Wheel Force Sensing for Accurate Road Rolling Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack accuracy in measuring rolling resistance and other environmental parameters of vehicle wheels on road surfaces, particularly due to variations in conditions like water and weather, which affect safety and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle assembly equipped with sensors to measure forces between wheels and the body, transmitting data to a central system for real-time analysis and display, allowing for precise logging and transmission of road condition parameters, including rolling resistance, noise, and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional methods are used to measure rolling resistance, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient due to variations in environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is segmented into multiple independent sensors (force sensor, acceleration sensor, GPS receiver) that each measure specific parameters. This segmentation allows for more precise measurements of rolling resistance by capturing multiple environmental factors separately and processing them through the processor to compensate for environmental variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that receives data from multiple sensors and applies computational algorithms to compensate for environmental variations. This intermediary processing layer transforms raw sensor data into accurate rolling resistance measurements by accounting for temperature, surface conditions, and other environmental factors.
2Reliability
If no real-time data collection system is implemented, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to detect and respond to road conditions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and analysis of road conditions using the force sensor and acceleration sensor before hazards become critical. The processor continuously monitors measurements and predicts potential hazards such as aquaplaning in advance, allowing drivers to take preventive actions before dangerous situations develop.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by transmitting measured data and hazard predictions to remote destinations where they can be analyzed and used to provide further guidance. The force sensor and acceleration sensor continuously monitor conditions, and the processor provides ongoing feedback about road conditions and safety risks, enabling real-time adjustments to driving behavior.
Data Source
AI summary
Assembly comprising a vehicle (13, 13a-c) having a plurality of wheels (2), each of the wheels (2) arranged to support a weight of the vehicle (13) against an underlying surface (5); a sensor (10) operable to measure a force between one of the wheels (2) and a body of the vehicle (13, 13a-c); and a processor (15) configured to receive measurement data from the sensor (10). There is also provided a method for measuring conditions of a drive surface (5) and a method of operating vehicles (13, 13a-d) on a road (5).