Laser Tire Grip Control for Wet and Icy Road Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to effectively enhance tire grip on wet, cold, snowy, or icy road surfaces during braking and acceleration phases, particularly in high-performance and motor racing applications, as they do not adequately address the issue of water or other liquids disrupting tire traction.

Innovation Solution

A device equipped with means to detect and characterize road surface conditions, process information, and emit a high-power laser beam to vaporize or deflect water or other liquids in front of the tire, thereby improving grip without reducing vehicle performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If compressed air jets are used to remove water from road surface, then braking distance is reduced by over 20%, but the system complexity increases and requires activation by windshield wiper and embedded DC fans in wheel arches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking distanceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical compressed air system (requiring fans, wipers, and complex activation mechanisms) with an optical system using laser beams to vaporize water. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical components while achieving the same goal of water removal from the road surface, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining or improving braking performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through laser heating. The laser beam directly vaporizes water on the road surface, converting it from liquid state to vapor state, which eliminates the need for mechanical air jets to physically remove water. This phase transition approach simplifies the system by replacing complex mechanical activation mechanisms with a direct thermal conversion process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Reliability

If laser beam is used to vaporize water on road surface, then grip coefficient is increased, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip coefficientVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic or pulsed laser activation rather than continuous operation. The laser is activated only when water detection sensors detect the presence of water on the road surface, and operates in controlled pulses to vaporize the detected water. This periodic action reduces overall energy consumption compared to continuous laser operation, while maintaining effective grip enhancement when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates water detection sensors that provide feedback to the laser control system. The sensors continuously monitor the road surface for water presence and trigger laser activation only when water is detected. This feedback mechanism ensures the laser operates only when necessary, optimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary activation during dry conditions while maintaining reliable grip enhancement when water is present.

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

The solution significantly increases the tire's grip coefficient by effectively vaporizing or diverting water, enhancing braking and acceleration performance on various road conditions without compromising acceleration performance, particularly beneficial in high-performance and motor racing contexts.

Implementation Method 1

means for emitting a high-power laser beam directed toward a portion of road surface in front of at least one tire fitted to the mobile vehicle, which means are designed to vaporize or sublimate the water present in front of the at least one tire

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSublimation: Sublimation

Implementation Method 3

The device also has an advantage in improving the performance of a vehicle, in particular, in motor sport and when striving for high-performance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 4

The main role of the grip optimization device is to increase the grip coefficient of the tire by vaporizing and/or deflecting the water present on the road surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20230415510A1Device and method for optimizing the grip of a tire fitted to a mobile vehicle traveling on a road surface, and motor vehicles and aircraft incorporating such a device

Publication Date: 2023.12.28 DRYSIDE

AI summary

A device for improving the grip of a tire fitted to a mobile vehicle traveling on a road surface, this device being on board the mobile vehicle and comprising:means for detecting and characterizing the presence of water on the road surface in front of the mobile vehicle,means for processing information received from the detection and characterization means and for generating control instructions, andmeans for emitting a power laser beam directed toward a portion of road surface in front of a tire of the mobile vehicle, which means are designed to vaporize or sublimate the water present in front of the tire in response to control instructions. The device is used, in particular, for motor vehicles and aircraft.