Tire Sensor Discrimination Using RFID Activation Status

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire fitting systems struggle to accurately associate tire sensors with their corresponding RFID tags in noisy environments with multiple transmitting sensors, leading to confusion and incorrect pairings.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that discriminates between tire sensors by receiving status information from RFID tags and tire sensors, using activation methods such as RF signals or pressure changes, and determining the correct association based on this information, including time stamps for tire sensor activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple tire sensors transmit signals simultaneously in a noisy environment, then the system can collect data from all sensors, but the system cannot accurately determine which sensor corresponds to which RFID tag

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of transmitting sensorsVSAvoidsensor identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having sensors transmit their status information (activation method and timestamp) before the association decision is made. This allows the fitting system to receive and process sensor signals in advance, establishing a temporal sequence that enables accurate matching with RFID tags even when multiple sensors transmit simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback by comparing the received sensor status information (activation method and timestamp) with the RFID tag data to determine correct associations. The status information acts as feedback that confirms which sensor is currently being worked on, allowing the system to resolve ambiguities in noisy environments with multiple transmitting sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If the system receives signals from multiple tire sensors simultaneously, then all sensor data is captured, but confusion arises about which sensor to associate with the RFID tag

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor signal captureVSAvoidsignal discrimination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the sensor information into distinct components: activation method (RF signal or pressure change) and activation timestamp. This segmentation allows the fitting system to process and compare specific aspects of sensor signals independently, making it easier to determine which sensor corresponds to the RFID tag without being overwhelmed by the full complexity of simultaneous multi-sensor transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the system uses status information including activation time to discriminate sensors, then accurate association is achieved, but the system requires processing additional data parameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassociation accuracyVSAvoiddata processing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The status information including activation timestamp is captured and stored preliminarily before the association decision is required. This preliminary capture of temporal data allows the system to make accurate associations without requiring complex real-time processing, as the temporal sequence is already established when the signals are received.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Ensures unambiguous association of tire sensors with their correct RFID tags, improving the accuracy and efficiency of tire fitting processes by eliminating confusion in noisy environments.

Implementation Method 1

receiving an identity of an RFID tag mounted on a rim, or in a tire, of a wheel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio Frequency Identification (RFID): Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

TPMS/THS systems also normally employ Radio Frequency, RF, transmissions operating on specifically dedicated frequencies for transmitting its sensor data

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio Frequency Transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4242016B1A tire fitting system and a method therein for sensor discrimination
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4242016B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4242016B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP4242016B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A tire fitting system and a method therein for discriminating between tire sensors of a wheel to be assembled on a vehicle is provided. The tire fitting system comprising a processing circuitry configured to receive an identity of an RFID tag mounted on a rim, or in a tire, of a wheel. The processing circuitry is also configured to receive, from the at least two tire sensors, tire sensor signals comprising status information indicating how their respective tire sensor was activated. The processing circuitry is further configured to determine which identity of the at least two tire sensors is to be associated with the identity of the RFID tag based on the status information. A computer program product and a carrier is also provided.