Vehicle Tire Change Detection for Accurate Range Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to accurately account for tire changes, such as switching between summer and winter tires, which significantly impact vehicle range estimation, leading to inaccurate driving range predictions.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that detect changes in tire friction by monitoring tire parameters, register the occurrence of these changes with a calendar query, and update tire friction values based on calendar events for summer/winter tire changes, thereby improving the accuracy of vehicle range estimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If tire changes are not detected and accounted for, then the system structure remains simple, but vehicle range estimation accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle range estimation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors tire parameters (pressure, temperature, rotation speed) and compares actual values against expected values to detect tire changes. This feedback mechanism triggers automatic updates to the vehicle range estimator when tire friction characteristics change, ensuring accurate range estimation without manual intervention or complex sensor systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle's existing sensor network (tire pressure monitoring, temperature sensors, wheel rotation sensors) is repurposed to automatically detect tire changes. The system uses already-available data from these sensors to infer tire friction characteristics and trigger range estimation updates, eliminating the need for additional dedicated sensors or complex detection hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If tire friction changes are detected and accounted for, then vehicle range estimation accuracy improves, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle range estimation accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects tire changes by monitoring changes in existing tire parameters (pressure, temperature, rotation speed) rather than directly measuring friction. When these parameters indicate a tire change, the system updates the friction coefficient parameter in the range estimation model, achieving accurate range prediction through parameter adaptation rather than complex computational models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuously recalculating the entire vehicle range estimation model, the system performs partial updates by only adjusting the friction coefficient parameter when tire changes are detected. This selective updating approach reduces computational overhead while maintaining estimation accuracy, avoiding the need for full model recalculation at all times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If continuous monitoring of tire parameters is performed, then tire change detection accuracy improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire change detection accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs periodic sampling of tire parameters at predetermined intervals rather than continuous monitoring. This periodic measurement approach, combined with threshold-based change detection, maintains adequate tire change detection accuracy while significantly reducing the energy consumption associated with constant sensor activation and data processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses intermediate inference by analyzing changes in easily measurable parameters (pressure, temperature, rotation speed) to detect tire friction changes indirectly. This intermediary approach allows accurate tire change detection without requiring direct friction measurement or continuous high-power sensor operation, reducing energy consumption while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4635817A1A method for tire change adaption of a vehicle having tires, a system for tire change adaption of a vehicle having tires and a vehicle comprising the system
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4635817A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4635817A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4635817A1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4d

AI summary

A method for tire change adaption of a vehicle having tires is provided. The method comprising: detecting a change in tire friction for a plurality of the tires by monitoring one or more tire parameters; registering a point in time associated with the occurrence of the detected change in tire friction and performing a calendar query pertaining to the registered point in time; determining a tire friction difference value pertaining to the detected change of tire friction; and upon the tire friction difference value being above a threshold value and the registered point in time being associated with, as determined by the calendar query, a calendar event, wherein the calendar event pertains to a date or time period for summer or winter tire changeover; communicating with a vehicle range estimator comprising tire friction values and updating the tire friction values based on the detected change of tire friction.