As electric vehicles (EVs) take center stage in the global shift toward greener technology, Elon Musk Tesla continues to lead innovation with its newest patent, published in January 2024. Elon Musk Tesla’s Revolutionary Patent has the key to fully unlock the potential of upcoming latest tesla electric cars. The patent introduces a dynamic system for determining vehicle pitch, specifically aimed at enhancing power management and energy efficiency. Led by innovators Yong Harris and Edward Alley, the Tesla team’s work promises to further revolutionize the EV industry.
Patent Claims by Elon Musk Tech Magnate
Dynamically Adjusting Vehicle Pitch Based on Speed: 1) The system leverages multiple sensors to adjust vehicle behavior by calculating pitch changes in real time, particularly focusing on energy-saving adjustments to components like headlights and suspension.
2) Improved Power Efficiency During Operation: The pitch adjustment system uses accelerometers, GPS, and other sensors to ensure minimal energy wastage by optimizing the vehicle’s performance according to varying road conditions and gradients.
Alt Text: Fig 1 is a diagram labeled “Fig. 1” illustrating the components and data flow in vehicle pitch processing. At the center are “VEHICLE PITCH PROCESSING COMPONENTS” (110), connected to “OPERATIONAL SENSORS” (120), “CONTROL COMPONENTS” (122), “DATA,” “NAVIGATION” (126), and “LOCATION” (130). This visual represents the system’s architecture for managing vehicle pitch, demonstrating the interaction between various components.
The Novelty of Tesla’s Approach
The core innovation within Tesla’s patent revolves around dynamic pitch determination. Most vehicles today rely on a combination of physical sensors and manual adjustments to manage pitch and alignment. Tesla’s novel approach removes the dependency on traditional pitch sensors. Instead, the system calculates vehicle pitch using GPS elevation data and longitudinal acceleration sensors, integrated with real-time vehicle speed information. By removing the need for physical ride-height sensors, the system offers cost reduction, increased durability, and improved accuracy, especially in high-performance EVs.
Alt Text: A diagram labeled “Fig. 2” illustrating the components of a “Vehicle Pitch Processing Component 110.” The diagram is divided into two main sections. The left section includes the following components: “Processing Unit 204,” “Network Interface 206,” “Computer Readable Medium Drive 207,” and “Input/Output Device Interface 208.” The right section, labeled “Memory 250,” includes “Interface Software 252,” “Operating System 254,” “Sensor Interface Component 256,” “Vehicle Pitch Determination Component 258,” and “Control Component Interface Component 260.” The diagram is part of a patent document labeled “WO 2021/009043 A1” on the right side.
Enhancing Safety and Driving Experience
Tesla’s new pitch system isn’t just about saving energy—it’s about elevating the entire driving experience. One of the primary applications is in headlight leveling, where the vehicle’s pitch plays a critical role in maintaining optimal illumination. By automatically adjusting the headlight position based on the vehicle’s pitch, the system ensures that the headlights provide maximum visibility on any terrain. This innovation not only makes driving safer but also enhances the driver’s confidence in handling varying road conditions.
The pitch adjustment technology can also be applied to the vehicle’s suspension system. By dynamically adjusting the suspension based on road conditions, vehicle speed, and pitch, Tesla’s system ensures a smoother ride while minimizing energy expenditure. This is especially crucial for EVs, where managing energy consumption is key to maximizing driving range.
Alt Text: The image is a flowchart from a patent document (WO 2024/006943, PCT/US2023/069432) that outlines a sub-routine for calculating the absolute pitch of a vehicle. The flowchart includes the following steps:
1) Start Vehicle Pitch Calculation Activation Sub-Routine (300)
2) Obtain Set of First Operational Information from Set of Sensors (302)
3) Calculate Absolute Vehicle Pitch Based on Inputs (Fig. 3C) (304)
4) Store Calculated Absolute Vehicle Pitch (306)
5) Velocity Below Threshold? (308)
– If “No,” the process loops back to the start.
– If “Yes,” proceed to the next steps.
7) Obtain Second Operational Information from Operational Sensors (310)
8) Store Second Operational Information and Associate Stored Absolute Vehicle Pitch (312)
9) Transition State? (314)
– If “No,” the process loops back to the start.
– If “Yes,” proceed to the next steps.
The flowchart is relevant as it details a method for determining and storing the absolute pitch of a vehicle, which is crucial for vehicle dynamics and control systems.
Real-time Optimization for Power Efficiency
One of the most exciting aspects of this patent is its focus on real-time optimization. The vehicle continuously assesses road conditions and adjusts its operational parameters—like speed and acceleration—to match the environment. The system uses GPS data to determine road gradients and integrates this with acceleration measurements to estimate the energy demands of the vehicle. This allows the car to adapt to changes in terrain, optimizing power usage and minimizing energy loss.
For instance, when the system detects that the vehicle is ascending a hill, it dynamically adjusts the power output to ensure efficient use of energy, without putting unnecessary strain on the battery. When the vehicle descends, the system recalculates and adjusts, ensuring that the car doesn’t waste energy by overcompensating. This seamless integration of multiple sensors and data inputs allows Tesla’s vehicles to maximize efficiency while maintaining top performance.
using operational sensors, showing the following steps:
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OBTAIN THIRD OPERATIONAL INFORMATION FOR OPERATIONAL SENSORS (316)
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STORE THIRD OPERATIONAL INFORMATION AND ASSOCIATE STORED ABSOLUTE VEHICLE PITCH (318)
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DETERMINE RELATIVE VEHICLE PITCH CHANGE BASED ON SECOND AND THIRD OPERATIONAL INFORMATION (320)
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ASSOCIATE RELATIVE VEHICLE PITCH CHANGE WITH STORED ABSOLUTE PITCH (322)
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STORE CALCULATED RELATIVE VEHICLE PITCH (324)
Reducing Costs and Complexity
Traditional vehicle pitch systems involve complex hardware installations, including physical sensors that measure ride height and pitch relative to the road surface. These systems add significant cost to vehicle production and are prone to wear and tear, leading to higher maintenance costs over time. Tesla’s innovation, by relying on existing vehicle systems like GPS and accelerometers, eliminates the need for these additional sensors. This not only reduces the production cost of Tesla vehicles but also simplifies the overall vehicle architecture.
By minimizing the need for physical components, Tesla is not only reducing the complexity of vehicle design but also creating a more sustainable and resilient system. Fewer physical sensors mean fewer components that can break down or require replacement, ultimately increasing the longevity of the vehicle.
Alt Text: The image is a flowchart diagram labeled “Fig. 3C” from the document with identifiers “WO 2024/006943” and “PCT/US2023/069432.”
The flowchart details a sub-routine for calculating the absolute pitch of a vehicle, showing the following steps:
Start Absolute Vehicle Pitch Calculation Sub-Routine (350)
Obtain Location Sensor Inputs (352)
Obtain Operational Sensor Inputs (354)
Obtain Location Sensor Inputs (356)
Obtain Operational Sensor Inputs (358)
Backsolve Absolute Vehicle Pitch Based on Location and Operational Inputs (360)
Validate Absolute Pitch (362)
If “NO,” the process loops back to step 352.
If “YES,” proceed to step 364.
Return Absolute Vehicle Pitch Information (364)
This flowchart is important as it details the steps involved in determining the absolute pitch of a vehicle using sensor inputs and validation processes.
Future Implications: Beyond Energy Efficiency
While the current focus of the patent is on energy efficiency and vehicle performance, Tesla’s system opens the door to broader applications. For example, autonomous driving systems could benefit immensely from accurate, real-time pitch determination. The pitch data can be fed into the vehicle’s navigation and control systems, helping autonomous vehicles make smarter decisions about speed, suspension, and power allocation based on the terrain ahead.
Additionally, Tesla’s innovation could pave the way for better integration with renewable energy sources. By optimizing energy usage in real-time, the vehicle could intelligently manage its battery life, making the most of charging cycles from solar or wind power sources. This would align perfectly with Tesla’s long-term vision of creating sustainable energy ecosystems for both vehicles and the grid.
Alt Text: The image is a flowchart diagram labeled “Fig. 4” from a document with the identifier “WO 2024/006943” and “PCT/US2023/069432.”
The flowchart outlines a process for handling vehicle pitch information. The steps in the flowchart are as follows:
START VEHICLE PITCH INFORMATION PROCESSING ROUTINE (400)
CALCULATE AND PROVIDE VEHICLE PITCH (FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C) (402)
DO NOT USE? (404)
If “YES,” proceed to step 406.
If “NO,” proceed to step 408.
DELETE OR MARK UNAVAILABLE (406)
CAUSE CONTROL COMPONENTS TO USE VEHICLE PITCH INFORMATION (408)
This flowchart details the decision-making process for using or discarding vehicle pitch information, which is crucial for vehicle control systems.
A Leap Toward Greener, Smarter Transportation
Tesla’s 2024 patent showcases a significant leap in EV technology. By reimagining how vehicles manage their energy and adapt to changing conditions, Tesla is pushing the boundaries of what electric vehicles can achieve. Their focus on eliminating physical sensors, reducing energy waste, and enhancing vehicle safety through pitch adjustment is a testament to their commitment to innovation in the EV industry.
This patent is more than just a technical achievement—it’s part of Tesla’s broader vision of transforming transportation into a more sustainable, efficient, and intelligent experience. As we look toward the future, innovations like this will play a crucial role in shaping not just how we drive, but how we power the world.
Conclusion
Tesla’s dynamic pitch determination system is a game-changer for the EV market. With its ability to reduce energy consumption, optimize performance, and lower production costs, this patent exemplifies Tesla’s commitment to revolutionizing transportation. As this technology evolves, we can expect to see it play a pivotal role in Tesla’s mission to create a cleaner, smarter, and more efficient driving experience.
