Hub Cap Wireless Sensor for Heavy-Duty Wheel End
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensors for wheel end assemblies of heavy-duty vehicles face challenges such as harsh environmental conditions, damage from external mounting, difficulty in wireless signal transmission from internal mounting, dependence on vehicle power supply, and limited space for accommodating tire inflation systems.
Innovation Solution
A wireless sensor mounted in the hub cap of the wheel end assembly, independent from the vehicle power supply, using battery power or energy harvesting, with wireless data communication and visual indicators for data transmission, and designed to accommodate components of a tire inflation system, providing a protected and easily accessible location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sensor is externally mounted on the wheel end assembly, then it is easily accessible for servicing, but it is prone to damage from harsh environmental conditions and road hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is nested within the hub cap structure, which provides protection from environmental damage while maintaining accessibility. The hub cap serves as a protective enclosure that houses the sensor components, shielding them from road hazards and harsh conditions while allowing service personnel to access the sensor through the removable hub cap design.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub cap acts as an intermediary structure between the external environment and the sensor. It provides a protected interface that allows the sensor to be accessible for servicing while simultaneously protecting it from damage by absorbing or deflecting environmental hazards before they reach the sensor.
2Reliability
If the sensor is mounted inside the wheel end assembly, then it is protected from environmental damage, but wireless signal transmission becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication antenna is extracted or extended through the hub cap structure to the external environment. This allows the sensor to remain protected inside the wheel end assembly while the antenna portion that transmits wireless signals is positioned outside the metal enclosure, eliminating signal blocking issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless signal transmission is moved from an internal three-dimensional space blocked by metal to an external space where signals can propagate freely. The antenna extends through the hub cap boundary, transitioning the signal transmission domain from the constrained internal environment to the open external environment.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the sensor depends on the vehicle power supply, then it can operate continuously, but it is vulnerable to power supply failures and requires complex wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is made self-sufficient by incorporating an independent power source (battery or energy harvesting device) that does not rely on the vehicle's power supply. The sensor can autonomously generate or store its own power through energy harvesting from vibration, heat, or other environmental sources, eliminating the need for complex wiring connections to the vehicle electrical system.
4Reliability
If the hub cap space is used for the sensor, then the sensor is protected and accessible, but space for tire inflation system components is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hub cap structure is segmented into multiple functional zones or compartments. One segment houses the sensor components while another segment accommodates the tire inflation system components. This spatial segmentation allows both systems to coexist within the hub cap without interfering with each other, maximizing the utilization of available space.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor and tire inflation system components are nested within different sections of the hub cap structure. The sensor may be positioned in one compartment while the inflation system components are positioned in another, with both nested within the overall hub cap enclosure, allowing protected housing of multiple systems in a compact arrangement.
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
The sensor effectively monitors operating conditions like temperature and vibration, maintains continuous operation, reduces damage from servicing, and optimizes space for tire inflation system components, ensuring reliable and efficient data communication while minimizing contamination and improper reassembly risks.
Implementation Method 1
An electrical energy storage device is mounted on the mounting means and is electrically connected to the sensing means, the processor and the communication means to power the sensor
Implementation Method 2
The sensor includes convenient indicating means, while being capable of accommodating components of a tire inflation system
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless sensor for a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle is provided. The wheel end assembly includes a wheel hub and a hub cap mounted on the wheel hub. The sensor includes mounting means disposed in the hub cap. Sensing means are mounted on the mounting means to sense at least one condition of the vehicle. A processor is mounted on the mounting means and is electrically connected to the sensing means to process data from the sensing means. Communication means are mounted on the mounting means and are electrically connected to the processor to communicate the processed data to a user. An electrical energy storage device is mounted on the mounting means and is electrically connected to the sensing means, the processor and the communication means, enabling the sensor to be independent from the vehicle power supply. The sensor also accommodates components of a tire inflation system.