Adaptive Inverse Tyre Modeling for Heavy-Duty Wheel Slip Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control systems for heavy-duty vehicles rely on torque control, which is ineffective when road surface friction changes rapidly, and lacks accurate methods for determining the inverse tyre model necessary for wheel slip-based control.

Innovation Solution

A control unit that obtains an initial inverse tyre model and updates it using data from a tyre thread deflection sensor to accurately model the relationship between wheel slip and generated longitudinal wheel force, allowing for precise wheel slip control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If torque control is used for heavy-duty vehicles, then the control system is simple to implement, but it becomes ineffective when road surface friction changes rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system implementationVSAvoidcontrol effectiveness under changing road conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inverse tyre model is made adaptive and dynamic through continuous updating using tyre thread deflection sensor data. The model parameters are adjusted in real-time based on actual wheel behavior measurements, allowing the control system to adapt to changing road surface friction conditions while maintaining wheel slip-based control effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback mechanism is implemented where tyre thread deflection sensors continuously measure actual wheel force, and this measurement is used to update the inverse tyre model. The updated model then provides more accurate wheel slip targets for the motion support devices, creating a closed-loop system that maintains control effectiveness under varying road conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If a fixed inverse tyre model is used for wheel slip control, then the control system is simpler, but it cannot accurately model wheel behavior under changing operating conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinverse tyre model structureVSAvoidwheel behavior modeling accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The inverse tyre model transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic, adaptive model that continuously updates its parameters based on real-time measurements from tyre thread deflection sensors. This allows the model to maintain high accuracy across different operating conditions without requiring an overly complex predetermined structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The inverse tyre model performs self-updating by using feedback from tyre thread deflection measurements to automatically adjust its own parameters. This self-service capability allows the model to maintain accuracy without requiring external recalibration or complex manual adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If wheel slip-based control is implemented without accurate inverse tyre model adaptation, then the control approach is more responsive, but it cannot maintain accuracy under rapidly changing road conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol response speedVSAvoidcontrol accuracy under changing conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inverse tyre model adaptation operates continuously in the background, constantly updating model parameters based on tyre thread deflection sensor data. This continuous adaptation ensures that the wheel slip-based control maintains both its rapid responsiveness and its accuracy under changing road conditions, as the model is always current with actual wheel behavior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach improves the startability and maneuverability of heavy-duty vehicles by maintaining accurate wheel slip control, even under changing road conditions, and reduces the risk of wheels spinning out of control.

Implementation Method 1

a tyre thread deflection sensor configured to measure an amount of tyre thread deflection associated with the at least one wheel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250026325A1Inverse tyre model adaptation based on tyre thread deflection sensor output data

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

AI summary

A control unit for controlling a heavy-duty vehicle is arranged to obtain an initial inverse tire model configured to represent a preliminary relationship between wheel slip and generated longitudinal wheel force for at least one wheel of the heavy-duty vehicle. The control unit obtains data from a tire thread deflection sensor configured to measure an amount of tire thread deflection associated with the at least one wheel, and an amount of wheel slip of the at least one wheel corresponding to the amount of tire thread deflection. The control unit updates the obtained initial inverse tire model based on the amount of tire thread deflection and on the corresponding amount of wheel slip. The control unit controls the heavy-duty vehicle by configuring a target wheel speed or a target wheel slip of the at least one wheel based on the updated inverse tire model to generate a target longitudinal wheel force.