Integrated Wheel Torque And Tire Pressure Sensing For HAD Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern vehicles, especially highly automated driving (HAD) vehicles, require precise wheel torque and tire pressure data for stable control, but existing systems increase vehicle complexity and cost due to separate components for each sensor.

Innovation Solution

A dual tire pressure and wheel torque sensor system that integrates a strain sensor and tire pressure sensor with a shared electronic control unit and wireless transceiver, transmitting combined data to a remote controller via a single wireless signal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate tire pressure sensor and wheel torque sensor systems are used, then measurement precision for both parameters is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire pressure and wheel torque measurement precisionVSAvoidvehicle system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a tire pressure sensor and a wheel torque sensor into a single integrated sensor unit. The sensor unit includes a strain sensor for measuring wheel torque and a pressure sensor for measuring tire pressure, both mounted on the wheel hub assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate sensor systems, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining measurement precision for both parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated sensor unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it measures both tire pressure and wheel torque, provides wireless communication for data transmission, and integrates power management. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require separate systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while preserving the measurement capabilities needed for highly automated driving control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If separate tire pressure sensor and wheel torque sensor systems are used, then accurate data for vehicle control is obtained, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel torque and tire pressure data accuracyVSAvoidvehicle manufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the tire pressure sensing function and wheel torque sensing function into a single integrated sensor unit, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and calibrated. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the accuracy of both measurements, making the system more economically viable for production vehicles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of information

If multiple separate sensors are installed on each wheel, then comprehensive vehicle data is collected, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle operational data completenessVSAvoidnumber of sensor components
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated sensor unit is designed to perform multiple sensing functions simultaneously - measuring both tire pressure and wheel torque within a single device. This multi-functionality ensures that comprehensive vehicle operational data is collected without requiring multiple separate sensor components, thereby reducing the quantity of parts while maintaining data completeness for highly automated driving systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Reduces vehicle complexity and cost by using a single wireless transceiver for both tire pressure monitoring and wheel torque sensing, providing accurate data for vehicle stability and performance control.

Implementation Method 1

A strain sensor and tire pressure sensor are interconnected with the body of the dual sensor. The strain sensor is configured to output strain data related to wheel strain.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStrain sensing: Piezoresistive Effect

Implementation Method 2

A tire pressure sensor is also interconnected with body. The tire pressure sensor is configured to output pressure data.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Piezoresistive Effect

Implementation Method 3

A wireless transceiver is interconnected with the body and is in communication with the electronic control unit. The wireless transceiver is configured to generate a wireless signal that includes the processed strain data and the processed pressure data.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3768530B1Dual tire pressure monitor and wheel torque sensor for vehicles
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3768530B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3768530B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3768530B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A dual tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and wheel torque sensor system generates a single wireless signal containing both tire pressure data and wheel strain data. The wheel strain data is functionally related to wheel torque. The dual sensor has a transceiver that generates the wireless signal for a remote controller. A body of the dual sensor is positioned on the interior of the wheel under the tire, near the valve stem. The wheel torque is used to control braking, propulsion or steering of a Highly Automated Driving (HAD) vehicle, and to improve vehicle stability control and vehicle diagnostics.