Vehicular Path Sensing System Stereo Vision Light Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicular path sensing systems face challenges in accurately monitoring road surface conditions and detecting disturbances such as potholes or objects, which can affect vehicle suspension and safety, especially when traveling at high speeds or on curved paths.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular path sensing system that uses a stereo vision system with a light projection system to generate fan beams of light onto the road surface, captured by cameras to create range maps, allowing for real-time elevation profile monitoring and communication of disturbances to a base station for reporting and suspension control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a stereo vision system with light projection is used to monitor road surface conditions, then measurement precision of elevation profile is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A light projection system acts as an intermediary to project structured light patterns onto the road surface, enabling the stereo vision system to capture elevation information more accurately. The projected light patterns serve as a mediator between the camera system and the road surface, creating visible references that enhance measurement precision without requiring direct contact with the road.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional image capture to three-dimensional elevation profiling by introducing light projection at different angles and analyzing the deformation of projected patterns. This dimensional transformation allows the system to extract height and surface topology information that cannot be obtained from standard 2D imaging alone.
2Reliability
If fan beams of light are projected onto the road surface to detect disturbances, then detection capability of road irregularities is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light projection system operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when disturbance detection is required or when the vehicle is in specific conditions (e.g., high speed, curved paths). This periodic operation maintains high detection capability while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system projects light only in specific fan beam patterns covering the critical detection zones rather than illuminating the entire road surface uniformly. This partial action approach concentrates energy where it is most needed for detecting disturbances, potholes, or objects while minimizing unnecessary energy expenditure in areas that do not require monitoring.
3Loss of time
If real-time elevation profile monitoring is implemented, then response time to road disturbances is improved, but processing requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing of elevation data by comparing current readings against stored reference profiles of normal road surfaces. By pre-establishing baseline expectations and using predictive algorithms, the system can quickly identify deviations without requiring complete real-time analysis of all data points, thus reducing processing complexity while maintaining fast response times.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the critical elevation deviations from the complete elevation profile data rather than processing and responding to all data points. By filtering and isolating only the significant disturbances (potholes, objects, sharp changes) from the continuous stream of elevation measurements, the system achieves rapid response to hazards while minimizing the computational burden of processing entire datasets.
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
Enables precise detection and reporting of road surface irregularities, improving vehicle suspension control and safety by providing real-time data for electronic suspension systems and alerting authorities or drivers of potential hazards.
Implementation Method 1
at least one fan beam of light projected therealong by an associated light projection system
Implementation Method 2
imaged by first and second cameras of a stereo vision system
Implementation Method 3
stereo vision system with a light projection system to generate fan beams of light onto the road surface, captured by cameras to create range maps
Data Source
AI summary
At least one fan beam of light (16, 16.1, 16.2) projected along a path (14, 14.1, 14.2, 48) of a vehicle (12) generates a corresponding at least one light stripe (90, 90.1, 90.2) along the surface (14′, 48′) of the path (14, 48), which is imaged by an imaging system (22, 26) to generate a pair of stereo image components (88′, 88″) which is processed so as to provide for sensing a physical feature of or along the path (14′, 48′).