Wheel Unit Control Module Timing via Communication Crystal Oscillator
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal of a crystal oscillator from the control module in wheel units is necessary to reduce manufacturing costs while maintaining precise timing for functions activated by the control module, as radio-frequency communication is replaced by ultra-high-frequency communication using standards like Bluetooth.
Innovation Solution
A method where the communication module, equipped with a crystal oscillator, handles the timing for activating functions in the control module, allowing the control module to operate without a crystal oscillator, using two internal clocks for precise timing and calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a crystal oscillator is integrated into the control module for precise timing, then timing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the crystal oscillator from the control module and relocates it to the communication module. This allows the control module to function without its own crystal oscillator, reducing manufacturing costs, while the communication module's crystal oscillator serves dual purposes for both communication timing and control module timing calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The crystal oscillator in the communication module performs multiple functions: it provides precise timing for ultra-high-frequency communication and simultaneously enables calibration of the control module's internal clock. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate crystal oscillator in the control module.
2Adaptability or versatility
If radio-frequency communication is replaced by ultra-high-frequency communication, then communication capability is improved, but the need for crystal oscillator in control module becomes redundant
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module's crystal oscillator is designed to serve dual purposes: enabling ultra-high-frequency communication and providing timing reference for control module operations. This eliminates the need for a separate crystal oscillator in the control module, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the timing functions of both modules into a single crystal oscillator located in the communication module. The control module's internal clock is calibrated against this shared reference, consolidating the timing infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the control module uses internal clocks without crystal oscillator calibration, then manufacturing cost decreases, but timing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module's crystal oscillator acts as an intermediary reference that calibrates the control module's internal clock. The control module compares its internal clock frequency against the stable crystal oscillator reference and applies compensation to achieve accurate timing without requiring its own crystal oscillator.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module continuously monitors the frequency difference between its internal clock and the crystal oscillator reference, then applies real-time compensation adjustments. This feedback mechanism maintains timing accuracy despite using a less precise internal clock, eliminating the need for an expensive crystal oscillator in the control module.
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 decreases the cost of wheel units by removing the crystal oscillator from the control module while maintaining the required precision for function activations and periodicities, with the communication module's crystal oscillator providing dual functionality for ultra-high-frequency communication and internal clock calibration.
Implementation Method 1
a communication module, housed in the wheel unit, allowing the two-way exchange of short-range data signals using ultra-high-frequency radio waves
Implementation Method 2
at least one first internal clock associated with a crystal oscillator for timing communications with outside the wheel unit
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a trigger of an activation of a function by a control module housed in a wheel unit and communicating, via a communication module, which includes a first clock employing a crystal oscillator and which communicates via UHF radio waves, with outside the wheel unit, requests to activate a function to be performed at a predetermined time being transmitted to the control module. When an activation is required, a first count of time to activation is started in the communication module by the first clock, a request to activate being transmitted from the communication module to the control module which, upon receipt, is reconfigured in order to activate the function at the predetermined time, an end of the count in the communication module being transmitted to the control module, in order for the trigger to occur at the predetermined time.