Wheel Speed Sensor Curb Crossing Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

During parking maneuvers, existing systems often inaccurately determine vehicle position due to curb crossings, leading to incorrect parking and additional sensor costs for detecting curb interactions.

Innovation Solution

A method using wheel sensors to detect curb crossings by evaluating wheel speed and acceleration, identifying curb crossings through positive acceleration on one wheel and negative acceleration on others within a predetermined time interval, and correcting odometry errors without additional sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If additional sensor systems (pressure sensors, spring deflection sensors) are used to detect curb crossings, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurb crossing detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The existing wheel speed sensors serve dual purposes: their primary function is to monitor wheel speed for odometry, and their secondary function is to detect curb crossings by monitoring acceleration patterns. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional dedicated sensors while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel speed sensors are made multi-functional by programming them to perform both odometry calculations and curb crossing detection. The same hardware infrastructure supports multiple functions, reducing overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If wheel speed sensors are used for both odometry and curb crossing detection, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision for odometry may deteriorate due to incorrect position determination during curb crossings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor system complexityVSAvoidvehicle position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The curb crossing detection function is extracted from the odometry calculation process. When a curb crossing is detected through acceleration pattern recognition, the system separates this event from normal odometry updates, preventing contaminated position data from affecting the overall position determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors wheel acceleration and uses this feedback to detect curb crossings. When a curb crossing is identified, this information feeds back into the odometry system to correct or adjust position calculations, ensuring accurate vehicle positioning despite the anomaly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If curb crossings are not detected, then device complexity remains low, but parking precision deteriorates due to incorrect odometry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor system complexityVSAvoidparking position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of curb crossings by continuously monitoring wheel acceleration patterns before they significantly affect odometry calculations. This early detection allows the system to prepare corrective measures, ensuring accurate parking position determination even when curbs are crossed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2689990B1Method and device for recognising when a kerbstone has been driven over
Publication Date: 2016.03.30 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2689990B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The method involves determining wheel speed and travel direction by wheel sensors of the wheels of the motor vehicle. The speed of each wheel is continuously evaluated. The curbstone crossing is identified when one wheel has a positive acceleration for a predetermined time interval (delta t) and the other wheel has a negative acceleration for the same time interval. The curbstone crossing is recognized when the speed difference (delta V) between a maximum speed (VP) and initial speed (VA) of the rising edge of the acceleration signal of the wheel is above a predetermined threshold. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a device for recognizing curbstone crossing of a motor vehicle; (2) a method for odometric calculation of the vehicle position; and (3) a parking steering assistant with a device for recognizing curbstone crossing of a motor vehicle and a unit for calculating parking trajectory.