TPMS Sensor Adaptive Programming via Bootloader
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) face challenges in adaptability to various vehicle models and protocols, leading to high initial investment, complex programming processes, and limited ability for software updates, which results in increased costs and reduced sensor lifetime due to prolonged loading times and battery consumption.
Innovation Solution
A universal TPMS sensor with a bootloader that allows for adaptive programming using a compact handheld device, enabling quick configuration to different vehicle systems via low-frequency and high-frequency signals, reducing the need for extensive memory and battery power, and allowing for field updates without hardware replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a universal sensor is used to cover multiple TPM systems, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for configurable software and memory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal sensor design that can operate with multiple different TPM systems through configurable software. The sensor includes a microcontroller with stored software that can be programmed to support various vehicle manufacturers' protocols and communication standards, allowing a single sensor hardware platform to serve multiple functions across different vehicle types.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is pre-configured with the capability to be programmed before installation. The system includes pre-stored software images and configuration data in memory that can be loaded and activated based on the specific vehicle requirements, allowing the sensor to be adapted in advance rather than requiring complex hardware modifications during installation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If full software is loaded to the sensor for programming flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but programming time increases due to low speed communication
Solution Approach 1:
The software is divided into segments or modules that can be selectively loaded into the sensor's memory. Instead of loading complete software suites, the system loads only the necessary software components and configuration data required for the specific TPM system being implemented, reducing overall programming time while maintaining full adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor loads only the partial software configuration needed for the specific vehicle application rather than complete software packages. The system uses selective software loading where only relevant protocol handlers and configuration parameters are transferred, significantly reducing programming time while preserving full software configurability capabilities.
3Reliability
If wired interface is used for programming, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional hardware requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor utilizes the existing wireless communication transceiver already present in the sensor for programming operations. The same RF communication interface used for TPM data transmission is also employed for software updates and configuration, eliminating the need for separate wired communication hardware while maintaining reliable programming capabilities.
4Productivity
If pre-stored programs are loaded in the sensor during production, then programming speed is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to large memory overhead
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple software variants are segmented and stored in an external or expandable memory medium rather than duplicating complete software sets in the sensor's internal memory. The sensor contains only the essential boot code and configuration to load the appropriate software segment from external storage, reducing memory overhead while maintaining fast programming capability through pre-prepared software segments.
Data Source
AI summary
A programming unit for TPMS sensors includes at least a microcontroller and memory storing at least a vehicle group database comprising multiple vehicle groups, each vehicle group comprising at least one vehicle, a version pair database comprising multiple version pair groups, each version pair group representing one vehicle group and comprising at least one version pair wherein each version pair includes an associated application version and an associated sub-application version, an application database comprising multiple application versions, each application version includes an associated binary file, and a sub-application database comprising multiple sub-application versions, each sub-application version includes an associated binary file.