Wheel Impact Sensor Detecting Longitudinal and Transverse Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock detection systems for motor vehicles fail to accurately distinguish between damaging and non-damaging impacts at the wheels, leading to a 'grey zone' where the fusible part may not deform enough to alert the driver, risking loss of control and safety.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising impact sensors mounted on force transmission parts of the wheels to measure acceleration along longitudinal and transverse axes, connected to an on-board computer that processes signals to generate an alert for damaging shocks, and a warning system to inform the driver, including indicators and horn alerts to identify affected wheels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional suspension devices and fusible parts are used to absorb shocks, then the chassis is protected from severe damage, but the driver cannot detect moderate impacts in the 'grey zone' that may cause loss of control
Solution Approach 1:
An accelerometer sensor is introduced as an intermediary device mounted on the wheel hub to directly measure impact accelerations. This sensor acts as a mediator between the physical impact and the driver, providing accurate measurement data that enables detection of moderate impacts without compromising the chassis protection function of the fusible parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by processing accelerometer measurements through a computer that compares impact levels against threshold values, then activates warning signals (visual and acoustic) to inform the driver. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the driver to respond to moderate impacts that would otherwise go undetected.
2Device complexity
If no impact sensor is installed, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of wheel impacts is insufficient to distinguish damaging from non-damaging impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective mechanical detection (driver feeling vibrations) with an electronic accelerometer-based measurement system. The accelerometer converts mechanical impact into electrical signals that can be precisely measured and processed, enabling objective distinction between damaging and non-damaging impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from qualitative sensation to quantitative acceleration measurement. By measuring acceleration magnitude and comparing it against predefined thresholds, the system can precisely differentiate impact levels, with moderate impacts triggering warnings and severe impacts causing fusible part deformation.
3Loss of information
If the fusible part deforms to alert the driver, then the driver is warned of severe impacts, but moderate impacts in the 'grey zone' cause insufficient deformation and go undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and warning before the impact level reaches the fusible part deformation threshold. By continuously monitoring acceleration and comparing against lower threshold values, the system can alert the driver to moderate impacts early, preventing them from escalating to dangerous levels without waiting for fusible part deformation.
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
Effectively warns the driver of damaging wheel impacts, avoiding the 'grey zone' and ensuring safety by accurately distinguishing impact levels and alerting the driver before potential vehicle control loss.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor is placed on a part in contact with a wheel on a part of the chassis, so as to measure the acceleration representative of an impact undergone by the wheel along a transverse and/or longitudinal axis
Data Source
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AI summary
This shock detection device includes at least one shock sensor designed to be mounted at a point of force transmission during a longitudinal or lateral impact on a wheel. The sensor is adapted to measure impacts both longitudinally and transversely at at least one wheel of the motor vehicle. This device also includes an on-board computer for processing the measurements provided by the sensor to generate a warning signal based on the severity of the impacts, and a warning device designed to receive the warning signal and transmit it to the driver.