Tire-Mounted Acceleration Sensing for Distance Traveled Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the distance traveled by a pneumatic casing are either energy-inefficient, require complex calculations, or are prone to noise and temperature corrections, making them unsuitable for long-term use in vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A method involving an electronic device mounted on the pneumatic casing to measure normal acceleration, using a sensor positioned radially to the natural axis of rotation, which calculates distance traveled through simplified mathematical operations, avoiding temperature corrections and energy-intensive processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an accelerometer is mounted on the wheel to measure distance traveled, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance traveled measurementVSAvoidTPMS device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the accelerometer from the wheel assembly and relocates it to the tire casing itself. This simplifies the overall device by eliminating the need for a complex TPMS system while maintaining measurement capability on the rotating component that directly experiences the motion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tire casing serves dual purposes: it protects the internal components and simultaneously hosts the accelerometer sensor on its surface. The tire's rotation provides the measurement platform, eliminating the need for separate wheel-mounted sensors and reducing system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If temperature correction is applied to accelerometer signals, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases due to continuous temperature monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccelerometer signal accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption for temperature correction
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary calibration of the accelerometer at different temperatures during the manufacturing or installation phase. This creates a lookup table or calibration curve that allows the system to apply corrections using pre-stored data, eliminating the need for continuous temperature monitoring and processing during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous temperature correction, the system performs temperature-based calibration at periodic intervals or at specific operating conditions. This reduces energy consumption by activating temperature correction only when necessary rather than continuously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If shock type accelerometer is used to detect wheel revolutions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel revolution detectionVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a single accelerometer sensor mounted on the tire casing to perform multiple functions: detecting wheel revolutions, measuring distance traveled, and monitoring tire rotation speed. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate sensors for each measurement task, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 method provides an energy-efficient and accurate estimation of distance traveled, reducing noise interference and maintaining precision over time, suitable for long-term use in vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

capable of generating at least one output signal proportional to the acceleration experienced by said sensor in the pneumatic envelope

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP4072871B1Determination of the driven distance of a driven tire
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)
  • EP4072871B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4072871B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4072871B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method for obtaining the distance travelled by a tyre, comprising the following steps: - fixing a sensor, to the right of the crown with a radial position Rc, capable of generating a signal proportional to the acceleration experienced; - rolling the tyre at a rotation speed W, subject to a load Z; - acquiring, after a time T, a first signal Sigi comprising the acceleration amplitude in the direction normal to the crown, wherein the values below a threshold N represent less than 40 percent of the length of the first signal; - identifying a reference value Vreferencei, being the square root of the average value of the first signal Sigi; - determining the distance travelled D during the time T from the following formula: [Math1] D = A * T * Vi reference, where A is proportional to the square root of the rolling radius of the tyre.