TPMS Wheel Position Localization via Rotation Period and Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) face challenges in efficiently and accurately localizing wheel positions due to reliance on time-consuming statistical methods and power-intensive signal processing, especially when wheels are rotated or changed.
Innovation Solution
A system and methodology that calculates the rotation period and direction of each TPMS module, allowing the central receiver unit to determine wheel positions efficiently and with minimal power consumption by eliminating the need for timestamping and averaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If statistical methods and signal processing are used to determine wheel positions, then localization accuracy is improved, but time consumption and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for localization (rotation period and direction) from the sensor data, eliminating the need for complex statistical analysis and signal processing. By taking out only the critical parameters that directly indicate wheel position, the system achieves accurate localization without the time-consuming computational overhead of comprehensive data analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary determination of rotation period and direction using simple counters and comparators before any complex processing would be needed. By establishing these fundamental parameters first through efficient hardware-based measurement, the system eliminates the subsequent need for time-consuming statistical methods and signal processing operations.
2Measurement precision
If statistical methods and signal processing are used to determine wheel positions, then localization accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for localization (rotation period and direction) from the sensor data, eliminating the need for complex statistical analysis and signal processing. By taking out only the critical parameters that directly indicate wheel position, the system achieves accurate localization without the power-intensive computational overhead of comprehensive data analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex computational signal processing with simple hardware-based measurement using counters and comparators. By substituting mechanical/electrical counting mechanisms for software-based statistical analysis, the system dramatically reduces power consumption while maintaining localization accuracy, as hardware counters consume far less power than processors performing extensive calculations.
3Measurement precision
If timestamping and averaging are used for wheel localization, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for localization (rotation period and direction) from the sensor data, eliminating the need for complex statistical analysis and signal processing. By taking out only the critical parameters that directly indicate wheel position, the system achieves accurate localization without the time-consuming computational overhead of comprehensive data analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary determination of rotation period and direction using simple counters and comparators before any complex processing would be needed. By establishing these fundamental parameters first through efficient hardware-based measurement, the system eliminates the subsequent need for time-consuming statistical methods and signal processing operations.
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
Enables rapid and power-efficient localization of wheel positions, improving the accuracy and speed of identifying low tire pressure issues without significant battery drain or lengthy data processing.
Implementation Method 1
The rotational velocity of the wheel is determined from the frequency of an alternating signal, with the alternating component caused by the contribution of gravity to the acceleration of the wheel
Data Source
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AI summary
A system includes sensor modules, each associated with a wheel on a vehicle, and a receiver unit. Each sensor module calculates a rotation period associated with the wheel during turn mode vehicular motion and determines rotation direction of the associated wheel during straight vehicular motion. A data packet that includes a unique identifier for the sensor module, the rotation period, and the rotation direction are transmitted from each sensor module for receipt at the receiver unit. The receiver unit determines the steered wheels and non-steered wheels based on the rotation period, and the receiver unit can determine which wheels are on the right side or the left side of the vehicle based on the rotation direction. Knowledge of the steered and non-steered wheels and the rotation direction of the wheels, enables the receiver unit to assign locations of the sensor modules, and hence positions of the wheels of the vehicle.