TPMS Mode Switching With Passive BLE Scanning in Traffic Jams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) face energy wastage and frequency overload when switching from driving to stationary mode due to unnecessary signal transmission attempts, particularly in traffic jams.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a multi-threshold speed-based switching mechanism and passive scanning to transition between driving, intermediate, and standby modes, utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy technology for efficient communication with external devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the monitoring device is permanently installed in the vehicle, then the measurement reliability is improved, but the device complexity and installation effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring device transitions from a static permanent installation to a dynamic portable configuration that can be moved between vehicles. The device includes a power supply unit that can be connected to different vehicles' electrical systems, enabling flexible deployment without permanent mounting infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring device is divided into separate functional modules including a control unit, power supply unit, and sensor units that can be independently connected or disconnected. This modular design simplifies installation and removal while maintaining measurement reliability during the monitoring period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the monitoring device is permanently installed in the vehicle, then the measurement duration is improved, but the loss of substance (vehicle modifications) increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement durationVSAvoidvehicle modifications
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring device is extracted from the vehicle's permanent structure and designed as a portable external unit. All necessary components including power supply, sensors, and control units are contained within the device itself, requiring no extraction or modification of vehicle components for installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed for temporary deployment where it can be easily removed and transported to another vehicle. The portable design with integrated power supply allows the device to be discarded from one vehicle and recovered for use in another, eliminating permanent modifications while enabling extended measurement campaigns across multiple vehicles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Device complexity

If a portable monitoring device is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement reliability deteriorates due to power supply constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation complexityVSAvoidmeasurement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply unit is designed to universally interface with different vehicle electrical systems through appropriate connectors and voltage regulation. The control unit can adapt to various power availability scenarios, ensuring reliable operation across different vehicle types without requiring vehicle-specific modifications.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors the state of the power supply unit and adjusts its operation accordingly. When power availability is limited, the system can prioritize critical measurements, reduce sampling frequency for non-critical parameters, or alert the operator, thereby maintaining measurement reliability under portable operation constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4301612B1Method for operating a monitoring device for at least one vehicle parameter
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP4301612B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a monitoring device for at least one vehicle parameter, more particularly an air pressure sensor for the 'tyre pressure' vehicle parameter, wherein: the monitoring device is operated in a driving mode or in a stationary mode depending on the speed of the vehicle; in the stationary mode, connection signals for wireless connection to an external device, more particularly a configuration device for the monitoring device, are emitted and before the switch to the stationary mode, the monitoring device is operated in a first intermediate mode; in the first intermediate mode there is a passive search for wireless connection signals from the external device.