Vehicle Sensor Automatic Registration via Motion Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle sensor systems require cumbersome and error-prone manual processes for sensor registration, which complicates the fitting and assignment of sensors to vehicle wheels, leading to potential safety issues and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A sensor unit and controller system that automatically registers sensors by transmitting identification data based on motion thresholds, allowing for reliable and efficient assignment without prior knowledge of sensor characteristics, and distinguishing between locally attached and foreign sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual sensor registration is implemented, then sensor assignment can be completed, but installer errors increase and installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor assignment accuracyVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor unit automatically performs registration by transmitting its identification data when motion is detected, eliminating the need for manual installer intervention. The controller autonomously receives and processes the identification data, completing the sensor assignment without human error or complex procedural steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of recording and inputting sensor identification data is replaced by an automated electronic communication system. The sensor unit's motion sensor detects vehicle motion and triggers automatic transmission of identification data via radio frequency, substituting the manual registration process with an automated electronic procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual sensor registration is implemented, then sensor assignment can be completed, but installation speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor assignment accuracyVSAvoidinstallation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor unit is pre-configured with its identification data stored in memory before installation. When the sensor is attached to the vehicle and motion is detected, the pre-stored identification data is automatically transmitted, eliminating the time-consuming process of manual data entry and accelerating installation while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor unit autonomously transmits its identification data without requiring installer intervention. This self-service mechanism dramatically reduces installation time from minutes of manual recording and inputting to merely the time required for sensor attachment and brief vehicle motion, thereby increasing productivity while ensuring accurate assignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If automated sensor registration is implemented, then installation speed increases, but discrimination between local and foreign sensors becomes necessary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidsensor discrimination mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is configured with vehicle-specific parameters (such as vehicle identification number, wheel count, or axle configuration) that serve as local quality markers. When identification data is received from sensor units, the controller compares these data against the stored vehicle parameters to determine whether the sensors belong to this specific vehicle, enabling automatic discrimination without complex additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The controller receives identification data from sensor units and provides feedback by comparing this data against stored vehicle parameters. This feedback mechanism automatically determines whether received sensors are local (belonging to this vehicle) or foreign (belonging to another vehicle), rejecting foreign sensors and accepting local ones, thereby managing sensor discrimination through intelligent processing rather than physical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 solution reduces installer errors, increases installation speed, and enhances system efficacy by simplifying the sensor registration process and ensuring accurate sensor assignment, thereby improving safety and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a motion sensor configured to determine a first speed of the sensor unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMotion detection: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

The sensors communicate with a controller, which may be mounted in the vehicle, by means of radio-frequency transmitters and receivers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio-frequency transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3551481B1Vehicle sensor
Publication Date: 2023.02.08 WHEELY SAFE LTD
  • EP3551481B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3551481B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3551481B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Methods and apparatus forming part of a vehicle sensor system (100) comprising a plurality of sensor units (104a-f) and a controller (102). A sensor unit comprises: a motion sensor (417) configured to determine a first speed of the sensor unit; and a transmitter (402) configured to transmit first identification data to the controller if the first speed of the sensor unit exceeds a first threshold. The motion sensor is further configured to determine a second speed of the sensor unit a period of time after determination of the first speed of the sensor unit, and the transmitter is configured to transmit to the controller second identification data if the second speed of the sensor unit exceeds a second threshold. The controller comprises: a receiver (304) configured to receive the first identification data, and further configured to receive the second identification data a period of time later; and a sensor unit assigner (320) configured to assign the sensor unit to the controller if the first identification data and the second identification data are received.