Wireless Communication System for Tyre Service Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wheel balancing machines face challenges with inconvenient installation, maintenance, and flexibility due to cumbersome communication systems that are not easily adaptable to new protocols or logging requirements, and require physical cables that complicate data transfer and calibration.

Innovation Solution

A communication system for wheel balancing machines that enables wireless data communication between processing and measuring units using sensor-independent protocols, allowing for easier maintenance, expansion, and reduced physical constraints, with processing components integrated within measuring units for autonomous operation and data processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless communication with sensor-independent protocols is implemented, then adaptability and ease of maintenance are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to future protocolsVSAvoidcommunication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is segmented into independent functional modules: sensor components, processing components, and data communication components. Each module operates independently with standardized interfaces, allowing the system to adapt to different protocols by replacing or reconfiguring individual modules without redesigning the entire system. This modular architecture directly enables multi-protocol support while managing complexity through clear separation of concerns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The data communication component is designed with universal functionality to support multiple sensor-independent protocols simultaneously. The processing component can handle various data formats and communication standards, making the system adaptable to future legal protocolling requirements without requiring hardware changes. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by enabling protocol adaptability through software/firmware flexibility rather than hardware complexity.

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

2Ease of operation

If physical cables are eliminated for data transmission, then ease of operation and maintenance are improved, but reliability of data transmission may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of maintenanceVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical cable connection system is replaced with an electromagnetic wireless communication system. The data communication component uses electromagnetic signals to transmit measurement data between the measuring unit and processing unit, eliminating the need for physical cable connections. This substitution improves ease of maintenance by allowing the measuring unit to be easily removed and replaced without cable disconnection, while reliability is maintained through error correction protocols and redundant transmission mechanisms implemented in the wireless communication layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If processing components are integrated within measuring units, then autonomy and productivity are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement and processing efficiencyVSAvoidmeasuring unit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing component is merged with the measuring unit to create an integrated autonomous measurement system. The processing component resides within the measuring unit and directly processes measurement data from sensor components without requiring external processing hardware. This merging improves productivity by enabling real-time data processing and immediate transmission of results, while the standardized interface design keeps the complexity increase manageable through functional integration rather than architectural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If wireless communication is implemented between measuring and processing units, then flexibility of expansion is improved, but loss of information may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of expansionVSAvoiddata transmission accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the receiving end verifies data integrity and requests retransmission if errors are detected. The data communication component uses acknowledgment protocols and error checking to ensure complete and accurate data transmission. This feedback loop compensates for potential information loss in wireless transmission, maintaining data accuracy while enabling flexible system expansion through wireless connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3121578B1Communication system for a tyre service machine and measuring unit for being used with such communication system
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 SNAP ON EQUIP SRL
  • EP3121578B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3121578B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3121578B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a communication system for a tyre service machine being configured for receiving a tyre and/or a rim of a vehicle wheel rotatably about a rotation axis, the communication system (1) comprising at least one processing unit (208) and at least one measuring unit (20, 80, 90, 100), the at least one measuring unit (20, 80, 90, 100) comprising at least one sensor component (22, 24, 84, 85, 91) for measuring at least one property of the wheel, a processing component (28, 88, 98, 108) for processing data acquired by the at least one sensor component (22, 24, 84, 85, 91) and/or for processing input data received from at least one of the at least one processing unit (208), the at least one processing unit (208) and the at least one measuring unit (20, 80, 90, 100) each comprising a data communication component (209, 29, 89, 99, 109) for receiving data from and/or transmitting data to another data communication component (209, 29, 89, 99, 109). The data communication component (209) of the processing unit (208) and the data communication components (29, 89, 99, 109) of the at least one measuring unit (20, 80, 90, 100) are arranged for communicating wirelessly with each other in accordance with at least one sensor-independent protocol.