Smartphone Accelerometer Horsepower Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring automobile horsepower, such as in-house chassis dynamometers and road-based acceleration methods, face issues like engine fatigue, inaccurate torque measurement, and underestimation due to simulated conditions, and lack of deceleration phase data, leading to uncertain and inaccurate results.
Innovation Solution
A method using a smartphone with GPS and an accelerometer that measures automobile horsepower in real road conditions by incorporating both acceleration and deceleration phases with the same gear engaged, employing equations that calculate horsepower based on velocity, acceleration, and deceleration, allowing for accurate drivetrain loss calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If in-house chassis dynamometers with rollers are used to measure horsepower, then torque measurement is obtained, but engine fatigue increases due to larger resistance to rotation than real road conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical roller-based chassis dynamometer system with a smartphone accelerometer-based measurement system. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact between rollers and wheels, thereby removing the excessive resistance that causes engine fatigue while maintaining measurement capability through inertial sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a smartphone with accelerometer as an intermediary measurement device between the vehicle and the measurement system. This intermediary captures motion data without imposing mechanical resistance, allowing torque and horsepower calculation through software algorithms rather than direct mechanical interaction.
2Power
If chassis dynamometers measure wheel horsepower and apply algorithms to calculate crankshaft horsepower, then drivetrain losses are estimated, but measurement accuracy decreases because the drivetrain is disengaged during deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the deceleration measurement with the drivetrain engaged before any calculations are made. By capturing acceleration and deceleration data with the drivetrain connected during both phases, the system preliminarily records the actual operating conditions, enabling accurate drivetrain loss calculation without disengagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous drivetrain engagement throughout both acceleration and deceleration phases. This continuity ensures that the drivetrain remains in its actual operating state throughout the measurement process, allowing for accurate determination of drivetrain losses under real operating conditions rather than artificial disengagement.
3Ease of operation
If road-based acceleration methods are used to measure horsepower, then real road conditions are utilized, but measurement accuracy decreases due to lack of deceleration phase data and reliance on assumptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement process into two distinct phases: acceleration phase and deceleration phase. By separately measuring and analyzing both phases with the drivetrain engaged, the system obtains complete data sets that enable accurate calculation of drivetrain losses and horsepower without relying on assumptions or proprietary algorithms.
4Measurement precision
If chassis dynamometers operate the engine at high temperatures without proper ventilation, then measurements are taken, but engine fatigue increases and torque output decreases due to thermal effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows the vehicle to operate under its own normal operating conditions during the measurement process. By using real road conditions and the vehicle's own ventilation and cooling systems, the engine maintains its natural temperature regulation, avoiding the overheating and thermal fatigue associated with confined chassis dynamometer environments.
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
This approach provides a more accurate and repeatable measurement of automobile horsepower, suitable for both internal combustion engines and electric vehicles, without the need for a mechanic's shop, and is economical, offering a thorough view of the vehicle's performance by enabling multiple measurements.
Implementation Method 1
using an accelerometer, such as a smartphone, steadily positioned into the automobile... dv/dt(acc) is the automobile acceleration during the acceleration phase, dv/dt(dec) is the automobile deceleration during the deceleration phase
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a more accurate device and method for measuring automobile horsepower, specifically the internal combustion engine, ICE horsepower at the crankshaft, or the electric motor(s') horsepower, or the combined ICE and electric motor(s') horsepower. It applies to automobiles that do not incorporate, or can disengage, regenerative braking, RGB. The proposed device and method measures horsepower in real road test conditions, through the utilization of an accelerometer that performs measurements of the automobile velocity, acceleration and deceleration, whereas the method provided may be also applied to chassis dynamometers, resulting into a more accurate horsepower measurement by such dynamometers.