Independent Wheel Control for Rollover Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current steering and braking systems in vehicles often lack sufficient operational flexibility and safety, particularly in situations involving lateral forces that can lead to rollover or maneuvering challenges such as cornering and parking.
Innovation Solution
A wheel control system that independently controls the steering, camber, and braking of individual wheels based on real-time sensors and threshold conditions to mitigate lateral forces and enhance stability, including the use of separate steering assemblies for the front and rear wheels and a braking system to manage wheel speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional steering and braking systems are used, then the vehicle structure is simple, but the operational flexibility and safety are insufficient when lateral forces cause rollover or maneuvering challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wheel control system into independent control modules for each wheel, with separate steering assemblies for front and rear wheels. Each wheel can be controlled independently through individual actuators that adjust camber, toe, and steering angles separately, allowing targeted response to lateral forces on specific wheels rather than uniform system-wide control
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts wheel parameters (camber angle, toe angle, steering angle) in real-time based on sensor feedback about lateral forces and vehicle state. The control system continuously modifies wheel configurations to counteract rollover risks and improve maneuverability, transitioning from static wheel settings to adaptive dynamic control
2Adaptability or versatility
If independent wheel control is implemented, then maneuverability and stability are enhanced, but the system complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steering assembly is designed as a multi-functional unit that can perform multiple wheel control functions through integrated actuators. The same basic assembly structure handles camber adjustment, toe adjustment, and steering control, allowing a single component design to serve multiple control purposes rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the steering control functions for front and rear wheels into a unified control architecture that manages all four wheels through coordinated actuation. The control system merges sensor inputs and control algorithms to simultaneously adjust multiple wheel parameters, reducing the need for completely separate control systems for each wheel
3Reliability
If real-time sensor monitoring and threshold-based control are used, then rollover prevention is improved, but the response time and control precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses predetermined threshold values for lateral forces and wheel parameters to trigger preventive actions before rollover occurs. When sensors detect that lateral forces approach critical levels or wheel angles approach unsafe ranges, the system automatically adjusts wheel configurations to counteract the developing hazard, acting in advance rather than reactively after failure begins
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors wheel parameters, lateral forces, and vehicle state through sensors and feeds this information back to the control algorithm. The control system adjusts wheel settings based on real-time feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing conditions and maintains safety margins through continuous measurement and correction
Data Source
AI summary
An over actuated system capable of controlling wheel parameters, such as speed (e.g., by torque and braking), steering angles, caster angles, camber angles, and toe angles, of wheels in an associated vehicle. The system may determine the associated vehicle is in a rollover state and adjust wheel parameters to prevent vehicle rollover. Additionally, the system may determine a driving state and dynamically adjust wheel parameters to optimize driving, including, for example, cornering and parking. Such a system may also dynamically detect wheel misalignment and provide alignment and/or corrective driving solutions. Further, by utilizing degenerate solutions for driving, the system may also estimate tire-surface parameterization data for various road surfaces and make such estimates available for other vehicles via a network.