Vehicle Configuration Detection for Road and Track Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-performance road vehicles face inconsistencies in configuration when switching between traffic-open roads and race tracks, leading to potential damage and performance issues due to forgotten or mismatched components and settings.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of electronic identification devices with programmable memories and wireless transmission organs, integrated into various components and a control unit, ensures consistent configuration by storing and updating component data, including identifying codes, usage history, and control parameters, and checks compatibility before starting the vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the vehicle configuration is manually modified for different uses (traffic-open roads or race tracks), then the vehicle can be adapted to specific contexts, but configuration inconsistencies occur leading to potential damage or performance issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle configuration adaptabilityVSAvoidconfiguration consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects which components are present on the vehicle and configures control parameters without manual intervention. The control unit reads component identification data from electronic identification devices and autonomously determines the appropriate configuration, eliminating human error in configuration management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors component presence through electronic identification devices and provides feedback to the control unit. This feedback loop ensures the configuration is always aligned with the actual component setup, preventing inconsistencies between the intended and actual vehicle state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If racing components and settings are used to maximize track performance, then the vehicle achieves optimal racing capability, but the vehicle may be damaged or violate regulations when used on traffic-open roads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveracing performanceVSAvoidvehicle damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle configuration dynamically changes based on the detected component setup and intended use. Control parameters are adjusted in real-time according to whether racing components are present and whether the vehicle is being used on tracks or public roads, allowing optimal performance in each context without compromising safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary checks to detect the presence of racing components and determines the appropriate configuration before the vehicle operation begins. This advance preparation ensures the vehicle is properly configured for the intended use, preventing damage from inappropriate settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If approved components and settings are used for traffic-open road compliance, then the vehicle meets homologation standards, but the vehicle cannot express its full potential on race tracks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehomologation complianceVSAvoidracing performance potential
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle configuration is dynamic rather than static. The same physical vehicle can be legally compliant for public roads or optimized for racing depending on component detection and control parameter adjustment, allowing full expression of potential in each context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If manual configuration changes are made for different uses, then the vehicle can be adapted, but errors or omissions are likely to be forgotten leading to inconsistent configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically reads component identification data and determines the correct configuration without relying on human memory or manual procedures. This self-service approach eliminates forgetting and ensures accurate configuration information is always applied.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3581408B1High-performance road vehicle with automatic configuration acquisition and corresponding control method
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 FERRARI SPA
  • EP3581408B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3581408B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3581408B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

High-performance road vehicle (1) having: a plurality of replaceable or removable components; a control unit (13) that supervises the operation of the road vehicle (1); at least one electronic identification device (14), which is fitted on a corresponding component, has a memory (15) designed to contain at least one unique identifying code (IDC) of the component and has a first transmission organ (16) designed to send the data contained in the memory (15); and a second transmission organ (18) designed to communicate with the first transmission organ (16) and connected to the control unit (13) to allow the control unit (13) to interact with the electronic identification device (14).