Variable Gain ADC for Dual-Range Tire Pressure Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure monitoring systems are inflexible and unable to effectively monitor pressure ranges beyond those typical for passenger vehicles, as they are not designed to handle the higher pressures found in commercial vehicle tires, which can range from 100 kPa to 850 kPa.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a variable gain stage and ADC output precision adjustment based on a control signal to measure pressures within two distinct ranges, allowing a single pressure monitoring system to accommodate both passenger and commercial vehicle tire pressures by selectively adjusting the gain to correspond to either a 100 kPa-450 kPa or 100 kPa-850 kPa range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single pressure sensor is designed for passenger vehicle tire pressure range (100 kPa-450 kPa), then it provides adequate measurement precision for passenger vehicles, but it cannot effectively measure higher pressures in commercial vehicle tires (100 kPa-850 kPa)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the ADC output precision configurable through a control signal. The system dynamically adjusts the output precision of the ADC based on the selected pressure range, allowing the same hardware to adapt between passenger vehicle mode (higher precision for lower pressures) and commercial vehicle mode (wider range for higher pressures). This resolves the contradiction by enabling the sensor to change its measurement characteristics based on operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the output precision parameter of the ADC based on a control signal that selects between different pressure ranges. When configured for commercial vehicle tires, the system adjusts parameters to accommodate the 100 kPa-850 kPa range, whereas for passenger vehicles it optimizes for 100 kPa-450 kPa. This parameter adjustment allows a single sensor to serve multiple applications with different pressure requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pressure sensors are used to cover different pressure ranges, then both passenger and commercial vehicle tire pressures can be monitored, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a single pressure sensor that can function for both passenger and commercial vehicle tire pressure monitoring. Through the configurable ADC output precision controlled by a control signal, one sensor performs the work of what would traditionally require multiple specialized sensors. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity while maintaining the ability to monitor different pressure ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple pressure sensors into a single device. By combining the pressure sensing element with a configurable ADC that can adjust its output precision, the system consolidates what would be separate sensors for different vehicle types into one unified sensor that can be programmed for different applications.
3Measurement precision
If the ADC output precision is fixed, then the system is simple to manufacture, but it cannot provide better resolution over a wider pressure range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the ADC output precision dynamic rather than fixed. A control signal configures the ADC to provide different levels of output precision based on the selected pressure range. This dynamic configuration allows the system to manufacture a single standardized sensor that can be programmed at deployment to provide appropriate resolution for the intended application, whether passenger or commercial vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure monitoring device comprises an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to receive an analog signal and to convert the analog signal to a digital signal. The pressure monitoring device is configured to apply in a first state a first set of calibration coefficients to the digital signal, the first set of calibration coefficients being associated with a first pressure range. The pressure monitoring device is further configured to apply in a second state a second set of calibration values to the digital signal, the second set of calibration coefficients being associated with a second pressure range different than the first pressure range.