RF Tire Pressure Tool for Rental Vehicle Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rental vehicle technicians often fail to check tire pressure accurately and efficiently due to the absence of valve caps, leading to potential air leaks, user dissatisfaction, and increased maintenance costs, as they must manually remove caps and record pressures, which can result in errors and increased liability.
Innovation Solution
A multi-function tire pressure check tool that reads vehicle identification information and automatically determines the type of tire pressure sensor protocol to trigger TPMS sensors, allowing for remote pressure monitoring without removing valve caps, providing accurate and efficient tire pressure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If technicians manually remove valve caps to check tire pressure, then they can obtain pressure readings, but they increase the risk of air leaks, contamination, and damage to the valve core mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical valve cap removal process with an electronic/RF-based pressure reading system. The tool communicates with the TPMS sensor electronically to obtain pressure data without physical contact with the valve stem, thereby eliminating mechanical damage risks while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electronic communication system between the pressure checking tool and the tire pressure sensor. Instead of direct mechanical access to the valve stem, the tool uses RF/electronic signals to retrieve pressure data through the existing TPMS infrastructure, protecting the valve core while enabling accurate readings
2Loss of information
If technicians manually check and record tire pressure for each vehicle, then they can maintain pressure records, but they experience increased time consumption and potential for human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automated data collection by leveraging the vehicle's existing TPMS infrastructure. The tool automatically retrieves pressure data and vehicle identification information without requiring manual reading or recording by technicians, eliminating human error and significantly reducing inspection time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements an automated feedback system where pressure data and vehicle identification are automatically captured, processed, and recorded. The system provides immediate feedback on pressure status and automatically logs the information, replacing manual recording processes and eliminating transcription errors
3Productivity
If valve caps are left off the valve stems, then technicians save time on installation/removal, but the valve core mechanism becomes exposed to contaminants and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for mechanical valve cap handling by using electronic/RF communication to read pressure data. This substitution maintains high inspection speed while keeping valve caps in place, thereby protecting the valve core mechanism from contaminants without sacrificing productivity
4Productivity
If technicians over-inflate tires to minimize future pressure checks, then they reduce re-inflation needs, but they compromise tire safety and create liability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback monitoring of actual tire pressure through automated readings. This enables technicians to maintain precisely correct pressure levels based on real-time data rather than guessing or over-inflating, ensuring tire safety while reducing the need for corrective re-inflation
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing manual pressure checking with automated electronic reading, the system provides accurate pressure data that prevents both under-inflation and over-inflation scenarios, thereby maintaining tire safety while improving operational efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
At a portable tool, vehicle identification information is requested from a vehicle and responsively received from the vehicle. Based upon the vehicle information, one or more tire pressure sensor activation/trigger methods or parameters are determined. The determined one or more tire pressure sensor activation/trigger methods or parameters are used to activate singularly or a plurality of tire pressure monitoring (TPM) sensors at the vehicle. Tire pressure information is responsively received from the activated TPM sensors.