Tire Vibration Sensing for Multi-Target Detection With Lower Power

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire systems face challenges in reducing power consumption, weight, and physical size while effectively detecting various targets such as road surface state, tire wear, and load applied to each wheel, due to the need for multiple vibration sensors and microcomputers, which increases complexity and power demand.

Innovation Solution

A tire system with a tire-side device that includes a sensing unit, signal processing unit, and data communication unit, allowing bidirectional communication with a vehicle-body-side system to transmit detection data, and dynamically adjusts processing algorithms based on requested detection targets, reducing the need for multiple sensors and high-capability microcomputers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple vibration sensors and microcomputers are used to detect various targets, then detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A single vibration sensor and microcomputer are designed to perform multiple detection functions (road surface state, tire wear, load applied to each wheel) by dynamically adjusting processing algorithms based on requested detection targets, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated sensors and microcomputers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts processing algorithms in real-time based on which detection target is currently requested, allowing one sensor and microcomputer to adaptively serve multiple detection purposes rather than requiring static dedicated hardware for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If multiple vibration sensors and microcomputers are used to detect various targets, then detection capability is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A single vibration sensor and microcomputer are designed to perform multiple detection functions (road surface state, tire wear, load applied to each wheel) by dynamically adjusting processing algorithms based on requested detection targets, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated sensors and microcomputers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple detection functions that would traditionally require separate hardware components are merged into a single sensor-microcomputer unit that shares resources and performs all detection tasks through algorithmic differentiation rather than hardware differentiation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If multiple vibration sensors and microcomputers are used to detect various targets, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single vibration sensor and microcomputer are designed to perform multiple detection functions (road surface state, tire wear, load applied to each wheel) by dynamically adjusting processing algorithms based on requested detection targets, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated sensors and microcomputers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the detection target specification from the hardware configuration, separating the function definition (what to detect) from the physical implementation (how many sensors/microcomputers), allowing software-based differentiation rather than hardware multiplication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This approach reduces power consumption, minimizes weight and size, and enables efficient detection of multiple targets by adapting processing based on requested data, improving the system's efficiency and functionality without the need for extensive hardware.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration sensor unit (11) configured to output a detection signal corresponding to vibration applied to the tire (3)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration detection: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS11906391B2Tire system

Publication Date: 2024.02.20 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A tire system includes a tire-side device and a vehicle-body-side system. The tire-side device may be attached to a tire included in a vehicle. The vehicle-body-side system may be attached to a body of the vehicle. The tire-side device may output a detection signal corresponding to each of a plurality of types of detection targets. The tire-side device may perform processing of the detection signal and generate the data related to the detection target. The tire-side device may perform bidirectional communication with the vehicle-body-side system and transmit the data to the vehicle-body-side system. The vehicle-body-side system may perform bidirectional communication with the tire-side device and receive the data. The vehicle-body-side system may acquire the detection result for the detection target based on the data.