Drive Shaft Strain Feedback for Smooth Bump Negotiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle speed control methods fail to smoothly navigate bumps and slippery road surfaces, leading to unusual driver experiences and potential collisions due to erroneous torque application and wheel slipping.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control apparatus equipped with a strain sensor on the drive shaft to detect the start of wheel movement and calculate appropriate driving force, allowing for smooth operation over bumps and slippery surfaces by adjusting torque based on strain sensor output values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If vehicle speed feedback control is used to negotiate bumps by abruptly increasing driving force, then the vehicle can start moving over bumps, but excessive driving force is applied after negotiating bumps causing unusual driver experience and potential collision
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses strain sensor feedback from the drive shaft to detect wheel movement status and continuously adjusts driving force accordingly. The control unit monitors strain sensor output values in real-time to determine when wheels are moving versus stationary, enabling dynamic feedback control that prevents excessive force application after bump negotiation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter from fixed speed-based control to variable strain-based control. By monitoring strain sensor output values and detecting changes in strain magnitude, the system adapts driving force levels based on actual wheel conditions rather than predetermined speed schedules, resolving the contradiction between starting force and settling force
2Ease of operation
If vehicle start is determined by vehicle speed sensor, then movement detection is simple, but it fails to detect movement when speed is zero despite driving force application
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces speed-based detection with strain-based detection. Instead of using mechanical speed sensors that fail at zero velocity, the system uses strain sensors on the drive shaft to detect the mechanical state of wheel movement through strain changes, providing accurate detection even when vehicle speed is zero
Solution Approach 2:
The strain sensor acts as an intermediary between the driving force application and movement detection. By measuring strain in the drive shaft, the system indirectly detects wheel movement status without relying on direct speed measurement, enabling accurate detection of movement initiation even when speed remains zero
3Force
If driving force is increased to move vehicle over bumps, then vehicle can negotiate obstacles, but wheels may slip on slippery road surfaces causing erroneous movement determination
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses continuous feedback from strain sensors to distinguish between productive wheel movement and slippage. By monitoring the relationship between applied driving force (through strain measurement) and actual wheel movement status, the control unit can detect when wheels are slipping versus when they are effectively propelling the vehicle, enabling reliable movement determination despite variable road conditions
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
Enables safe and smooth vehicle operation over bumps, slopes, and slippery road surfaces by accurately determining the start of movement and applying necessary torque, preventing unusual driver experiences and collisions.
Implementation Method 1
a strain sensor output value acquisition unit that acquires the output value of a strain sensor mounted to a drive shaft for driving wheels
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a vehicle control apparatus which allows a vehicle to safely negotiate a bump smoothly without feeling unusual to the driver of the vehicle. This vehicle control apparatus is characterized by comprising: a strain sensor output value acquisition unit that acquires the output value of a strain sensor (113) mounted to a drive shaft (115) for driving wheels (116); and a vehicle behavior detection unit that detects when the wheels (116) start moving on the basis of when the output value of the strain sensor decreases from the value when the wheels (116) are in the stopped state.