Vehicle Load Loss Detection Using Suspension Sensor Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to efficiently detect lost loads in vehicles during transit, making it difficult to identify and address such occurrences in real-time.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing ride height and pressure sensors integrated with vehicle suspension assemblies to determine load changes, adjusting for driving conditions and environmental factors, and generating alerts when a load difference exceeds a predefined threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no load detection system is installed, then the vehicle can operate without additional complexity, but lost loads cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reuses existing vehicle sensors (ride height sensors and pressure sensors from suspension systems) for their original suspension control functions while simultaneously utilizing them for load detection. This multi-functional approach enables lost load detection without adding dedicated sensors, resolving the contradiction between detection capability and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own existing sensor infrastructure and processing capabilities to perform load detection autonomously. The ride height and pressure sensors already present in the vehicle for suspension management are leveraged to detect load changes, eliminating the need for external detection systems
2Loss of time
If continuous load monitoring is implemented, then lost loads can be detected in real-time, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors load by utilizing the existing continuous operation of ride height and pressure sensors that are already active for suspension control. Since these sensors operate continuously anyway for their primary function, the additional load monitoring does not significantly increase energy consumption while providing real-time detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
By using sensors that are already continuously operating for suspension management, the system achieves continuous load monitoring without the energy penalty of dedicating separate continuous monitoring sensors. The same sensors serve dual purposes, minimizing additional energy use
3Ease of operation
If simple threshold-based detection is used, then the system remains simple to operate, but false alarms may occur due to driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors changes in load parameters over time rather than relying on a single static threshold. By tracking the evolution of load measurements and comparing against historical data, the system can distinguish between normal variations due to driving conditions and actual lost load events, improving reliability while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously compare current load measurements with previous measurements and expected load profiles. This feedback allows the system to adjust for normal variations caused by driving conditions and only trigger alerts when genuine lost load events are detected, reducing false alarms while keeping the interface simple
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Accurately detects lost loads by continuously monitoring vehicle load changes, providing timely alerts and guiding operators to secure the load, while also enabling vehicle-to-vehicle communication for load recovery.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of pressure sensors associated with a suspension assembly
Implementation Method 2
ride height sensors
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to identify loads lost from vehicles are disclosed. An example apparatus to identify a load lost from a vehicle includes at least one memory, machine readable instructions, and processor circuitry to at least one of instantiate or execute the machine readable instructions to determine a first load carried by the vehicle at a first time, determine a second load carried by the vehicle at a second time after the first time, identify a lost load occurrence in response to a load difference between the first load and the second load satisfying a lost load threshold, and generate an alert indicative of the lost load occurrence.