Vehicle Slope Estimation Using Image Reference Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining a vehicle's slope, particularly for autonomous parking, rely heavily on acceleration sensors, which can fail, and alternative solutions are needed to ensure reliable slope recognition without additional costly components.
Innovation Solution
A method using image sensor data to identify reference objects and estimate the slope of the roadway by analyzing the angle relationships between these objects and their surroundings, providing a signal for automated parking brake control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If acceleration sensors are used to determine slope, then slope recognition is achieved, but the system lacks redundancy and reliability when sensors fail
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor, originally designed for capturing visual surroundings, is made multi-functional by also using it for slope determination. The same sensor that captures images for autonomous parking and environment recognition is now also analyzing angle relationships to estimate roadway slope, eliminating the need for dedicated slope sensors and providing redundancy without additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical/physical acceleration sensor system is replaced with an optical/image processing-based slope determination system. Instead of using physical sensors to detect gravitational force changes, the system uses image data analysis and geometric angle relationships to estimate slope, substituting a mechanical measurement approach with an optical-computational one.
2Reliability
If additional sensors are added for redundancy, then reliability improves, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor performs multiple functions simultaneously: capturing surroundings for autonomous parking, identifying reference objects, analyzing angle relationships, and estimating slope. This multi-functionality provides system redundancy without requiring additional sensors or components, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and component quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The image sensor serves itself by using its own captured image data for multiple purposes. The same sensor data that is processed for autonomous parking functions is also utilized for slope determination, allowing the system to self-provide redundancy and backup capabilities without external additional components.
3Ease of manufacture
If image sensor data is used for slope estimation, then cost is reduced, but measurement precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
Reference objects serve as intermediaries between the image sensor and the slope measurement. By identifying known reference objects with predetermined angle relationships in the image data, the system can accurately infer slope information. These reference objects act as mediators that translate visual image data into precise angular and slope measurements, maintaining accuracy while using cost-effective image sensor technology.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a slope of a roadway on which a vehicle is located includes imputing image data, supplied by an image sensor, pertaining to surroundings of the vehicle, identifying a defined reference object in the surroundings of the vehicle using the image data, determining an angle relationship between the reference object and the surroundings, estimating a slope of the roadway with reference to the determined angle relationship, and generating a signal indicative of the slope of the roadway. A device for determining a slope of a roadway on which a vehicle is located is configured to execute such a method.