Vehicle Wheel Auto-Location Using Phase Angle and ABS Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire pressure monitoring systems face challenges in automatically locating wheel sensors without human intervention, especially during tire rotation or replacement, which is crucial for accurate pressure monitoring across different axles.
Innovation Solution
The system combines wheel phase angle measurements from sensors like shock sensors or accelerometers with antilock brake system (ABS) data to identify the position of tire pressure monitoring sensors on a vehicle, using a method that involves measuring wheel phase angles at two different times and correlating this information with ABS data to assign sensor identities to specific wheel locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wheel phase angle measurements are combined with ABS data to identify sensor positions, then auto-location accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines wheel phase angle measurements from tire pressure monitoring sensors with wheel speed data from the ABS system to achieve accurate wheel sensor location. By merging these two data sources, the system resolves the contradiction between improved location accuracy and increased system complexity, as both systems already exist in the vehicle and are being utilized together for a combined purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes existing vehicle systems (ABS and tire pressure monitoring) for multiple functions. The ABS system not only provides brake control but also supplies wheel speed data for sensor location identification. The tire pressure monitoring system not only monitors pressure but also provides phase angle information for location determination. This multi-functionality approach improves accuracy without adding dedicated single-purpose components.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors and data sources are integrated for auto-location, then reliability of sensor identification is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs auto-location automatically using data from existing sensors without requiring manual intervention. The ECU autonomously correlates wheel phase angle information with ABS wheel speed data to identify sensor positions, eliminating the need for manual wheel sensor identification procedures and improving ease of operation despite the complex underlying processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple data sources (wheel phase angle measurements and ABS wheel speed data) to continuously verify and refine sensor location identification. The ECU processes this feedback information to reliably determine sensor positions, ensuring accurate identification while automating the process to maintain ease of operation.
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 approach enables accurate and automatic wheel sensor location, enhancing the ability to monitor tire pressure effectively and ensuring compliance with correct pressure thresholds for each axle, even in vehicles with varying tire pressures across axles.
Implementation Method 1
a wheel phase angle sensor which measures a wheel phase angle... using accelerometers
Implementation Method 2
an antilock brake system ('ABS') sensor to be associated with each wheel of the vehicle, the ABS sensor producing ABS data indicative of the wheel phase angle
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for auto-location of tire pressure monitoring sensor units on a vehicle measure the angle of a wheel at two different times using a rim mounted or a tire mounted sensor and determines a difference in measured angles. The systems and methods provide for transmitting the angles and/or the difference in the measured angles along with a sensor identification to an electronic control module. Alternatively, the systems and methods provide for transmitting time differences to the electronic control module. The electronic control module correlates information transmitted from the wheel unit with antilock brake system data. A location of the wheel mounting the sensor is determined and the sensor identification is assigned.