Dynamic Vehicle Mass Estimation for Two- and Three-Wheel Safety Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The performance of active safety functions in two and three-wheeled vehicles, such as anti-lock brake control and traction control, is affected by changes in vehicle mass, leading to inconsistencies in tire contact forces and weight transfer during braking or accelerating, which existing technologies fail to accurately account for.
Innovation Solution
A control system comprising sensors to measure vehicle acceleration and torque output, and an electronic processor that determines the vehicle's mass based on detected loading conditions, using multiple methods to estimate mass when conditions change, and adjusts safety functions accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the vehicle mass is assumed constant for control functions, then the control system is simpler, but the performance of active safety functions deteriorates due to mass changes from loading conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic mass estimation by continuously monitoring vehicle acceleration and torque output to calculate real-time mass changes. The system updates the mass estimate based on detected loading conditions (passenger entry/exit, luggage placement) rather than using a fixed mass assumption, allowing the control system to adapt to changing vehicle mass dynamically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from acceleration sensors and torque sensors to continuously monitor vehicle dynamics and detect loading conditions. This feedback loop enables the system to identify when mass changes occur and adjust the mass parameter accordingly, improving the accuracy of active safety functions while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect loading conditions, then mass estimation accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing vehicle sensors (acceleration and torque sensors) that are already part of the vehicle's control architecture to detect loading conditions and estimate mass changes. Rather than adding dedicated mass measurement sensors, the system repurposes existing sensors to serve dual functions, thereby improving measurement precision without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Reliability
If real-time mass estimation is implemented, then active safety function performance improves, but computational requirements and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes the relationship between vehicle dynamics (acceleration and torque) and mass changes during system calibration. By having the computational model ready in advance, the system can quickly estimate mass changes in real-time without requiring complex on-the-fly calculations, thus improving safety function performance while minimizing processing time delays.
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
This system dynamically estimates the vehicle's mass, ensuring accurate control functions by accounting for changes in loading conditions, thereby enhancing the performance of safety functions like braking and traction control.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor configured to sense an acceleration of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a second sensor configured to sense a torque output of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a vehicle including a first sensor that senses an acceleration of the vehicle and an electronic processor connected to the first sensor. The electronic processor determines whether a loading condition of the vehicle is detected and determines a first total mass of the vehicle using a first technique when the loading condition of the vehicle is detected. The electronic processor receives a first signal indicative of the acceleration of the vehicle from the first sensor, determines whether the acceleration of the vehicle is greater than zero, determines a second total mass of the vehicle using a second technique when the acceleration of the vehicle is greater than zero, determines a third total mass of the vehicle using a third technique when the acceleration of the vehicle is not greater than zero, and controls a function of the vehicle based on one of the total masses.