Tire Contact Patch Detection via Angle Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Measuring axle load is challenging due to the expense and temperature sensitivity of axle load sensors, and existing methods struggle to determine the optimal tire pressure for varying terrains and speeds, affecting the efficiency and safety of agricultural vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle tire deformation device with a movement detector and attachment body attached to the tire's inside surface, which continuously measures the size of the deformed contact patch by sensing the angle of a moveable indicator element, allowing for real-time adjustment of tire pressure through a control unit to optimize vehicle operation based on terrain and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If axle load sensors are used to measure axle load, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device cost and temperature sensitivity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a polymer foil that copies the deformation of the tire contact patch to measure axle load indirectly. Instead of placing sensors directly on the axle, the foil is mounted on the inner surface of the tire where it experiences the same deformation as the contact patch, providing a cheaper and temperature-resistant measurement method that achieves the same measurement goal through a different physical location and mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical axle load sensors with a polymer-based deformation sensing system. The polymer foil detects mechanical deformation through its physical properties (resistive, capacitive, inductive, or optical changes) rather than using complex mechanical strain gauges or load cells on the axle, thereby reducing temperature sensitivity and device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy
2Productivity
If tire pressure is increased for road work, then rolling resistance and heat generation are reduced, but grip on soft terrain decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic tire pressure adjustment system that continuously monitors contact patch size and automatically adjusts tire pressure based on detected terrain conditions. The system transitions tire pressure from static to dynamic control, allowing the tires to adapt in real-time to changing terrain conditions, thus optimizing both productivity on hard surfaces and adaptability on soft terrain without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback control system where the polymer foil continuously measures contact patch deformation, sends signals to a control unit, which then adjusts tire pressure accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that tire pressure is automatically optimized for current terrain conditions, resolving the contradiction between productivity and adaptability by maintaining optimal pressure dynamically rather than using fixed pressure settings
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
Enables accurate measurement of axle load without expensive sensors and optimizes tire pressure for different terrains and speeds, improving the efficiency and safety of agricultural vehicles by continuously monitoring and adjusting tire pressure.
Implementation Method 1
the size of the deformed contact patch of the tire is determined by the detector sensing a change in angle of the moveable indicator element indicating the border between the deformed contact patch of the tire and a non deformed part of the tire
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle tire deformation device for determining the size of a deformed contact patch of a tire which contacts the ground, said device comprising a movement detector connected to an attachment body by means of a moveable indicator element wherein both the movement detector and the attachment body are attachable to an inside surface of the tire, and wherein the size of the deformed contact patch of the tire is determined by the detector sensing a change in angle of the moveable indicator element indicating the border between the deformed contact patch of the tire and a non deformed part of the tire which is not in contact with the ground.