Tire Strain Sensing for Rolling Resistance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively measure and compare rolling resistance across different tires and road conditions, limiting the ability to quantify tire efficiency and monitor road deterioration over time.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing soft elastomeric capacitors (SECs) integrated into tires and roadways to measure strain and energy loss, providing rolling resistance data by tracking deformation and strain in multiple directions, and combining this data with force sensors to determine energy loss contributing to rolling resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tire deformation is measured to determine rolling resistance, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and integrated roadway sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines tire-mounted sensors with roadway-integrated sensors into a unified measurement system. The tire sensor measures local deformation while the roadway sensor measures strain in the road surface, and both data streams are integrated to calculate rolling resistance, achieving comprehensive measurement precision through system merging.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions: measuring tire deformation, measuring road surface strain, and calculating rolling resistance. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate measurement systems while maintaining high measurement precision across different measurement targets.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated into tires and roadways to measure strain in multiple directions, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is divided into separate modular components: tire-mounted sensor units and roadway-integrated sensor units. Each module can be manufactured and tested independently before deployment, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining the capability for multi-directional strain measurement through coordinated operation of the segmented system.
3Ease of operation
If soft elastomeric capacitors are used as tire sensors, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to material variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the inherent material properties of soft elastomeric capacitors, specifically their viscoelastic characteristics, to compensate for manufacturing variability. By designing the measurement system to account for and calibrate these material-specific parameters, the system achieves consistent operational performance despite variations in individual sensor manufacturing.
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
Enables accurate quantification of tire efficiency and road condition monitoring, offering cost-effective, scalable, and robust solutions for structural health monitoring and reducing rolling resistance, thereby improving vehicle efficiency and reducing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one tire sensor may measure strain in at least two directions
Implementation Method 2
the system may measure energy loss that contributes to rolling resistance of the at least one tire
Implementation Method 3
placing at least one force sensor within a suspension of the vehicle in communication with the at least one tire sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems and methods for determination of rolling resistance from a sensor or sensors in a tire or tires for application in smart cars to provide feedback to interested parties, such as Departments of Transportation or tire manufacturers.