Vehicle Hydroplaning Control Using Tire-Wise Corrective Torque

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems fail to effectively address partial hydroplaning conditions, where tires experience a partial lift and reduced grip, and may not intervene until total hydroplaning occurs, posing safety risks due to delayed intervention and potential wheel blocking.

Innovation Solution

A control system that determines hydroplaning intensity in real time for each tire, applying corrective torques to wheels based on the hydroplaning intensity, corrective moments, and longitudinal forces to maintain vehicle stability and safety, even in partial hydroplaning conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the driver applies brakes or steering input during hydroplaning, then the vehicle may regain traction, but the vehicle becomes unstable and difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle control stabilityVSAvoiddriver control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects hydroplaning conditions through sensor monitoring and autonomously adjusts vehicle parameters without requiring driver input. The controller manages brake pressure, steering angle, and throttle position based on detected conditions, allowing the vehicle to self-correct while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors vehicle state through sensors (lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, steering angle, brake pressure) and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust control parameters. This closed-loop control ensures the vehicle responds appropriately to changing hydroplaning conditions while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the vehicle maintains high speed, then productivity is improved, but hydroplaning risk increases reducing safety

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle speedVSAvoidvehicle safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts vehicle parameters based on real-time conditions rather than using fixed speed limits. During hydroplaning detection, the controller modulates throttle position and brake pressure to optimize speed control, allowing the vehicle to maintain higher speeds when safe and reduce speed only when necessary for stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4482720B1Method and system for controlling a vehicle in presence of hydroplaning
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 PIRELLI TYRE SPA
  • EP4482720B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4482720B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4482720B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Control method and system (99) of a vehicle (1) moving on a road surface, wherein the system comprises a detection module (2) for detecting in real time a respective hydroplaning intensity (HI) for each tyre (3) of the vehicle (1), an actuation device (9) connected to each wheel (7) of the vehicle (1) and a command and control unit (8) programmed and configured for performing the control method comprising: - comparing each respective hydroplaning intensity (HI) with a first threshold; - upon the occurrence of a starting condition such that the respective hydroplaning intensity (HI) of at least one tyre (3) reaches the first threshold, then: - calculating in real time a reference value (YRr) of a parameter representative of a lateral motion of the vehicle (1) as a function of a longitudinal speed (Vxc) and of a steering angle (STA) of the vehicle; - calculating in real time a corrective moment (Mz) as a function of the reference value (YRr) and of a current value (YRc) of the parameter detected in real time; - applying in real time to each wheel (7) a respective torque (Tr) calculated in real time as a function of the corrective moment (Mz) and of the hydroplaning intensity (HI) of the respective tyre (3).