Axle Load Plausibility Check Using Dual Measurement Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axle load measuring systems in vehicles are susceptible to tampering and wear, leading to measurement inaccuracies and a lack of reliability.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize a combination of sensors and a comparator to verify the plausibility of axle load measurements by comparing two independently derived total axle load values using a comparator to ensure the reliability of the axle load measuring system, which includes a comparator and a computing unit to verify the plausibility of the axle load values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mechanical coupling with rotary angle sensor is used to measure axle load, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to tampering susceptibility and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the measurement system into multiple independent measurement paths: one mechanical path (connecting rod with rotary angle sensor) and one electrical path (strain gauge on connecting rod). Each path independently measures the same physical quantity (axle load), and their results are cross-checked for plausibility. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high measurement precision while improving reliability through mutual verification of the two independent measurement channels.
2Reliability
If sensors are integrated directly into shock absorbers, then reliability is improved through tamper resistance, but device complexity increases due to specially designed shock absorbers
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting rod serves multiple functions: it mechanically transmits the axle load movement to the rotary angle sensor for measurement, and simultaneously carries the strain gauge for electrical measurement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specially designed shock absorbers with integrated sensors, maintaining standard shock absorber designs while achieving reliable dual-channel measurement through the universal connecting rod component.
3Device complexity
If conventional vehicle-integrated sensors are used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to lack of protection against unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback through cross-validation: the evaluation unit continuously compares measurements from the mechanical path (rotary angle sensor) and the electrical path (strain gauge). When discrepancies exceed a threshold, the system generates plausibility error signals. This feedback mechanism provides automatic protection against tampering without requiring complex physical security measures, maintaining simple sensor design while ensuring reliability through intelligent monitoring.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for checking the plausibility of measured values from an axle load measurement system (16) that can be determined by means of a sensor system (20), said axle load measurement system being able to be used to determine the axle load applied to all axles of a vehicle (18) as a first total axle load value (GA1). In order to check the plausibility of the measured values and the first total axle load value (GA1), one embodiment provides for the apparatus (10) to have a comparator (24) and a computing unit (26), for the computing unit (26) to be able to be used to calculate a second total axle load value (GA2), for the first total axle load value (GA1) and the second total axle load value (GA2) to be able to be supplied to the comparator (24), for the comparator (24) to be able to be used to compare the two total axle load values (GA1, GA2), and for an error message (30) to be able to be generated and/or for a signal generator (32, 34, 36) to be able to be activated by means of the comparator (24) in the event of a sufficiently large difference (ΔG) between the first total axle load value (GA1) and the second total axle load value (GA2), thereby allowing manipulations and measurement errors in the axle load measurement system (16) to be detected. The invention also relates to a method for operating this apparatus.