Vehicle Wheel Units for Autonomous State Communication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in effectively communicating their current and future states to other vehicles and pedestrians, particularly in environments where traditional indicators like headlights and tail lights are obstructed, leading to reduced safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of wheel units equipped with computing systems that receive vehicle data and generate visual and auditory indications, such as light patterns and symbols, to clearly convey the vehicle's state, including direction, acceleration, and deceleration, directly on the wheel wells, enhancing visibility and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional indicators like headlights and tail lights are used to communicate vehicle state, then the communication function is simple and reliable, but the indicators are obstructed in certain environments leading to reduced visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vehicle indicator system by placing multiple independent light sources at different locations on the vehicle body, including wheel wells, bumpers, and side panels. Each light source can independently display vehicle state information, ensuring that if one location is obstructed, other locations remain visible to communicate vehicle state effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the indicator system from traditional front-rear dimensions to include lateral and lower dimensions by placing lights on wheel wells and side panels. This multi-dimensional distribution ensures that indicators are visible from various angles and not blocked by single-point obstructions.
2Reliability
If wheel units are equipped with computing systems and multiple indicators to communicate vehicle state clearly, then the communication effectiveness and safety are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal wheel units that can perform multiple functions: displaying vehicle state indicators, providing aesthetic customization, and potentially serving as structural components. Each wheel unit contains a computing system that can process various vehicle data inputs and generate appropriate visual outputs, making the system adaptable to different communication needs without requiring separate specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the computing system, light sources, and control circuitry into integrated wheel units that combine multiple functions in single components. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies installation while maintaining the ability to provide comprehensive vehicle state communication.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources and indicators are distributed throughout the vehicle including wheel wells, then the visibility and communication of vehicle state is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the indicator system into modular segments that can be independently manufactured and then assembled onto the vehicle. Each wheel unit and indicator module is produced as a separate component, allowing for specialized manufacturing processes for each part while simplifying the overall assembly process and enabling parallel production of multiple components.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, tangible non-transitory computer-readable media, and devices associated with the operation of a vehicle are provided. For example, a wheel unit system can receive vehicle data including information associated with states of a vehicle. Further, the vehicle can include wheel wells associated with wheel units that are configured to generate indications associated with the states of the vehicle. The wheel unit system can also determine indications to generate on the wheel units based at least in part on the vehicle data. Furthermore, the wheel unit system can generate the indications on the wheel units. The indications can, for example, include visual indications or auditory indications.