Optical Axle Load Measurement Using Road Displacement Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axle load measuring technologies face challenges in achieving high precision when measuring axle loads of vehicles from captured images, as they rely on pre-stored data and may not accurately account for variations in road displacement caused by vehicle load.
Innovation Solution
An axle load measuring apparatus and method that utilizes a displacement calculator to detect road displacements from captured images, combined with a storage of reference displacement functions and an axle load calculator to calculate axle loads based on these displacements and correction information, enabling precise measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pre-stored data and simple image recognition are used, then the measurement process is simple and fast, but the measurement precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical load sensing systems with an optical measurement system. An imaging device captures images of the road surface, and image processing algorithms detect displacement patterns caused by vehicle axles. This substitution enables non-contact measurement that maintains high speed while improving precision through detailed visual analysis of road surface deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct force sensing to optical displacement detection. By capturing images at multiple time points and calculating displacement between these images, the system transforms the measurement from a single-point force reading to a spatial-temporal displacement pattern analysis, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining processing speed.
2Measurement precision
If load sensors are used to measure axle load directly, then measurement precision can be high, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical load sensors with an optical imaging system. Instead of using physical sensors that require installation on or near the road, the system uses cameras to capture images of the road surface. Image processing then extracts displacement information that correlates with axle load, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy of the road surface displacement rather than directly measuring the physical force. By capturing images that replicate the deformation pattern caused by vehicle axles and analyzing these optical copies, the system achieves accurate measurement without requiring complex mechanical sensing infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If environmental factors like temperature and tire state are not considered, then the measurement process is simpler, but measurement accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates environmental parameters such as temperature and tire state into the measurement model. By adjusting the reference displacement data based on these parameters, the system compensates for their influence on road surface deformation. This allows the system to maintain high measurement precision without requiring separate sensors for each environmental factor, thus avoiding excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses reference displacement data that accounts for environmental conditions as a feedback mechanism. By comparing actual measured displacement against environmentally-adjusted reference values, the system compensates for environmental influences on measurement, improving precision without adding complex real-time environmental sensing and control systems.
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
This approach allows for highly precise measurement of axle loads by accounting for various conditions affecting road displacement, such as tire state, temperature, and vehicle speed, thereby improving measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging device to capture images
Implementation Method 2
calculating unit to calculate a displacement based on the captured images
Data Source
AI summary
An axle load measuring apparatus includes a displacement calculator, a storage, and an axle load calculator. The displacement calculator detects displacements of positions on a road caused by an axle load using a captured image of the road and a vehicle thereon. When a certain amount of load is applied to a predetermined position of the road, the storage stores a displacement function representing shape information of a spatial distribution of a displacement of the road originated from the predetermined position. The axle load calculator calculates the axle load based on the displacements of the positions and the displacement function.