SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REAL-TIME MEASUREMENT OF VEHICLE PERFORMANCE

• US 20130073140A1
• Filed: 09/19/2011
• Published: 03/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bradley James Dunst, Mark Oostdyk
• Original Assignee: Mark Oostdyk
• Inventors: DUNST, Bradley James, OOSTDYK, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 8,989,956 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/32.7
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

A system for real-time measurement of vehicle performance. The system can include at least one sensor module mounted on a rotating member of the vehicle and a central module disposed in the vehicle. The sensor module can include a plurality of sensors communicatively coupled to a microcontroller, at least one wireless communications device communicatively coupled to the microcontroller, and a power source. The central module can include a central processor, memory, a central wireless communications device communicatively coupled to the central processor and to the at least one wireless communications device of the sensor module. The rotating member of the vehicle can be a wheel, a brake rotor, or a torsion disc disposed between an axle of the vehicle and a wheel of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A system for real-time measurement of vehicle performance, comprising:

at least one sensor module mounted on a rotating member of the vehicle, the sensor module comprising at least one sensor communicatively coupled to a microcontroller, at least one wireless communications device communicatively coupled to the microcontroller, and a power source; and

a central module disposed in the vehicle, the central module comprising a central processor, memory, a central wireless communications device communicatively coupled to the central processor and to the at least one wireless communications device of the sensor module.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the rotating member is a torsion disc.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the torsion disc is disposed between an axle of the vehicle and a wheel of the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the torsion disc is coupled to a brake rotor of the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the torsion disc is coupled to a wheel of the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the rotating member is a wheel of the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is one of a strain gauge, a pressure sensor, a torque sensor, a rotational velocity sensor, and a temperature sensor.

8. The system of claim 1, the central module further comprising a communicative coupling for at least one of the vehicle'"'"'s data buses.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more of a data logger communicatively coupled to the central module and a display communicatively coupled to the central module.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source of the sensor module comprises one or more of a battery and a kinetic charger.

11. A method for real-time measurement of vehicle performance, comprising:

receiving first measurement data from a plurality of sensors of a sensor module coupled to a rotating member of a vehicle, the sensor module comprising a plurality of sensors communicatively coupled to a microcontroller, at least one wireless communications device communicatively coupled to the microcontroller, and a power source;

relaying the first measurement data to a central module disposed in the vehicle, the central module comprising a central processor, memory, a central wireless communications device communicatively coupled to the central processor and to the at least one wireless communications device of the sensor module;

receiving second measurement data from a data bus of the vehicle; and

processing one or more of the first measurement data and the second measurement data to obtain calculated data for real-time horsepower and torque values at the rotating member.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first measurement data includes one or more of strain experienced by the rotating member, force exerted on the rotating member, or pressure exerted on the rotating member.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

logging the calculated data.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

displaying the calculated data.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the rotating member is a torsion disc.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the torsion disc is disposed between an axle of the vehicle and a wheel of the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the torsion disc is coupled to a brake rotor of the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the torsion disc is coupled to a wheel of the vehicle.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the rotating member is a wheel of the vehicle.

20. A rotating member for a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of sensors disposed on the surface of the rotating member at locations that experience increased deflection relative to other locations on the surface of the rotating member;

a microcontroller communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors;

at least one wireless communications device communicatively coupled to the microcontroller; and

a power source.