DE102021210578A1 - Measuring system for measuring the immersion depth of a vehicle in a liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a measuring system (12) for measuring the immersion depth (14) of a vehicle (10) in a liquid, the measuring system (12) having at least one signal receiver (16, 20) which can receive an optical, acoustic or electromagnetic signal , and a controller (24) which can calculate an immersion depth (14) of the vehicle (10) in the liquid as a function of the received signal.

Description

The invention relates to a measuring system for measuring the immersion depth of a vehicle in a liquid.

Various systems for measuring the immersion depth of a vehicle in liquids are known from the prior art. These systems are used to determine the depth of a liquid before or during passage. The information is used to obtain information about road conditions. These can be used, for example, to prevent a vehicle from exceeding a maximum immersion depth in the liquid. Furthermore, the data can be used to detect road damage.

Mechanical measuring systems are usually used for this purpose, for example with a float that floats on the surface of the liquid or is moved vertically by it. However, these systems have the disadvantage that they can get dirty and/or wear out during regular vehicle use.

The object of the invention is to provide a measuring system for measuring the immersion depth of a vehicle in a liquid that can reliably determine the immersion depth.

To solve the problem, a measuring system for measuring the immersion depth of a vehicle in a liquid is provided, the measuring system having a signal receiver that can receive an optical, acoustic or electromagnetic signal, and a controller that, depending on the signal received, an immersion depth of the vehicle in the liquid can be calculated.

The basic idea of the invention is to provide a non-contact system for measuring the immersion depth of the vehicle, which preferably works with sensors used in the automotive sector. The advantage of a non-contact system is that there is no wear and no mechanical problems can occur, for example due to wear, mechanical friction or dirt. Since there are no moving parts, the system is also easy to set up and can also be adjusted or calibrated during operation, for example by adapting the evaluation electronics or by taking appropriate correction factors into account in the evaluation. In particular, the system can also be designed to calibrate itself, for example by detecting specific driving conditions for which an immersion depth is known, and by setting the system in these driving conditions.

Any system used in the vehicle or another system for receiving data can be used as a receiver.

For example, the signal receiver is an optical receiver, in particular a camera. The received signal is, for example, an image that the optical receiver records. In this case, the optical receiver can detect an external condition of the vehicle, from which the diving depth of the vehicle can be determined. Such a system is easy to provide and to install in the vehicle area.

The image recorded by the camera can be compared with a reference image or with reference data, for example, it being possible to determine the immersion depth from the comparison between the reference image or the reference data and the recorded image. For example, the immersion depth can be determined from the differences between the reference image and the recorded image. Alternatively, different reference images can be stored for different immersion depths, and the immersion depth is determined from the match with one of the reference images.

For example, markings or a measuring scale can also be provided on the vehicle, which are recorded with the image and can be evaluated by an evaluation circuit.

In a further embodiment of the measuring system, a transmitter is provided which emits the signal, it being possible for the signal to be reflected by the surface of the liquid and to be picked up by the receiver. This has the advantage that a measurement of a diving depth is possible independently of external influences. In particular, a signal can be used that can detect the immersion depth or the position of the surface of the liquid, for example, independently of the brightness or other environmental factors.

The position of the surface of the liquid or the immersion depth can be determined in various ways from the reflected signal. For example, the controller can determine the run length of the signal from the transmitter to the signal receiver and use this to calculate the length of the signal path. If the vehicle is immersed in liquid, the signal path is shortened because the distance between the surface that reflects the signal and the transmitter and signal receiver is shortened. From the determined difference in the run length or the Sig The immersion depth can always be calculated. The advantage of this embodiment lies in the fact that the signal receiver and the transmitter can be arranged very close to one another, in particular in one structural unit, as a result of which the production costs are lower. In addition, such a system is easy to calibrate.

character list

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Messsystems in einem ersten Zustand; und
• 2 das Messsystem aus 1 in einem zweiten Zustand

Further advantages and features emerge from the following description in conjunction with the attached drawings. In these show:

• 1 a schematic representation of a measuring system according to the invention in a first state; and
• 2 the measuring system off 1 in a second state

In the 1 and 2 a vehicle 10 is shown, with a measuring system 12 for measuring the immersion depth 14 of the vehicle 10 in a liquid, for example in a puddle of water. The measurement of the immersion depth can be used inside the vehicle, for example to warn that the vehicle has reached a maximum immersion depth. Alternatively, the data from multiple vehicles can be collected with such a measurement system 12 in order to obtain information about the condition of a roadway. For example, the frequency and depth of the detected puddles of water can be used to make statements about damage to the roadway, in particular how it changes over time, which can be used to plan maintenance and repair measures.

The measuring system 12 has a first signal receiver 16, in the embodiment shown here an optical signal receiver in the form of a camera, which is arranged in the area of an exterior mirror of the vehicle. Such cameras are provided, for example, in vehicles for environmental monitoring or as a replacement for an exterior mirror, so that no additional components are required. Furthermore, markings 18 , here in the form of a scale, are provided on the outside of vehicle 10 , which can be detected by signal receiver 16 .

A second signal receiver 20 is also provided. In the embodiment shown here, the second signal receiver is an acoustic signal receiver 20, in particular for frequencies in the ultrasonic range. In addition to the second signal receiver 20, a transmitter 22 corresponding to the signal receiver 20 is provided, which can emit signals in the ultrasonic range.

Both signal receivers 16, 20 and the transmitter 22 are connected to a controller 24 which controls the transmitter 22 and receives the signals from the signal receivers 16, 20. The controller 24 is connected to a vehicle controller 26 . Furthermore, a communication interface 28 is provided, which is designed as a wireless interface for communication with a mobile network in the one shown here.

The communication interface 28 can also be designed in any other way in order to exchange information via a mobile or wired network.

The first signal receiver 16 can receive an image permanently or at short intervals, on which the markings 18 are shown. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, the markings are partially covered when immersed in a liquid, in particular in a puddle of water. The recorded image, on which the markings are only partially visible, can be compared to reference images stored in the controller 24 . The immersion depth of the vehicle 10 can be determined from the comparison with the reference images.

For example, images for a specific immersion depth can be stored in the controller 24 so that a specific immersion depth is present if there is a match with a stored image. Alternatively, the differences to reference images that were recorded in a state on a dry, level road can also be detected, for example the number of covered markings.

At the same time, the transmitter 22 emits an ultrasonic signal that is reflected by the surface of the roadway or the puddle of water. If the vehicle is in a puddle of water, the distance between the surface and the transmitter 22 or the signal receiver 20 is shorter. The transit time of the signal from the transmitter 22 to the signal receiver 20 is shortened as a result. The distance between the surface and the transmitter 22 or the signal receiver 20 and thus the immersion depth 14 can be determined from the change in this transit time or the absolute transit time of the signal from the transmitter 22 to the signal receiver 20 .

The immersion depths determined with the two signal receivers 16, 20 are compared in the controller 24, for example checked for plausibility.

Both measuring methods are non-contact, so they are not subject to mechanical wear. Furthermore, both measurement methods can be easily calibrated, for example by a dry measurement. All that is required is a measurement on a dry, level road surface.

In the case of the first signal receiver 16 or the markings 18, the positions of the markings 18 can be measured in such a dry measurement and stored in the controller 24.

In the case of the second signal receiver 20 or the transmitter 22, only a state on a flat, dry roadway has to be detected and a measurement carried out in this state in order to calibrate the system. As a result, for example, during operation of the vehicle, an adjustment, for example to the state of charge of the vehicle, which results in deflection in the vehicle and thus a change in the distance between the transmitter 22 and the signal receiver 22 to the road surface.

For example, these systems can also calibrate each other, for example when a signal receiver 16, 20 has a clear status, for example a defined immersion depth. For example, the dryness of the road surface can also be recorded by additional moisture sensors for a calibration measurement.

Alternatively, other non-contact measurement methods are also conceivable, for which a signal receiver can be provided on the vehicle. For example, the signal receiver can also receive laser signals and the transmitter is a laser.

The measurement via a laser can take place, for example, by means of laser spectroscopy, laser propagation time measurement. For example, radar signals can also be used.

In the embodiments shown here, which have an additional transmitter 22, the signal travel time is measured from the transmitter 22 to the signal receiver 20.

Alternatively, a triangulation measurement could also be carried out. With such a measurement, the signal is not emitted vertically downwards so that it is reflected vertically upwards, but the signal is emitted at an angle to the surface or reflected from it at an angle. The distance from the surface and thus the immersion depth 14 can be calculated via the reflection angle or the position in which the reflected signal impinges on the signal receiver 20 . In such an embodiment, transmitter 22 and signal receiver 22 can also be positioned separately from one another.

Regardless of the signal used, at least one signal receiver 16, 20 is provided for an optical or acoustic signal, with which a non-contact measurement of the immersion depth can take place. Two signal receivers 16, 20 are preferably provided in order to provide different measurement principles.

These different measurement principles can be used to improve the measurement accuracy, to check the measurement of a measurement principle for plausibility or to check its functionality.

Signal types and signal frequencies are preferably used which ensure particularly good reflection in the case of a dry roadway and in the case of a liquid and which enable particularly good measurement, for example of the propagation time of the signal.

Furthermore, when using several measuring principles, these can be selected in such a way that a reliable measurement is always guaranteed under different road conditions or environmental conditions.

Claims (10)

Measuring system (12) for measuring the immersion depth (14) of a vehicle (10) in a liquid, the measuring system (12) having at least one signal receiver (16, 20) which can receive an optical, acoustic or electromagnetic signal, and a controller (24) which can calculate an immersion depth (14) of the vehicle (10) in the liquid as a function of the received signal. measurement system claim 1 , characterized in that the receiver (16) is an optical receiver, in particular a camera, and the signal is an image that the optical receiver records. measurement system claim 2 , characterized in that the image is compared with a reference image or with reference data. Measuring system according to one of claims 2 and 3 , characterized in that a measuring scale or a marking (18) is provided on the vehicle (10) and is received by the signal receiver (16). Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a transmitter (22) is provided which emits the signal, the signal from the surface of the Flüs fluid can be reflected and is picked up by the signal receiver (20). measurement system claim 5 , characterized in that the controller (24) determines the run length of the signal from the transmitter (22) to the signal receiver (20). measurement system claim 5 , characterized in that an angle at which the signal is reflected from the surface of the liquid is determined. Measuring system according to one of Claims 5 until 7 , characterized in that the transmitter (20) generates an optical signal. Measuring system according to one of Claims 5 until 7 , characterized in that the transmitter generates an acoustic signal on 20). ultrasound, etc.) Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a communication interface (28) is provided which is designed to transmit or receive measurement data, the received measurement data being able to be used by the controller (24) to calculate the immersion depth.

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