Wheel Hub Sensor Monitoring for Overheating Warnings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring axle or wheel properties in road trains is challenging, particularly in preventing undetected overheating, which can lead to vehicle fires and destruction, due to the difficulty in conducting timely and effective safety checks in long-distance travel at high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring device with a sensor unit and transmitter unit is attached to the wheel hub or rim, wirelessly sending temperature or pressure data to a warning device, enabling automated and continuous monitoring of wheel conditions, even in hazardous environments, with features like magnetic fastening, solar charging, and repeaters for extended range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual safety checks are conducted on wheels during long-distance travel, then wheel conditions can be monitored, but the monitoring process is tedious, time-consuming and ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring device enables the wheel to monitor its own conditions (temperature, pressure) automatically without requiring manual intervention. The sensor unit is positioned to self-detect parameters in the wheel area, and the device autonomously transmits data when the vehicle is stationary, eliminating the need for tedious manual safety checks while maintaining reliable monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with an automated electronic monitoring system. Sensors electronically detect wheel conditions and transmit data wirelessly, substituting the mechanical process of manual visual and physical inspection with an automated electronic measurement and communication system that provides reliable monitoring without time loss
2Reliability
If automated monitoring is implemented, then monitoring effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring device is segmented into distinct functional modules: a sensor unit for detecting parameters, a transmitter unit for wireless communication, and a fastening device for mounting. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device is designed with multi-functionality to justify its complexity: it simultaneously monitors temperature and pressure, provides wireless data transmission, offers multiple fastening options (magnetic and mechanical), and operates autonomously. This universal design consolidates multiple monitoring capabilities into a single device, improving overall monitoring effectiveness while avoiding the need for multiple separate systems
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring is performed, then wheel overheating is detected in time, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter unit is designed to send sensor signals at defined time intervals rather than continuously, allowing the vehicle to be monitored periodically while conserving energy during transmission. This periodic action maintains reliable overheating detection capability by capturing temperature changes at regular intervals while significantly reducing the energy consumption compared to continuous transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit continuously monitors wheel conditions without interruption, maintaining reliable detection capability. The continuous sensing action is combined with periodic transmission, ensuring that useful monitoring action continues uninterrupted while energy-intensive transmission occurs only when necessary, balancing detection reliability with energy conservation
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
The system provides timely warnings of potential tire fires, ensuring vehicle safety by continuously monitoring wheel conditions, preventing overheating, and allowing for quick installation and removal, suitable for long road trains and hazardous goods transport.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor unit (110) is designed to sense a physical parameter in the area of the wheel
Implementation Method 2
the transmitter unit (115) being designed to wirelessly send a sensor signal representing the physical parameter to a warning device
Implementation Method 3
The fastening device can have a magnetic attraction in order to magnetically fasten the transmitter unit (115) to the second section (135) or to the wheel rim (122)
Data Source
AI summary
The approach presented here relates to a monitoring device (100) for a vehicle. The monitoring device (100) has at least one measuring device (105) with a sensor unit (110) and a transmitter unit (115). The sensor unit (110) is designed to sense a physical parameter in the area of the wheel in a coupled position on a first section of a wheel hub (120) of a wheel of the vehicle while the vehicle is moving. The transmitter unit (115) has a fastening device which is shaped in order to fasten the transmitter unit (115) in a fastening position on a second section of the wheel hub (120) of the wheel or on a wheel rim (122), the transmitter unit (115) is designed to wirelessly send a sensor signal (125) representing the physical parameter to a warning device in order to enable monitoring of the physical parameter.