Portable Tire Contact Sensor Array for Accurate Pressure Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring tire contact patch parameters are either inaccurate, incomplete, or require large and heavy test rigs, and are not modular, limiting their adaptability and data collection accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A portable system with a thin, flexible array of force sensing elements that can be mounted to a real or simulated road surface, capable of scanning at a high rate (approximately 20,000 Hz) and wirelessly transferring data for analysis, including a 1×N array of sensors configured to measure size, shape, and pressure profile of the contact patch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional measurement methods (ink rolling, cast iron drum, camera systems) are used, then the equipment is simple to implement, but the measurement precision and data accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The contact patch measurement is divided into multiple discrete sensing points arranged in a grid array. Each sensor element independently measures pressure at its location, and the collective data from all segments reconstructs the complete contact patch profile with high precision without requiring a single complex measurement device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical measurement systems (ink rolling, physical contact with cast iron drums) with an electronic sensing array that uses electrical signals to detect pressure distribution. This substitution enables higher measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple device implementation through standard electronic components.
2Measurement precision
If high-precision contact patch measurement systems are implemented, then data accuracy improves, but the system becomes large and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing array is constructed using thin, flexible printed circuit board technology with distributed pressure sensors. This thin-film construction achieves high measurement precision through dense sensor spacing while keeping the overall system weight minimal, as each sensing element is extremely thin and lightweight.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single large complex measurement device, the system uses multiple simple sensor elements that collectively capture the complete contact patch information. Each sensor is a simple copy of the basic sensing element, and their combined data provides comprehensive high-precision measurement without requiring heavy equipment.
3Productivity
If static contact patch measurement is performed, then the measurement system is simple, but the dynamic characteristics of tire contact are not captured
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system transitions from static to dynamic measurement by implementing a scanning mechanism that moves the sensing array across the contact patch during tire rotation. This dynamic scanning capability captures the time-varying characteristics of tire contact at high data collection rates while using relatively simple mechanical scanning hardware and signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous measurement during the scanning process by continuously collecting data from all active sensors throughout their travel across the contact patch. This continuous data acquisition ensures high productivity by capturing complete dynamic contact information without interruption, while the continuous operation simplifies the control system compared to intermittent sampling approaches.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed measurement system is used, then the setup is stable, but the adaptability to different testing conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is divided into modular segments including the sensing array, scanning mechanism, and data processing units. This segmentation allows individual components to be independently configured and adapted to different testing conditions while maintaining overall system stability through standardized interfaces between modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing array and scanning mechanism are designed with universal characteristics that enable them to function across multiple testing scenarios. The same basic hardware configuration can adapt to different tire sizes, contact patch dimensions, and testing speeds through software control and parameter adjustment, providing high versatility without requiring multiple specialized systems.
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 and modular data collection of tire contact patch parameters, improving data accuracy and adaptability to various testing conditions with a lightweight and portable setup.
Implementation Method 1
a 1×128 array of piezo-resistive sensors mounted to the strip
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a thin, light, and portable system for measuring one or more parameters of a contact patch between a tire and a surface. The system may be configured with an array of sensors capable of being removable fixed to the surface. The array of sensors may measure the one or more parameters of the contact patch between the tire and the surface. Moreover, the system may include a scanner configured to interpret the measurements from the array of sensors as data and store the data.