Tire-Mounted Acceleration Sensor for Road Surface Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current road surface estimation methods face challenges in accurately determining road conditions, especially under varying weather conditions, due to limitations in image processing, indirect estimation methods, and the need for additional sensors, resulting in low accuracy and increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A road surface condition estimation apparatus mounted on a tire, comprising a sensor module to measure acceleration and pressure, a processing module to analyze acceleration waveforms and extract signal energy from specific frequency ranges, and a machine learning module to estimate road surface conditions, providing accurate and real-time data to the ECU for vehicle control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image processing methods are used to estimate road surface conditions, then real-time road surface information can be obtained, but lens contamination on wet or snowy roads and poor image resolution result in low estimation accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical/image processing system with a mechanical vibration-based sensing system. Acceleration sensors mounted on the tire directly measure vibration characteristics during tire-road contact, eliminating the need for cameras and image processing. This mechanical substitution approach directly addresses lens contamination issues by using a completely different sensing modality that is not affected by optical conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the tire itself as an intermediary sensing element. By mounting acceleration sensors on the tire, the system uses the tire's natural vibration and contact characteristics as a mediator to detect road surface conditions. The tire acts as both the vehicle component and the sensing interface, translating road surface properties into measurable vibration signals without requiring external cameras or additional sensors.
2Measurement precision
If additional cameras are installed to improve road surface detection, then more road surface information can be obtained, but vehicle cost increases and the complexity of the on-board sensor network increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the tire serve multiple functions: it remains the vehicle's contact component for propulsion and steering while simultaneously functioning as the sensing element for road surface detection. The acceleration sensors mounted on the tire utilize the tire's existing mechanical function to generate detection signals, eliminating the need for separate detection systems and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire serves itself as the sensing element. By mounting acceleration sensors directly on the tire, the system uses the tire's own operational characteristics (vibration, contact frequency, mechanical response) to generate detection signals. The tire's natural operation during vehicle movement provides the sensing opportunity without requiring additional active components or complex sensor networks.
3Device complexity
If indirect estimation methods using vehicle dynamic models are used, then road surface conditions can be estimated using existing on-board sensors, but errors accumulate in the indirect estimation process and estimation can only be made when slip occurs between tire and road surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs road surface estimation during normal tire contact operation rather than waiting for slip conditions. By continuously monitoring acceleration signals during regular tire-road interaction, the system obtains estimation data in advance of actual braking or steering maneuvers, eliminating the need to wait for slip events and preventing error accumulation from delayed detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces indirect estimation through vehicle dynamic models with direct measurement through tire-mounted acceleration sensors. Instead of calculating road surface properties from vehicle-level dynamics and assuming slip conditions, the system directly measures the mechanical vibration characteristics at the tire-road interface, eliminating modeling errors and providing more reliable direct measurement data.
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 solution improves road surface estimation accuracy to 92%, reduces braking distance by 5%, enables advanced driver warnings, and enhances autonomous vehicle stability by directly measuring tire dynamics and providing detailed road surface information without relying on indirect methods or additional sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor module 110 which is mounted on a tire 10
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3(a)~4(d)
Figure 5(a)~5(b)
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a road surface condition estimation apparatus and a road surface condition estimation method using the same, and more particularly to a road surface condition estimation apparatus which accurately estimates a road surface condition even under changes of external environment such as weather, etc., and a road surface condition estimation method using the same. The road surface condition estimation apparatus includes: a sensor module which is mounted on a tire; a receiver module which receives sensing information measured by the sensor module; a processing module which extracts a parameter for estimating a road surface condition by analyzing the sensing information received by the receiver module; and an estimation module which estimates the road surface condition by using the parameter extracted by the processing module. The sensing information includes an acceleration of the tire.