AU654353B2 - Method for automatically defining the correlation of directional sensors with the directions of motion of a vehicle - Google Patents
Method for automatically defining the correlation of directional sensors with the directions of motion of a vehicle Download PDFInfo
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- AU654353B2 AU654353B2 AU16992/92A AU1699292A AU654353B2 AU 654353 B2 AU654353 B2 AU 654353B2 AU 16992/92 A AU16992/92 A AU 16992/92A AU 1699292 A AU1699292 A AU 1699292A AU 654353 B2 AU654353 B2 AU 654353B2
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- vehicle
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01P—MEASURING LINEAR OR ANGULAR SPEED, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, OR SHOCK; INDICATING PRESENCE, ABSENCE, OR DIRECTION, OF MOVEMENT
- G01P1/00—Details of instruments
- G01P1/12—Recording devices
- G01P1/127—Recording devices for acceleration values
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01P—MEASURING LINEAR OR ANGULAR SPEED, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, OR SHOCK; INDICATING PRESENCE, ABSENCE, OR DIRECTION, OF MOVEMENT
- G01P13/00—Indicating or recording presence, absence, or direction, of movement
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- G07C5/00—Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
- G07C5/08—Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time
- G07C5/0841—Registering performance data
Abstract
The invention concerns a data-acquisition device (1) with a directional measurement unit (2) designed to determine the dynamic behaviour of the vehicle. It is proposed that the measurement-unit signals are combined with signals generated by vehicle components and unequivocally associated with a known direction of motion of the vehicle, thus giving automatic correlation of the directions of motion of the vehicle (6) with the measurement-unit sensors.
Description
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OPI DATE 30/12/92 AOJP DATE 11/02/93 APL.ID 16992/92'1111Itllt1111111tEtlfitli PCT NUMBER PCT/EP92/01016I AU9216992 INTERNATIONALE ZUSAMMENARBEIT AUF DEM GEBIET DES PATENTWESENS (PCT) (51) Internationale Patentklassifikation 5(11) Internationale Verdfrentlichungsnummer: WO 92/21034 G01P 1/12, C-07C 5/08 Al (43) Internationales Ver6ffentlichungsdatum: 26. November 1992 (26.11.92) (21) Internationales Aktenzeichen: PCT/EP92/01016 (74) Gemeinsamer Vertreter: MANNESMANN KIENZLE GMBH; Patentabteilung, Postfach 16 40, D-7730 Villin- (22) Internationales Anmeldedatum: 8. Mai 1992 (08.05.92) gen-Schwenningen (DE).
PrioritAtsdaten: (81) Bestimmungsstaaten: AT (europdisches Patent), AU, BE P 41 15 694.3 14. Mai 1991 (14.05.9 1) DE (europdisches Patent), BR, CA, CH (europ~isches Patent), CS, DE (europaisches Patent), DK (europtiisches Patent), ES (europ~isches Patent), FI, FR (europ~isches (71) Aninelder: MANNESMANN KIENZLE GMBH [DE/ Patent), GB (europ~isches Patent), GR (europ~isches DEJ; Heinrich- Hertz-Str. 45, D-7730 Villingen-Schwen- Patent), HU, IT (europ~isches Patent), JP, KR, LU (euningen rop~isches Patent), MC (europfiisches Patent), NL (europdisches Patent), NO, PL, SE (europ~isches Patent).
(72) Erfinder: GRULER, Martin Br~hiweg 3, D-7209 Aixheim HILGER, Gernot Richard- Koch-Str. 22, D-7218 Trossingen JESCHONNECK, Harald W~5sch- 'ict halde 15, D-7730 Vill ingen-Schwen ningen %fit internationalen Reclierchenbericht.
(54) Title: METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY DEFINING THE CORRELATION OF DIRECTIONAL SENSORS WITH THE DIRECTIONS OF MOTION OF A VEHICLE
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NER SENSOREN ZU BEWEGUNGSRICHTUNGEN BINES FAHRZEUGS (57) Abstract The invention concerns a data-acquisition device with a directional measurement unit designed to determine the dynamic behaviour of the vehicle. It is proposed that the measurement-unit signals are combined with signals generated by vehicle components and unequivocally associated with a known direction of motion of the vehicle, thus giving automatic correlation of the directions of motion of the vehicle with the measurement-unit sensors.
(57) Zusammenfassung Es wird vorgeschlagen, bei Datenerfassungsger~ten die Ober eine richtungsbezogene Melleinrichtung zur Erfassung der Fahrzeugdynamik verfagen, die Signale der Melleinrichtung mit Signalen zu verknijpfen, die von Aggrega- ten des Fahrzeugs generiert werden und ihrerseits in eindeutiger und vorbekann-
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ter Weise einer Bewegungsrichtung des Fahrzeugs zugeordnet sind, umn im Betrieb des Datenerfassungsgerttes eine selbsttatige Zuordnung der Bewegungsrichtungen des Fahrzeugs zu den Sensoren der Melleinrichtung zu erreichen.
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4, 4.: o a oo aio a a a ao oa a a o oo a oo a oos r~ rr rur ar a r r sri o o a -2- METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC DETERMINATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT OF DIRECTIONAL SENSORS TO THE MOVING DIRECTION OF A VEHICLE The present invention relates to a method for the automatic determination of the assignment of directional sensors to the moving direction of a vehicle, wherein a measuring unit comprising the directional sensors as well as an evaluation unit for the interpretation and linking of the sensors' data signals are components of a data acquisition device which can, for example, be utilised as an accident data memory system capable of reconstructing the motion path or track of a vehicle. The invention is further concerned with providing a suitable data acquisition device enabling the automatic determination of the assignment of its directional sensors to the main axis of a vehicle and therefore to the moving directions of the vehicle.
The components and the construction of data acquisition devices are known. ThuE, it is known from EP 20 0 118 818 B1 that a data acquisition device, configured as a "black box", records data related to the dynamics of the vehicle such as longitudinal and lateral acceleration and also data which pertains to the status of the vehicle, as for instance the operation of a directional 25 or blinker relay, the braking actuator and the like. It has also been proposed to integrate a magnetic field dependent measuring device for acquiring, by appropriate sensors, the non-linear motion of the vehicle into the data acquisition system in order to be able to reconstruct completely the motion track of the vehicle.
The knowledge of the orientational installation position of the data acquisition systeii in the vehicle, in which the sensors are rigidly arranged, is of important significance for the sensible, task conforming signal evaluation of these directional sensors. For this reason it is necessary to indicate a specified correct S orientational installation position by means of, for S:04523AS/24.8.94 4 example, markings on the housing of the device or other appropriate means. The proper functioning of the device therefore demands the observance of precise installation instructions, which places significant requirements upon assembly and installation in the vehicle. Especially in cases of retrofitting or subsequent installation of a data acquisition device in a vehicle, one encounters in actual practice significant problems. One such problem stems from the fact that the device housing has to have a specific size in order to correctly accommodate the subassemblies forming the device. Furthermore, there are usually space constraints within the vehicle which make accessibility and a suitable installation location for the device in the vehicle difficult, given the few permissible installation areas; the installation areas are also limited due to safety aspects. This entails for the user of such a data acquisition device a complicated .and expensive installation procedure, which may result in considerable acceptance problems of such vehicle data acquisition devices, especially since they are usually installed on a voluntary basis.
The present invention seeks to provide in one of its aspects a method for the automatic determination of the assignment of directional sensors to a direction of o° 25 movement of a vehicle, thus simplifying the installation of the data acquisition device in the vehicle and o rendering the proper functioning of a directional 0 measuring unit of the device independent from the ee0Q o0. installation position of the device in the vehicle. The present invention further seeks to provide, in another aspect, a data acquisition device capable of allowing a task-conforming evaluation of directional signals independent from the device's installation position in the vehicle.
Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for automatically correlating J ai the directions of movement of a vehicle with respective.
S4' directional sensors of a data acquisition device, the C4AS.
S: 0 452 3A9 /24 .8 8.94 ~is 4 device having: a measuring unit with at least two sensors of the same type adapted to register a physical parameter indicative of or correlatable with the directions of movement of the vehicle, each sensor being offset with respect to each other sensor so as to register a respective spatial component of the physical parameter, and an evaluation unit for the evaluation of output signals generated by the sensors, the method including the following steps: logging the output signals of the sensors; generating a link-up signal from a system of the vehicle, which is correlated with a known specific direction of movement of the vehicle; determining which one of the output signals of the sensors shows a more significant change of its measured value during a predetermined time interval in which the link-up signal occurs; and logically combining the output signals and the link-up signal in the evaluation unit and allocating the o sensor which shows the more significant change of measured signal value to the specific direction of movement associated with the link-up signal.
The use of the expression direction of movement is S 25 to be understood to include the opposite direction along the same spatial axis.
i In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for automatically correlating o odirectional sensors of a data acquisition device in a o. 30 vehicle with the main axes of the vehicle, the data acquisition device comprising: a measuring unit having at least two sensors of the same type adapted to register a physical parameter from which the direction of movement of the vehicle with respect to its main axes can be determined, each sensor being offset with respect to each other sensor in a known manner as to acquire a respective spatial component of the physical parameter, S:04523AS/24.8.94 o *s 00T and an evaluation unit adapted to carry out a logical comparison of signals, the method inclu ing the following steps: logging the output signals of the sensors during at least an initial time period of travelling cof the vehicle; generating a link-up signal from a system of the vehicle, which is correlated in an unambiguous manner with a specific one of the main axes of the vehicle, determining which one of the output signals of the at least two sensors shows a more significant change in its measured value during a predetermined time interval in which the link-up signal occurs; and logically combining the out-put signals and the link-up signal in the evaluation unit and allocating the sensor which shows the more significant change in its measured signal value to the specific one of the axes of the vehicle associated with the link-up signal and allocating each other sensor to the corresponding other one of the main axes based on the known of fset of the sensors with respect to one another; In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a data acquisition device with means f or automatically correlating directional sensors with the main axes of a vehicle, the device comprising: a measuring unit having at least two sensors of the same type adapted to register a physical parameter indicative of or correlatable with the directions of movement of the vehicle, the at least two sensors being arranged offset such as to acquire a respective different spatial component of the physical parameter and having means to out-put signals generated by the sensors from the measuring unit; means for receiving a link-up signal qenerated by a system of the vehicle, the link-up signal being correlated in an unambiguous manner with one of the main axes of the vehicle; and an evaluation unit for the evaluation of the S:04523AS/24 .8.94
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0o 0 0s 00 output signals generated by the sensors and the link-up signal, the evaluation unit being adapted to determine which one of the output signals of the sensors shows a more significant change of its measured value during a predetermined time interval in which the link-up signal occurs and being adapted for logically comparing the output signals and the link-up signal and to allocate the sensor which shows the more significant change of measured signal value to the specific one of the axes of the vehicle associated with the link-up signal and allocate each other sensor to the cor:cesponding other one of the axes based on the known offset of the sensors with respect to one another.
The above method can therefore be characterised in other words, in that the signals of similar directional sensors are compared with each other and that, by means of signal combination using boolean logic and signal evaluation, the one sensor which supplies an expected significant change in the measured physical parameter is 20 selected as data source for a specific direction of motion or movement of the vehicle when at least one system link-up signal appears, which link-up signal is generated by another system of the vehicle and in turn is unambiguously correlated to a known direction of motion 25 of the vehicle; the specific direction assigned is therefore unambiguously related to the known direction of movement of the vehicle.
The invention provides a distinct advantage in that the measuring device, which, as a rule, is designed 30 having at least two channels (eg. two sensors) per sensor type to measure and generate signals representative of a distinctive dynamic property during movement of a vehicle, can be built to be absolutely sensor-identical, namely directionally neutral with regard to its sensors (channels). The manufacturer therefore does not have to stipulate at the manufacturing stage which sensor channel is respectively provided for sensing the longitudinal and which sensor for sensing the transverse dynamics of the f
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id S: 04523AS/24.8.94 Lu, 7vehicle. The present invention therefore dispenses with the need for markings on the housings of the data acquisition device and instructions regarding the directional installation in the vehicle.
Furthermore, the present invention disposes of the necessity to note the directional installation position of the device with respect to the vehicle's main axes (longitudinal, transversal) prior to any removal, such as for obtaining a readout of the data in a data processing unit separate from the vehicle, in order to be able to correctly reconstruct the history of an accident, the knowledge cf the directional installation of the device having previously been absolutely necessary for the reconstruction of the vehicle motion path or track when removing the data acquisition apparatus.
For the user of the data acquisition device the present invention is of equally great advantage because it enables a free selection of the installation orientation of the data acquisition device in almost 20 random manner with respect to the principal axes of the S.. vehicle (longitudinal and transversal axes) without running the danger of a mistake. The device can thus be installed by anybody in a simple manner without requiring a special workshop. It should, however, be noted that S 25 because the sensors are typically arranged orthogonally relative to each other in the measuring unit, installation positions where the main axes of the sensors are exactly at 450 to the main axes of the vehicle are undesirable. Preferred arrangements are illustrated in the appended figures.
The data acquisition device according to the invention discerns automatically, by means of logical signal linking and the evaluation of significant measured j* signal shapes, which sensor of the sensor-measuring unit registers which directional component. The sensor which supplies the more significant of the registered signal scchanges within a specific time interval can thus be 'Il -associated with a specific spatial direction by comparing Ss:04-523AS/24.8.94 rt $1:i 8 it with the link-up signal which is unambiguously correlated to one of the vehicle's main axes. A manual interference with the hardware of the data acquisition device is not necessary. Also, no survey or calibration is required after the installation of the device in the vehicle, which is especially of advantage when used by the general public, eg. in case of devices which are designed specifically as accident data storage units for use in private cars.
Other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the ensuing description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which is given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematically illustrates a data acquisition device installed in a vehicle, wherein a directional or turn indicating signal is utilised as a S.o system link-up signal; 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of 20 the data acquisition device, wherein a brake signal is utilised as the system link-up signal; and Figure 3 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the data acquisition device, wherein an angle indicator signal is utilised as the system link-up oI 25 signal.
0oIn Figures 1 to 3 there is illustrated a data o'0 :0 acquisition device which along with its underlying 0°°oo principle is the subject of the present invention; the data acquisition device is denoted generally by reference o 30 numeral 1; the suffix a is used to denote one 0 installation position and location of the data acquisition device within a vehicle 6 and the suffix b, in conjunction with the interrupted line illustration shown in the vehicle 6, is used to denote a second, alternative installation position of the device 1 within the vehicle 6, wherein the alternative location and orientation of the device 1 is orthogonal to the first installation position.
s:0423As/2489I S:04523AS/24.8.94 i' i 9 The data acquisition device 1 comprises a measuring unit 2 which is utilised in acquiring sensor data which is representative of the dynamics and/or motion of the vehicle 6 which, for instance, may be determined by measuring the acceleration a of the vehicle and/or the magnetic field B which surrounds the vehicle at any given instance. Typically, the measuring unit 2 is arranged within the data acquisition device 1 as illustrated in the Figures. The data acquisition device 1 may be leadsealed by the manufacturer in order to prevent the unauthorised access to, or the tampering with, the device 1. Generally, the measuring unit 2 is not provided with means for any manual input of data by an operator.
The measuring unit 2 of the data acquisition device 1 contains sensors of different types for acquiring and measuring different physical parameters. In an application of the device, for example as an accident data memory system, the parameters for acceleration and oo travelling direction or motion of the vehicle are of o20 special interest. Viewed physically, the parameters a oooo o (acceleration) and B (magnetic field) mentioned above and by way of example, are vectors. In practical applications, in order to determine their values, it is sufficient to project these vectors respectively into the .o 25 two-dimensional horizontal plane of movement of the oO09 vehicle and to resolve there these vectors a and B into directional components which correspond to the vehicle's longitudinal axis 3 and to the vehicle's transverse axis 4 which lie orthogonally with respect to each other.
o 30 Since the acceleration sensors which are used routinely -7 for motor vehicle applications are only capable of acquiring accelerations along one main axis, it is necessary to arrange two such sensors at right angles, or orthogonally, to one another in a measuring unit in order to acquire the two-dimensional components of the acceleration a experienced by the vehicle. The -r acquisition of the vehicle acceleration a is necessary in "N order to determine the rotational movements of the i'Na r4~ S:04523AS/24.8.94 _A1 II -;tl lli L i_ -e i 10 vehicle.
Similar considerations apply to the acquisition of the travelling direction of the vehicle. Generally, as is known in the art, magnetometers can be used as sensors for the acquisition of this parameter, wherein the earth's magnetic field B, which is assumed to pass along straight lines through the vehicle, is sensed. The magnetic field B or flux lines do not run parallel to the longitudinal axis 3 of the vehicle so that this critical parameter must also be acquired in two-dimensional vector form.
Since all of the magnetometers used routinely for motor vehicle applications are also only effective in one main axis, two sensors must be arranged in the measuring unit 2 orthogonally with respect to one another.
Because both of the physical parameters to be measured are vectors, the sensors acquiring these o o parameters have to respectively be present, as indicated above, at least in pairs and preferably in the form of o" 20 converter types having identical construction or design.
sroo o. Generally, two sensors have tz be provided per sensor e: type in order to provide a dual channel arrangement, the to..
two sensors being arranged orthogonally relative to each other. The sensors acquiring the same physical parameter 25 may therefore be herein referred to as "identical or similar sensors". The two-dimensional arrangement can be o expanded, however, in a known manner by the addition of a .ooo third sensor for a third spatial axis of the vehicle, °o 0 namely arranged orthogonally to the longitudinal and transverse axis of the vehicle.
The above described sensor type arrangements in the measuring unit as well as their operating principles are known in the field and do not form a part of the inventive concept underlying the present invention.
Furthermore, the actual mathematical, trigonometic functions and physical equations to obtain the direct a of motion of the vehicle based on the acceleration a and i the signal changes generated by the earth's magnetic S:04523AS/24.8.94 2< 11 0 0* tic! ccc, ii a C C o cc a 4*
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field B during movempnt of the vehicle are also known and are not the invention; their evaluation for the reconstruction of the motion path or track of the vehicle is performed by an external computer not forming part of the device described. The reconstruction process does also not form part of the present application. The data sccquisition device, which may be an accident data memory, accumulates only the data measured in the vehicle 6: thus, the. present invention merely deals with the measuring and memory storage of such data and automatic determination of the assignment of the directional sensors to the moving directions of the vehicle.
The evaluation unit (not shown) which also is part of the data acquisition device 1 provides for the actual signal processing in order to allow allocation or assignment of the sensors to the motion path or track of the vehicle. The measuring unit 2 is designed using the abovementioned principles in that sensors of the same type are provided pair-wise and arranged orthogonally to one another in the unit 2. The data acquisition device leaves the factory in the shape of a neutral "black box".
Only upon the installation of the device 1 into a vehicle must it be determined, and this is the point where the invention sets in, which of the f or example two 25 acceleration senrors is to acquire the acceleration component ax in the vehicle's longitudinal direction and which is to acquire the transverse acceleration component a Y The same applies to the measuring arrangement for the determination of the direction of travel by means of magnetic field sensors.
The user of tLLhe data acquisition device 1, especially if it is used as an accident data storage system, can install the device 1 himself in almost random position and orientation relative to tie spatial axes of the 1 -hicle 6. Installation positions la/2a or alternatively lb/2b shown in the figures are only examnples. Since the data acquisition device 1 according to the present invention is to dispense with the need for S:04523AS/24 .8.94
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12 markings to indicate a specific orientational arrangement of the device 1 within the vehicle 6, it is necessary that the device 1 automatically recognises or determines in operation in which position and orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis 3 and the transverse axis 4 of the .rehicle 6 it has been nstalled. The method and apparatus of the present invention therefore provide a great deal of freedom for the user as far as the selection of the installation position of the apparatus is concerned. While the available space conditions differ from one type of vehicle to another, generally these spaces are very confined. The data acquisition device 1 according to the invention is intended to rapidly and reliably recognise which one of the two sensors provided per sensor type (acceleration sensor or magnetron) acquire for example the acceleration component in longitudinal and which one in the transversal direction; the same applies for the components of the magnetic flux B vector. Therefore, 20 according to the invention, a signal link-up is performed in the evaluation unit which leads to a correct fixation or association of the directional sensors to specific directions of motion of the vehicle 6.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the link- 25 up signal is provided by a directional or turn signal switch 5. Since traffic regulations prescribe all vhicles to operate a directional or turn signal switch when changing the travel direction of the vehicle, for example from the longitudinal direction 3 into direction 7 as illustrated in Figure 1, it is advantageous to use this signal of the vehicle's status as a vehicle or system link-up signal and link it up to the multi-channel sensor measuring unit 2 of the data acquisition device 1, which is designed to register or log the vehicle dynamics for the purpose of carrying out a directional correlation or assignment of the sensors. When the directional indicator or turn signal switch 5 is actuated and the 9'X vehicle 6 changes its travelling direction within a S:04523AS/24.8.94 '>4 1k a 1 4
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logging the output signals of the sensors during at least an initial time period of travelling of the vehicle; generating a link-up signal from a system of the vehicle, which is correlated in an. unambiguous mne -13 predetermined time interval defined by the directional or turn signal, then one of the two sensors provided per each sensor type supplies a more pronounced change in the measured value than its counterpart. The measured value changes are evaluated over a period of time, which period of time includes specific lead and/or lag times wi4thin or about the time interval determined by the signal of the turn signal switch 5, by comparing the signal changes of the sensors of each type with one another. The longitudinal dynamic values, for example, do not significantly change when compared to their values before and after the time interval f ixed by the signal of the directional indicator 5. On the other hand, the transversal dynamic values change significantly compared to their values before the fixed time interval. The correlation or assignment as to which sensor (of the same sensor type) of the measuring unit 2 registers the V0. transverse dynamics can now be determined by comparing the changes in the two sensor signals. The sensor which shows the more significant of the measured signal changes within the specific time interval can then be associated with a specific direction in space, in the example, the transversal direction. Since the link-up signal, here the turning switch Si gnal, is unambiguously associated 25 with the transversal axis.
:Since the location and orientation of the data *'acquisition device I -within the vehicle 6, eg. at O ~:.position la/2a or position lb/2b, is generally not changed after the initial installation, the correlation or assignment conditions can be considered as being constant af ter the initial location is determined by the evaluation unit. Nonetheless, if special, circumstances require, this locational relationship can be checked from time to time or even continuously in the above described manner.
As was indicated above, the actuation of directional indicators before changing the travelling dira.ction of a vehicle 6 is prescribed driving discipline. Since S:04523AS/24 .8 .94 B 4 14 motions along other than a straight line are part of usual operating conditions of a vehicle, the data acquisition device arrives at a defined state or condition, which is necessary to reconstruct the motion path or track of the vehicle 6, in a very short time.
Generally speaking, this is already achieved at the start of driving the vehicle 6 or at least a very short time thereafter.
In addition to or instead of the utilisation of a directional or turn signal as a means to provide the system link-up signal, other signals stemming from a vehicle unit correlated to a specific motion direction of the vehicle can provide a system link-up signal, thereby achieving functionally the same effect as a directional turn signal, in order to enable the automatic determination of the assignment or correlation of the 0t directional sensors of the measuring unit 2 to the moving directions of the vehicle 6.
Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the 20 device of the present invention. In this embodiment, the system link-up signal which is used to provide a basis for recognising or identifying the corresponding sensor measuring the longitudinal travelling direction of the vehicle 6, and thus the usual main direction of movement 25 of the vehicle 6, is generated by the brake actuator 8 of the vehicle 6. It can be determined by purely practical considerations, from which component of the brake o actuator 8 the system link-up signal can be tapped. As Osoon as the system link-up signal (designated in this example in general as a brake signal) appears and the evaluation unit identifies a deceleration exceeding a preset threshhold value of, for example, 0.2g, in one of the acceleration sensors orthogonally arranged relative to each other in the measuring unit 2, the evaluation unit of the data acquisition device automatically recognises by the occurrence of the, link-up signal and evaluation of the sensor signal (one of which shows a S more pronounced change in the gven time interval) which SS:04523AS/24.8.94 2I 24 2b m li *1o 15 c 50 C ft 4t C C sensor is to be correlated or assigned to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 6; this occurs because, during braking, the measured signals of the acceleration sensor correlatable with the longitudinal direction of travel of the vehicle changes in a significantly different manner, for example by a large signal deviation during a specific time interval, than the measured signal of the counterpart sensor arranged orthogonally thereto.
Similarly, in the embodiment of Figure 1, if the directional or turn signal switch 5 has been operated during movement of the vehicle 6, a travel direction change is expected and also a change of the measured value of the acceleration sensor which registers transverse acceleration. The signals of the acceleration sensor arranged transverse±y to the vehicle's longitudinal axis 3 will therefore experience a steep rise and subsequently steep fall. In this manner, the measured signal changes in a more significant manner than 20 that of its counterpart sensor arranged in the longitudinal axis 3 of the vehicle. Thus, the assignment is made in such a way that the sensor with the greater change of the measured value senses a transverse acceleration during operation of the directional or turn 25 signal being in this case the link-up signal of the system.
Figure 3 illustrates a further, third embodiment of the present invention whereby the system link-up signal is generated by a rotary angle transmitter. The transmitter, which is equipped with an angle indicator, issues a system link-up signal to the evaluation unit of the data acquisition device, which link-up signal signifies a constant angle of movement of the vehicle, which is then the main direction of travel of the vehicle within a preset time period. An automatic correlation or assignment of the installation position of the sensors can take place relative to the main axes of the vehicle by linking up the angle signal with the measured signals S:04523AS/24.8.94 7' I i _.i 1 m "M ±LtLj.jtJ.L LaCLI.L. signal evaluation of these directional sensors. For this reason it is necessary to indicate a specified correct orientational installation position by means of, for S:04523AS/24 .8.94
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4K" 16 of the acceleration sensors. In this application, a steering angle transmitter, an electronic compass or similar devices may be utilised as the rotary angular transmitter 9. Further, other vehicle motion signals can be tapped f rom the tachometer 10 of the vehicle 6, f or example.
The three embodiments mentioned herein do not represent an exhaustive listing, but explain only examples of the underlying inventive idea, namely to link up a signal provided by a vehicle device or system, the correlation of which to one of the travelling directions with respect to the main axes of the vehicle is known and unequivocal, with the signals of the sensors within the measuring unit 2 of a data acquisition device 1 through an evaluation unit, which can be a microprocessor, f or the purpose of achieving an automatic determination of the directional sensors of the measuring unit relative to the directions of motion of a vehicle. The various embodiments are meant to illustrate that the signals of 20 the identical sensors within the measuring unit 2 are compared with one another and the assignment of one of the sensors to a direction of movement of the vehicle is performed using the system link-up signal.
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Claims (16)
1. A method for automatically correlating the directions of movement of a vehicle with respective directional sensors of a data acquisition device, the device having: a measuring unit with at least two sensors of the same type adapted to register a physical parameter indicative of or correlatable with the directions of movement of the vehicle, each sensor being offset with respect to each other sensor so as to register a respective spatial component of the physical parameter, and an evaluation unit for tb- evaluation of output signals generated by the sensors, the method including the following steps: logging the output signals of the sensors; o generating a link-up signal from a system of the vehicle, which is correlated with a known specific direction of movement of the vehicle; S- determining which one of the output signals of the sensors shows a more significant change of its "d measured value during a predetermined time interval in which the link-up signal occurs; and rset" logically combining the output signals and the o °link-up signal in the evaluation unit and allocating the 25 sensor which shows the more significant change of measured signal value to the specific direction of movement associated with the link-up signal.
I A method for automatically correlating directional sensors of a data acquisition device in a vehicle with the main axes of the vehicle, the data acquisition device comprising: a measuring unit having at least two sensors of the same type adapted to register a physical parameter from which the direction of movement of the vehicle with respect to its main axes can be determined, each sensor S being offset with respect to each other sensor in a known O04523As/24.8 94 3 5 r e s p e c t t o i t s m a i n a x e s i i uc c .i being offset with respect to each other sensor in a known manner as to acquire a respective spatial component of S the physical parameter, S:04523AS/24.8.94 :6 V I Pr, ;l z 18 (ci *0 manner as to acquire a i jpective spatial component of the physical parameter, and an evaluation unit adapted to carry out a logical comparison of signals, the method including the following steps: logging the output signals of the sensors during at least an initial time period of travelling of the vehicle; generating a link-up signal from a system of the vehicle, which is correlated in an unambiguous manner with a specific one of the main axes of the vehicle, determining which one of the output signals of the at least two sensors shows a more significant change in its measured value during a predetermined time interval in which the link-up signal occurs; and logically combining the out-put signals and the link-up signal in the evaluation unit and allocating the sensor which shows the more significant change in its measured signal value to the specific one of the axes of the vehicle associated with the link-up signal and allocating each other sensor to the corresponding other one of the main axes based on the known offset of the sensors with respect to one another;
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensors of the same type are offset such as to register orthogonally oriented components of the physical parameter.
4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the link-up signal is provided by a turn signal generated during or upon actuation of a turn indicating device of the vehicle. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the link-up signal is provided by a brake signal generated during or upon actuation of the brakes of the vehicle.
S:04523AS/24.8.94 'd*l i correlated in an unambiguous manner with one of the main axes of the vehicle; and x an evaluation unit for the evaluation of the S:04523AS/24.8.94
6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the link-up signal is provided by a turn signal generated by a rotary angle transmitting device of the vehicle.
7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the step of determining which one of the out-put signals shows a more significant change of its measured value is carried out during the predetermined time interval which includes run-in and run-out times to a time interval in which the link-up signal occurs.
8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the correlation or allocation of the sensors of the data acquisition device to the directions of movement or the main axes of the vehicle is checked continuously. 15
9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 4 wherein the correlation or allocation of the sensors of the data acquisition device to the directions of movement 4:4 or the main axes of the vehicle is checked from time to time.
10. A data acquisition device with means for automatically correlating directional sensors with the o. main axes of a vehicle, the device comprising: a measuring unit having at least two sensors of the same type adapted to register a physical parameter indicative of or correlatable with the directions. of 4i movement of the vehicle, the ti. least two sensors being arranged offset such as to acquire a respective different spatial component of the physical parameter and having means to out-put signals generated by the sensors from the measuring unit; means for receiving a link-up signal generated by a system of the vehicle, the link-up signal being correlated in an unambiguous manner with one of the main i, axes of the vehicle; and S:04523AS/24.8.94 i; kcnaIIriti± IIi) stipulate at the manufacturing stage which sensor channel is respectively provided for sensing the longitudinal and which sensor for sensing the transverse dynamics of the I ii-i ii S:04523AS/24.8.94 I I ~1 I; 20 an evaluation unit for the evaluation of the output signals generated by the sensors and the link-up signal, the evaluation unit being adapted to determine which one of the output signals of the sensors shows a more significant change of its measured value during a predetermined time interval in which the link-up signal occurs and being adapted for logically comparing the output signals and the link-up signal and to allocate the sensor which shows the more significant change of measured signal value to the specific one of the axes of the vehicle associated with the link-up signal and allocate each other sensor to the corresponding other one of the axes based on the known offset of the sensors with respect to one another. eo 00 o 00 9 90 0000 0 0 o o o o 0 0 0 00 0 S* 0 00 00 oe 0 0 0 f K* 00 o0 0 0oo *00 0 eo 0 0 0 0 0 00 o o o e o s c ft 0 o eoo e o*o o o e
11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein two sensors are arranged such as to register orthogonally oriented components of the physical parameter.
12. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the means for generating the link-up signal is a directional turn switch of the vehicle.
13. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the means for generating the link-up signal is the brake system of the vehicle.
14. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the 25 means for generating the link-up signal is a rotary angle transmitting device of the vehicle. A method for automatically correlating the I directions of movement of a vehicle with respective directional sensors of a data acquisition device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
S:04523A/24 .8.94 supplies the more significant of the registered signal changes within a specific time interval can thus be associated with a specific spatial direction by comparing S:04523AS/24.8.94 V x 21
16. A data acquisition device with means for automatically correlating directional sensors with the main axes of a vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 24th day of August 1994 MANNESMANN KIENZLE GmbH By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK CO oo 4 a o 0 *00 S o $000 0 :0 4 *000 o 0 0° o0 04 o S *o o o a A S:04523AS/24.8.94 a±terna ve ±-iu±1Lc -LauLt_', the vehicle 6, wherein the alternative location and orientation of the device 1 is orthogonal to the first installation position. S:04523AS/24.8.94 p n K 19 1 I. -W ,1 Abstract Method for the automatic determination of the correlation of direction related sensors with the directions of movement of a vehicle It is proposed for data acquisition devices which have a direction related measuring instrument to determine the vehicle dynamics, to combine the signals of the measuring instrument with signals which are generated by units of the vehicle and which in turn are correlated in an unambigous and known manner with a direction of movement of the vehicle, to achieve in the operation of the data acquisition device an automatic correlation of the directions of movement of the vehicle relative to the sensors of the measuring instrument Fig.l
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE4115694 | 1991-05-14 | ||
| DE4115694 | 1991-05-14 | ||
| PCT/EP1992/001016 WO1992021034A1 (en) | 1991-05-14 | 1992-05-08 | Method for automatically defining the correlation of directional sensors with the directions of motion of a vehicle |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU1699292A AU1699292A (en) | 1992-12-30 |
| AU654353B2 true AU654353B2 (en) | 1994-11-03 |
Family
ID=6431626
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU16992/92A Ceased AU654353B2 (en) | 1991-05-14 | 1992-05-08 | Method for automatically defining the correlation of directional sensors with the directions of motion of a vehicle |
Country Status (11)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0552322B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2556644B2 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR100225446B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE125950T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU654353B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2086598A1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2077413T3 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI930138A0 (en) |
| HU (1) | HU214415B (en) |
| PL (1) | PL168184B1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1992021034A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102011121822A1 (en) * | 2011-12-21 | 2013-06-27 | Wabco Gmbh | Method and device for determining the installation position of a sensor module in a vehicle and vehicle with such a device |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0087398A2 (en) * | 1982-02-19 | 1983-08-31 | Domenico Federico Colonnelli | Car black box |
| EP0129949A2 (en) * | 1983-06-17 | 1985-01-02 | Fleetmaster (Proprietary) Limited | Vehicle monitoring system |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3341471A1 (en) * | 1983-11-17 | 1985-05-30 | SWF Auto-Electric GmbH, 7120 Bietigheim-Bissingen | Instrument for motor vehicles |
-
1992
- 1992-05-08 KR KR1019930700074A patent/KR100225446B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1992-05-08 WO PCT/EP1992/001016 patent/WO1992021034A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1992-05-08 ES ES92909822T patent/ES2077413T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-05-08 CA CA002086598A patent/CA2086598A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-05-08 EP EP92909822A patent/EP0552322B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-05-08 PL PL92297604A patent/PL168184B1/en unknown
- 1992-05-08 AU AU16992/92A patent/AU654353B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1992-05-08 AT AT92909822T patent/ATE125950T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1992-05-08 HU HU9300178A patent/HU214415B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1992-05-13 JP JP4120256A patent/JP2556644B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1993
- 1993-01-13 FI FI930138A patent/FI930138A0/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0087398A2 (en) * | 1982-02-19 | 1983-08-31 | Domenico Federico Colonnelli | Car black box |
| EP0129949A2 (en) * | 1983-06-17 | 1985-01-02 | Fleetmaster (Proprietary) Limited | Vehicle monitoring system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH05250600A (en) | 1993-09-28 |
| JP2556644B2 (en) | 1996-11-20 |
| HU214415B (en) | 1998-03-30 |
| FI930138A (en) | 1993-01-13 |
| AU1699292A (en) | 1992-12-30 |
| EP0552322A1 (en) | 1993-07-28 |
| PL168184B1 (en) | 1996-01-31 |
| PL297604A1 (en) | 1993-06-28 |
| FI930138A0 (en) | 1993-01-13 |
| EP0552322B1 (en) | 1995-08-02 |
| KR930701751A (en) | 1993-06-12 |
| KR100225446B1 (en) | 1999-10-15 |
| ATE125950T1 (en) | 1995-08-15 |
| HUT68574A (en) | 1995-06-28 |
| ES2077413T3 (en) | 1995-11-16 |
| CA2086598A1 (en) | 1992-11-15 |
| WO1992021034A1 (en) | 1992-11-26 |
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