360 Walk-Around Verification for Vehicle Engagement Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for vehicle safety inspections, such as the 360 walk-around, often lack automation and can be incomplete or improperly performed, leading to potential injuries and property damage due to manual verification processes that may not ensure thoroughness before vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A 360 safety system utilizing at least three sensors removably attached to a vehicle, each with a specific zone of detection, and an operating system that processes signals from these sensors to verify a complete 360 walk-around before allowing vehicle ignition or shifting, ensuring automated verification and minimizing manual override.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual verification methods (pen and paper or mobile device) are used for 360 walk-around inspection, then the system is simple and easy to implement, but the inspection may be improper, incomplete, or not done at all due to lack of automation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical inspection process with an automated sensor-based system. Sensors detect the operator's presence and movement around the vehicle, automatically verifying the 360 walk-around without requiring manual paper checks or mobile device documentation. This substitutes the mechanical/manual verification system with an automated detection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system performs self-verification through automated sensors that independently detect and record the operator's movement around the vehicle. The system serves itself by automatically confirming the walk-around completion without requiring human judgment or manual documentation, thereby eliminating the possibility of improper or incomplete manual verification.
2Reliability
If manual inspection verification is allowed, then the system is easy to operate, but there is ample opportunity for the driver to verify inspection without actually performing the 360 walk-around
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automated feedback by using sensors to detect and track the operator's movement around the vehicle. The sensors continuously monitor the operator's position and provide real-time verification that the 360 walk-around is actually being performed. This feedback mechanism ensures reliability by confirming completion through objective detection rather than relying on the operator's self-reporting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the subjective manual verification process with objective sensor-based detection. Instead of relying on the operator's word or paper documentation, the system uses sensors to objectively detect and verify the actual physical movement around the vehicle, thereby ensuring reliable inspection completion.
3Measurement precision
If automated sensor verification is implemented, then the inspection thoroughness is ensured, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the inspection verification task into multiple sensor zones positioned around the vehicle. Each sensor monitors a specific sector of the 360 environment, and the system integrates data from all zones to confirm complete circumnavigation. This segmentation allows precise verification of thorough inspection while managing system complexity through modular sensor placement and independent zone monitoring.
4Reliability
If the system prohibits ignition and shifting until verification is complete, then safety is improved, but the ease of vehicle engagement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system requires the 360 walk-around verification to be completed before allowing ignition or shifting. By performing the safety check in advance and making it a prerequisite for vehicle operation, the system ensures that thorough inspection occurs before the operator engages the vehicle. This preliminary action prioritizes safety while maintaining operational flow by integrating the verification into the pre-start routine.
Data Source
AI summary
A 360 safety system for automated verification of a 360 walk-around prior to vehicle engagement is described. The 360 safety system includes at least three sensors that receive a signal from a transmission fob, where one signal may be received by one of the at least three sensors at a time. The signals received by the at least three sensors are configured to be signal inputs to an operating system, where the operating system is in electrical communication with the at least three sensors. Each signal input received by one of the at least three sensors is processed by the operating system to generate a verification output displayed on a HMI of the operating system. When the CPU determines a valid signal input of each of the at least three sensors has been stored, the operating system processes the signal inputs and generates outputs that permit engagement of the vehicle.