Bluetooth LE Bracket Antenna for Tire Pressure Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire pressure monitoring units have high manufacturing costs and energy consumption due to the antenna circuit and transmission activity, particularly in the 433 MHz and 868 MHz frequency ranges.
Innovation Solution
The use of Bluetooth low energy technology (Bluetooth LE) for data transmission in the 2.4 GHz range, combined with a bracket antenna design that efficiently utilizes limited space and provides a mechanically reliable connection, and an optional second antenna circuit for compatibility with 433 MHz systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional antenna circuits operating in 433 MHz or 868 MHz frequency ranges are used, then transmission capability is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating frequency parameter from conventional 433 MHz or 868 MHz to 2.4 GHz Bluetooth Low Energy frequency. This parameter change enables the use of BLE technology which has lower energy consumption and reduced manufacturing costs due to the widespread availability of BLE components and antenna circuits from various applications.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a bracket antenna is used in the limited space of a tire pressure monitoring unit, then transmission in 2.4 GHz range is enabled, but space constraints require compact design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a bracket antenna configuration that extends in three-dimensional space rather than being confined to a single plane. The bracket antenna has arms that extend perpendicular to the printed circuit board, utilizing the Z-dimension (height) to achieve the required antenna length for 2.4 GHz operation within the limited footprint available in a tire pressure monitoring unit.
3Ease of manufacture
If the bracket antenna ends are soldered onto the circuit board, then connection is established, but mechanical reliability may be insufficient under high forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection process into two distinct stages: first, a mechanical plug-in connection that provides immediate structural support and alignment, and second, a soldered connection that provides electrical bonding and additional mechanical reinforcement. This segmentation ensures both ease of assembly and high reliability under the extreme forces encountered in tire applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a mechanical plug-in connection before soldering to provide preliminary mechanical support and stress distribution. This pre-connection acts as a cushioning mechanism that protects the solder joints from excessive mechanical forces during assembly and operation, preventing solder joint failure under the high forces occurring in a tire.
4Ease of operation
If the bracket antenna is made from wire, then flexibility is achieved, but mechanical stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using simple wire to using a metal strip material for the bracket antenna. The metal strip provides both the necessary mechanical strength and stability to withstand the high forces in a tire environment, while still maintaining sufficient flexibility for installation. This material change creates a composite structure that balances both flexibility and mechanical stability requirements.
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 reduces energy consumption and manufacturing costs while enabling efficient data transmission and compatibility with existing systems, allowing for reliable operation in constrained spaces and varied frequency ranges.
Implementation Method 1
The transmission device with the antenna circuit and the bracket antenna (4) are designed to transmit pressure and temperature data using Bluetooth LE technology, i.e. to send out pressure and temperature data wirelessly in data packets according to the Bluetooth LE standard
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A tire pressure monitoring unit is described, comprising a pressure sensor for measuring tire pressure and a circuit board (3) which carries an antenna circuit for transmitting pressure data. According to the invention, the antenna circuit is configured to transmit pressure data using Bluetooth Low Energy technology and includes a loop antenna (4) whose ends are attached to the circuit board (3).