Multi-Sensor Vehicle Thermal Sensing for Road Condition Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling transportation vehicle operations lack accurate and comprehensive methods for measuring environmental conditions around the vehicle, particularly in terms of temperature and object classification, which affects safety and efficiency, especially in varying weather and road conditions.
Innovation Solution
A multi-sensory measuring system integrated into the transportation vehicle, comprising a thermal detector, imaging device, ranging device, environmental sensors, and geolocation unit, which collects and modifies thermal emission data to determine accurate temperatures and classify features in the environment, enabling operational adjustments based on real-time data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single sensor type is used for environmental measurement, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of temperature and object classification deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (thermal detector, imaging device, ranging device, environmental sensors) into an integrated multi-sensory measuring system. This merging allows the system to collect diverse environmental data simultaneously, improving measurement precision for temperature and object classification while managing complexity through unified processing architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring system is designed with multi-functional capabilities where a single integrated system performs multiple measurement functions: thermal detection, imaging, ranging, and environmental monitoring. This universal approach allows one system to accomplish what would otherwise require separate dedicated systems, balancing measurement precision with device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If thermal emission data is collected without modification, then data processing time is reduced, but temperature measurement accuracy deteriorates due to environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary modifications on thermal emission data by integrating information from multiple sensors (imaging device, ranging device, environmental sensors) before final temperature calculation. This preliminary action accounts for environmental factors such as atmospheric conditions and geometric relationships in advance, improving temperature accuracy without requiring extensive post-processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses data from imaging devices, ranging devices, and environmental sensors as intermediary information to modify and correct raw thermal emission data. These intermediary measurements serve as correction factors that account for environmental influences, enabling accurate temperature determination while maintaining efficient processing through direct integration rather than iterative correction.
3Reliability
If environmental conditions are not monitored, then energy consumption is reduced, but vehicle operation safety deteriorates in varying weather and road conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The environmental sensing system is integrated with the existing vehicle operating systems, allowing the same hardware infrastructure to serve multiple functions: environmental monitoring, vehicle control, and safety systems. This multi-functionality enables comprehensive environmental awareness while optimizing energy consumption by reusing existing system resources rather than operating independent monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors environmental conditions and provides feedback to vehicle operating systems, enabling real-time adjustments to vehicle dynamics and traction control. This feedback mechanism ensures vehicle safety in varying conditions while optimizing energy consumption by activating control adjustments only when environmental changes require them, rather than continuous high-energy operation.
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 solution provides accurate radiometric temperature measurements and improved classification of road conditions, enhancing vehicle safety and reliability by allowing for precise adjustments in vehicle dynamics and traction control, especially during autonomous driving.
Implementation Method 1
thermal emission data from one or more features in the environment may be collected
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for observing conditions in an environment around a transportation vehicle and adjusting operation of the transportation vehicle in response to the observed conditions. The temperatures of features in the environment can be determined to compensate for varying conditions in the environment in operating the transportation vehicle.