Patent Description:
Documents <CIT> and <CIT> show systems and methods according to the preamble of the independent claims.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a system comprising a vibration sensor and having a wide range of functionality. Especially is the aim of the present invention to provide a system for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of a vehicle, including a wheel, a tire, a suspension mechanism and/or a steering joint, with enlarged range of functionality which can be useful for different purposes inside and outside of the vehicle.

The invention provides according to the first aspect a system for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system (of a steering axle) of a vehicle, the chassis system comprising a wheel, a wheel bearing, a tire, a suspension mechanism and/or a steering joint. The system comprises a steering mechanism for a steering axle of the vehicle and at least one vibration sensor for sensing perturbations of the chassis system of the vehicle, wherein the (at least one) vibration sensor is attached to at least one component of the steering mechanism.

The idea of the invention is to get information regarding perturbations on the wheels of the vehicle. These perturbations can come from the road (road condition, such as snow, water, rain, gravel, bumps or potholes) or from the wheel itself (unbalanced wheel, tire is default or suspension (including damper and/or spring and/or silent bloc) is not optimal). The perturbations will be recognized with help of the sensing data of the (at least one) vibration sensor (can be also called accelerometer) positioned an at least one component of the steering mechanism for the steering axle of the vehicle. The signal pattern issued form the sensing data of the (at least one) vibration sensor will be analyzed and used to supply information regarding a road condition or used as predictive maintenance input for chassis mechanism: tires, suspension and so on, and for steering mechanism.

The invention enables to provide information about the road condition with minimal equipment and with minimal computing effort. Also, the invention allows predictive maintenance for wheel, suspension mechanism and steering mechanism. The steering mechanism is mechanically connected to a wheel (and thus to a suspension mechanism) via a steering arm and a steering joint, such as ball joint. Furthermore, the only component that could filter the road perturbation between road surface and the steering system is the wheel. That's why the steering mechanism is one of the most appropriate mechanism in the vehicle to collect chassis and road perturbations. At least one vibration sensor will be placed on a steering arm (preferably two vibration sensors for both steering arms) and optionally on the steering rack which will be able to measure all these perturbations.

Furthermore, the invention may provide by a system for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle that the (at least one) vibration sensor is provided as a piezoceramic sensor, a capacitive sensor or a strain gauge. By means of a piezoceramic sensor a cost-effective vibration sensor can be provided. By means of a capacitive sensor a vibration sensor can be provided having a high-resolution. A strain gauge is a simple element which can provide a cost-effective vibration sensor.

Also, the invention can provide by a system for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle that the (at least one) vibration sensor is configured to provide information of perturbations of the chassis system of the vehicle on three axes of the vehicle. Thus, fine detection of different perturbations can be executed.

Moreover, the invention may provide by a system for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle that the steering mechanism comprises an, especially central, actuator for steering arms for wheels of the steering axle of the vehicle. By means of an, especially central, actuator a simple steering mechanism, for example, mechanical steering mechanism, can be provided for both wheels.

The steering mechanism, especially the central actuator, can comprise a pinion gear and/or an electrical drive. A pinion gear creates a cost-effective and robust drive. An electrical drive can be useful for steer by wire systems.

Nevertheless, it is also possible to provide two individual actuators for each wheel of the steering axle of the vehicle. By means of two individual, for example, electrical, actuators for each wheel a flexible steering mechanism can be provided. A flexible steering mechanism can be used for protection against breaking out or oversteering the vehicle. In case of two individual actuators for each wheel, at least one vibration sensor can be provided for each steering arm of the corresponding actuator and optionally a second further vibration sensor to each actuator. That is, two or four vibration sensors can be provided.

According to a further advantage of the invention the steering mechanism can comprise a steering arm for each wheel of the steering axle of the vehicle. Thus, each wheel of the steering axle can be pivoted in a reliable manner.

Further, the invention may provide by a system for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle that the steering arm acts directly on the wheel of the steering axle of the vehicle. According to the invention it is possible that the steering arm can be coupled to the wheel through a steering joint, for example, a ball joint. Thus, each wheel of the steering axle can be pivoted in a stable manner.

Furthermore, the invention may provide by a system for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle that the (at least one) vibration sensor comprises two vibration sensors, wherein each of the two vibration sensors is attached to a corresponding steering arm of a corresponding wheel of the steering axle of the vehicle. That is, two or more vibration sensors can be provided. The two or more vibration sensors can be attached to the corresponding steering arm of the corresponding wheel of the steering axle of the vehicle and optionally to a further component of the steering mechanism, such as a steering rack. Already with two vibration sensors a representative detection for different perturbations of the road and/or the chassis system of the vehicle can be achieved. With more than two sensors a detection for different perturbations can be refined and/or validated.

Moreover, the invention may provide by a system for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle that the (at least one) vibration sensor comprises individual vibration sensors attached to a steering rack and to each steering arm of each wheel of the steering axle of the vehicle. That is, three vibration sensors can be provided to achieve comprehensive overview about a condition of a road and of different components of a chassis system of the vehicle.

Further on, the invention may provide by a system for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle that at least one central control unit is provided for receiving and/or processing sensing data from the (at least one) vibration sensor. The (at least one) central control unit can then receive and analyze sensing data of the (at least one) vibration sensor in order to obtain information regarding a road condition and/or a condition of a chassis system of the vehicle.

Also, the invention may provide by a system for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle that the at least one central control unit comprises individual control units for each vibration sensor for receiving and/or processing sensing data from the corresponding vibration sensor. Thus, each vibration sensor can be separately analyzed.

In continue, the invention provides a system for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle wherein the (at least one) control unit comprises a memory unit for saving individual vibration pattern for different perturbations of the road and of different components of the chassis system of the vehicle. Each vibration pattern can characterize different perturbations. Thus, a simple way to analyze the sensing data of the (at least one) sensor can be provided. The individual vibration pattern can be selected by the (at least one) sensor and then recorded by the (at least one) control unit in a test run of the vehicle. Also, the individual vibration pattern can be selected by the (at least one) sensor and/or updated by the (at least one) control unit during normal operation of the vehicle. Furthermore, the invention may provide by a system for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle that the individual vibration pattern for different perturbations of the chassis system of the vehicle comprise vibration pattern for perturbations of a wheel, wheel bearing, a tire, a suspension mechanism and/or steering joint. Also, the individual vibration pattern for different perturbations of the road can comprise vibration pattern for rain, snow, water, rain, gravel, bumps or potholes on the road. Perturbations of a wheel can be treated equally or correspondingly to perturbations of a road. The individual vibration pattern can be recorded for particular situations or perturbations. Characterizing vibration pattern can then be recognized and assigned to corresponding perturbation. Moreover, the invention may provide by a system for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle that the individual vibration pattern for different perturbations of the road and of the different components of the chassis system of the vehicle are provided as a map (that is a set of characteristic curves). In this way, a simple assignment of different perturbations to corresponding vibration pattern can be performed.

Additionally, the invention may provide by a system for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle that the (at least one) control unit is configured to determine and/or update the individual vibration pattern depending on current sensing data of the (at least one) vibration sensor. Thus, the map can be updated and/or refined to provide a true and correct statement about a current condition of a road and/or of components of a chassis system. Advantageously, the invention may provide by a system for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle that the (at least one) control unit is configured as a separate control unit or is implemented into a central control unit of the vehicle. A separate control unit can be useful for an autonomous system. An implemented control unit can extend the functionality of the central control unit of the vehicle.

The invention provides according to the second aspect a method for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of a vehicle, especially comprising a wheel, a wheel bearing, a tire, a suspension mechanism and/or a steering joint, comprising following steps:.

With help of the inventive method the same advantages can be achieved as with help of the inventive system described above. Full reference is made to these advantages in the present case.

Individual vibration pattern can characterize different perturbations. By means of individual vibration pattern different perturbations can be analyzed and recognized easily. The individual vibration pattern can be recorded and/or updated in a test run of the vehicle and/or during normal operation of the vehicle.

In continue, the invention may provide by a method for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle that in step <NUM>) the individual vibration pattern for different perturbations of the chassis system of the vehicle comprise vibration pattern for perturbations of a wheel, a wheel bearing, a tire, a suspension mechanism and/or steering joint. Also, in step <NUM>) the individual vibration pattern for different perturbations of the road can comprise vibration pattern for rain snow, water, rain, gravel, bumps or potholes on the road. Thus, different perturbations can be allocated to a right origin between the road and steering mechanism. Furthermore, the invention may provide by a method for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle that in step <NUM>) the individual vibration pattern for different perturbations of the road and/or of different components of the chassis system of the vehicle are provided as a map (that is set of characteristic curves). The map can provide a simple way how to assign detected vibration pattern to the corresponding perturbations, that is to the right origin. Moreover, the invention may provide by a method for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle that in step <NUM>) the individual vibration pattern for different perturbations of the road and of different components of the chassis system of the vehicle are recorded and/or updated by the control unit depending on current sensing data from the (at least one) vibration sensor and/or are received from a memory unit of the control unit.

Advantageously, a method for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle can comprise at least one following step:
<NUM>) sending an information about a determined condition of the road to a road traffic office for road construction purposes and/or to a navigation services provider for updating an information regarding to the road.

In this way, the information obtained by the inventive method can be made available for use with the public in an advantageous way.

According to another advantage of the invention, a method for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle can comprise at least one following step:
the method comprising at least one of the following steps:.

In this way, the information obtained by the inventive method can be made available to the user of the vehicle in an advantageous way.

The invention provides according to the third aspect a vehicle comprising a system for determining a condition of a road and/or at least one component of a chassis system of the vehicle which can be configured as described above. With help of the inventive vehicle the same advantages can be achieved as with help of the inventive method and/or system described above. Full reference is made to these advantages in the present case.

Based on the attached drawings, the invention will be explained in more detail below. Thereby showing:.

<FIG> shows a first aspect of the present invention. The invention provides a system <NUM> for determining a condition of a road <NUM> and/or at least one component <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of a chassis system <NUM> of a steering axle of a vehicle <NUM>. The chassis system <NUM> comprises a wheel <NUM>, a wheel bearing <NUM>, a tire <NUM>, a suspension mechanism <NUM> and/or a steering joint <NUM> to a steering mechanism <NUM> of the steering axle. The inventive system <NUM> comprises the steering mechanism <NUM> for the steering axle of the vehicle <NUM> and at least one vibration sensor <NUM> for sensing perturbations I, II, III, IV, V of the chassis system <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>, wherein the (at least one) vibration sensor <NUM> is attached to at least one component <NUM>, <NUM> of the steering mechanism <NUM>.

Also the <FIG> and <FIG> show five examples of possible perturbations I, II, III, IV, V. It should be clear that the number of perturbations I, II, III, IV, V according to the invention can be less or more and is not limited to the shown examples.

The sensing data of the vibration sensor <NUM> helps to get information regarding (different and recognizable) perturbations I, II, III, IV, V on the wheels <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. These perturbations I, II, III, IV, V can come from the road <NUM> because of the road condition, such as snow, water, rain, gravel, bumps or potholes or from the wheel <NUM> itself because of an unbalanced wheel <NUM>, default tire <NUM> or not optimal suspension mechanism <NUM> (including damper and/or spring and/or silent bloc). The perturbations will be recognized with help of the sensing data of the (at least one) vibration sensor <NUM> (can be also called accelerometer) positioned an at least one component <NUM>, <NUM> of the steering mechanism <NUM> for the steering axle of the vehicle <NUM>. The signal pattern issued form the sensing data of the (at least one) vibration sensor <NUM> will be analyzed and used to determine a road <NUM> condition or used as predictive maintenance input for chassis mechanism <NUM> and/or steering mechanism <NUM>.

The (at least one) vibration sensor <NUM> according to the invention can be provided as a piezoceramic sensor, a capacitive sensor or a strain gauge.

The <FIG> shows schematically that the steering mechanism <NUM> comprises an, especially central, actuator <NUM>, <NUM> for steering arms <NUM> for wheels <NUM> of the steering axle of the vehicle <NUM>. The actuator <NUM>, <NUM> can comprise a pinion gear and/or an electrical drive. Instead of a central actuator <NUM>, <NUM> two individual actuators for each wheel <NUM> of the steering axle of the vehicle <NUM> can be provided.

As the <FIG> shows, the steering mechanism <NUM>, especially the actuator <NUM>, <NUM> can further comprise a steering arm <NUM> for each wheel <NUM> of the steering axle of the vehicle <NUM> (two steering arms <NUM> in all). Each of the two steering arms <NUM> can preferably act directly over a steering joint <NUM> on the wheel <NUM> of the steering axle of the vehicle <NUM>, that is without another levers. The steering joint <NUM> can be, for example, provided as a ball joint.

As the <FIG> indicates, the (at least one) vibration sensor <NUM> can comprise two vibration sensors <NUM>, wherein each of the two vibration sensors <NUM> can be attached to a corresponding steering arm <NUM> of a corresponding wheel <NUM> of the steering axle of the vehicle <NUM>. That is, two vibration sensors <NUM> can be provided. Optionally a third vibration sensor <NUM> can be attached to a further component of the steering mechanism <NUM>, such as steering rack <NUM>. Already with two vibration sensors <NUM> a representative detection for different perturbations I, II, III, IV, V of the road <NUM> and/or the chassis system <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> can be achieved. With three sensors <NUM> a detection for different perturbations I, II, III, IV, V can be realized more accurately.

Further on <FIG> and <FIG> show, that at least one central control unit <NUM> can be provided for receiving and/or processing sensing data from the (at least one) vibration sensor <NUM>. The at least one central control unit <NUM> can also comprise individual control units (not shown) for each vibration sensor <NUM> for receiving and/or processing sensing data from the corresponding vibration sensor <NUM>.

As <FIG> and <FIG> schematically indicate, the (at least one) control unit <NUM> can comprise a memory unit <NUM> for saving individual vibration pattern for different perturbations I, II, III, IV, V of the road <NUM> and/or of different components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the chassis system <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. Each vibration pattern can characterize different perturbations I, II, III, IV, V.

The individual vibration pattern for different perturbations I, II, III, IV, V can be stored as a map (that is a set of characteristic curves) for a simple assignment of different perturbations I, II, III, IV, V to corresponding vibration pattern sensed by the (at least one) vibration sensor <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> within the meaning of the invention can be configured to determine and/or update the individual vibration pattern depending on current sensing data of the (at least one) vibration sensor <NUM>. Thus, the map can be updated and/or refined.

The control unit <NUM> within the meaning of the invention can be configured as a separate control unit or is implemented into a central control unit of the vehicle.

<FIG> should serve to visualize a method according to the invention for determining a condition of a road <NUM> and/or at least one component <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of a chassis system <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>, especially comprising a wheel <NUM>, a wheel bearing <NUM>, a tire <NUM>, a suspension mechanism <NUM> and/or a steering joint <NUM>, comprising following steps:.

The method according to the invention can comprise at least one following step:
<NUM>) providing individual vibration pattern for different perturbations I, II, III, IV, V of the road <NUM> and/or of different components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the chassis system <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> by at least one control unit <NUM>.

Individual vibration pattern s can characterize different perturbations I, II, III, IV, V such as perturbations I, II, III, IV, V of a wheel <NUM>, a wheel bearing <NUM>, a tire <NUM>, a suspension mechanism <NUM> and/or steering joint <NUM> and/or such as perturbations I, II, III, IV, V of the road <NUM>, like snow, water, rain, gravel, bumps or potholes. The shown examples should not limit the number of possible perturbations I, II, III, IV, V which can be determined with help of the invention.

The individual vibration pattern for different perturbations I, II, III, IV, V of the road <NUM> and/or of different components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the chassis system <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> can be provided as a map (that is set of characteristic curves).

The individual vibration pattern s for different perturbations I, II, III, IV, V of the road <NUM> and/or of different components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the chassis system <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> can be recorded and/or updated by the control unit <NUM> depending on current sensing data from the (at least one) vibration sensor <NUM> and/or are simply received from a memory unit <NUM> of the control unit <NUM>.

Furthermore, the method can comprise at least one following step:
<NUM>) sending an information about a determined condition of the road <NUM> to a road traffic office for road construction purposes and/or to a navigation services provider for updating an information regarding to the road.

Moreover, the method can comprise at least one of the following steps:.

Claim 1:
System (<NUM>) for determining a condition of a road (<NUM>) and/or at least one component (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of a chassis system (<NUM>) of a vehicle (<NUM>), comprising:
a steering mechanism (<NUM>) for a steering axle of the vehicle (<NUM>) and
at least one vibration sensor (<NUM>) for sensing perturbations (I, II, III, IV, V) of the chassis system (<NUM>) of the vehicle (<NUM>),
wherein the vibration sensor (<NUM>) is attached to at least one component (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the steering mechanism (<NUM>),
wherein at least one central control unit (<NUM>) is provided for receiving and/or processing sensing data from the vibration sensor (<NUM>),
characterized in
that the control unit (<NUM>) comprises a memory unit (<NUM>) for saving individual vibration pattern (s) for different perturbations (I, II, III, IV, V) of the road (<NUM>) and of different components (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the chassis system (<NUM>) of the vehicle (<NUM>).