Tyre Sensor Redundancy for Heavy-Duty Vehicle Motion Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for providing redundancy in heavy-duty vehicle systems are costly and inefficient, particularly in terms of packaging and performance, as they often require duplicating critical components such as braking systems.

Innovation Solution

A redundant motion control system for heavy-duty vehicles that utilizes smart tyre technology, including tyre sensors and control units, to interpret output signals and provide independent control functions in case of primary system malfunction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two or more separate and independent braking systems are deployed to implement redundancy, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and packaging space increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the redundant sensor system into the existing tyre structure by mounting sensors on the tyre surface, rather than creating a completely separate braking system. This allows redundancy to be achieved while sharing common components like the braking mechanism itself, thereby reducing overall system complexity and packaging requirements while maintaining reliability through alternative sensor pathways

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If two or more separate and independent braking systems are deployed to implement redundancy, then system reliability is improved, but packaging space is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidpackaging space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests the redundant sensors within or on the tyre structure itself, which is already part of the vehicle's existing footprint. By placing sensors on the tyre surface and utilizing the tyre's own structure as the mounting platform, the system achieves redundancy without requiring additional external space or separate mechanical systems, thus conserving packaging space while ensuring reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If redundant sensor systems are implemented using traditional methods, then system reliability is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the tyre structure serve multiple functions: it remains the load-bearing and motion-transmitting component while simultaneously serving as the mounting platform for redundant sensors. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensor housings and mounting mechanisms, reducing manufacturing costs while achieving the reliability benefits of redundant sensing systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4190651B1Redundant vehicle control systems based on tyre sensors
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4190651B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2
  • EP4190651B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4190651B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A motion control system (300) for controlling one or more torque generating devices (320, 340) on a heavy-duty vehicle (100), the system (300) comprising a primary sensor system (380) with a primary sensor control unit (220, 385) configured to interpret an output signal (385) of the primary sensor system (380), one or more tyre sensor devices (210) mounted on, in, or in connection to, one or more tyres of the heavy-duty vehicle (100), and a tyre sensor control unit (350) configured to interpret an output signal (355) of the one or more tyre sensor devices (210), wherein the motion control system (300) is arranged to base motion control of the heavy-duty vehicle (100) on output data of the tyre sensor control unit (350) in case of malfunction in the primary sensor system (380) and/or in the primary sensor control unit (220, 385), and on output data of the primary sensor control unit (220, 385) otherwise.