Wheel Tire Alignment for RFID Tag Spacing in Twin Assemblies
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In heavy-duty vehicles, the close proximity of RFID tags on wheels can cause interference with radio frequency transmissions, making it difficult to read sensor data unambiguously, particularly in twin wheel assemblies where air valves are 180 degrees apart, leading to ambiguous sensor readings.
Innovation Solution
A tire fitting system that determines the location of RFID tags on tires and air valves on rims, calculates the distance between them, and provides alignment instructions to ensure the RFID tags are positioned close to the air valves, reducing interference and facilitating clear sensor readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple RFID tags are placed close together on twin wheel assemblies, then wheel identification capability is improved, but radio frequency transmission interference increases making sensor readings ambiguous
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines the locations of RFID tags and air valves before wheel assembly, calculates the distance between them, and provides alignment instructions to ensure proper positioning. This preliminary action prevents interference issues before they occur during actual wheel operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual trial-and-error wheel assembly with an automated system that uses optical cameras, RFID readers, and computer processing to determine positions, calculate distances, and provide precise alignment instructions, eliminating the ambiguity caused by close proximity of RFID tags.
2Ease of operation
If air valves are positioned 180 degrees apart on twin wheels to facilitate access, then ease of operation is improved, but RFID tag proximity causes transmission interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system reads RFID tag locations, determines air valve positions, calculates distances between RFID tags, and provides feedback in the form of alignment instructions. This feedback loop ensures that wheels are assembled with RFID tags at appropriate distances, eliminating interference while maintaining the 180-degree air valve separation for accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of control by measuring and controlling the distance between RFID tags in addition to the traditional 180-degree angular separation of air valves. This additional spatial parameter ensures that even with 180-degree separation, the RFID tags maintain sufficient distance to avoid radio frequency interference.
3Reliability
If automated alignment system is implemented to position RFID tags correctly, then sensor reading reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multi-functional components: optical cameras serve both to locate RFID tags and determine air valve positions, RFID readers identify tag locations, and the computer processing unit performs both distance calculations and generates alignment instructions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing RFID tags and air valves themselves as the measurement references rather than requiring external calibration objects or markers. The RFID tags and air valves serve dual purposes: their primary function and as positional references for the alignment system, eliminating the need for additional calibration infrastructure.
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 ensures accurate and unambiguous sensor readings by maintaining a maximum distance between RFID tags in twin wheel assemblies, improving the reliability of tire pressure monitoring systems and reducing interference.
Implementation Method 1
Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, sensors, i.e. RFID tags, for enabling identification of the specific tire and/or specific rim of a wheel, which also employs radio frequency transmissions
Data Source
AI summary
A tire fitting system and a method therein for assisting in fitting a tire on a rim of a wheel prior to assembly of the wheel on a vehicle is provided. The tire fitting system comprising a processing circuitry configured to determine a location of a RFID tag on the tire of the wheel, determine a location for an air valve on the rim of the wheel, determine the distance between the location of the RFID tag and the location for the air valve on the rim, and provide instructions for aligning the tire on the rim based on the determined distance between the location of the RFID tag and the location for the air valve on the rim.