Axle Load Correction Using Vertical Acceleration Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing axle load measuring instruments for vehicles are unable to accurately determine tolls based on weight due to the influence of vehicle acceleration and vibrations, which limits their effectiveness in charging systems.

Innovation Solution

A charging system that includes an axle load meter, an acceleration information acquisition unit, a correction calculation unit, and a toll determination unit to measure and correct axle loads based on vertical-direction acceleration, allowing for precise toll determination based on individual axle loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If axle load measurement is performed on traveling vehicles, then toll determination based on weight becomes possible, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to vehicle acceleration and vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxle load measurement accuracyVSAvoidinfluence of acceleration and vibrations

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using the acceleration information (which causes measurement errors) as a correction factor. The acceleration sensor detects vertical acceleration, and this information is used to calculate correction values that compensate for the measurement errors caused by vehicle vibrations and acceleration during travel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring acceleration during the weighing process and using this information to dynamically correct the axle load measurements. The correction calculation unit receives acceleration data and feeds back corrected weight values to the toll determination unit, ensuring accurate measurement despite vehicle motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If toll determination is based on total vehicle weight, then charging is simplified, but inability to distinguish individual axle loads reduces fairness for vehicles with different axle configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoll determination simplicityVSAvoidcharging fairness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by measuring and determining tolls for each axle individually rather than treating the vehicle as a single unit. The axle load meter and correction system provide separate weight data for each axle, allowing the toll determination unit to calculate charges based on specific axle configurations, number of axles, and load distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements local quality by applying different toll rates or calculation methods to different axles based on their individual characteristics. Each axle's corrected weight is evaluated separately, allowing the system to charge differently for vehicles with varying axle loads, numbers of axles, or load balances between front and rear axles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables accurate toll determination for vehicles with different axle configurations and load balances, reducing the impact of vehicle acceleration and vibrations, and charging based on the representative or total axle loads, thus reflecting the vehicle's impact on road damage.

Implementation Method 1

an accelerometer (31, 31') configured to measure vertical-direction acceleration information associated with each of the axles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration measurement: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

an axle load meter (60) disposed on a lane and configured to measure an axle load of each of a plurality of axles of a vehicle traveling on the axle load meter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAxle load measurement:

Implementation Method 3

a correction calculation unit (40D) configured to calculate a corrected axle load for each of the axles by correcting, based on the vertical-direction acceleration information, a measurement result for each of the axles obtained by the axle load meter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration correction:

Data Source

PatentUS11410470B2Charging system, onboard system, charging method, and program

Publication Date: 2022.08.09 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND MACHINERY SYST LTD

AI summary

Provided is a charging system including: an axle load meter disposed on a lane and configured to measure an axle load of each of a plurality of axles of a vehicle traveling on the axle load meter; an acceleration information acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the vehicle, vertical-direction acceleration information associated with each of the axles; a correction calculation unit configured to calculate a corrected axle load for each of the axles by correcting, based on the vertical-direction acceleration information, a measurement result for each of the axles obtained by the axle load meter; and a toll determination unit configured to determine a toll for the vehicle based on the corrected axle load for each of the axles.