Digital Instrument Cluster for Dynamic Chassis and Tire Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vehicle dashboard systems for monitoring axle and tire pressures are cumbersome, requiring multiple gauges that are often not oriented to match the chassis configuration, leading to driver distraction and difficulty in quickly identifying pressure and temperature issues, especially in complex trailer configurations.
Innovation Solution
A digital instrument cluster system that provides dynamic and graphical representations of lift axle and tire status, including air pressure and temperature, in a centralized and intuitive format, using a top-down view of the vehicle, allowing for proactive notification of issues and minimizing driver attention diversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple traditional gauges are used to monitor axle and tire pressures, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple separate pressure gauges into a single digital instrument cluster display that shows axle and tire pressure information together with chassis diagrams, merging multiple monitoring functions into one integrated system
Solution Approach 2:
The digital instrument cluster serves multiple functions simultaneously: displaying pressure data, showing chassis configuration, providing alert notifications, and presenting graphical representations, replacing multiple specialized gauges with one multi-functional display system
2Measurement precision
If multiple traditional gauges are used to monitor axle and tire pressures, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional linear gauge arrangements to a two-dimensional graphical representation of the chassis with pressure data overlaid on the actual vehicle layout, allowing drivers to quickly locate and understand pressure issues spatially
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses color-coded alerts and graphical indicators to represent different pressure status levels, enabling drivers to immediately identify problematic axles or tires through visual cues rather than interpreting numerical data
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional needle dial gauges are used for axle pressure display, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but loss of information increases due to poor visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical needle dial gauges with a digital electronic display system that can dynamically adjust visibility, brightness, and information presentation based on driving conditions and alert status
4Measurement precision
If multiple separate gauges are used to monitor vehicle components, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to driver distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple monitoring functions for axles, tires, and chassis components into a single integrated digital display location, eliminating the need for drivers to scan across multiple separate gauge locations and reducing cognitive load
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media provide dynamic chassis and tire status indications associated with a vehicle. Lift axle status data may be graphically represented by a lift axle indicator dynamically provided in a shared notification/messaging space positioned within the driver's line of sight during a lift axle transition. The lift axle indicator may include a side-view representation of the vehicle including a plurality of axle sections indicating the status of each axle. The lift axle indicator may be suppressed when air pressure is stabilized. Additionally, a graphical representation of data associated with statuses (e.g., air pressure, temperature) of each tire may be provided in a top-down view representation of the vehicle including its associated tire/axle configuration and the tire pressure for each tire. The graphical representation may be configured to reflect the correct number of axles and tires per position, and may further include a tractor versus trailer designation.