Tire Pressure Deviation Determination via Wheel Load and Dynamic Radius

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to accurately determine and communicate optimal tire pressure to vehicle drivers, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced driving stability, which affects safety and energy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that automatically determine the pressure deviation between target and current tire pressure by calculating wheel load and dynamic tire radius, using tire stiffness functions to calculate both target and current tire pressures, and providing this information to drivers to motivate adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If current methods are used to estimate tire pressure, then some tire pressure information can be obtained, but the accuracy is insufficient and optimal tire pressure cannot be accurately determined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetire pressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidoptimal tire pressure information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical pressure sensing with a calculation-based approach using tire stiffness functions. By measuring wheel load and dynamic tire radius, and applying tire stiffness characteristics, the system calculates current and target tire pressures with high accuracy, eliminating the need for complex pressure sensing infrastructure while recovering the lost optimal pressure information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces tire stiffness function as an intermediary between mechanical measurements (wheel load, dynamic radius) and tire pressure determination. This intermediary model enables accurate inference of tire pressure states without direct measurement, bridging the gap between accessible mechanical parameters and the desired pressure information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If tire pressure is not optimized, then vehicle operation is simple, but energy consumption increases and driving stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle energy consumptionVSAvoidtire pressure management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the vehicle to automatically determine and communicate optimal tire pressure requirements to the driver without external intervention. By continuously monitoring wheel load and dynamic radius, and calculating optimal pressure through tire stiffness functions, the system makes the vehicle self-aware of its tire pressure needs, reducing energy consumption while maintaining operational simplicity through automated information provision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously determines current tire pressure, compares it with target pressure calculated from wheel load and dynamic radius, and communicates the pressure deviation to the driver. This closed-loop feedback enables energy optimization by guiding drivers to maintain optimal pressure while keeping the system simple through automated monitoring and communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If accurate tire pressure determination is implemented, then energy efficiency and safety improve, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving safetyVSAvoidpressure determination system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the tire stiffness function serve multiple purposes: determining current tire pressure, calculating target optimal pressure, and assessing pressure deviations. This universal application of the stiffness model across multiple determination tasks reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability, as the same validated physical model underpins all pressure-related decisions for safety and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This approach reduces energy consumption by optimizing tire pressure, enhancing driving stability and safety by accurately informing drivers of necessary adjustments and potentially automating tire pressure changes.

Implementation Method 1

using a tire stiffness function. The tire stiffness function may be used to determine a tire stiffness as a function of the wheel load, the current tire pressure and, if necessary, the current speed of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3027435B1Method and system for determining a pressure deviation between a target tire pressure and a current tire pressure for a tire of a vehicle and for determining a wheel load

Publication Date: 2019.11.20 VOLKSWAGEN AG

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AI summary

The invention relates to the determination of a pressure deviation between a target tire pressure (pIdeal) and a current tire pressure (pActual) for a tire (5) of a vehicle (10) by means of the following steps: determining a wheel load (f) for the tire; ascertaining a dynamic tire radius (rdyn) of the tire (5); determining the pressure deviation (prel) in dependence on the wheel load (f) and on the dynamic tire radius (rdyn).