Vehicle Sensor Misalignment Detection With Active Rear Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles face challenges in detecting and mitigating front or rear misalignment, which can lead to steering failures and reduced vehicle performance due to misaligned wheels, particularly affecting autonomous and semi-autonomous systems.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing vehicle sensors, such as cameras and LiDAR, to determine the difference between vehicle heading angle and motion angle, classifying misalignment as front or rear, and implementing active rear steering to adjust wheel alignment and mitigate misalignment effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vehicle sensors (cameras, LiDAR) are used to detect misalignment, then measurement precision of misalignment detection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The misalignment detection system is segmented into multiple independent sensors (cameras and LiDAR), each performing specific detection functions. The camera captures images for lane detection while LiDAR provides depth information, allowing the system to achieve high measurement precision through modular sensor components rather than a single complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle sensor system is designed with multi-functionality where cameras and LiDAR devices serve multiple purposes beyond misalignment detection. These sensors also support navigation, obstacle detection, and environmental mapping, thereby achieving precise misalignment detection without proportionally increasing overall device complexity through existing multi-purpose hardware.
2Stability of the object's composition
If active rear steering system is implemented to correct misalignment, then vehicle stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The active rear steering system implements dynamic adjustment of rear wheel angles based on real-time misalignment detection. The system continuously modifies steering parameters during vehicle operation to correct misalignment, improving vehicle stability through adaptive control rather than static mechanical adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering correction system employs feedback control where misalignment detection data is fed back to the active rear steering mechanism. This closed-loop system automatically adjusts rear wheel angles based on detected misalignment, achieving stable vehicle positioning while managing complexity through automated control algorithms.
3Reliability
If misalignment detection state is continuously monitored, then reliability of vehicle operation is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The misalignment detection system operates periodically rather than continuously, activating sensors and processing algorithms at intervals during vehicle operation. This periodic monitoring maintains reliability by detecting misalignment when present while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous real-time analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's existing sensor systems perform misalignment detection as part of their normal operational function, utilizing their inherent capabilities without requiring separate dedicated detection hardware. This self-service approach maintains operational reliability through existing infrastructure while avoiding additional energy expenditure for specialized detection systems.
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
Enhances vehicle stability and performance by accurately detecting and correcting misalignment, improving handling and reducing undesirable behaviors like dog-tracking.
Implementation Method 1
LiDAR involves using light (e.g., a pulsed laser) to measure distance to objects by emitting laser pulses, detecting a reflection (e.g., off of an object) of the emitted laser pulse, and measuring the time between the emission and the detection.
Implementation Method 2
detecting a reflection (e.g., off of an object) of the emitted laser pulse
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein provide a method for detecting front or rear vehicle misalignment using a vehicle sensor of a vehicle. The method includes determining whether the vehicle is in a misalignment detection state. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the vehicle is in the misalignment detection state, determining whether the vehicle is experiencing a misalignment. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the vehicle is experiencing the misalignment, classifying the misalignment as one of a front misalignment or a rear misalignment by comparing a vehicle heading angle to a vehicle motion angle, the vehicle motion angle being determined using sensor data received from the vehicle sensor. The method further includes performing an alignment mitigation action to mitigate negative effects of the misalignment on the vehicle.