TPMS Battery Charging via Vehicle Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) face challenges in maintaining efficient energy levels due to the depletion of stored electrical energy, particularly when the frequency of information transmission increases, and inductive charging is hindered by the varying positions and orientations of wheel and tire assemblies relative to charging coils during rotation.
Innovation Solution
A controller is programmed to analyze electromagnetic field strengths and generate commands to position the vehicle and its wheels optimally relative to primary inductive charge coils, minimizing the difference in power received by the TPMS during charging, and adjusting for varying states of charge using weighting factors to ensure balanced recharging across all wheels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the frequency of transmitted information by TPMS is increased, then the system provides more timely tire pressure data, but the stored electrical energy depletes at an increased rate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic inductive charging by positioning the vehicle over charging coils at specific intervals (e.g., when parked in designated spots), allowing the TPMS batteries to be recharged periodically rather than continuously, thus enabling higher transmission frequencies without proportional energy depletion
Solution Approach 2:
The TPMS system automatically manages its own energy by detecting battery charge levels and autonomously positioning the vehicle for recharging when needed, or adjusting transmission frequencies based on available energy, thereby balancing data transmission productivity with energy conservation
2Duration of action of moving object
If inductive charging is performed while wheels are rotating, then charging can occur during normal operation, but the varying positions and orientations of wheels relative to charging coils reduce charging efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines optimal charging positions for each wheel relative to the charging coils before initiating the charging process, and positions the wheels accordingly to maximize electromagnetic coupling efficiency, thereby eliminating the energy loss associated with misalignment during rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different positioning strategies to different wheels based on their individual states of charge and their specific spatial relationship to charging coils, optimizing each wheel's charging position independently to maximize overall charging efficiency
3Power
If wheels are positioned to maximize charging for one wheel, then that wheel receives optimal power, but other wheels may receive insufficient power due to positional differences
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the positioning and charging parameters for each wheel based on real-time feedback about their respective charge levels, allowing the charging process to adapt to the specific needs of each wheel while maintaining overall system balance
Solution Approach 2:
The system modifies charging parameters such as electromagnetic field strength, charging duration, and wheel positioning angles for different wheels based on their individual states of charge, ensuring that each wheel receives appropriate power to achieve balanced charging across all wheels
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 ensures consistent and efficient recharging of TPMS batteries, allowing for more frequent transmission of tire pressure and road condition data, thereby extending battery life and maintaining system functionality.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the primary inductive charge coils may be configured to charge one of the arrangements
Implementation Method 2
The position may be based on data indicative of electromagnetic field strength between each of the arrangements and a corresponding one of the coils
Data Source
AI summary
A controller may be configured to generate commands to position a vehicle relative to primary inductive charge coils that are configured to charge TPMS arrangements. A controller may further be configured to generate commands based on data indicative of electromagnetic field strength between TPMS arrangements and a corresponding coil to reduce a difference in power received by the arrangements during a charge period.