Autonomous Vehicle Weight Determination for Control Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous vehicle control systems lack a method to accurately measure and account for vehicle weight fluctuations, leading to inefficient acceleration, braking, and steering, particularly in semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles, which can result in loss of control and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that determine the total weight of a vehicle by using accelerometer data, filtered pitch and roll data, and predetermined calibration settings to calculate longitudinal acceleration and drive force, transmitting this information to the autonomous control system for enhanced control, and also shares weight data with other vehicles for improved road condition response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If feedback control systems are used with fixed PID controller gains, then the control system is simple to implement, but the vehicle control performance deteriorates when weight fluctuates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of PID controller gains based on real-time vehicle weight measurements. The system continuously monitors weight fluctuations and automatically recalibrates the controller parameters to maintain optimal control performance across varying load conditions, transforming the static control system into an adaptive one that responds to changing vehicle mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a weight sensing mechanism that provides real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback loop enables the controller to detect weight changes and adjust its parameters accordingly, ensuring that the vehicle maintains proper control characteristics whether carrying light or heavy loads, thus resolving the contradiction between simple implementation and reliable performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If the vehicle operates with predetermined calibration settings, then the system is easy to implement, but acceleration and braking performance deteriorate under varying loads
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle system performs self-calibration by automatically measuring its own weight and adjusting control parameters without requiring external intervention or complex manual setup. The weight sensing system and control algorithm work together to enable the vehicle to adapt to its current load condition autonomously, maintaining optimal acceleration and braking performance while keeping the implementation relatively simple.
3Measurement precision
If weight measurement systems are added to autonomous vehicles, then control accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates weight measurement functionality into existing vehicle components, such as using the suspension system or drivetrain elements as sensing elements. By making existing components serve dual purposes (both their original function and weight sensing), the system achieves accurate weight measurement without adding significant structural complexity or requiring entirely new hardware systems.
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
The system ensures more accurate and efficient vehicle control by actively monitoring weight changes and adjusting control parameters, enhancing safety and performance by accounting for varying loads and road conditions.
Implementation Method 1
altering accelerometer data based on filtered vehicle pitch and roll data
Data Source
AI summary
In various example embodiments, a system and method for determining a total weight of a vehicle, transmitting the total weight measured to the vehicle's autonomous control system, and controlling the vehicle according to the total weight of the vehicle. The system and method further transmits information between separate vehicles with similar autonomous control systems. A method includes: providing predetermined calibration settings relating drive force to motor speed for a vehicle travelling at various speeds, determining that one or more vehicle performance parameters fall within a threshold range, determining the vehicle's longitudinal acceleration and drive force, determining a total weight comprising a weight of the vehicle and a weight being hauled by the vehicle; transmitting the total weight to the autonomous control system, and controlling the vehicle according to total weight of the vehicle.