Wheel Position Detection Using Accumulated Acceleration Angles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wheel position detection systems face challenges in accurately and quickly determining the position of wheels due to errors in wheel speed sensor detection signals.

Innovation Solution

A wheel position detection device that utilizes wheel-side communication devices equipped with acceleration sensors to calculate sensor angles based on circumferential and radial accelerations, allowing for accurate wheel identification without relying on wheel speed sensor data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If wheel speed sensor detection signals are used for wheel position detection, then the system can identify wheel positions, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to errors in the sensor signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel position detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection signal reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of wheel-side communication devices with acceleration sensors that mediate between the unreliable wheel speed sensor signals and the final wheel position determination. The acceleration sensors detect circumferential and radial accelerations independently, and the control unit processes these signals through coordinate transformation and integration to determine wheel position, thereby avoiding direct reliance on the erroneous wheel speed sensor data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If acceleration sensors are used to calculate sensor angles based on circumferential and radial accelerations, then wheel position detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel position detection precisionVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel-side communication device, originally designed for tire pressure monitoring in TPMS systems, is enhanced with acceleration sensing capabilities to perform multiple functions: it continues to monitor tire pressure while simultaneously detecting wheel position through acceleration measurements. This multi-functionality approach avoids adding separate dedicated wheel position detection hardware, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the wheel position detection function with the existing TPMS wheel-side communication device. The acceleration sensor is integrated into the same communication device that handles tire pressure monitoring, and the control unit processes both tire pressure data and acceleration data through a unified system architecture, combining multiple detection functions into a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If the system monitors change in relative angle between wheel rotation positions, then wheel position can be detected, but detection speed decreases due to accumulated error calculations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel position detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/wheel-speed-based detection method with an acceleration-based sensing approach. Instead of relying on wheel speed sensor signals that require integration and error correction over time, the system uses acceleration sensors to directly measure the dynamic motion of the wheel, transforming the detection mechanism from a speed-integration approach to an acceleration-based approach that provides more direct and faster position information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 precise wheel position detection by calculating accumulated angles and rotations using acceleration data, overcoming errors in wheel speed sensor signals.

Implementation Method 1

a wheel-side communication device having an acceleration sensor, a first control unit that stores a detection result of the acceleration sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS20260086224A1Wheel position detection device

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A wheel position detection device for a vehicle includes: a wheel-side communication device having an acceleration sensor, a first control unit that stores a detection result of the acceleration sensor and generates a frame that stores identification information of each wheel-side communication unit, and a first communication unit; and a vehicle-side communication device having a second communication unit and a second control unit that determines the wheel-side communication device that has transmitted the frame. The second control unit transmits measurement start and end timings to each wheel-side communication device. A sensor angle between each wheel-side communication device and a wheel center is calculated based on the circumferential and radial accelerations. The second control unit specifies the wheel to which each wheel side communication device is attached, based on the accumulated angle of a change in the sensor angle or a magnitude of the accumulated angle.