Autonomous Vehicle Wheel Misalignment Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle wheel misalignment leads to abnormal tire wear, necessitating premature tire replacement, especially in autonomous vehicles that lack human intervention to detect misalignment through driving reactions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle wheel misalignment sensing system comprising an onboard computer and backend server that receives sensor data to determine misalignment values, triggering appropriate vehicle actions such as slowing or stopping the vehicle, and notifying users or manufacturers to address the issue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If autonomous vehicle operates without human intervention, then automation level is improved, but ability to detect wheel misalignment through driving reactions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the autonomous vehicle's existing sensors (accelerometer, steering angle sensor, wheel speed sensor) to self-diagnose wheel misalignment without requiring human drivers or additional specialized detection equipment. The vehicle monitors its own operational parameters and automatically determines misalignment conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the human driver's mechanical sensing of misalignment (through feeling driving reactions) with electronic sensor-based detection. The system uses electronic sensors to monitor vehicle dynamics and computationally determines misalignment, substituting human sensory capability with automated electronic detection.
2Duration of action of moving object
If wheel misalignment is not detected, then vehicle continues operating, but tire wear increases prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of wheel misalignment before significant tire damage occurs. By continuously monitoring vehicle operational parameters and calculating misalignment values, the system identifies misalignment conditions early, allowing for timely intervention before excessive tire wear develops.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where sensor data is continuously collected, processed to determine misalignment values, and used to trigger appropriate responses. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that misalignment conditions are detected and addressed, preventing the progressive tire wear that would occur without such monitoring.
3Loss of substance
If misalignment detection system is added, then tire wear is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing sensors in the autonomous vehicle that serve multiple functions. The accelerometer, steering angle sensor, and wheel speed sensor are used not only for their primary autonomous driving functions but also for wheel misalignment detection, eliminating the need for dedicated misalignment sensors and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing sensor suite and computational resources to perform misalignment detection, rather than requiring separate dedicated hardware. The same processors and sensors used for autonomous navigation also handle misalignment analysis, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer and a method executable by the computer. The computer may include a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor. The instructions may include, to: receive sensor data from a sensor in a vehicle operating in a fully autonomous mode; using the data, determine a misalignment value; and based on the value, perform one of a plurality of vehicle driving functions that include stopping the vehicle.