Vehicle Center of Gravity Estimation from Wheel Load Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle monitoring systems struggle to accurately estimate the center of gravity of vehicles, especially when load density and location change significantly, affecting the performance of control systems like braking, stability, and suspension, leading to increased tire wear and fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method that collects wheel load measurements from sensors installed on vehicle wheels, computes longitudinal and lateral positions of the center of gravity using vehicle parameters, and adjusts control systems like brakes and suspension based on these calculations, incorporating hitch forces for articulated vehicles, and utilizing neural networks for force estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing center of gravity estimation systems are used, then vehicle control systems can operate, but the accuracy of center of gravity estimation is insufficient especially when load position and density change drastically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vehicle into multiple segments with individual sensors on each wheel and axle. By segmenting the measurement system across multiple points (front wheels, rear wheels, axles), the system can capture localized load changes and compute the overall center of gravity more accurately, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and adaptability to load changes
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts to changing load conditions by continuously monitoring wheel loads and recalculating center of gravity position in real-time. The control systems (braking, stability, suspension) are continuously adapted based on the computed center of gravity, enabling the system to maintain high measurement precision and adaptability simultaneously as load positions and densities change
2Ease of manufacture
If control systems are designed for ideal load cases, then system design is simplified, but performance deteriorates when actual load conditions differ from ideal cases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from designing for fixed ideal parameters to dynamically computing actual parameters (center of gravity position) based on real-time sensor data. The control systems maintain simple design structures but achieve reliability under varying loads by continuously adapting to the computed center of gravity position, resolving the contradiction between design simplicity and performance reliability
3Quantity of substance
If multiple axles are added to vehicles, then load capacity increases, but designing control system behaviors becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by placing sensors on each wheel and axle independently, allowing the system to handle multiple axles without increasing overall control complexity. Each axle is measured separately and the data is integrated to compute the center of gravity, enabling high load capacity while maintaining manageable control system design
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses a universal approach by computing center of gravity position that works for vehicles with any number of axles. The same calculation methodology and control algorithms apply whether the vehicle has two axles or more, making the system multi-functional and adaptable to different vehicle configurations without proportionally increasing design complexity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling performance of a vehicle (1, 3), the method comprising: collecting wheel loads (Fzi) applied to wheels tires (Wi) of the vehicle, from wheel sensor sets (VSi, TSi) installed in the wheels, when the vehicle is in a steady state and when it is subjected to a movement (ACx); computing, by a vehicle control unit (VCU), longitudinal and lateral positions (GCx, GCy) of a center of gravity (GC) of the vehicle, based on vehicle parameters (VPM) and the wheel loads when the vehicle in the steady state; measuring the movement; and computing, by the vehicle control unit, a height (GCz) of the center of gravity, based on the movement, the vehicle parameters, the longitudinal or lateral position of the center of gravity and the wheel loads when the vehicle is subjected to the movement.