TPMS Sensor Identification Using ABS Tooth Count Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tire pressure monitoring systems struggle to accurately identify which sensor corresponds to which wheel, complicating optimal tire pressure management and safety assessments due to identical sensor designs.
Innovation Solution
Each tire pressure monitor calculates its rotational speed, sets a target angular position, and transmits a time value to the vehicle ECU, which records ABS gear tooth counts at this position to identify the sensor's location based on concentrated or dispersed tooth count patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If identical tire pressure monitors are installed on all four wheels, then the system achieves uniformity and ease of manufacture, but the vehicle onboard computer cannot identify which sensor corresponds to which wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ABS gear tooth count information as an intermediary identifier. The ECU reads ABS gear tooth counts at specific angular positions and uses these counts as unique identifiers to match tire pressure monitors with their corresponding wheels, resolving the identification problem without compromising sensor uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for identification from sensor hardware differences to temporal parameters (time values when monitors reach target angular positions) combined with ABS gear tooth count parameters. This allows identical sensors to be differentiated based on their operational characteristics
2Loss of information
If tire pressure monitors are differentiated by hardware to enable identification, then wheel position can be identified, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of differentiating the monitors themselves, the patent uses ABS gear tooth count information as an external intermediary identifier. This approach maintains sensor simplicity while achieving identification through a separate information source
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses existing vehicle components (ABS gear and ECU) to provide identification functionality. The ECU, which already exists for brake control, is leveraged to read ABS gear tooth counts and perform the matching function, avoiding the need for additional dedicated identification hardware
3Loss of information
If manual methods are used to track sensor positions, then identification is possible, but the system loses automation and requires manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs the matching function using the ECU to read ABS gear tooth counts and compare them with transmitted time values. No manual intervention is required - the system self-identifies which sensor belongs to which wheel through automated data comparison
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the ECU reads ABS gear tooth counts, compares them with transmitted time values from monitors, and uses this feedback information to establish the correct mapping between sensors and wheels. This closed-loop approach enables automatic identification
Data Source
AI summary
A method for identifying tire pressure monitor sensors includes the following steps: each wheel tire pressure monitor calculates the rotational speed value of the corresponding wheel; the vehicle electronic control unit reads the information of each wheel's ABS gear; each tire pressure monitor sets the same target angular position; each tire pressure monitor calculates the time value needed to reach the target angular position based on the rotational speed value of the corresponding wheel; each tire pressure monitor wirelessly transmits a packet of the calculated time value to the vehicle electronic control unit based on the time values transmitted by each tire pressure monitor. When the time value transmitted by any tire pressure monitor is reached, the vehicle electronic control unit reads the corresponding tooth count value of each wheel's ABS gear at the target angular position, and the computing element identifies which tire pressure monitor belongs to which wheel.