Drive Train Defect Detection via Wheel Speed Deviation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring drive train defects in vehicles are inadequate for ensuring safe and reliable driving, particularly in autonomous vehicles, as they rely on manual visual inspection and lack reliable automatic detection for defects like loosened wheel nuts or worn components that can lead to temporary or permanent failures and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A method and monitoring unit that compare the rotational behavior of a drive wheel with a reference wheel to detect deviations in torque transfer, using existing sensors to determine if the drive torque is being properly transferred to the underlying surface, and output a state signal indicating a defect state, accounting for normal behavior and expected deviations to differentiate between defects and non-defective conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual visual inspection is used to monitor drive train defects, then the driver can check for defects before or after the journey, but manual monitoring while driving is not possible and reliable automatic detection is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing sensors (motor revolution rate sensor and wheel revolution rate sensor) to automatically monitor the drive train without requiring additional dedicated detection devices. The monitoring unit processes data from these sensors to detect defects, enabling the system to self-monitor using its own operational data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated electronic monitoring system that compares motor revolution rate data with wheel revolution rate data to detect defects automatically, eliminating the need for manual checking while driving.
2Measurement precision
If the drive torque is not properly transferred to the underlying surface, then defects like loosened wheel nuts or worn components occur, but these defects are difficult to detect automatically
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring unit continuously compares the motor revolution rate with the wheel revolution rate and provides feedback when a deviation is detected. This feedback mechanism enables real-time detection of torque transfer defects by identifying discrepancies between expected and actual wheel rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses existing sensors that serve multiple functions (motor control and defect detection) to detect various types of defects including loosened wheel nuts, worn components, and torque transfer issues, making the detection system universal and applicable to multiple defect types.
Data Source
AI summary
A method determines a defect state of a drive train of a vehicle having a drive axle with a drive wheel and a reference axle with a reference wheel. A drive torque generated by a drive is transferrable to an underlying surface by the drive train via the drive wheel and cannot be transferred to the underlying surface via the reference wheel of the reference axle. The method includes: reading-in a drive variable which is dependent on a motor revolution rate of the drive; reading-in a reference variable which is dependent on a reference wheel revolution rate of the reference wheel; determining whether there is a deviation between the read-in drive and the read-in reference variables to determine whether the reference wheel revolution rate is related to the motor revolution rate of the drive. If there is a deviation, a defect state of the drive train is concluded.