Tire Auto-Location Using Footprint Length Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire monitoring systems face challenges in accurately and economically identifying the position of tires on a vehicle due to tire replacement, rotation, and power constraints, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in localization.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes a tire sensor unit to measure footprint length and a vehicle sensor unit to measure lateral and longitudinal acceleration, employing a processor to estimate a virtual footprint length and correlate it with measured values to determine tire positions using a decision arbitrator and decision rules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If footprint length measurement sensor is mounted on each tire to measure footprint length, then tire position identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces footprint length as an intermediary parameter that indirectly identifies tire position. Instead of directly tracking tire location, the system measures footprint length (which varies by tire position due to vehicle dynamics) and uses this measurement to infer position. This intermediary approach achieves accurate localization without requiring complex direct tracking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or electronic tracking systems with a simpler measurement-based approach. By using footprint length measurement combined with vehicle acceleration data, the system substitutes elaborate localization hardware with a minimal sensor configuration that leverages physical principles of tire-road interaction.
2Measurement precision
If footprint length measurement sensor is mounted on each tire, then tire position identification accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive footprint length measurement sensors that can be mass-produced and integrated into tire pressure monitoring systems. The approach uses low-cost accelerometers and simple measurement sensors rather than expensive specialized localization hardware, making the system economically viable for widespread deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates footprint length measurement functionality into existing tire pressure monitoring sensors, making them multi-functional. The same sensor unit that monitors pressure also measures footprint length, eliminating the need for separate dedicated localization sensors and reducing overall system cost.
3Measurement precision
If frequent sensor communications are used for auto-location, then localization accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic measurement and communication cycles rather than continuous operation. The system measures footprint length and accelerations at appropriate intervals and transmits data only when necessary for position determination, reducing power consumption while maintaining localization accuracy through strategically timed measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses locally available data (footprint length and acceleration measurements) to perform localization computations at the sensor node itself, minimizing the need for frequent data transmission and centralized processing. This self-service approach reduces communication overhead and power consumption.
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
Provides economical and accurate identification of tire positions on a vehicle, independent of vehicle platform or tire identification numbers, with improved localization accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a footprint length measurement sensor to measure a length of a footprint of the tire
Implementation Method 2
A vehicle sensor unit is mounted on the vehicle and measures a lateral acceleration of the vehicle and a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
An auto-location system and method for locating a position of a tire supporting a vehicle is disclosed. The system (10) comprises a tire sensor unit (26) including a footprint length measurement sensor to measure a length of a footprint of the tire, and electronic memory capacity to store identification information for the tire sensor unit (26); a vehicle sensor unit (34) for measuring a lateral acceleration (36) and a longitudinal acceleration (38) of the vehicle; a processor (40) in electronic communication with the tire sensor unit (26) and the vehicle sensor unit (34) for receiving the measured footprint length, the identification information, the lateral acceleration, and the longitudinal acceleration; a virtual footprint length estimator (52) for execution on the processor (40), the footprint length estimator employing the lateral acceleration and the longitudinal acceleration to estimate a virtual footprint length (60) of the tire; a correlation module (54) for execution on the processor (40), the correlation module receiving the virtual footprint length (60) and the measured footprint length to generate correlation values; and a decision arbitrator (56) for execution on the processor (40), the decision arbitrator applying a set of decision rules (84) to the correlation values to generate a wheel position indication (58) that correlates the tire sensor unit (26) to a position of the tire (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) on the vehicle (14).