Tire Control Interface for Actuator-Independent Objective Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems lack flexibility and reliability in controlling tire properties such as inflation pressure, tire grip, and tire wear, as they are often dependent on specific tire actuators and cannot adapt to the current status of dynamically variable tire objectives.

Innovation Solution

A signal interface and vehicle control system that communicate via a generic interface, allowing dynamic control of tire properties using various actuators, with the system determining tire objectives based on current capabilities and reporting status to ensure compatibility and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a specific tire actuator is used to control tire properties, then the control can be implemented, but the system lacks flexibility when changing actuator types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of tire controlVSAvoiddependence on specific actuator type

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The signal interface is designed to be universal and actuator-type independent, allowing the same interface to work with different actuator types (e.g., pressure actuators, temperature actuators). The interface communicates at the level of tire objectives rather than specific actuator commands, enabling one interface design to serve multiple actuator implementations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary signal interface that sits between the vehicle control system and the actuator system. This intermediary translates high-level tire objectives into actuator-specific commands without requiring the vehicle control system to know the specific actuator type, thus decoupling the control logic from the actuator implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If tire control requests are made without checking current capabilities, then control commands can be issued, but the requests may not be fulfillable reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of tire controlVSAvoidcomplexity of capability checking

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator system provides feedback signals to the vehicle control system indicating the current status of dynamically variable tire objective capabilities. This feedback mechanism allows the vehicle control system to understand what tire objectives can currently be achieved before issuing control requests, ensuring requests are realistic and fulfillable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary capability assessment by receiving and processing capability status information from the actuator system before tire control requests are made. This preliminary action ensures that the vehicle control system only requests tire objectives that are currently achievable given the actuator system's capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the signal interface is designed for a specific actuator type, then implementation is simpler, but it cannot be used with different actuator types reducing versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusability with different actuator typesVSAvoidsimplicity of interface design

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The signal interface is designed with universality in mind, using standardized communication protocols and abstracted tire objective parameters that are independent of specific actuator types. This allows the same interface design to be manufactured and deployed across different actuator implementations without modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The signal interface employs dynamic parameter structures that can adapt to different actuator types while maintaining a consistent communication framework. The interface handles variable tire objectives and capability statuses in a dynamic manner, allowing it to work with different actuator configurations without requiring redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250368183A1Approaches for tire control

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

AI summary

Approaches for tire control are disclosed, with communication between a vehicle control system and an actuator system configured to dynamically change tire properties.The communication includes a tire control signal from the vehicle control system to the actuator system, wherein the tire control signal is indicative of requested tire objective(s), and wherein each of the tire objective(s) indicates a tire property that is controllable by the actuator system.The communication may also include a tire report signal from the actuator system to the vehicle control system, wherein the tire report signal is indicative of a current status of dynamically variable tire objective(s) capabilities, and the requested tire objective(s) may be determined based on the current status of dynamically variable tire objective(s) capabilities.Alternatively or additionally, the requested tire objective(s) may be determined based on a tire objectives model, which is indicative of dependency between two or more tire objectives.