Vehicle Wheel Sensor Location via Synchronized Signal Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel monitoring systems face challenges in accurately locating wheel sensors due to non-reception zones created by the positioning of hands-free access device antennas, leading to inefficiencies and incomplete wheel location procedures.
Innovation Solution
A method that synchronizes and shifts the transmission of electromagnetic identification request signals with the vehicle's speed, ensuring the electronic housings are in reception zones by calculating the time for each signal triggering based on the wheel's rotation and speed, allowing for consistent and rapid signal reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If three low-frequency antennas are installed near each wheel for wheel location, then wheel location accuracy and speed are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hands-free access antennas are made to serve dual purposes: their original function for vehicle access control and an additional function for wheel location. By programming the central unit to transmit location request signals through these existing antennas, the system eliminates the need for dedicated location antennas while achieving both functions with the same hardware infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing hands-free access antenna signal structure and transmission mechanism as a template, adapting it for wheel location purposes. The same physical antennas and signal paths are reused, creating a functional copy of the location system using existing infrastructure rather than building a separate dedicated system
2Device complexity
If hands-free access device antennas are used for wheel location, then device complexity is reduced, but reception reliability deteriorates due to non-reception zones
Solution Approach 1:
The system transmits location request signals periodically at multiple time instants rather than relying on a single transmission. By sending signals at different times corresponding to different wheel angular positions, the system ensures that at least one transmission occurs when the electronic housing is in a reception zone, thereby overcoming the non-reception zone problem
Solution Approach 2:
The central unit pre-calculates and determines multiple transmission instants based on expected wheel rotation patterns before initiating the location procedure. This preliminary timing planning ensures that signal transmissions are strategically scheduled to maximize the probability of successful reception despite the presence of non-reception zones
3Productivity
If signal transmission timing is not synchronized with wheel rotation, then system complexity is reduced, but location speed and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The signal transmission timing is made dynamic rather than static. The transmission instants are adjusted based on the wheel's rotation state and angular position, creating a adaptive timing system that responds to the moving target. This dynamic timing synchronization ensures that signals are transmitted when the electronic housing is most likely to be in a reception zone, thereby improving location speed and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the central unit monitors wheel rotation information and uses this feedback to optimize transmission timing. By continuously adjusting transmission instants based on actual wheel position feedback, the system achieves high location efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through intelligent control algorithms
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 guarantees fast and reliable wheel location by optimizing signal transmission timing, reducing the need for additional hardware and minimizing non-reception zones, thus enabling efficient use of existing hands-free access device antennas.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting an electromagnetic identification request signal, generated by means of an antenna connected to a central unit
Data Source
AI summary
Method of transmitting an electromagnetic identification request signal, generated by an antenna (11-14) connected to a central unit (15) mounted on a vehicle (1), to an electronic housing (6-9) mounted on a wheel (2-5) of the vehicle. This transmission method includes successively transmitting, after starting of the vehicle (1), a plurality of identical identification request signals (S1 . . . , Si, Si+1, . . . ), and wherein, after each transmission at an instant Ti of a signal Si, the speed of travel V of the vehicle (1) is measured, the time Tr of a complete rotation of the wheel (2-5) is calculated for the speed V, and the following signal Si+1 is triggered at an instant Ti+1 such that: Ti+1=Ti+nTr+Tθ with n integer ≧1 and 0<Tθ<Tr.