Autonomous Tire Fire Detection and Shoulder Wear-Off Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous vehicles lack effective methods to detect and respond to tire fires, posing risks to the vehicle, its cargo, and other road users by failing to automatically adjust driving behavior and alert emergency services.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing LWIR cameras or tire-integrated temperature sensors to monitor tire conditions, triggering emergency measures such as lane change, speed reduction, and stopping at a safe distance to contain a tire fire, with a control unit coordinating vehicle actuators and alerting emergency services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no specific tire fire detection system is implemented, then the vehicle structure remains simple, but the vehicle cannot detect tire fires in time and cannot take emergency measures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sensor functions into a unified monitoring system. The sensor system not only detects tire temperature for fire detection but also monitors general tire conditions. The control unit handles both fire-specific emergency responses and general tire condition management, making the system multi-functional and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary between the sensor system and vehicle actuators. This control unit processes sensor data, determines tire fire conditions, and coordinates emergency responses including alerting emergency services and controlling vehicle movements. The intermediary manages complexity by centralizing decision-making logic.
2Reliability
If the vehicle maintains normal speed during a tire fire, then productivity is maintained, but the fire may spread to the entire vehicle and cargo
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by automatically reducing vehicle speed and moving to a safe location upon detecting a tire fire. This preemptive measure prevents the fire from spreading to the entire vehicle and cargo before emergency services can intervene, prioritizing safety over continued operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically alerting emergency services and positioning the vehicle in a safe location before the fire can spread. The control unit initiates emergency protocols immediately upon detection, ensuring safety measures are in place before the situation deteriorates.
3Reliability
If the vehicle continues normal operation without emergency measures, then ease of operation is maintained, but other road users may be endangered by a spreading fire
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the vehicle to automatically detect tire fires, alert emergency services, and take protective measures without human intervention. The system monitors its own tire conditions and autonomously executes emergency protocols, making the vehicle self-protective and reducing the operational burden on the driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from temperature sensors to continuously monitor tire conditions and automatically trigger emergency responses when fire conditions are detected. The control unit receives real-time temperature data and adjusts vehicle operations accordingly, creating a closed-loop safety system that protects road users without requiring manual oversight.
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 tire fires from spreading and minimizes damage by automatically adjusting vehicle behavior and notifying emergency services, ensuring safety for the vehicle, cargo, and other road users.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor is configured as an LWIR camera for detecting tire temperature. The LWIR camera is a long-wave infrared camera that is used as a temperature detection device and uses the color environment of the tire to determine whether the tire is at an elevated temperature or whether there is a possible tire fire.
Implementation Method 2
In some embodiments, a temperature sensor for detecting the tire temperature is arranged in each tire of the vehicle, which sensor communicates wirelessly with the control unit. The control unit compares the temperature signals transmitted by the temperature sensors with temperature threshold values to detect a hazardous situation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling an autonomously driving vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, in which the wheels of the vehicle are monitored. Upon detection of a safety-critical condition of the wheels, the driving behavior of the vehicle is automatically adjusted. In a method in which the vehicle is secured in the event of a tire fire, a fire alarm is sent to an emergency call center external to the vehicle upon identification of a burning tire, and the vehicle changes from the current lane to a shoulder on which the speed is reduced to wear off the burning tire. After the burning tire has been removed from the vehicle, the vehicle is brought to a stop at a safe distance from the burning tire.