Twin-Tire Tread Depth Estimation Using Position Correction Factors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating tread depth in dual tires are prone to errors due to the adjacent arrangement of tires, leading to inadequate results, and often require additional sensors that increase manufacturing costs and are susceptible to mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
A data-based method that includes lateral acceleration and position correction factors in the calculation, using vehicle and environmental parameters to estimate tread depth without sensors, by determining driving parameters over a predetermined distance and applying a position correction factor to account for tire positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional sensors are installed in vehicle tires to measure tread depth, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing vehicle sensors (acceleration sensors, GPS, speed sensors) perform multiple functions including safety monitoring, navigation, and now tread depth estimation. The system leverages self-service by making existing sensors work for additional purposes without requiring dedicated tread depth sensors, thereby avoiding increased device complexity while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement systems (tactile sensors embedded in tires) with indirect calculation methods using data from existing vehicle sensors. Instead of physically measuring tread depth through contact sensors, the system calculates it based on correlations between vehicle speed, rotational speed, and other operational parameters, thereby reducing device complexity
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors are installed in vehicle tires, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to mechanical stress susceptibility
Solution Approach 1:
Existing vehicle sensors that are already mounted in protected locations (vehicle body, wheel hubs) are utilized instead of installing new sensors directly in the tire rubber. These existing sensors are already designed to withstand vehicle operating conditions and do not suffer from the mechanical stress susceptibility that would affect newly installed tire-mounted sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses intermediate calculation methods rather than direct sensing. Instead of placing sensors directly in the tire environment where they would be exposed to mechanical stress, the system uses existing sensors as intermediaries that indirectly provide data for tread depth calculation, thereby avoiding reliability issues while maintaining measurement capability
3Device complexity
If data-based methods are used to estimate tread depth without position differentiation, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates in twin tire configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the calculation process by introducing position-specific correction factors for inner and outer tires in twin tire configurations. Instead of treating all tires uniformly, the system divides the calculation into separate pathways for inner tires and outer tires, applying appropriate correction factors to each, thereby improving precision without significantly increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using different correction factors and calculation parameters for different tire positions (inner vs. outer tires). Each tire position receives a customized calculation approach tailored to its specific operational characteristics, such as different rotational speeds and load conditions, thereby improving measurement precision for each specific location
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for estimating the tread depth of vehicle tires on a vehicle with twin tires, comprising the following method steps: a) driving a twin-tired vehicle along a predetermined driving distance in a driving section, b) determining a plurality of driving parameters (10) of the vehicle during the drive, wherein the plurality of driving parameters (10) includes at least the lateral acceleration, and, for the inner and outer vehicle tires of the twin tires, the following method steps: c) calculating the forces (12) acting on the vehicle tires in the driving section based on the determined driving parameters (10) and determining an abrasion severity index (14) assigned to the driving section from the calculated forces (12), taking into account a plurality of influencing parameters (16) selected from the group consisting of vehicle parameters (16a).environmental parameters (16b) and tire parameters (16c), wherein the influencing parameters (16) include at least information on the tread material and the initial tread depth, taking into account the position of the respective vehicle tire in the twin tire configuration by a position correction factor (18), and d) estimating the final tread depth for the vehicle tire starting from the respective initial tread depth, taking into account the respective wear index (14).