Vehicle Track Width Learning Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems fail to accurately update track widths after changes in vehicle components, such as tire size, leading to diminished performance in traction control and differential operations.
Innovation Solution
A track width learning mode is implemented, where wheel-speed sensors and yaw-rate sensors provide data for calculating the current track width, which is then updated in permanent memory through a rolling average method, allowing vehicle owners to reprogram and maintain accurate track width settings without dealer intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If track width is fixed at factory settings, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but adaptability to component changes (tire size, suspension modifications) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic track width determination system that transitions from static factory-set values to real-time calculation based on actual vehicle operating conditions. The controller continuously calculates track width using sensor data from wheel speed sensors and yaw rate sensors, allowing the system to adapt to component changes while maintaining accuracy through dynamic adjustment rather than fixed manufacturing settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment of track width parameters without external intervention. When component changes are detected or suspected, the system automatically enters learning mode to recalculate track width using sensor data, eliminating the need for manual dealer reprogramming while maintaining manufacturing precision through automated calibration.
2Ease of operation
If dealer reprogramming is required for track width updates, then manufacturing precision is maintained through controlled updates, but ease of operation and accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables vehicle owners to perform track width updates themselves through an automated learning mode. The controller guides the user through simple driving maneuvers while automatically collecting sensor data and calculating the correct track width, making the process accessible to average users without requiring dealer intervention or specialized knowledge.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor sensor data quality and learning mode execution. The controller provides real-time feedback to the user about learning mode status and track width calculation progress, ensuring that updates are performed accurately while maintaining ease of operation through clear guidance and automated validation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If track width is recalculated using sensor data, then adaptability to component changes improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing multi-functional sensors already present in modern vehicles (wheel speed sensors for ABS/TRC and yaw rate sensors for stability control) to perform track width calculation. By repurposing these existing sensors for an additional function, the system achieves adaptability without adding dedicated hardware, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The track width learning function is merged with the vehicle's existing sensor network and control systems. The controller integrates track width calculation into its existing data processing routines, combining multiple functions (traction control, stability control, and track width determination) into a unified system that shares hardware and software resources, thus avoiding significant complexity increases.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes an axle having driven wheels each with an associated wheel-speed sensor and the vehicle includes a yaw rate sensor. A controller is programmed to, responsive to a request to reprogram a track width of the driven axle, receive signals from the wheel speed sensors and the yaw rate sensor to learn a track width of the driven axle based on the signals.