Wheel Load Estimation via Tire Pressure Standstill Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining wheel load on a vehicle are limited as they require the vehicle to be in motion, making it impossible to obtain an up-to-date indication of wheel load during standstill periods.
Innovation Solution
A method using a sensor unit mounted on the wheel to determine tire pressure and footprint during driving, and analyzing temporal variations in tire pressure during standstill periods to estimate changes in wheel load, allowing for an updated wheel load calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the vehicle is required to be driving to determine wheel load using footprint measurement, then the measurement precision of wheel load is improved, but the availability of wheel load indication during standstill periods deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from footprint (which requires motion) to tire pressure (which can be measured during standstill). By monitoring temporal variations in tire pressure, the system can estimate wheel load changes even when the vehicle is stationary, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and availability during standstill periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tire pressure as an intermediary parameter to indirectly determine wheel load. Instead of directly measuring footprint during motion, the system uses tire pressure variations as a mediator to infer wheel load changes, enabling measurement during standstill periods while maintaining reasonable accuracy
2Measurement precision
If tire pressure measurement accuracy is increased to detect small changes during standstill, then the estimation precision of wheel load change is improved, but the use of energy by the sensor unit deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic measurement of tire pressure during standstill periods rather than continuous monitoring. The control unit determines wheel load changes at specific intervals by analyzing temporal variations in tire pressure, which reduces energy consumption while maintaining the ability to detect load changes with sufficient precision
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 real-time estimation of wheel load and vehicle weight, including detection of overload conditions, even when the vehicle is stationary, by accurately measuring small changes in tire pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a) determining a tire pressure of the tire by means of the sensor unit
Implementation Method 2
analysing temporal variations of the tire pressure during a standstill period of the vehicle for determining one or more parameters indicating the temporal variations of the tire pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining a wheel load (WL) acting on a wheel (W) of a vehicle (1), wherein the wheel (W) comprises a rim and a tire mounted onto the rim, and a sensor unit (12) mounted at the wheel (W), wherein the method comprises: (a) determining a tire pressure (p) of the tire by means of the sensor unit (12), (b) determining a tire footprint of the tire by means of the sensor unit (12), when the vehicle (1) is driving, (c) determining the wheel load (WL) based on a predetermined relationship between the wheel load (WL), the tire pressure (p) and the tire footprint,(d) analysing temporal variations of the tire pressure (p) during a standstill period of the vehicle (1) for determinin gone or more parameters indicating the temporal variations of the tire pressure (p), and (e) estimating a change (dWL) of the wheel load (WL) during the standstill period based on the one or more determined parameters. The invention further relates to a device for determining a wheel load (WL), and a method and a device for determining a weight of a vehicle (1).