Vehicle Wading Display Using Water Surface Plane Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver assistance systems for wading situations in off-road vehicles lack accuracy in determining the instantaneous water surface plane relative to the vehicle, particularly under adverse conditions, and do not account for the vehicle's structural particularities, leading to potential water ingress and damage.
Innovation Solution
A driver assistance system equipped with lateral ultrasonic sensors to measure water surface distances and an acceleration sensor/wheel rotation sensors to determine the vehicle's pitch angle, processing this data to create a precise instantaneous water surface plane representation, which is then displayed to the driver, along with visual and auditory warnings for potential water entry points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional single-point water depth measurement is used, then the system is simple, but the accuracy of water surface plane determination is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The water depth measurement is segmented into multiple measurement points (first water depth at front, second water depth at rear) along the vehicle's longitudinal axis. This segmentation allows the system to capture the spatial variation of the water surface, enabling accurate determination of the water surface plane through coordinate geometry calculations, rather than relying on a single-point measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from one-dimensional single-point water depth measurement to three-dimensional water surface plane determination. By measuring water depths at multiple longitudinal positions and calculating the plane equation (ax + by + cz + d = 0), the system creates a comprehensive spatial model of the water surface, accounting for vehicle pitch, roll, and heave movements.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to improve measurement accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distance sensors are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as water depth measurement devices and as references for calculating the water surface plane orientation. The same sensors that measure water depth also provide the spatial coordinates necessary for determining the plane equation, eliminating the need for separate pitch and roll sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own structural features (front and rear bumpers or body parts at known longitudinal positions) as the mounting locations for the distance sensors. This self-service approach leverages existing vehicle geometry to establish the measurement baseline, reducing the need for additional reference components or complex calibration procedures.
3Measurement precision
If the system accounts for vehicle pitch and roll angles, then the wading situation assessment accuracy improves, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors water depth at multiple points and uses this feedback to calculate and update the water surface plane equation in real-time. The calculated plane orientation (normal vector components a, b, c) provides feedback about vehicle attitude relative to the water surface, enabling dynamic adjustment of wading depth warnings as the vehicle moves through varying terrain and water conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates the water surface plane equation and stores the normal vector components (a, b, c) and the plane constant d for rapid retrieval and comparison. This preliminary computation of the plane parameters allows the system to quickly assess whether the vehicle's current position exceeds safe wading limits without performing complex real-time calculations during critical decision moments.
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
Provides a more accurate and intuitive illustration of the wading situation, enabling the driver to avoid water ingress and potential vehicle damage by highlighting critical areas in real-time, thus enhancing safety during wading processes.
Implementation Method 1
The first distance sensor and the second distance sensor are preferably each designed as an ultrasonic sensor
Implementation Method 2
The second measuring device may include an acceleration sensor and wheel rotation sensors, for example
Data Source
AI summary
A driver assistance system includes a first measuring device for determining the distances to a water surface, which includes at least two distance sensors. A first distance sensor measures a first distance to a water surface, in that the distance is determined perpendicularly downward from the first sensor to the water surface, and the second distance sensor measures a second distance to a water surface, in that the distance is also determined perpendicularly downward from the second sensor to the water surface. A second measuring device determines an instantaneous pitch angle of the vehicle. A processing unit is coupled to the first and second measuring devices. The processing unit determines an instantaneous water surface plane as a function of the first distance, the second distance, and the instantaneous pitch angle of the vehicle. A display unit indicates the instantaneous water surface plane in relation to the vehicle.