Wheel Spray Imaging for Early Aquaplaning Risk Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack an effective method to early recognize the risk of aquaplaning, which can lead to unexpected loss of tire contact with the road, resulting in loss of steering and braking control, especially at high speeds.

Innovation Solution

A procedure and device that capture image data of the area around a vehicle's wheel, detect splash water, and classify the road state as dry, wet, or with aquaplaning risk, using the analysis of splash water patterns and characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spray water detection is used to classify road surface conditions, then early detection of aquaplaning risk is achieved, but device complexity increases due to additional image acquisition and evaluation components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaquaplaning risk detection reliabilityVSAvoiddetection device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image acquisition device serves multiple functions: it captures images for spray water detection, can identify road surface conditions, and provides data for aquaplaning risk assessment. By making the image acquisition and evaluation system multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated devices for each function, thereby improving reliability while limiting the increase in device complexity.

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

2Measurement precision

If image data of the area around the wheel is captured and analyzed, then spray water detection accuracy is improved, but loss of time increases due to image processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespray water detection precisionVSAvoidimage processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously captures images of the area around the wheel in advance, so that when spray water appears indicating aquaplaning risk, the evaluation can immediately analyze pre-captured image data rather than waiting for conditions to develop. This preliminary capture of image data enables faster response time while maintaining detection precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The evaluation device prioritizes real-time analysis of image data to quickly identify spray water patterns associated with aquaplaning risk, skipping less critical processing steps to deliver rapid results. This allows the system to maintain high measurement precision while minimizing the time loss associated with image processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

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

This solution enables reliable and early detection of aquaplaning risk, allowing drivers or assistance systems to adjust driving behavior, thereby enhancing safety and preventing accidents.

Implementation Method 1

capturing, in particular optically, an area around a wheel of the vehicle with the image acquisition device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3388973B1Method and device for determining a vehicle condition
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 AUMOVIO AUTONOMOUS MOBILITY GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3388973B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3388973B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a classification of road surface conditions based on the spray water occurring at a wheel of the vehicle. For this purpose, the space around a wheel of the vehicle is captured by a camera, and the image captured by the camera is analyzed to detect spray water. Based on the detected spray water, for example, the angle, direction, or throw distance of the spray water, a distinction can be made between a dry road surface, a wet road surface, or a road surface with a risk of aquaplaning.