Traction Control System With Variable Radius Weight

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current braking systems for heavy-duty vehicles lack an effective mechanism to enhance friction between tires and the road surface, limiting braking capability and safety.

Innovation Solution

A traction control system that uses controllable weights moving around the wheel rotation axis, guided by a weight guiding arrangement with different radii of curvature, to increase the centrifugal force and thus the contact force between the tire and the road, enhancing braking performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If conventional braking systems are used, then the braking system structure is simple, but the friction between tire and road is insufficient, limiting braking capability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefriction between tire and roadVSAvoidbraking system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the weight movable around the wheel rotation axis rather than fixed. The weight can dynamically adjust its position and radius of curvature, transitioning between different orbital paths to generate variable centrifugal forces that enhance tire-road friction during braking operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters by varying the radius of curvature of the weight's orbital path. By transitioning the weight between paths with different radii (first radius vs second radius), the system generates different magnitudes of centrifugal force, thereby modulating the contact force between tire and road surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Force

If a weight moves in a circle with constant radius, then the system is simple, but the centrifugal force remains constant and cannot be optimized for braking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentrifugal forceVSAvoidweight guiding arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The weight guiding arrangement implements dynamics by enabling the weight to transition between different orbital paths with varying radii of curvature. This dynamic path adjustment allows the centrifugal force to vary continuously, optimizing braking performance at different stages of the braking process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The orbital path of the weight is segmented into distinct portions with different radii of curvature. The weight guiding arrangement divides the continuous orbital motion into segments (first portion with first radius, second portion with second radius), allowing controlled transitions between different force generation modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 system effectively increases friction by transitioning the weights from a smaller to a larger radius of curvature, resulting in a higher centrifugal force directed towards the road, thereby improving braking capability and safety.

Implementation Method 1

moving a weight around the wheel rotation axis in such a way that a net centrifugal force provided by the movement of the weight is directed towards the road

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3924194B1Traction control system for vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP3924194B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3924194B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3924194B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

The invention relates to a traction control system (11), for controlling a contact force (F) between a wheel (5) rotating around a wheel rotation axis (9) and a contact surface (6), the traction control system (11) comprising: at least a first weight (13a-c) controllable to move around the wheel rotation axis (9) when the traction control system (11) is coupled to the wheel (5); and a weight guiding arrangement (15) configured to guide the first weight (13a-c) in such a way that, when the first weight (13a-c) moves around the wheel rotation axis (9), a center of mass of the first weight (13a-c) follows a first path defined by the weight guiding arrangement (15), wherein the first path exhibits a first portion with a first radius (R1) of curvature, and a second portion with a second radius (R2) of curvature, larger than the first radius (R1) of curvature.