Tire Pressure Monitoring System Unswitched Circuit for Instant Start-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) experience delays in reporting tire conditions upon vehicle start-up, as they are typically turned off when the ignition is off, leading to potential delays in detecting issues like missing or blocked sensors, which can be critical before hitting the road.
Innovation Solution
The TPMS employs an unswitched circuit connected to a voltage source and a processor, allowing continuous power to the receiver and processor, enabling immediate data retrieval and display of stored sensor data when the ignition is turned on, eliminating delays and allowing for instantaneous alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the TPMS is turned off when the ignition is turned off to avoid disturbing occupants, then energy consumption is reduced and occupants are not disturbed, but the system cannot detect sensor issues immediately upon start-up
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two operational modes: a low-power sleep mode when ignition is off, and a full operational mode when ignition is on. The receiver and processor remain in memory during sleep mode, while other components are powered down. This segmentation allows the system to conserve energy while maintaining rapid response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver and processor perform preliminary actions by remaining in memory during the off period, maintaining their operational state without full power consumption. This preliminary preparation allows the system to immediately process sensor data upon ignition without requiring full system initialization, thus reducing detection delay while minimizing energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the TPMS waits for sensors to check in at six-minute intervals, then power consumption is reduced during off periods, but there is a delay of at least six minutes or up to 18 minutes to detect missing or blocked sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on ignition status. When ignition is on, the system is fully operational and can immediately detect sensor issues. When ignition is off, the system enters a low-power state where the receiver and processor remain in memory. This dynamic behavior allows the system to balance power consumption with reliable detection based on actual operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its operational parameters based on ignition state. During off periods, the receiver and processor maintain a low-power memory state rather than fully powering down. This parameter change allows the system to consume minimal power while still being capable of immediate sensor detection upon ignition, eliminating the 6-18 minute delay associated with waiting for scheduled sensor check-ins.
3Loss of energy
If the TPMS is completely turned off when ignition is off, then the system consumes minimal energy, but the operator must choose to ignore problems or make additional stops if sensors are not detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments power distribution to different components based on operational needs. The receiver and processor remain in memory during off periods, while display and other components are fully powered down. This segmentation enables the system to consume minimal energy while maintaining the capability to immediately detect and report sensor issues upon ignition, improving operator convenience without significant energy penalty.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver and processor perform preliminary preparation by remaining in memory during off periods, ready to immediately process sensor data when ignition is on. This preliminary action ensures that sensor issues are detected without delay, allowing operators to address problems before driving, thereby improving ease of operation while keeping energy consumption low.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for monitoring one or more motor vehicle tire conditions includes a receiver for intercepting signals from sensors mounted on the tires, a processor for identifying, converting, evaluating and storing said sensor signals, a keypad for selecting sensor data, an alarm for indicating an undesirable tire condition, and a display for providing sensor data. An unswitched circuit is connected to the vehicle battery and to the receiver and the processor in the monitoring apparatus. A switched circuit is connected via an ignition switch to the battery and to the monitoring apparatus as a whole. Sensor information obtained by the processor while the ignition switch is off is available to the user as soon as the ignition switch is turned on.