Road Surface State Determination Device Using Real-Time Vibration Learning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing road surface state determination methods using pre-learned support vectors are ineffective when a vehicle encounters unknown or changing road surfaces, as they rely on stored data that may not accurately represent the current conditions.

Innovation Solution

A road surface state determination device comprising a tire-side device and a vehicle-body-side system that detects tire vibrations, generates road surface data, and updates learning data based on real-time environment conditions, allowing for continuous learning and adaptation to new situations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If pre-learned support vectors are used for road surface state determination, then the system can operate with simple structure, but the determination accuracy deteriorates when encountering unknown or changing road surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidroad surface state determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary learning to generate initial support vectors for common road surfaces, enabling the system to operate with simple structure for known conditions. This preliminary preparation allows the system to handle typical road surfaces accurately while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The support vectors are made dynamic through continuous update mechanisms. When the system encounters unknown or changing road surfaces, it dynamically generates new support vectors by learning from detected vibration patterns, allowing the system to adapt to new conditions while maintaining determination accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the system continuously updates learning data to adapt to new road surfaces, then the determination accuracy for unknown conditions improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroad surface state determination accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where detection results are continuously fed back to update the learning data and support vectors. This feedback loop enables the system to improve its determination accuracy for unknown conditions by learning from actual operating experiences while maintaining a manageable structure through iterative refinement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-learning and self-updating of support vectors without requiring external intervention. The tire-side device autonomously generates new support vectors by learning from detected vibration patterns, enabling the system to adapt to new road surfaces while minimizing additional device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If support vectors are updated in real-time to handle changing road surfaces, then the adaptability improves, but the loss of time for data processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to changing road surfacesVSAvoiddata processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs support vector updates at periodic intervals or based on trigger conditions rather than continuously processing every data point. This periodic action approach enables the system to maintain adaptability to changing road surfaces while minimizing time loss through selective updating rather than constant processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares and updates support vectors in advance during periods when processing time is available, rather than waiting for real-time determination needs. This preliminary action allows the system to have updated support vectors ready before they are needed, reducing real-time processing delays while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables accurate determination of road surface states even in unknown conditions by continuously updating learning data, improving the system's ability to handle changing road surfaces and enhancing safety through real-time vehicle control.

Implementation Method 1

vibration applied to a tire is detected using an acceleration sensor provided in a back surface of a tire tread

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS11549809B2Road surface state determination device and tire system

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A road surface state determination device includes a tire-side device and a vehicle-body-side system. The tire-side device is attached to a tire of a vehicle. The vehicle-body-side system is included in a vehicle body. The tire-side device outputs a detection signal corresponding to a magnitude of vibration of the tire. The tire-side device generates road surface data indicative of a road surface state shown in a waveform of the detection signal. The tire-side device transmits the road surface data. The vehicle-body-side system receives the road surface data transmitted from the tire-side device. The vehicle-body-side system determines the road surface state of a road surface on which the vehicle is traveling based on the road surface data and learning data.