Axle Load Ratio Warning for Safe Parking on Slopes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial vehicle drivers face challenges in safely parking on slopes due to inadequate familiarity with vehicle peculiarities and hazards, leading to risks of uncontrolled rolling or sliding, especially for less experienced drivers.
Innovation Solution
The method utilizes existing axle load sensors to detect critical parking positions on slopes by determining the axle load ratio and issuing a warning if it falls below a predetermined limit value, allowing for secure parking without additional sensor installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional sensors are installed to detect critical parking positions, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling existing axle load sensors to serve dual purposes: their original function for weight measurement and an additional function for detecting critical parking positions on slopes. This eliminates the need for separate detection sensors, thereby improving reliability without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the vehicle's own existing sensors (axle load sensors) to perform the additional safety function of detecting critical parking positions. The vehicle essentially monitors itself using already-installed equipment, avoiding the need for external or additional sensing devices.
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors are installed to detect critical parking positions, then detection precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables existing axle load sensors to perform multiple functions including their original weight measurement role and the new function of detecting critical parking positions. This multi-functional approach maintains measurement precision while avoiding additional manufacturing costs associated with installing separate sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing sensor infrastructure to create a virtual model of the vehicle's loading state, which is then analyzed to detect critical parking positions. This approach avoids the need for physical duplication of sensors while achieving the same detection precision.
3Reliability
If the vehicle structure is significantly modified to improve parking safety, then safety is improved, but ease of operation and vehicle complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle uses its own existing sensor network and control systems to provide enhanced parking safety. The warning device integrates with the vehicle's current architecture, requiring no structural modifications while maintaining ease of operation through automated detection and warning functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces potential mechanical safety modifications (such as physical parking position indicators or mechanical locking systems) with an electronic warning system that processes sensor data and provides alerts to the driver, thereby maintaining operational simplicity while improving safety.
4Device complexity
If existing axle load sensors are utilized for detecting critical parking positions, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent successfully implements multi-functionality by using axle load sensors for both their original weight measurement purpose and for detecting critical parking positions. The system processes the sensor data differently for each function, ensuring that measurement precision is maintained for both applications without requiring separate specialized sensors.
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 solution effectively alerts drivers to potentially hazardous parking positions, minimizing the risk of vehicle rolling or sliding and ensuring safe parking practices without significant vehicle modifications.
Implementation Method 1
detecting the axle load occurring on the at least one vehicle axle with the aid of the axle load sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for safely parking a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises at least two vehicle axles, on each of which at least one axle load sensor is arranged. The method comprises the steps of: detecting the axle loads occurring on the at least two vehicle axles with the aid of the axle load sensors (S1); determining an axle load ratio for at least one of the vehicle axles on the basis of the detected axle loads (S2); and outputting a warning if the determined axle load ratio falls below a predetermined limit value (S3). As a result, it is possible—on the basis of the “on-board weighing system” usually present in commercial vehicles—to warn the driver of potentially critical parking positions, in particular on downhill slopes. The invention also relates to a corresponding warning device for carrying out this method and to a vehicle comprising such a warning device.