Vehicle Motion Sensor with Heated Spot Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle motion measurement systems, such as those using GPS data or wheel rotational velocity, face inaccuracies and dependencies on external signals, making it challenging to achieve precise and consistent measurements of slip angles and ground velocity components, especially in conditions where satellite data is unavailable.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device with a light source and heat detection unit mounted under the vehicle, which creates a spot of increased temperature on the ground and tracks its position over time, allowing for direct measurement of vehicle motion parameters like slip angle and ground velocity components, independent of external data sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS data or wheel rotational velocity data is used to determine vehicle motion parameters, then measurement can be performed using existing systems, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to signal dependency and indirect calculation
Solution Approach 1:
A marked region is introduced as an intermediary between the vehicle and the ground. The marked region serves as a reference marker that enables direct optical measurement of vehicle motion relative to the ground, eliminating dependency on satellite signals or wheel rotation assumptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/wheel-based measurement systems with an optical measurement system. Instead of using wheel rotational velocity sensors, the system uses a light source and detector to optically track the position of a marked region on the ground, providing a non-contact measurement method.
2Adaptability or versatility
If satellite data is used for ground velocity measurement, then external reference data is available, but measurement becomes unavailable in tunnels or areas with poor satellite reception
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle carries its own measurement reference system (light source and marked region) that operates independently of external satellite infrastructure. This self-contained system provides measurement capability in all environments, including tunnels and areas with poor satellite reception.
3Ease of manufacture
If wheel rotation without slipping is assumed for velocity measurement, then simple calculation is possible, but measurement accuracy deteriorates when wheel slip occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wheel-based mechanical measurement with an optical measurement system that directly measures vehicle motion relative to the ground. This eliminates the need to assume no wheel slip, as the measurement is based on ground-relative position changes rather than wheel rotation.
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
This method provides accurate and reliable measurements of vehicle motion parameters, enhancing the fine-tuning of stability control systems and improving safety and driving performance by reducing errors and increasing precision and consistency across various driving conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the light source is configured to radiate light on a region on a ground below the vehicle in temporal intervals and thereby to produce a spot of increased temperature relative to a surrounding region of the spot on the ground
Implementation Method 2
the heat detection unit is configured to detect a position of the spot on the ground at the temporal intervals
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor device for measuring a motion of a vehicle includes a light source for radiating light on a region on a ground below the vehicle in temporal intervals and to produce a spot of increased temperature; a heat detection unit, which is mountable at an underside of the vehicle for detecting a position of the spot on the ground at the temporal intervals; and a control unit for receiving data about a measured time of the spot and the position of the spot from the heat detection unit and to estimate a change of the position of the spot in vehicle coordinates.