Vehicle Vibration Sensing for Reproducible Road Roughness Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional road roughness measurement techniques, such as the International Roughness Index (IRI), are inconsistent due to variations in vehicle size and lack of temporal stability, leading to unreliable and non-reproducible results that cannot be compared across different systems.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted system using multiple road noise cancellation sensors and processors to capture vibration data, analyze operational conditions, and determine a real-time roughness indicator by processing features like Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) values from acceleration data, ensuring accurate road classification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional IRI measurement methods are used, then road roughness can be measured, but the measurements are inconsistent and non-reproducible due to vehicle size variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms physical vibration measurements into standardized roughness indicators by changing the measurement parameters through signal processing. It applies spectral analysis and calculates specific frequency domain parameters (PSD at 0.5Hz, 1Hz, 2Hz) to convert vehicle-specific vibration data into universal roughness metrics that are independent of vehicle size and characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical road meters with sensor-based vibration measurement systems. Instead of using physical contact methods, it employs accelerometers and microphones to capture vibration signals, then uses signal processing algorithms to derive roughness indicators, eliminating the need for standardized test vehicles.
2Reliability
If road roughness measurements are taken with different vehicle systems, then more data can be collected, but the measurements cannot be compared or reproduced between systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measurement framework that works across different vehicle types and sensor configurations. By standardizing the signal processing methodology and roughness indicator calculations, it enables measurements from any vehicle equipped with basic vibration sensors to be compared and reproduced, making the system universally applicable regardless of specific device variations.
3Measurement precision
If traditional road meters are used for roughness measurement, then measurements can be obtained, but they lack temporal stability and cannot be compared over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous roughness monitoring by processing vibration signals in real-time as the vehicle travels. Instead of discrete spot measurements, it continuously calculates roughness indicators along the route, providing temporally stable data that can be compared across different times and conditions, thereby eliminating the temporal instability of traditional methods.
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
Enables consistent, reproducible, and transportable real-time road roughness measurement, improving durability analysis, suspension control, navigation, safety, and road design by providing accurate data for vehicle and road assessment.
Implementation Method 1
The vehicle may include multiple accelerometers or road noise cancellation sensors attached at various locations of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
capture vibration data associated with the vehicle using a plurality of sensors of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle having a plurality of road noise cancellation sensors captures vibration data as it is travelling along a road. The vehicle checks to see whether a set of operating conditions for the vehicle are satisfied. If the set of operating conditions are satisfied, the vehicle determines the portion of the vibration data that was captured during the time frame in which the set of operating conditions was satisfied. The vehicle may then use the portion of the vibration data to extract feature data for one of more features. The vehicle then uses the feature data associated with the one or more features to determine a roughness indicator for the road that it is currently travelling on. This road roughness indicator measurement may be used to trigger further analysis of the vibration data for determining other parameters of the vehicle.