Vehicle Load Distribution Recognition via Pitch Angle Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for vehicle load distribution identification require complex calculations and are limited in application range due to the lack of apparent resonance characteristics in rear wheels of front-wheel-drive vehicles, necessitating costly sensor installations.

Innovation Solution

A method that calculates vehicle load distribution by estimating the pitch angle using actual driving force, vehicle speed, and suspension stiffness without the need for load or body height sensors, utilizing equations to determine front and rear axle loads based on pitch angle changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If resonance spectrum characteristics are used to identify load distribution, then load distribution can be estimated without sensors, but the method requires large amount of calculation and has limited application range due to lack of resonance characteristics in rear wheels of front-wheel-drive vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecost reductionVSAvoidapplication range
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from resonance spectrum characteristics to pitch angle characteristics. By using pitch angle changes during vehicle acceleration and deceleration, the method achieves sensorless load distribution measurement that works across all vehicle types including front-wheel-drive vehicles, eliminating the limitation of resonance characteristic availability while maintaining cost effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the complex signal processing of resonance spectrum analysis with a simpler mechanical approach based on pitch angle measurement and vehicle dynamics equations. This substitution reduces computational complexity while expanding applicability to all vehicle types through fundamental mechanical principles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If load sensors or body height sensors are installed at the suspension to measure load distribution, then accurate load distribution data can be obtained, but the installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload distribution measurement accuracyVSAvoidinstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the vehicle's existing motion parameters (acceleration, speed, pitch angle) to serve the dual purpose of both vehicle control and load distribution measurement. By using data already collected for vehicle dynamics control, the system achieves accurate load measurement without requiring additional sensors or hardware installations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the vehicle's motion sensing system multi-functional by using pitch angle and acceleration data for both vehicle stability control and load distribution measurement. This universal approach eliminates the need for dedicated load sensors while maintaining measurement accuracy through mathematical modeling

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

Data Source

PatentEP4299398B1Vehicle, load distribution recognition method and apparatus therefor, medium, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 BYD CO LTD
  • EP4299398B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4299398B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4299398B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A vehicle and a vehicle load distribution identification method and apparatus and a medium and electronic device. The identification method includes the steps of: acquiring (S31) a speed and longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle; when the longitudinal acceleration is less than an acceleration threshold, acquiring (S32) an actual driving force of the vehicle; obtaining (S33) the actual pitch angle of the vehicle according to the actual driving force and the vehicle speed; and obtaining (S34) load distribution of the vehicle according to the actual pitch angle. With this identification method, the difference between the front and rear axle loads of the vehicle can be identified by calculating the pitch angle of the vehicle, so that the vehicle load distribution can be identified without installing dedicated sensors such as a load sensor and a vehicle body height sensor at the vehicle suspension, which reduces the cost of vehicle load distribution identification and allows a wide range of applications without being limited by the vehicle model.