Electronic Wheel Unit Mode Switching for Tire Data Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic wheel units for tire pressure monitoring systems lack tamper-proof integrity for stored tire information, allowing potential manipulation during normal vehicle operation.

Innovation Solution

The electronic wheel unit is designed to change modes based on vehicle rotational movement parameters, automatically switching to a tamper-proof mode after a wheel change, allowing stored tire information to be changed initially but becoming immutable during driving, with optional manual validation commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the wheel unit allows stored tire information to be changed during operation, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential tampering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of changing tire informationVSAvoidintegrity of stored tire information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel unit dynamically changes its operating mode based on detected rotational movement parameters. During vehicle operation (when rotation is detected), the system enters a second operating mode where tire information becomes immutable. During stationary periods (no rotation detected), the system enters a first operating mode where tire information can be modified. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing ease of operation when needed while ensuring reliability during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the wheel unit prevents stored tire information from being changed, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegrity of stored tire informationVSAvoidease of changing tire information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between two operating modes based on rotational movement detection. In the first operating mode (stationary), the system allows tire information to be changed with ease. In the second operating mode (moving), the system prevents changes to ensure integrity. This dynamic behavior ensures that reliability requirements are met during operation while maintaining operational flexibility when the vehicle is stationary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If manual validation commands are required for mode changes, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalidation of tire informationVSAvoidcomplexity of validation process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel unit automatically detects rotational movement parameters and autonomously transitions between operating modes without requiring manual validation commands. The system monitors its own operational state and self-regulates the mutability of tire information based on detected motion, eliminating the need for external validation input while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3471974B1Electronic wheel control unit
Publication Date: 2021.09.15 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
  • EP3471974B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3471974B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an electronic wheel unit (10) for detecting a tyre pressure of a tyre (1) of a vehicle wheel (3), for storing tyre information of the tyre (1) and for sending tyre pressure information and tyre information, wherein the wheel unit (10) is designed to permit a changing of stored tyre information in a first operating mode (M1), and to prevent a changing of stored tyre information in a second operating mode (M2). In order to improve the integrity or security of the stored tyre information, the wheel unit (10) is also designed to change from the first operating mode (M1) to the second operating mode (M2) upon fulfilment of a first mode-change criterium, wherein the fulfilment of the first mode-change criterium at least depends on an operating parameter of the vehicle wheel (3) that is representative of a rotational movement of the vehicle wheel (3).