Tire Load Estimation Using Curvature Sensing on Variable Ground
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining tyre loading are unreliable on varying ground conditions, such as loose or agricultural terrain, as they primarily rely on firm road surfaces and lack precision in real-time monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing sensors to acquire measurement signals of tyre curvature and internal pressure, combined with a firmness factor derived from ground conditions, to calculate tyre loading through parameters like contact patch length and flattening rate, using logarithmic relationships to determine loading factors accurately across different ground firmness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing methods use curvature measurement and pressure data with look-up tables, then loading determination is simple on firm road surfaces, but reliability deteriorates on loose or varying ground conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a firmness factor as a new parameter that characterizes ground conditions. This parameter is derived from the measurement signal by analyzing the contact patch angle and its variation over time. By incorporating this additional parameter that specifically captures ground firmness characteristics, the system adapts to different ground conditions (firm roads, loose soil, agricultural terrain) without requiring complex recalibration, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing methods rely on firm road surfaces, then measurement precision is maintained, but versatility to different ground types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The firmness factor acts as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the raw curvature measurement signal and the final loading determination. Instead of directly using curvature and pressure data alone, the system first extracts the firmness factor from the signal characteristics (contact patch angle variation), then uses this intermediary to correct and adapt the loading calculation for different ground types, maintaining precision across diverse terrains.
3Reliability
If real-time loading monitoring is implemented, then safety and tyre wear estimation improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing curvature measurement signal (already being acquired for other tyre monitoring purposes) to derive the firmness factor and enable loading determination. Instead of adding separate sensors for ground condition detection, the system self-services by extracting ground firmness information from the existing signal's temporal characteristics, thus achieving enhanced real-time monitoring capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining the loading of a tire (1) mounted on a vehicle (9) and running along the ground, said tire (1) being equipped with a sensor (10), comprises: acquisition, by the sensor (10), of a measurement signal representative of the change in curvature of the tire (1) during running, determination, from the measurement signal, of measurement data comprising a first parameter representative of a length of a contact patch (6) in contact with the ground (7) during a revolution of the wheel bearing the tire, and determination of the loading of the tire (1) as a function of the first parameter, of the internal pressure of the tire, and of a firmness factor representative of a condition of firmness of the ground, which is derived from measurements taken while the tire is rolling over said ground.