomous control interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the water depth detection result triggers appropriate remedial actions. The system continuously monitors water depth and provides feedback to the driver through alerts, and automatically takes corrective actions (such as preventing gear selection or suggesting alternative routes) when water depth exceeds safe thresholds. This feedback loop ensures safety while maintaining driver awareness and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent takes preliminary action by preventing the vehicle from entering hazardous flooded areas before damage can occur. The system detects water depth in advance, alerts the driver, and if necessary, autonomously prevents gear selection or suggests alternative routes before the vehicle commits to entering the flooded area. This preliminary intervention avoids the need for complex post-damage remediation while maintaining safety.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle including a detection unit and a processor is disclosed. The detection unit may be configured to capture inputs associated with a road in proximity to the vehicle. The processor may be configured to detect a presence of a fluid on the road and a presence of an object in proximity to the fluid based on the inputs captured by the detection unit. The processor may further determine at least one of an object height or an object distance from the vehicle based on the inputs, and calculate a fluid depth on the road based on the object height and/or the object distance. The processor may further perform a predefined action responsive to determining that the fluid depth may be greater than a predefined depth threshold.