Vehicle Sensor Configuration Using Virtual Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles are burdened by the weight, complexity, and cost of numerous physical sensors, which can be mitigated by optimizing sensor configurations using virtual sensors that emulate real sensor signals, thereby reducing the number of physical sensors required.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines an optimal sensor configuration by evaluating real sensor signals and replacing them with virtual sensors, utilizing machine learning and causation analysis to identify replaceable sensors, and employing neural networks to model virtual sensors that accurately emulate real sensor outputs, thereby reducing the number of physical sensors needed while maintaining accuracy and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of real sensors is increased to improve measurement coverage and accuracy, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual sensor copies that emulate the functionality of physical sensors through software algorithms. These virtual sensors process data from available real sensors to generate measurements that replicate what dedicated physical sensors would provide, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing the number of physical components needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a multi-functional sensor system where a smaller set of real sensors serves multiple purposes through virtual sensor processing. The virtual sensor framework enables existing sensors to provide multiple measurement types by applying different algorithms and data fusion techniques, reducing the overall sensor count while maintaining comprehensive measurement coverage
2Weight of moving object
If the number of real sensors is reduced to lower weight and cost, then device complexity and weight are reduced, but measurement precision and reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Virtual sensors create software-based copies of physical sensor functionality, enabling the system to maintain measurement precision for removed or reduced sensors through algorithmic reconstruction rather than physical duplication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical mechanical sensors with software-based virtual sensor systems. By substituting hardware components with computational algorithms that process available sensor data, the system reduces vehicle weight while maintaining measurement accuracy through intelligent data processing and fusion techniques
3Device complexity
If virtual sensors are used to replace real sensors, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but reliability may be affected due to computational requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual sensor system performs self-validation and self-correction through continuous monitoring of data quality and consistency. The system automatically detects when virtual sensor outputs become unreliable and can switch to alternative calculation methods or flag data quality issues, maintaining system reliability without additional hardware
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for determining a sensor configuration in a vehicle which includes a plurality of sensors, comprising the steps of: establishing a preliminary sensor configuration for the vehicle, which sensor configuration includes a first number of real sensors, each of which outputting a real sensor signal; determining whether at least one of the real sensors can be replaced by a virtual sensor; changing the preliminary sensor configuration into a final sensor configuration which includes a second number of real sensors and at least one virtual sensor, wherein the second number is smaller than the first number.