Smart Device Vehicle Leveling via Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recreational vehicles lack efficient and cost-effective systems for leveling, requiring manual trial and error with bubble levels, which can lead to significant errors and repeated attempts to achieve a level balance, affecting the operation of various systems within the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing smart devices and sensor devices, such as gyroscopes and accelerometers, to measure and adjust the pitch and roll angles of recreational vehicles, providing precise calculations for leveling through a software application, allowing for quick and accurate leveling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If bubble levels are used to determine level orientation, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is poor with error ranges of 2-3 degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical bubble levels with electronic sensors including accelerometers, gyroscopes, and tilt sensors to measure pitch and roll angles. This substitution provides precise digital measurements of vehicle orientation, eliminating the 2-3 degree error range of bubble levels while enabling integration with computing devices for automated leveling calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from qualitative bubble position to quantitative angle measurements in degrees. By using sensors that provide precise numerical data on pitch and roll angles, the system enables accurate calculation of wheel height adjustments needed to achieve level orientation, transforming imprecise visual estimation into exact mathematical parameters.
2Productivity
If manual trial and error method is used with bubble levels, then the ease of operation is moderate, but the loss of time is significant due to multiple attempts required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where sensors continuously monitor pitch and roll angles, the computing device calculates the precise height adjustments needed, and the driver makes adjustments based on this feedback. This closed-loop system eliminates trial and error by providing exact guidance on how much to adjust each wheel, significantly reducing the time and number of attempts required to achieve level orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculations of the exact height adjustments needed for each wheel before the driver makes any physical adjustments. By computing the precise required changes based on sensor data and vehicle geometry, the driver can make the correct adjustment in a single attempt rather than requiring multiple trial and error cycles.
3Productivity
If digital sensors and hydraulic jacks are used for leveling, then the measurement precision and productivity are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the computing device (smartphone, tablet, or onboard computer) perform multiple functions: it receives sensor data, calculates pitch and roll angles, determines required wheel height adjustments, and provides guidance to the driver. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated expensive leveling electronics while maintaining high productivity and precision through software-based processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing sensors and computing resources to perform the leveling function without requiring specialized dedicated hardware. By leveraging components already present in modern vehicles (accelerometers, gyroscopes, processors), the system achieves sophisticated leveling capabilities at minimal additional cost and complexity.
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 rapid and accurate leveling of recreational vehicles, reducing the number of attempts needed to achieve a level balance, ensuring proper operation of systems and minimizing errors, thus enhancing user convenience and system functionality.
Implementation Method 1
A system utilizing smart devices and sensor devices, such as gyroscopes and accelerometers, to measure and adjust the pitch and roll angles of recreational vehicles
Implementation Method 2
A system utilizing smart devices and sensor devices, such as gyroscopes and accelerometers, to measure and adjust the pitch and roll angles of recreational vehicles
Implementation Method 3
one or more sensor devices secured to a vehicle to sense at least one of an inclination or an orientation of the vehicle in both a pitch direction and a roll direction
Data Source
AI summary
The present subject matter provides leveling systems and processes for leveling vehicles, such as recreational vehicles. The present subject matter also relates to computer program products for leveling vehicles, such as recreational vehicles, using smart devices. The leveling system can include a sensor device secured to a vehicle to sense at least one of an inclination or an orientation of the vehicle in both a pitch direction and a roll direction. The leveling system can include a smart device in communication with the sensor device to allow information received from the sensor device to be processed to provide measurements to a user and to determine the amount of adjustments needed in height to at least one of the pitch direction or the roll direction to level the vehicle.