Vehicle Sensor Reconfiguration for Aftermarket Upfit Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aftermarket assemblers lack access to design information from original equipment manufacturers, leading to components that can block or inhibit sensor performance in modified vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic sensor model that adapts sensor behavior by mapping sensors to upfit zones, evaluating initial conditions, and using AI/ML algorithms to reconfigure sensors and compensate for affected functionalities, providing real-time alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If aftermarket accessories are added to vehicles, then vehicle functionality is enhanced, but sensor performance is blocked or inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by identifying upfit zones and mapping sensors to these zones before actual sensor impairment occurs. The dynamic sensor model proactively detects potential blockages and reconfigures sensors in advance, preventing performance degradation rather than reacting after damage occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic sensor model that continuously adapts sensor behavior based on detected upfit accessories. The system dynamically reconfigures sensor parameters such as field of view, sampling rates, and data fusion strategies in real-time to compensate for blockages caused by aftermarket modifications.
2Reliability
If sensors are reconfigured to compensate for upfit accessories, then sensor performance is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains sensor performance by changing operational parameters rather than physical configuration. It adjusts sensor field of view, sampling rates, and data fusion weights through parameter modifications, avoiding complex hardware reconfiguration while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic sensor model implements continuous feedback loops where sensor data quality is monitored, and reconfiguration decisions are made based on detected performance degradation. This feedback mechanism automates the complexity management, reducing the need for manual system reconfiguration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic sensor modeling is implemented, then sensor adaptability to modifications is improved, but computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by selectively reconfiguring only those sensors affected by upfit accessories rather than all sensors in the vehicle. The dynamic model identifies and processes only the necessary subset of sensor data, reducing overall computational burden while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic sensor model is implemented by a vehicle to adapt sensor behavior to vehicle modifications and transformations. Responsive to impairment of a feature of the vehicle due to initial conditions for a target sensor being outside a range of current readings and further to receiving signals indicative of a upfit to the vehicle, an upfit zone of the vehicle is identified. The upfit zone corresponds to the target sensor. One or more reconfigurations of sensors of the vehicle within the upfit zone are performed to address the impairment of the feature.