Vehicle Orientation Detection Using Road Magnetic Marker Shift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensors like yaw rate and acceleration sensors struggle to accurately determine a vehicle's orientation with respect to the road surface, as they primarily measure relative orientation changes rather than absolute positioning.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular orientation detection system utilizing magnetic markers laid on the road surface, where lateral shift amounts are measured by multiple sensors positioned along the vehicle's longitudinal direction, and the difference between these measurements is used as an index to determine the vehicle's orientation, with additional considerations for steering angle and route data to enhance detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensors like yaw rate sensors or acceleration sensors are used to detect vehicle orientation, then the system can measure relative orientation changes, but it cannot accurately grasp the absolute orientation of the vehicle with respect to the road surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces magnetic markers as an intermediary element laid on the road surface. These markers serve as a reference medium between the vehicle and the road, enabling the vehicle-mounted magnetic sensors to detect absolute orientation by measuring magnetic field variations from the markers. This mediator resolves the contradiction by providing external reference information that conventional inertial sensors cannot obtain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/inertial measurement approach (yaw rate sensors and acceleration sensors) with a magnetic field-based detection system. By using magnetic markers and magnetic sensors, the system substitutes the mechanical sensing paradigm with a magnetic field sensing paradigm, enabling direct measurement of absolute orientation relative to the road surface rather than relative changes.
2Measurement precision
If multiple lateral shift amount measurement parts are used to measure lateral shift amounts with the same magnetic marker, then the orientation detection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the orientation detection function into multiple lateral shift amount measurement parts positioned at different locations along the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Each measurement part independently measures the lateral shift amount with respect to the same magnetic marker. By segmenting the measurement function across multiple parts, the system achieves more accurate orientation detection through differential measurement while maintaining a modular structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the longitudinal dimension to the measurement configuration by placing multiple measurement parts at different longitudinal positions. This dimensional expansion enables the system to detect orientation by comparing lateral shift measurements across the longitudinal axis, transforming a single-point measurement into a distributed multi-point measurement system that provides more comprehensive orientation information.
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 system enables precise detection of a vehicle's orientation relative to the road surface, improving accuracy by using magnetic markers and integrating steering angle and route data, thus enhancing vehicle control and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The system uses magnetic field flux detection to determine if a vehicle is departing from a projected vehicle trajectory or a determined vehicle position between lanes. A magnetic material is applied to the stripes painted on road surfaces or on other applicable lane boundary indicators. The system uses magnetic field flux sensors or Hall Effect sensors mounted in the vehicle to recognize changes in magnetic field flux from the magnetized road stripe.
Implementation Method 2
The system uses magnetic field flux sensors or Hall Effect sensors mounted in the vehicle to recognize changes in magnetic field flux from the magnetized road stripe.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicular orientation detection system (1) for detecting an orientation of a vehicle (5) traveling a road surface (100S) where magnetic markers (10) are laid includes sensor units (11) which each include a plurality of magnetic sensors arrayed in a vehicle width direction and measure a lateral shift amount with respect to the magnetic markers (10) and a control unit (12) which computes a difference between lateral shift amounts measured with any one of the magnetic markers (10) by front and rear sensor units (11) positioned at two locations separated in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle (5).