Towed RV Odometer Tracking Road Surface for Service Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Recreational vehicles, such as caravans and camper trailers, lack a system to monitor and record distance traveled and terrain conditions, leading to inadequate maintenance, uncertain resale value, and inconsistent service intervals, which can impact safety and performance.

Innovation Solution

A usage recording system for towed vehicles, comprising a distance measurement sensor, road surface quality sensor, and a processor that combines data to determine service intervals based on distance and terrain conditions, including a GNSS receiver for positioning and accelerometers for axial movement measurement, with data transfer capabilities to a cloud network or towing vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If recreational vehicles are equipped with enhanced undercarriage structures and additional parts for off-road capability, then the vehicle's ability to traverse difficult terrain is improved, but the complexity of monitoring and maintaining these parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoff-road capabilityVSAvoidmonitoring and maintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The odometer system automatically monitors distance traveled and terrain conditions without requiring manual intervention. The system self-records usage data, calculates service intervals, and provides maintenance alerts, eliminating the need for owners to manually track usage or determine when service is needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides continuous feedback to the owner through usage data collection and analysis. The processor monitors distance and terrain conditions, then feeds back service interval recommendations and maintenance alerts to the owner, enabling proactive maintenance scheduling based on actual vehicle usage patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If service intervals are determined based on fixed time schedules, then service planning is simplified, but the accuracy of maintenance timing deteriorates when usage patterns vary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice planning simplicityVSAvoidmaintenance timing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static fixed-time service intervals to dynamic usage-based service intervals. The processor continuously calculates service intervals based on actual distance traveled and terrain conditions, adjusting maintenance timing to match real vehicle usage patterns while remaining easy to implement through automated calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter basis for service scheduling from time-only to a combination of distance and terrain conditions. By incorporating multiple parameters (distance traveled, road surface quality, terrain difficulty), the system achieves more accurate maintenance timing while keeping the interface simple through automated multi-parameter analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If no usage monitoring system is installed, then the vehicle structure remains simple, but the ability to assess resale value and determine service needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structure simplicityVSAvoidusage data availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual tracking methods with electronic sensing and processing. Instead of relying on owner memory or manual logs, the system uses sensors, processors, and digital storage to automatically capture and analyze usage data, providing accurate information for resale valuation and service scheduling with minimal added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system provides proactive maintenance scheduling, accurate resale value assessment, and consistent service intervals, enhancing vehicle safety and performance by monitoring distance and terrain exposure, and offering real-time data for drivers and owners.

Implementation Method 1

a GNSS receiver for determining a position of the towed recreational vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGNSS satellite positioning:

Implementation Method 2

accelerometers to measure axial movement of a chassis of the towed recreational vehicle with respect to a road surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAccelerometer measurement: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS11796346B2Odometer system for a recreational vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 DA ROUGE PTY LTD ATF DA ROUGE UNIT TRUST

AI summary

A usage recordal system for a towed vehicle includes a distance measurement sensor for measuring data representative of distance travelled by the towed vehicle, a road surface quality sensor for measuring data representative of road surface quality for the measured distance travelled by the towed vehicle, and a processor for receiving the data representative of distance travelled by the towed vehicle and the data representative of road surface quality for the measured distance travelled by the towed vehicle and for combining the data to provide data indicative of the distance travelled by the towed vehicle over a variety of road surface conditions.