Vehicle Speed Control Using Tire Audio to Prevent Hydroplaning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ground contact load controllers do not effectively prevent hydroplaning by controlling vehicle speed based on road surface conditions, leading to potential tire slip and loss of grip.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle controller that estimates road surface water levels using audio data from tire vibrations and sets a maximum driving speed limit to prevent hydroplaning, incorporating a water level estimating unit and an upper limit setting unit to adjust speed accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ground contact load controller increases tire ground contact load to restore grip during hydroplaning, then tire grip is restored, but vehicle speed control is not prevented and hydroplaning may occur again

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetire gripVSAvoidvehicle speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of hydroplaning conditions using audio data from microphones before hydroplaning occurs. By analyzing sound vibrations and estimating water levels in advance, the controller proactively reduces vehicle speed to prevent hydroplaning, rather than reacting after grip is already lost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors audio data from microphones to detect water level changes on the road surface. This feedback loop allows the controller to adjust vehicle speed in real-time based on detected water conditions, maintaining safe speeds that prevent hydroplaning while allowing higher speeds when road conditions are dry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If vehicle speed is not controlled on wet road surfaces, then driving performance is maintained, but hydroplaning occurs causing tire slip and loss of control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving performanceVSAvoidvehicle control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the maximum allowed vehicle speed based on real-time water level detection. When water levels exceed thresholds, the system reduces the speed limit; when water levels are low, the system allows higher speeds. This dynamic adjustment maintains optimal driving performance while preventing hydroplaning under varying road conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Effectively prevents hydroplaning by dynamically adjusting vehicle speed based on real-time road surface conditions, ensuring stable tire contact and improved vehicle control.

Implementation Method 1

audio data related to sound vibrations measured at the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS20250333057A1Vehicle controller and storage medium comprising vehicle control program

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 J-QUAD DYNAMICS INC

AI summary

A vehicle controller includes a water level estimating unit and an upper limit setting unit. The water level estimating unit is configured to estimate a water level on a road surface on which a vehicle is traveling based on audio data related to sound vibration measured at the vehicle. The upper limit setting unit is configured to set a maximum speed based on the water level estimated by the water level estimating unit, the maximum speed being an upper limit of a driving speed of the vehicle.