Tire Parameter Estimation via Vehicle Movement Contrast

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for estimating tire parameters, such as tire pressure and cornering stiffness, are not precise due to varying environmental conditions and lack of accurate models that account for wheel-road contact information.

Innovation Solution

A method involving measuring a reference vehicle movement and modeling a movement based on estimated tire parameters, with iterative updates using a Kalman filter to refine estimates, ensuring accuracy by considering variance and noise in sensor data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If tire parameters are used in vehicle movement modeling, then the model accuracy improves, but the measurement precision of tire parameters deteriorates due to their variability from environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire parameter estimation accuracyVSAvoidtire parameter stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the tire parameters adaptive rather than fixed. The system continuously estimates tire parameters (cornering stiffness, slip stiffness, tire radii) based on real-time vehicle movement data and environmental conditions. This dynamic estimation allows the model to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining accurate parameter values for precise vehicle movement modeling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through an iterative estimation process where the measured vehicle movement is compared with the modeled movement. The difference (error) between actual and modeled movement is used to update and refine the tire parameter estimates. This closed-loop feedback mechanism continuously improves measurement precision by correcting parameter estimates based on observed deviations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If an exact vehicle model with tire parameters is created, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and iterative processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle movement measurement accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using a multi-functional sensor system where existing vehicle sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, wheel speed sensors) serve multiple purposes. These sensors not only monitor basic vehicle dynamics but also provide data for tire parameter estimation and model validation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated sensors while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service by using the vehicle's own existing sensor data and movement information to estimate and refine tire parameters. The iterative estimation process utilizes data already collected during normal vehicle operation, eliminating the need for separate calibration procedures or additional measurement equipment. The system serves itself by continuously improving its own parameter knowledge from operational data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If tire parameters are estimated iteratively, then measurement precision improves through convergence, but loss of time increases due to multiple estimation cycles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire parameter estimation accuracyVSAvoidestimation convergence time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using initial approximate tire parameters from manufacturer specifications or previous calibrations as starting values for the iterative estimation process. This preliminary information reduces the number of iterations needed to converge to accurate values, as the estimation starts from a reasonable baseline rather than from zero or arbitrary values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies continuity of useful action by performing tire parameter estimation continuously during vehicle operation rather than in discrete separate calibration sessions. The iterative process runs continuously using ongoing sensor data, allowing the estimation to converge while the vehicle is being used normally. This continuous operation minimizes the effective time loss by utilizing otherwise idle processing capacity during regular vehicle operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP2755876B1Method for estimating tire parameters for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO OHG
  • EP2755876B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2755876B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2755876B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

a method for estimating tyre parameters (48) for a vehicle (2) is disclosed, comprising the following steps: - measuring (14) a reference movement (32) of the vehicle (2); - modelling (38) a model movement (46) of the vehicle (2) on the basis of a model (44) with the tyre parameters (48) to be estimated removed; and - estimating (50) the tyre parameters (44) of the vehicle (2) on the basis of a contrast of the reference movement (32) and the model movement (46).