Wireless Sensor Power Module for Gas Spring Suspension Assemblies

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing complexity of vehicle systems, particularly in suspension and wheel assemblies, leads to challenges such as the need for numerous sensors and wiring, which complicates assembly, increases material costs, and vehicle weight.

Innovation Solution

The development of communication and power transmission modules that use wireless power and communication technology to connect sensors with vehicle controllers, reducing the need for direct wiring and enabling securement adjacent to suspension components or wheels, allowing for wireless data transmission and power supply to sensing devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If direct wiring is used to connect numerous sensors and components, then reliable communication is achieved, but assembly complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. Sensors and components communicate with the controller via wireless signals instead of physical electrical connections, eliminating the need for extensive wiring harnesses while maintaining reliable data transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a wireless communication module as an intermediary between sensors and the controller. This module facilitates data transmission without direct physical connections, simplifying the system architecture while ensuring reliable communication through standardized wireless protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If direct wiring is used to connect sensors, then power and data transmission is ensured, but material costs and vehicle weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transmission reliabilityVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes electrical wiring with wireless power and data transmission systems. This eliminates the weight of extensive copper wiring harnesses while maintaining reliable power delivery and data communication through electromagnetic fields.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the wiring infrastructure from the vehicle system. By taking out the physical cables and connectors, the system achieves weight reduction while maintaining functionality through wireless communication and power transmission technologies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If numerous sensors and wiring are installed, then monitoring capability is improved, but assembly and installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-consuming physical wiring installation with rapid wireless setup. Sensors can be installed and configured without the need to route and connect extensive wiring harnesses, dramatically reducing assembly time while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary configuration of wireless communication parameters and sensor calibration before installation. This allows sensors to be pre-configured and tested independently, then quickly deployed to the vehicle without time-consuming on-site wiring and configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 simplifies the assembly process, reduces material costs, and decreases vehicle weight by eliminating unnecessary wiring while maintaining effective communication and power supply to sensors, enhancing vehicle performance and ride comfort.

Implementation Method 1

The wireless power and communication portion can be operable to communicate wireless data and/or signals to and/or from the associated sensing device and operable to wirelessly transmit power to the associated sensing device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12070980B2Communication modules as well as gas spring assemblies and vehicle systems including same

Publication Date: 2024.08.27 FIRESTONE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS COMPANY LLC

AI summary

A communication and power transmission module includes a communication connection portion adapted for communicative coupling with an associated controller. A wireless power and communication portion is adapted for communicative coupling with an associated sensing device operatively associated with an associated suspension component and/or an associated wheel. The wireless power and communication portion is operable to communicate wireless data and/or signals to and/or from the associated sensing device and operable to wirelessly transmit power to the associated sensing device. Gas spring assemblies and vehicles including one or more of such communication and power transmission modules are also included.