Road Inclination Estimation Using Vehicle Parameter Quality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining road inclination without an inclination sensor face reliability issues due to uncertainties in vehicle operating parameter measurements, affecting gear selection and fuel economy calculations.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses on-board sensors to measure vehicle operating parameters, determines a quality level for these measurements, and adjusts the estimated road inclination value based on this quality level, allowing for more reliable gear selection by incorporating a quality measure into the determination process, potentially using dead reckoning when quality is low.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an inclination sensor is integrated in the transmission control unit, then the road inclination can be determined, but the production price of the vehicle increases and reliability cannot always be guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroad inclination determinationVSAvoidsensor function

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses existing vehicle operating parameters (torque, speed, acceleration) as intermediary variables to indirectly determine road inclination, avoiding the need for direct measurement by an inclination sensor. The control unit calculates inclination by analyzing the relationship between these parameters and vehicle dynamics models, thereby eliminating the reliability issues associated with physical sensors while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If an inclination sensor is used, then road inclination can be measured, but the production price of the vehicle increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroad inclination determinationVSAvoidproduction price

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing vehicle sensors (torque sensor, speed sensor, acceleration sensor) serve multiple functions: their primary functions remain unchanged, but they are also utilized for road inclination determination. This multi-functional use eliminates the need for additional dedicated inclination sensors, thereby avoiding increased production costs while achieving the measurement objective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If vehicle operating parameters are used to estimate road inclination, then the production price does not increase, but reliability issues arise due to measurement uncertainties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction priceVSAvoidinclination determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors vehicle operating parameters, compares measured values with expected values based on vehicle dynamics models, and adjusts the inclination calculation accordingly. This feedback loop compensates for measurement uncertainties and improves the reliability of inclination determination without requiring additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the approach from direct physical measurement to mathematical parameter analysis. By transforming the problem from measuring physical inclination directly to calculating it from changes in vehicle operating parameters (torque, speed, acceleration) and applying vehicle dynamics models, the system achieves reliable results without additional sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If vehicle operating parameters are used to estimate road inclination, then no additional sensors are needed, but the accuracy and correctness cannot always be guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor configurationVSAvoidroad inclination determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple vehicle operating parameters (torque, speed, acceleration) and integrates them with vehicle dynamics models to create a composite estimation approach. By synthesizing information from multiple sources and applying mathematical models, the system achieves higher measurement precision than any single parameter could provide alone, while maintaining simple device configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS11021161B2Method and arrangement for determining road inclination

Publication Date: 2021.06.01 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and arrangement for determining a current road inclination, specifically taking into account a quality measure for the determination. The invention also relates to a corresponding computer program product. The method comprises the steps of: —measuring (S1), a first vehicle operating parameter; —receiving (S2) the first vehicle operating parameter; —determining (S3) an indication of a quality level for the first vehicle operating parameter, and —determining (S4) an estimated value of the current road inclination based on the first vehicle operating parameter and the indication of the quality level for the first vehicle operating parameter.