Vehicle Tire Force Notification via Segmented Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers have difficulty promptly perceiving which tire is approaching its force limit while driving, leading to potential slipping, as current warning systems may disrupt vehicle movement and are not intuitive.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control apparatus equipped with tire-force sensors, a tire-force estimator, and a notification unit that uses warning sounds or vibrations to inform the driver of the tire position approaching its force limit, adjusting sound volume and intervals or vibration intensity based on the tire's proximity to the limit value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual warning displays are used to alert drivers about tires approaching force limit, then drivers can receive information about tire status, but the displays may disrupt vehicle movement and are not intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system is segmented into multiple independent actuators distributed at different locations (steering wheel, seat, floor) rather than using a single centralized display. This allows the warning information to be delivered through multiple sensory channels simultaneously, making the system less intrusive while maintaining effective communication of tire status.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary notification system that translates tire force limit information into intuitive physical sensations (vibrations, sounds) that naturally guide driver response without requiring the driver to interpret complex display information. The notification actuators serve as intermediaries between the sensor data and driver understanding.
2Measurement precision
If complex warning systems are implemented to alert drivers about tire limit states, then more accurate tire status monitoring is achieved, but the system complexity increases and may disrupt vehicle movement
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system applies local quality by delivering specific vibration or sound notifications at locations corresponding to the affected tire's position (front left, front right, rear left, rear right). This localized notification approach provides precise tire status information without requiring a complex centralized control system, as each actuator independently responds to its corresponding tire's condition.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the driver check displays to understand tire status, the system inverts the approach by having the tire status actively notify the driver through intuitive physical feedback. The information flow is reversed from driver-initiated monitoring to system-initiated alerting, simplifying the interaction while maintaining measurement precision.
3Loss of information
If visual displays are used to show which tire is approaching limit, then tire position information is provided, but drivers have difficulty promptly perceiving the information while driving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical vibration through notification actuators mounted on the steering wheel, seat, or floor to convey tire position information. Vibrations provide immediate tactile feedback that drivers can perceive instantly while maintaining visual attention on the road, eliminating the time delay associated with visual display processing and interpretation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces visual display mechanisms with acoustic and tactile notification mechanisms. Sound and vibration signals can be processed by the driver's auditory and tactile senses simultaneously with visual driving tasks, whereas visual displays require sequential attention and cognitive processing that delays response time.
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus for a vehicle includes tire-force sensors, a tire-force estimator, and a notification unit. The tire-force sensors are provided on respective wheels of the vehicle. The tire-force estimator is configured to estimate tire forces of the respective wheels on the basis of sensor signals outputted from the respective tire-force sensors. The notification unit is configured to inform, on the basis of the estimated tire forces, a driver of the vehicle about a position of any of the wheels determined to be in a limit state.