Axle Temperature Sensor Integration for Overheating Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to effectively detect and alert for undesired damage to vehicle axles, particularly due to overheating caused by mechanical stress and heat transfer during braking, which can impair axle stability and component integrity.

Innovation Solution

A temperature measurement method using a temperature sensor integrated with the axle to detect temperature changes, with measurement signals forwarded to an evaluation unit for optical, acoustic, or haptic signaling when thresholds are exceeded, ensuring early detection of overheating and potential design or operational errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a temperature sensor is integrated with the axle to detect temperature changes, then early detection of overheating is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxle stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor is integrated directly with the axle structure, combining the sensing function with the mechanical component. This merging approach enables early detection of overheating conditions while minimizing additional system complexity by using the axle's existing structural elements to mount and protect the sensor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature sensor is positioned to detect temperature changes at the axle location itself, allowing the axle system to self-monitor its thermal state. This self-service approach provides reliable overheating detection without requiring complex external monitoring systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If real-time temperature monitoring is implemented, then axle damage is prevented, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent integrityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous temperature monitoring with feedback to the driver through visual or acoustic signals. When the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system alerts the driver to reduce load or stop the vehicle, preventing thermal damage while managing energy consumption through threshold-based activation rather than constant high-power operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 method enables early detection of axle overheating, preventing stability issues and component damage by providing real-time alerts to the driver, thus ensuring safer vehicle operation.

Implementation Method 1

The temperature sensor includes, for example, a thermistor or PTC thermistor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermistor

Data Source

PatentEP3543661B1Temperature measuring method for a vehicle and temperature measuring system for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
  • EP3543661B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3543661B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3543661B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to at least one embodiment, the temperature measurement method is performed on a vehicle (1) with an axle (2) and a temperature sensor (3) associated with the axle (2). The temperature sensor is configured to detect the temperature or temperature change of the axle at the location of the temperature sensor. The method comprises a step A), in which the temperature or temperature change of the axle at the location of the temperature sensor is detected by means of the temperature sensor, and corresponding measurement signals representative of the temperature or temperature change of the axle are generated. In a step B), the measurement signals are forwarded to an evaluation unit (4). In a step C), depending on the measurement signals in the evaluation unit, an output signal is generated for the optical and/or acoustic and/or haptic signaling of information representative of the temperature or temperature change of the axle.In step D), the information is signaled visually and/or acoustically and/or haptically, depending on the output signal.