Wheel Load Determination via Footprint Contact Surface Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current on-board vehicle weighing systems are inefficient, requiring complex modeling, consuming time and resources, and lacking accuracy in determining wheel load and vehicle weight, with each wheel type requiring a specific model and extensive testing.

Innovation Solution

A method that calculates wheel load based on the footprint data, specifically the contact surface between the wheel and the ground, using a predetermined relationship to determine the load, eliminating the need for complex modeling and allowing adaptation to different wheel types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex modeling is used to determine wheel load, then measurement precision may be improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel load measurement accuracyVSAvoidmodeling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential relationship between footprint and load from complex models, isolating only the critical variables needed for accurate measurement. By taking out the core functional relationship and eliminating unnecessary modeling complexity, the system achieves accurate load determination with simpler means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical modeling systems with a direct empirical relationship based on footprint measurement. Instead of using resource-intensive computational models, the invention substitutes a simplified physical relationship where load is directly determined from footprint characteristics, reducing both device complexity and resource consumption while maintaining measurement precision.

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

2Measurement precision

If specific models are determined for each wheel type, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability decreases and extensive testing is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload determination accuracyVSAvoidadaptability to different wheel types
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal footprint-based measurement method that functions across all wheel types without requiring type-specific models. The universal relationship between footprint and load allows the same measurement approach to be applied to diverse wheel configurations, achieving both high adaptability and maintained measurement precision through a single versatile system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameters from wheel-type-specific characteristics to universal footprint characteristics. By measuring footprint area, length, and width - parameters that vary naturally with load regardless of wheel type - the system achieves adaptability across different wheels while maintaining accuracy through the consistent physical relationship between footprint and load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If complex modeling and testing are performed for each wheel model, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to time and resource consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle weight determination accuracyVSAvoidtime and resource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the measurement system to determine load accurately using only the footprint data that naturally occurs during normal wheel operation. The system serves itself by utilizing the inherent footprint information without requiring external complex modeling resources or extensive testing procedures, thereby achieving high productivity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive, time-consuming complex models with a simple, inexpensive footprint measurement approach. The footprint data is readily available and requires minimal processing resources, making the measurement process highly efficient and productive while eliminating the need for resource-intensive modeling and testing for each wheel model.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP2937232B1Method and device for determining the load of a wheel, wheel provided with such a device, and method and system for characterising a vehicle
Publication Date: 2017.07.19 CAPTEUR TECH ELECTRONIQUE & SYST
  • EP2937232B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1d
  • EP2937232B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP2937232B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method (400) for determining the load on a vehicle wheel, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - determining (404) at least one data point, called a footprint, relating to a contact surface between said wheel and the ground; - calculating (420) the load on said wheel from a predetermined relationship linking said at least one footprint data point to said load. It also relates to a device implementing such a method, a wheel equipped with such a device, and a method and system for characterizing a vehicle.