Tire-Mounted TPMS Angular Position Sensing via Contact Patch Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tire-mounted tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) face challenges in accurately determining the angular position of tires due to different acceleration waveforms compared to valve-based systems, making gravity-based methods inapplicable, and require efficient energy use to save electric charge.
Innovation Solution
A method for tire-mounted TPMS modules that determines the time information of the contact patch event by obtaining rotational rate information and sequences of acceleration samples, adapting sampling rates based on inflation pressure and rotational speed, and validating samples to ensure accuracy and conserve energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gravity-based angular position sensing is used for valve-based TPMS modules, then angular position can be determined using earth's gravity measurement, but this method becomes inapplicable for tire-mounted TPMS modules due to fundamentally different acceleration waveforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sensing parameter from gravity-based (accelerometer measuring vertical direction) to contact patch event-based (detecting when the module passes through the tire-ground contact zone). This parameter change allows the system to adapt from valve-based to tire-mounted configuration while maintaining reliable angular position determination through contact patch timing detection.
2Measurement precision
If continuous high-rate sampling is performed to accurately capture contact patch events, then measurement precision improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sampling synchronized with the tire rotation period rather than continuous high-rate sampling. The system determines the rotation period first, then samples acceleration data at appropriate intervals, achieving accurate contact patch event timing while significantly reducing energy consumption by keeping the sensor in low-power mode between sampling intervals.
3Measurement precision
If sampling rate is increased to capture acceleration waveforms accurately, then measurement accuracy improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sampling rate adjustment based on tire inflation pressure. When inflation pressure is high (indicating smaller contact patch), the sampling rate is increased to capture the shorter contact patch event duration. When inflation pressure is low (larger contact patch), the sampling rate is reduced. This dynamic adaptation maintains measurement accuracy while optimizing energy consumption.
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 enables reliable and energy-efficient angular position sensing for tire-mounted TPMS modules, improving tire localization and reducing energy consumption by optimizing sampling rates and validating data to prevent erroneous results.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining a sequence of samples indicative of at least an acceleration component during at least one rotation of the tire
Data Source
AI summary
Examples provide a method, a component, a tire-mounted TPMS module, a TPMS system and a machine readable storage or computer program for determining time information of at least one contact patch event of a rolling tire and a method for locating a tire. A method for determining time information of at least one contact patch event of a rolling tire, includes obtaining information indicative of a rotational rate of the tire; obtaining a sequence of samples indicative of at least an acceleration component during at least one rotation of the tire; and determining a position of at least one reference sample in the sequence, wherein the position of the at least one reference sample is indicative of the time information of the contact patch event of the rolling tire.