Wheel Orientation Warning System for Slope Parking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack an effective method to alert drivers to adjust the front wheels of a vehicle towards a curb when parked on a slope, which can lead to rolling down the roadway if the vehicle is inadvertently placed in neutral without the parking brake set.
Innovation Solution
A wheel orientation warning system that includes an electronic processor, memory, slope detector, curb detector, and transmission device to alert the driver to turn the front wheels towards the curb when the vehicle is on a slope greater than a predetermined threshold and in park mode, utilizing a dashboard display and loudspeaker for notification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the driver manually checks wheel orientation when parking on a slope, then the vehicle can be secured properly, but the driver may forget or fail to check, leading to vehicle rolling
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors wheel orientation, vehicle position on slope, and parking brake status, then provides feedback to the driver through visual and audible alerts when the wheels are not in the correct position, ensuring the driver is informed without requiring manual checking
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects whether the wheels are positioned correctly toward the curb using sensors and vehicle data, eliminating the need for the driver to manually check and assess the situation, with the vehicle essentially monitoring and alerting itself
2Measurement precision
If an automatic wheel adjustment system is implemented, then wheel orientation is controlled precisely, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing vehicle components (steering angle sensor, slope detector, transmission range sensor) as intermediaries to detect wheel orientation and vehicle state, avoiding the need for complex dedicated sensing systems while achieving precise measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical wheel adjustment with an electronic alert system that informs the driver of the correct action, rather than implementing a complex automatic mechanical wheel positioning mechanism
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
Prevents vehicles from rolling into the roadway by ensuring the front wheels are aligned with the curb, enhancing driver awareness and safety during parking on slopes.
Implementation Method 1
A wheel orientation warning system determines when to provide an alert to a driver of a vehicle to turn front wheels toward a curb
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel orientation warning system and method to alert to a driver to turn front wheels toward a curb includes an electronic processor and a memory. The system includes a slope detector for detecting a slope of the vehicle and an arrangement for determining a presence of a curb adjacent a side of the vehicle. The system includes a transmission device for detecting when the vehicle is in a park mode. The electronic processor is configured to provide an alert to a driver to turn front wheels toward the curb when the vehicle is each of: disposed at a slope with an absolute value greater than a predetermined threshold, disposed adjacent the curb, and in the park mode. The system includes a dashboard display for providing messages and an indication to a driver when the wheels are turned toward the curb.