TPMS Sensor Activation via Handle Engagement and Motion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) often fail to alert drivers to low or high tire pressures in a timely manner, as they typically collect measurements infrequently, leading to potential extended vehicle operation with underinflated or overinflated tires before alerts are presented, which can waste battery life and delay detection of issues.
Innovation Solution
A TPMS activation method that uses a controller to activate TPMS sensors into a low-energy state based on pre-driving events, such as handle engagement, remote start signals, or approaching mobile devices, sending low-frequency wake-up signals and collecting tire pressure data via Bluetooth Low Energy communication, allowing for timely alerts before vehicle operation begins, thus reducing battery consumption and enhancing detection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If TPMS sensors continuously monitor tire pressure at high frequency, then detection precision and timeliness improve, but battery energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The TPMS sensor dynamically adjusts its operating state between sleep mode and active measurement mode based on vehicle motion status. When the vehicle is stationary, the sensor remains in sleep mode to conserve battery energy. When motion is detected via accelerometer, the sensor transitions to active mode to perform timely pressure measurements, thus resolving the contradiction between continuous monitoring and energy conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic measurement cycles triggered by vehicle motion events rather than continuous monitoring. The sensor periodically wakes up to take measurements when motion is detected, then returns to sleep mode. This periodic action pattern ensures timely detection when needed while minimizing energy consumption during idle periods.
2Loss of time
If TPMS sensors remain in active state for frequent measurements, then alert timeliness improves, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting vehicle motion through accelerometer data before initiating pressure measurements. When motion is detected, the system proactively wakes up the TPMS sensor to take measurements, ensuring alerts are ready before the driver needs them. This preliminary motion detection approach reduces alert delay while avoiding unnecessary measurements when the vehicle is stationary, thereby extending battery life.
3Adaptability or versatility
If TPMS system activates on multiple triggers (handle engagement, remote signals, temperature changes), then detection coverage improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple types of activation triggers through a unified processing architecture. It can respond to handle engagement signals, remote key fob signals, temperature sensor data, and accelerometer motion detection using the same TPMS activation logic. This universal approach expands detection coverage across various scenarios while avoiding the need for separate dedicated systems for each trigger type, thus managing complexity effectively.
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 timely alerts for low or high tire pressures before vehicle operation, reducing battery drain and ensuring prompt detection of tire issues, thereby improving safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
send a low-frequency wake-up signal to the TPMS sensor via the communication module
Implementation Method 2
establish Bluetooth low-energy communication between the communication module and the TPMS sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus are disclosed for activation of tire pressure measurement systems. An example vehicle includes a door including a handle sensor, a tire pressure measurement system (TPMS) sensor, a communication module, a display, and a controller. The controller is to activate the TPMS sensor responsive to detecting, via the handle sensor, engagement of a handle and collect, via the communication module, a measurement from the TPMS sensor upon activation. The controller also is to present, via the display, a low-pressure alert in response to determining the measurement is less than a threshold.