Vehicle Tire Sensor Fusion for Real-Time Road Surface Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring road surface conditions, such as IRI measurement and pothole detection, are limited by the need for expensive equipment and professional manpower, making real-time monitoring difficult and maintenance largely complaint-driven.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus installed in a vehicle, equipped with first and second measuring instruments on the right and left wheels, respectively, and a receiver, uses acceleration sensors to measure vibrations and geomagnetic sensors to detect potholes, transmitting data for real-time road surface condition analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive measurement equipment and professional manpower are used for IRI measurement and pothole detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase, making real-time monitoring difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement equipment with vehicle-mounted sensors (acceleration sensors, geomagnetic sensors) that utilize the vehicle's natural motion and magnetic field environment to detect road surface conditions, thereby simplifying the measurement system while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the vehicle's own motion and existing sensor infrastructure to perform road surface detection, eliminating the need for separate professional measurement teams and equipment, thereby enabling real-time monitoring without additional complex systems
2Measurement precision
If professional manpower and expensive equipment are deployed for road surface monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to long update cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous real-time monitoring by utilizing the vehicle's ongoing motion and continuously collecting sensor data as the vehicle travels, eliminating the periodic interruptions inherent in traditional measurement methods that require stopping and deploying professional equipment
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing manual measurement processes with automated vehicle-mounted sensors, the system achieves continuous data collection without the time losses associated with deploying and retrieving professional measurement equipment
3Ease of operation
If maintenance is based on drivers' complaints and reports, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to lack of systematic detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes an automated feedback loop where sensor data is continuously collected, processed, and used to generate objective road condition assessments, replacing subjective driver complaints with precise, data-driven maintenance decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual complaint-based reporting system with an automated sensor-based detection system that objectively measures road conditions, thereby maintaining operational simplicity while dramatically improving measurement precision
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
The apparatus enables efficient and accurate detection of road surface roughness and potholes, facilitating real-time monitoring and reducing the time gap between condition assessment and maintenance, thereby improving road safety and maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first acceleration sensor for measuring vibration of the tire of the right wheel to generate first vibration data
Implementation Method 2
a first geomagnetic sensor for generating first geomagnetic data by measuring geomagnetism of the ground traveling by the tire of the right wheel
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for detecting road surface condition is disclosed. The apparatus for detecting road surface condition, which is installed in a vehicle, of a road on which the vehicle is driving, according to an aspect of the present disclosure may include a first measuring instrument placed on a tire of a right wheel of the vehicle; a second measuring instrument placed on a tire of a left wheel of the vehicle; and a receiver placed in the vehicle, wherein the first measuring instrument includes a first acceleration sensor for measuring vibration of the tire of the right wheel to generate first vibration data; a first measuring instrument controller for processing the first vibration data to generate first roughness information for the road surface; and a first measuring instrument communication module for transmitting the first roughness information to the receiver, and wherein the second measuring instrument includes a second acceleration sensor for measuring vibration of the tire of the left wheel to generate second vibration data; a second measuring instrument controller for processing the second vibration data to generate second roughness information for the road surface; and a second measuring instrument communication module for transmitting the second roughness information to the receiver, and the receiver includes an in-vehicle communication module for receiving the first roughness information and the second roughness information; a receiver controller for processing the first roughness information and the second roughness information to generate final roughness information; and an external communication module for transmitting the final roughness information to the outside.