Tire Status Monitoring via Ignition-Off Power and Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire status monitoring systems require the vehicle ignition to be on to function and notify operators or remote recipients, leading to undesirable delays in detecting out-of-range tire conditions, which can compromise safety.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle electronic control unit with a power input port, power output port, and communication port that provides uninterrupted power and data transmission to a vehicle electronic device, allowing tire sensors to transmit data even when the ignition is off, using a vehicle communication bus and proprietary bus to switch states and receive periodic data transmissions for immediate notification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle ignition is required to be on for tire status monitoring and notification, then the system can function properly, but delays occur in detecting out-of-range tire conditions when the ignition is off
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic component is configured to wake up from a low-power state upon receiving a data transmission from the tire sensor, even when the vehicle ignition is off. This preliminary action allows the system to detect tire status changes immediately without waiting for the ignition to be turned on, thereby eliminating notification delays while maintaining reliable detection
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic component autonomously manages its own power state transitions by waking up in response to data transmissions from sensors and returning to low-power state after processing. This self-service mechanism enables continuous monitoring capability without requiring the vehicle ignition to be on, resolving the contradiction between reliable detection and time loss
2Use of energy by moving object
If the electronic component remains in a low-power state when ignition is off, then power consumption is reduced, but data transmissions from sensors cannot be received
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic component operates in periodic cycles, alternating between low-power state and active state. It wakes up periodically or upon receiving data transmissions, processes the sensor information, and then returns to low-power state. This periodic operation enables the system to receive sensor data transmissions while minimizing power consumption, as the component is fully active only when necessary
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary trigger mechanism where data transmissions from tire sensors act as wake-up signals for the electronic component. This intermediary approach allows the component to remain in low-power state during normal operation but automatically activate when sensor data needs to be received, thus preventing information loss while maintaining low power consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle electronic control unit includes a power input port, which receives electric power from a vehicle battery, and a power output port, which provides electric power to a vehicle electronic device including an antenna. The electronic device receives data transmissions from a vehicle sensor. The power output port provides substantially uninterrupted electric power from the vehicle battery to the vehicle electronic device. A communication port is electrically connected to a vehicle communication bus. The communication port receives data transmissions from the vehicle electronic device via the communication port. An electronic component, electrically connected to the communication port, is initially in a first state when a vehicle ignition is off. The electronic component, while in a second state and while the vehicle ignition is off, receives additional data transmissions from the vehicle electronic device indicating statuses of respective vehicle sensors.