Vehicle Sensor Position Determination via Odometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the installation position of sensors in a motor vehicle are costly, complex, and prone to errors, especially when using identical sensors, as they require electrical coding, software programming, or additional hardware, leading to increased costs and administrative burdens.

Innovation Solution

A driver assistance system that uses relative values from sensors, such as distance and angle, determined while the vehicle moves relative to objects, to estimate the installation position of sensors without the need for electrical or software coding, allowing sensors to identify their position based on trajectories and odometry data, thereby simplifying and cost-reducing the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If software programming or electrical coding is used to determine sensor installation positions, then sensor identification is possible, but costs and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor identification reliabilityVSAvoidcoding and programming complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor determines its own installation position autonomously by detecting objects in its measurement range and comparing detection results with expected positions. No external coding or programming is required - the sensor self-identifies based on its actual detection data and the known arrangement of detection positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces electrical coding systems and software programming with a detection-based system. Instead of using electrical signals or software to encode position information, the system uses the sensor's natural detection capability to determine position, substituting mechanical/detection methods for electrical/software methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If additional hardware or coding components are added to sensors, then installation position can be determined, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation position determination accuracyVSAvoidsensor manufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor uses its existing detection functionality to determine its own installation position without requiring additional hardware components. The sensor leverages its inherent capability to detect objects and generate detection results to self-identify its position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a correspondence between detection results and installation positions by comparing actual detection data with expected detection patterns. This allows the sensor to identify its position through data comparison rather than through additional physical coding components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of manufacture

If identical sensors are used for different installation positions, then cost is reduced, but error detection and prevention becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor production costVSAvoidinstallation position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each sensor develops local characteristics based on its specific installation position by detecting objects in its unique measurement range. The detection results vary according to the sensor's location, allowing identical sensors to be differentiated by their detection patterns rather than requiring different sensor models or coding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses changes in detection parameters (detection results, object positions, measurement data) to identify sensor installation positions. Instead of changing the sensor hardware, the system changes the parameters being measured and analyzed to distinguish between different installation positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If electrical coding or software programming is implemented, then sensor addressing is possible, but administrative and storage costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor addressing capabilityVSAvoidadministrative and storage resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical coding systems and software databases with a detection-based addressing system. Sensors are addressed through their detection results and position information derived from object detection, eliminating the need for stored coding data or administrative management of sensor identifiers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3081959B1Method for determining a respective installation position of at least two sensors of a motor vehicle, control device, driver assistance system and motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.12.02 VALEO SCHALTER & SENSOREN GMBH
  • EP3081959B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3081959B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3081959B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining the respective installation position (VL, VM, VR, ML, MR, HL, HM, HR) of at least two sensors (4) of a motor vehicle (1), in which data from the at least two sensors (4), which are arranged on and/or in the motor vehicle (1), are received by means of a control unit (3) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein, during movement of the motor vehicle (1) relative to at least one object (6, 7), relative values ​​are continuously determined with each of the at least two sensors (4), which describe a respective distance and/or a respective relative speed between the sensor (4) and the at least one object (6, 7), and the respective installation position (VL, VM, VR, ML, MR, HL, HM, HR) of the at least two sensors (4) is determined on the basis of the relative values ​​determined with the at least two sensors (4).The respective installation position (VL, VM, VR, ML, MR, HL, HM, HR) of the at least two sensors (4) can be determined by means of the control unit (3) and/or by means of the at least two sensors (4).