Expandable Tyre Pressure Monitoring Unit Program Library
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire pressure monitoring units cannot be easily adapted to new systems as their program libraries cannot be supplemented after manufacturing, making it uneconomical for workshops to maintain a stock that can accommodate various systems.
Innovation Solution
A tire pressure monitoring unit with a microcontroller, pressure and temperature sensors, and a data memory that allows additional control programs to be wirelessly added via low-frequency signals, enabling the library to be updated in workshops, with error checking and a loading program for efficient data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the program library is fixed during manufacturing, then the device structure remains simple and reliable, but the adaptability to new tire pressure monitoring systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the program library into two segments: a fixed portion stored in the microcontroller's internal program memory during manufacturing, and an expandable portion that can be added to external data memory through wireless communication. This segmentation allows the device to maintain its original simple and reliable structure while gaining the ability to adapt to new systems by adding programs without redesigning the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the program library capacity by adding a new dimension of storage space through external data memory. Instead of being limited to the fixed internal program memory, the system can now store additional control programs in external data memory, effectively expanding the library capacity without increasing the complexity of the core microcontroller structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If workshops maintain large stock of different monitoring units for various systems, then system compatibility is ensured, but inventory costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the tire pressure monitoring unit universal by enabling it to run multiple different control programs for various tire pressure monitoring systems. Instead of needing separate monitoring units for each system, a single unit can be programmed to work with multiple systems by loading the appropriate control program from the expanded library, thereby reducing the quantity of stock needed in workshops.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the monitoring unit to adapt to different systems by changing the control program parameters stored in its library. By wirelessly updating the control programs in the external data memory, the same physical device can be reconfigured to work with different tire pressure monitoring systems, eliminating the need to maintain multiple versions in stock.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional control programs are added wirelessly, then the program library becomes expandable and adaptable, but the device complexity and data transmission requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses wireless communication as an intermediary mechanism to transfer additional control programs from an external source to the monitoring unit's data memory. This intermediary approach allows program expansion without physical intervention or complex wiring modifications, maintaining relative device simplicity while enabling expandability through standardized wireless data transmission protocols.
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
Enables easy adaptation of tire pressure monitoring units to new systems by allowing the addition of control programs, reducing the need for large stock holdings and enabling quick updates within a minute, thus enhancing versatility and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitting device (3) for wirelessly transmitting pressure and temperature data as HF signals
Implementation Method 2
a receiving device (4) for receiving wireless control signals as LF signals
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A tire pressure monitoring unit is described, comprising a pressure sensor (1), a temperature sensor (2), a transmitter (3) for wirelessly transmitting pressure and temperature data as RF signals, a receiver (4) for receiving wireless control signals as LF signals, a microcontroller (5) containing a program memory (6), and a data memory (7) connected to the microcontroller (5) containing a library of control programs for controlling the measurement and transmission activities of the tire pressure monitoring unit. Depending on received control signals, the microcontroller (5) selects a control program from this library and writes it to its program memory (6). According to the invention, a loading program, activated by a control signal, causes the microcontroller (5) to transfer an additional control program received by the receiver (4) to the data memory (7).The invention also relates to a method for supplementing a library of control programs in a data storage device (7) connected to a microcontroller (5) of a tire pressure monitoring unit by an additional control program.