Sensor-Equipped Vehicle Roof Rack for Load Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in determining if a load carrier is properly attached to a vehicle and if it is overloaded, due to the variety of load carrier types and lack of clear safety guidelines, which can lead to unsafe loading conditions.
Innovation Solution
A roof rack system equipped with sensors, including strain gauges and pressure sensors, that provide data on load and attachment status, connected to a communication unit for real-time feedback and comparison with reference values, ensuring safe loading and attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are added to the roof rack to provide load and attachment status data, then safety monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The roof rack system is divided into functional modules: attachment portions with sensors, load carrying portions with sensors, communication units, and processing units. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the complex safety monitoring system to be managed through modular components that can be independently installed and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
Communication units and processing units act as intermediaries between the physical sensors and the user interface. These intermediary components translate raw sensor data into meaningful safety information, managing the complexity by creating layered abstraction between the physical sensing layer and the user interaction layer.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are installed on vehicle attachment portions and load carrying portions, then measurement precision of load and attachment status is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensors and communication units are designed as universal components that can be integrated into different roof rack configurations and vehicle types. The same sensor module can function in both attachment portions and load carrying portions, reducing manufacturing complexity through component standardization while maintaining measurement precision across multiple measurement points.
3Loss of information
If real-time data communication and processing units are added to provide user feedback, then information availability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication units and processing operations are activated periodically or on-demand rather than continuously. Data transmission occurs at intervals or when threshold values are exceeded, reducing energy consumption while ensuring that critical safety information is communicated to users in a timely manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts communication frequency and processing intensity based on operating conditions. When the roof rack is within safe parameters, communication and processing occur at lower intensity. When threshold values are approached or exceeded, the system increases monitoring frequency and information transmission to ensure user awareness.
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 sensor-equipped roof rack system ensures proper attachment and load distribution, providing users with real-time safety feedback and compliance with safety regulations, enhancing loading safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The load carrying portion comprises at least one strain gauge
Implementation Method 2
The vehicle attachment portion comprises at least one pressure sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A load carrier for a vehicle (1), the load carrier comprises at least one vehicle attachment portion (10) and a load carrying portion (15). The at least one vehicle attachment portion (10) and/or the load carrying portion (15) comprises at least one sensor (G1, G2, G3, G2', G3').