TPMS Wheel Position Assignment Using Dual Evaluation Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles with ABS sensors on only some wheels, existing tire pressure monitoring systems face challenges in quickly and efficiently assigning tire pressure monitoring units to individual wheel positions with minimal hardware complexity, particularly when interference factors like wheel rotation and limited antennas are involved.

Innovation Solution

The method involves separating the evaluation of ABS signals and reception levels into two distinct evaluation units, with one unit processing ABS data and the other processing reception levels, allowing for independent operation and potentially utilizing existing vehicle microprocessors, thereby reducing hardware complexity and accelerating the assignment process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single evaluation unit processes both ABS signals and reception levels, then the system structure is simpler, but the hardware complexity increases and processing speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidassignment speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the evaluation unit into two separate functional units: a first evaluation unit that processes ABS signals to determine wheel positions, and a second evaluation unit that processes reception levels. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different data types, improving assignment speed while keeping each individual unit simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If multiple receiving antennas are installed on the vehicle, then the reception level differences become more distinct, but the hardware complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereception level differentiationVSAvoidnumber of antennas
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the receiving antennas serve dual purposes: they function as part of the tire pressure monitoring system to receive transmission signals, and simultaneously as receiving antennas for the ABS system. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve better reception level differentiation without adding extra hardware, as the same antennas are utilized for multiple evaluation purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If statistical evaluation of multiple data packets is performed, then the assignment accuracy improves, but the time required for assignment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassignment accuracyVSAvoidassignment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary evaluation of ABS signals to identify and assign tire pressure monitoring units to wheel positions with ABS sensors before conducting the full statistical evaluation of reception levels. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly assign the majority of units, reducing the overall time required while maintaining accuracy through subsequent refinement of the remaining assignments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If ABS sensors are installed on all wheels, then the assignment process is simplified, but the vehicle cost and hardware complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassignment processVSAvoidnumber of ABS sensors
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wheel positions into two groups: those with ABS sensors and those without. The first evaluation unit handles assignment for wheels with ABS sensors using the available ABS signals, while the second evaluation unit handles wheels without ABS sensors using reception level analysis. This segmentation allows the system to work effectively with partial ABS sensor coverage, avoiding the need to install ABS sensors on all wheels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 significantly reduces hardware complexity and speeds up the assignment of tire pressure monitoring units to wheel positions, even in vehicles with limited ABS sensors, by using simpler evaluation units and leveraging existing vehicle systems, while maintaining accurate pressure monitoring and reducing interference-related complexities.

Implementation Method 1

contain a pressure sensor, measure the tire pressure during operation and wirelessly transmit pressure data to a receiving device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensor measurement: Piezoresistive Effect

Implementation Method 2

wirelessly transmit pressure data to a receiving device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

evaluating the reception level with which the data telegram is received by the at least one receiving antenna arranged on the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic signal reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3533641B1Method for locating position of wheels in motor vehicle in a tire pressure monitoring system, and device
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 HUF BAOLONG ELECTRONICS BRETTEN GMBH
  • EP3533641B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A method for assigning tire pressure monitoring units (TPMS) mounted on the wheels of a vehicle to wheel positions of the vehicle is described, wherein some wheel positions of the vehicle are assigned ABS sensors and other wheel positions are not, comprising the following steps: assigning TPMS to the wheel positions to which ABS sensors are assigned by evaluating signals from the ABS sensors, and assigning the remaining TPMS to the wheel positions to which no ABS sensors are assigned by evaluating received levels at which signals transmitted by the TPMS are received. According to the invention, the evaluation of the signals from the ABS sensors is performed by a first evaluation unit (EU 1) and the evaluation of the received levels by a second evaluation unit (EU 2).In addition, a corresponding tire pressure monitoring system is described.