Vibration-Based Component Wear Detection for Autonomous Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fully autonomous vehicles lack the ability to detect and respond to component wear and failures without a human driver, which can lead to operational issues and potential breakdowns, especially in ride-sharing or taxi services where regular human interaction is minimal.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing vibration sensors and an electronic processor to detect anomalies by analyzing vibration patterns, determining the presence of component failures, and executing mitigation actions such as notifying operators or authorities, and taking the vehicle to a maintenance facility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a human driver is present to detect component abnormalities, then component wear and failures can be detected through NVH feedback, but the vehicle cannot operate as fully autonomous
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle system performs self-diagnosis by automatically detecting component anomalies through vibration sensors and processing sensor information to identify vibration patterns, enabling the system to monitor its own health without human intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the human driver's sensory detection (ear hearing NVH feedback) with electronic vibration sensors and signal processing systems that automatically detect and analyze vibration patterns to identify component abnormalities
2Reliability
If vibration sensors and processing systems are added to detect component anomalies, then autonomous vehicles can detect failures automatically, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration sensor system is designed to detect multiple types of component anomalies across different vehicle subsystems (transmission, suspension, brakes, engine, etc.) using a single integrated sensor and processing platform, making the system multi-functional rather than requiring separate detection systems for each component type
Solution Approach 2:
The system processes vibration sensor information by analyzing changes in vibration patterns, frequency, and amplitude to detect component anomalies, transforming raw vibration data into diagnostic information through parameter analysis
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 autonomous vehicles to automatically detect and mitigate component anomalies, ensuring safety and reducing the risk of breakdowns by allowing for timely maintenance, even in the absence of a human driver.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor positioned at a first position on the vehicle and configured to sense vibrations of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for detecting component anomalies for a vehicle using sensed vibrations. One example system includes a first sensor positioned at a first position on the vehicle and configured to sense vibrations of the vehicle and an electronic processor communicatively coupled to the first sensor. The electronic processor is configured to receive, from the first sensor, sensor information produced by a sensed vibration of the vehicle. The electronic processor is configured to determine, based on the sensor information, a vibration pattern. The electronic processor is configured to determine, based on the vibration pattern, whether a component anomaly exists. The electronic processor is configured to, in response to determining that a component anomaly exists, execute a mitigation action based on the component anomaly.