Tire Control Unit Power Saving Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire technologies lack a commercially feasible method to measure the contact patch length of a tire while the vehicle is in motion, leading to inefficiencies in energy consumption and accuracy of load determination.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic tire equipped with an accelerometer, energy harvesting device, and control unit that switches between power saving and normal modes to optimize energy usage and accurately measure contact patch length by detecting acceleration and rotation speed, allowing for reliable determination of contact patch length and load analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the accelerometer continuously measures acceleration to accurately determine contact patch length, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit operates the accelerometer in periodic measurement cycles, switching between active measurement mode and power-saving standby mode. During each cycle, the accelerometer measures acceleration data for a predetermined time period to determine contact patch length, then enters standby mode until the next measurement cycle is triggered, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operating state of the accelerometer based on vehicle conditions. The control unit transitions the accelerometer between different operational states (active measurement, standby, and powered-off) depending on whether measurement is currently needed, allowing the system to adapt its energy consumption to actual measurement requirements rather than operating continuously at fixed power level.
2Measurement precision
If the control unit operates in normal mode to continuously monitor tire conditions, then measurement accuracy is improved, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements periodic measurement cycles where the accelerometer operates in normal measurement mode for predetermined time intervals, then switches to power-saving modes. This periodic operation ensures that acceleration data is collected at sufficient intervals to maintain measurement accuracy for contact patch length determination, while the idle periods between measurements allow battery conservation to extend operational duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's motion itself to trigger measurement cycles. When the vehicle is moving, the control unit activates the accelerometer to measure acceleration data for contact patch determination. When the vehicle is stationary or measurement conditions are not met, the system enters power-saving mode. This self-triggering mechanism ensures measurements are taken only when necessary, extending battery life while maintaining measurement accuracy when needed.
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 solution enables efficient energy consumption and accurate measurement of contact patch length, reducing battery drain while maintaining reliable data for load determination, facilitating optimal tire inflation and vehicle performance analysis.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer arranged between the first tread area portion and the axis of rotation... configured to measure acceleration by the accelerometer... sensing the acceleration of the first tread area portion by said accelerometer
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic tire includes a first tread area portion, an electric power source, a transmission device, an accelerometer, and a control unit configured to operate in a power saving mode and a normal mode. A contact of the first tread area portion with a surface is detected by sensing acceleration of the first tread area portion by the accelerometer. The control unit is configured to switch from the normal mode to the power saving mode after a detection that the first tread area portion is on a contact patch of the tire. The control unit is configured to switch from the power saving mode to the normal mode when a first specified time depending on the rotation speed of the tire has elapsed since the detection that the first tread area portion is on the contact patch. A monitoring method and a system are used with the pneumatic tire.