Virtual Tire Sensor Using CAN Data for Real-Time Lateral Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tire monitoring systems fail to consider real-time and real-world conditions, leading to underutilization of tire and vehicle potential, as they rely on predetermined assumptions rather than dynamic tire performance data.

Innovation Solution

A method using a neural network within a vehicle's control system to determine real-time tire performance factors based on CAN data, including vehicle dynamics and pilot inputs, allowing for dynamic adjustment of lateral guidance performance profiles to optimize cornering capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If conventional tire monitoring systems use predetermined assumptions for tire performance, then the system complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and reliability of tire performance data deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidtire performance data precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual tire sensor that copies the functionality of physical tire sensors by using a neural network to process CAN data and generate virtual sensor readings. This approach achieves measurement precision comparable to physical sensors while avoiding the complexity of installing and maintaining actual sensor hardware on the tires.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical tire sensor system with a computational model (neural network) that processes existing vehicle data. This substitution eliminates the need for physical sensors while providing dynamic, real-time tire performance estimates that adapt to changing conditions.

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

2Measurement precision

If physical tire sensors are installed to obtain real-time tire data, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time tire data accuracyVSAvoidsensor installation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual tire sensor replicates the measurement capabilities of physical sensors by processing existing vehicle data through a trained neural network, providing equivalent information without the hardware installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses existing vehicle data infrastructure (CAN bus data already present in the vehicle) to generate tire performance information, eliminating the need for additional sensors and their associated installation and maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If predetermined tire performance assumptions are used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to real-world conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoidtire performance adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The neural network model dynamically adapts tire performance estimates based on real-time vehicle operating conditions by processing live CAN data, allowing the system to adjust to changing conditions automatically while maintaining ease of operation through automated computation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously processes new vehicle data through the neural network, creating a feedback loop that constantly updates tire performance estimates based on current conditions, enabling the system to adapt to real-world variations without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4051550B1Real-time performance handling virtual tire sensor
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP4051550B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4051550B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4051550B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Devices, systems, and methods related to prediction of tire performance using existing CAN data to improve overall vehicle performance. Machine learning tools are applied to CAN data, for example pilot data and/or vehicle dynamics data, to predict tire performance factors for use in a vehicle control system to provide vehicle lateral guidance control.