Vehicle Ground Type Detection Using Multi-Parameter Grip Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the type of ground a wheeled vehicle is traveling on are either expensive, prone to malfunctions, or unreliable, particularly when relying on driver input or friction coefficient estimation, leading to potential safety and comfort issues due to delayed or incorrect ground type detection.
Innovation Solution
A method using a digital signal processor-based calculation device that determines the type of ground by combining meteorological, ground, and adhesion parameters, providing a more reliable and automated assessment through a digital signal processor and associated memory, which can be integrated into the vehicle or used via mobile communication equipment, allowing near real-time determination and quick reaction to changing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If driver input is used to determine ground type, then the system is simple and inexpensive, but the reliability and response time are poor due to driver error and delay
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines ground type using vehicle sensors and processors without requiring driver intervention. The calculation device autonomously processes meteorological, ground, and adhesion parameters to identify ground type, eliminating driver error and response delay while maintaining reasonable system complexity through integrated vehicle electronics.
2Reliability
If multiple parameters are used to determine ground type, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The determination method is segmented into distinct parameter categories (meteorological parameters, ground parameters, adhesion parameters), each processed independently before being combined. This modular approach allows the system to handle multiple parameters systematically without overwhelming computational complexity, as each parameter type can be processed by dedicated sensor modules and algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The calculation device is designed to handle multiple parameter types using a unified processing framework. The same processor and algorithm structure process diverse inputs (temperature, humidity, friction coefficient, ground surface characteristics), allowing the system to determine ground type reliably without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each parameter type.
3Loss of time
If automated determination based on friction coefficient is used, then the response time improves, but the measurement precision is insufficient leading to unreliable results
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges friction coefficient measurement with additional independent parameters (meteorological data, ground surface characteristics, vehicle dynamics) to compensate for the limitations of friction-only measurement. By combining multiple indicators that all point to ground type identification, the system achieves both rapid response (inherited from friction sensing) and high precision (achieved through parameter convergence).
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining the type of ground on which a vehicle is driving. This method comprises a step (10-40) in which the type of ground is determined depending on a value of a sum of at least two numerical coefficients respectively associated with at least two parameters selected from: a weather parameter outside the vehicle, a ground parameter representing the type of ground on which the vehicle is currently driving, and a current grip parameter of at least one driving wheel of the vehicle.