Tire Sensor System for Autonomous Fleet Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire sensor systems are ineffective for real-time remote monitoring and management of autonomous vehicle fleets, as they require human intervention to respond to tire parameter alerts, which is not feasible in autonomous vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A tire sensor system that affixes sensors to autonomous vehicle tires to measure parameters like pressure, temperature, and wear, transmitting data wirelessly to a central server for real-time analysis and decision-making, enabling autonomous adjustments to vehicle operations, such as route changes and maintenance scheduling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If tire sensors are used in autonomous vehicles, then tire parameter monitoring capability is improved, but human intervention requirement increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire parameter monitoringVSAvoidhuman intervention requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables autonomous vehicles to self-monitor tire parameters through integrated sensors and automatically execute decisions based on pre-established algorithms, eliminating the need for human drivers to respond to tire alerts. The vehicle performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment regarding tire conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously collects tire parameter data from sensors, transmits it to remote servers for analysis, and implements feedback loops where algorithms automatically adjust vehicle operations based on tire condition feedback. This closed-loop feedback system replaces human decision-making with automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If real-time tire monitoring is implemented, then vehicle performance optimization is improved, but data transmission and processing requirements increase system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle performance optimizationVSAvoiddata transmission and processing
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces remote servers as intermediaries between the vehicle's sensors and the decision-making algorithms. Sensors on the vehicle transmit tire parameter data to external servers, which then process the information and generate control commands, distributing the computational burden and reducing on-vehicle system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system moves data processing from the traditional on-vehicle dimension to a remote cloud-based dimension. By transmitting data off-vehicle for processing and receiving commands back, the system leverages external computational resources, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the data processing architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Duration of action of moving object

If autonomous vehicles operate without human drivers, then operational continuity is improved, but response to tire alerts becomes problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational continuityVSAvoidresponse to tire alerts
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-establishes algorithms and decision-making protocols before the vehicle operates autonomously. These pre-programmed instructions enable the vehicle to automatically respond to tire parameter alerts without human intervention, maintaining operational continuity by having responses ready in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The autonomous vehicle performs self-monitoring and self-response regarding tire conditions through integrated sensors and automated decision algorithms. When tire parameters indicate issues, the system automatically executes predetermined actions such as adjusting vehicle operations or scheduling maintenance, eliminating the need for human drivers to respond to alerts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3372423B1System and method for tire sensor-based autonomous vehicle fleet management
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO
  • EP3372423B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3372423B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3372423B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

A system (50) for sensing tire parameters in the remote monitoring and management of a fleet of autonomous vehicles (24) is provided. The system (50) includes at least one autonomous vehicle (24) that is supported by at least one tire (10). At least one sensor (22) is affixed to the tire (10) for sensing tire parameters. Means are provided for communicating data generated by the sensor (22) to a control system on the vehicle (24), and a mobile network (34) receives the sensor data from the vehicle control system. A fleet management server (38) receives the sensor data from the mobile network (34), and means are provided to generate commands for the autonomous vehicle (24) in real time based upon the data generated by the sensor (22). A method for sensing tire parameters in the remote monitoring and management of a fleet of autonomous vehicles (24) is also provided.