Radar Wheel-End Module for Wheel Force Capability Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy-duty vehicles face challenges in accurately estimating wheel force generating capabilities, which complicates motion control and can jeopardize safety, especially in challenging operating conditions due to insufficient knowledge of wheel force generating capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A wheel end module equipped with a processing device, load sensing arrangement, and dual polarized radar module that determines normal force and friction coefficient parameters, allowing for accurate calculation of wheel force generating capability and outputting this information to higher layer control functions for optimized vehicle motion management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wheel force generating capability is not accurately determined, then vehicle motion control is simplified, but vehicle safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the wheel force generating capability determination into independent measurement components: normal force measurement (via load sensing arrangement) and friction coefficient measurement (via radar module). Each component is measured separately and then combined to determine the overall wheel force generating capability, improving reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a processing device as an intermediary that receives measurements from the load sensing arrangement and radar module, processes these measurements, and outputs the wheel force generating capability. This intermediary component simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the computation and coordination of multiple sensors
2Ease of operation
If advanced vehicle motion management is implemented, then vehicle motion control is improved, but wheel force generating capability knowledge is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously measuring normal force and friction coefficient, processing these measurements to determine wheel force generating capability, and using this information to inform motion management decisions. The processing device outputs wheel force generating capability data that feeds back into the vehicle motion management system, ensuring adequate information availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining wheel force generating capability in advance before motion requests are executed. The system proactively measures and processes wheel capability parameters, so that when motion management decisions are made, accurate wheel force generating capability information is already available to guide safe and efficient control
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 solution provides reliable and cost-efficient determination of wheel force generating capabilities, enabling better coordination of motion support devices and improving vehicle safety and efficiency by ensuring that motion requests do not exceed wheel capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a dual polarized radar module arranged to transmit a radar signal towards a surface supporting the vehicle and to receive backscatter from the surface
Implementation Method 2
transmit a radar signal towards a surface supporting the vehicle and to receive backscatter from the surface
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel end module for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a processing device, a radar module arrange to transmit a radar signal towards a surface supporting the vehicle and to receive backscatter from the radar signal, and a load sensing arrangement. The processing device determines a parameter related to a normal force associated with at least one wheel of the heavy-duty vehicle by the load sensing arrangement, determines a parameter related to a friction coefficient of the surface by the radar module. The processing device determines a wheel force generating capability of the at least one wheel, based on the normal force related parameter and on the friction coefficient related parameter. The wheel end module outputs the wheel force generating capability on an output interface of the wheel end module.