Axle Load Sensor Calibration via Dynamic Disturbance Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for calibrating axle or wheel load sensors in commercial vehicles lack cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and reliability, leading to inaccurate measurements, especially under varying environmental conditions and during vehicle operation.

Innovation Solution

A method involving multiple sensors on axles or wheels, with initial measurements taken at standstill under identical conditions, followed by continuous measurements during driving, using a self-learning algorithm to adapt to changing environmental conditions and correct for disturbance variables like temperature, allowing for precise weight determination and load distribution analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If simple calibration methods are used, then cost and implementation simplicity are improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates under varying environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecost-effectiveness and simplicity of calibrationVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration method transitions from static calibration to dynamic calibration by performing measurements during actual vehicle operation under varying environmental conditions. The system continuously adapts the calibration parameters based on real-time temperature and disturbance data, ensuring measurement accuracy without requiring complex pre-calibration procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-calibration by automatically detecting disturbance variables during operation and adjusting calibration parameters without external intervention. The control unit processes measurement data and temperature information to autonomously update calibration constants, eliminating the need for manual recalibration under different conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If calibration is performed only under stationary conditions, then simplicity is improved, but reliability deteriorates during vehicle operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of calibration procedureVSAvoidmeasurement reliability during operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration measurements under stationary conditions to establish baseline calibration parameters. These preliminary values are then refined during vehicle operation by continuously comparing measurements with temperature-compensated reference values, ensuring both initial simplicity and ongoing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring measurement values during vehicle operation and comparing them against calibration data obtained under stationary conditions. The control unit uses temperature information and disturbance variables to adjust calibration parameters in real-time, maintaining measurement reliability across varying operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If temperature compensation is not implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates under changing ambient conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplexity of calibration systemVSAvoidaccuracy under varying temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces temperature information as an intermediary variable that mediates between the physical measurement and the calibration process. Temperature sensors provide data to the control unit, which uses this information to compensate for thermal effects on measurement values, achieving accurate measurements without complex hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes calibration parameters based on temperature conditions by storing multiple calibration constants for different temperature ranges. The control unit selects and applies the appropriate calibration parameters based on current temperature measurements, maintaining accuracy across varying ambient conditions without requiring complex real-time calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3795959B1Method for calibrating axle or wheel load sensors
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP3795959B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3795959B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3795959B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method for calibrating a system with a plurality of sensors (28), wherein each of the sensors is arranged on an element of a vehicle (10), comprises: performing a first number of measurements of an axle load or wheel load with each of the plurality of sensors (28) when the unloaded vehicle (10) is stationary; performing a first number of measurements of an axle load or wheel load with each of the plurality of sensors (28) when the loaded vehicle (10) is stationary, wherein each of the measurements is performed under the influence of identical disturbances as one of the measurements performed with the unloaded vehicle (10); performing a plurality of measurements of an axle load or wheel load at regular intervals with each of the plurality of sensors (28) while the vehicle (10) is in motion; determining at least one disturbance at regular intervals while the vehicle (10) is in motion; and creating an algorithm.which takes into account the measured values ​​determined when the unloaded vehicle (10) is stationary, the measured values ​​determined when the loaded vehicle (10) is stationary, the measured values ​​determined during the movement of the loaded vehicle (10), as well as the disturbance variables when the vehicle (10) is stationary and during the movement of the vehicle (10).