Vehicle Rollover Detection Using Lateral and Vertical Wheel Forces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rollover detection systems for vehicles are not reliable, accurate, or timely, leading to a high risk of rollover accidents.

Innovation Solution

A computer system that acquires lateral and vertical wheel forces using IMUs and actuator requests to detect potential rollover situations by comparing forces between the first and second lateral sides of a vehicle unit, utilizing threshold values and derivatives to enhance detection accuracy and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing rollover detection systems are used, then rollover detection is provided, but the detection is not reliable, accurate, or timely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverollover detection reliabilityVSAvoidrollover detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameters from traditional single-side force measurement to multi-side lateral and vertical force measurements. By measuring forces on multiple sides of the vehicle and calculating ratios between them, the system achieves more reliable and accurate rollover detection. The use of lateral-to-vertical force ratios provides a more precise indicator of rollover risk than absolute force values alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If existing rollover detection systems are used, then rollover detection is provided, but detection timing is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection timingVSAvoiddetection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection by continuously monitoring lateral and vertical forces on multiple sides of the vehicle before actual rollover occurs. By calculating force ratios and comparing them against threshold values, the system identifies potential rollover situations earlier, providing advance warning time while maintaining high detection reliability through multi-parameter analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If force values from IMUs and actuator requests are used, then detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing sensors and actuators serve multiple functions. IMUs that originally provided basic vehicle state information are now used for precise force measurement. Actuator requests that control wheel operations are also used to infer lateral forces. This multi-functionality approach improves detection accuracy without requiring entirely new dedicated sensors, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.

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

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

The system provides earlier, more reliable, and accurate detection of potential rollovers, reducing the likelihood of accidents by issuing warnings or limiting vehicle speed, thereby mitigating rollover risks.

Implementation Method 1

force values determined based on measurements by wheel mounted inertial measurement units (IMUs)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertial measurement: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP4606665B1Detection of potential rollover situations for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
  • EP4606665B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4606665B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4(b)
  • EP4606665B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A computer-implemented method is disclosed for detecting potential rollover situations for a vehicle. The method comprises acquiring lateral and vertical wheel forces for the vehicle, and detecting potential rollover based on the lateral and vertical wheel forces as compared between first and second lateral sides of the vehicle. In some examples, potential rollover may be detected responsive to the lateral wheel forces being larger for the first lateral side of the vehicle than for the second lateral side of the vehicle, and correspondingly for the vertical wheel forces. In some examples, potential rollover may be detected responsive to a sum of the lateral and vertical wheel forces for the first lateral side of the vehicle exceeding a threshold value. Corresponding computer system, vehicle, control system, computer program product, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are also disclosed.