Wireless Wheel Hub Sensor System for Brake Temperature Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake rotor temperature monitoring systems are difficult to install and cannot directly measure wheel hub temperatures due to their wired nature and integration with the wheel hub, which is rotating, leading to inaccurate measurements and significant setup time.
Innovation Solution
An integrated wireless data system with sensors that measure operational data of vehicle wheel hub components, using RF transmission and a lightweight, low-power design with energy harvesting capabilities, allowing for easy installation and non-invasive mounting to the wheel hub without impacting wheel dynamics, and providing absolute temperature measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a wired brake monitoring system is integrated into the wheel hub assembly, then temperature measurement capability is provided, but installation complexity increases and direct wheel hub temperature measurement is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless RF communication. The sensor unit communicates with the data acquisition system via radio frequency transmission, eliminating the need for physical wiring through the rotating wheel hub assembly. This substitution maintains measurement capability while dramatically reducing installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: sensor units mounted on the wheel hub assembly, a data acquisition system in the vehicle cabin, and wireless communication interfaces. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies installation, as components can be installed separately without complex integration.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are integrated into the rotating wheel hub assembly, then direct temperature measurement is enabled, but significant setup time is required for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor units are pre-configured and calibrated before installation. The wireless communication protocols are pre-established between the sensor units and data acquisition system. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces on-site installation time, as the system requires minimal configuration during actual installation.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing wired connections with wireless RF communication, the system eliminates the time-consuming process of routing wires through the rotating wheel hub assembly and connecting them to the data acquisition system. The wireless approach allows for rapid deployment without complex mechanical integration.
3Weight of moving object
If a lightweight power source is used in the electronics enclosure, then wheel dynamics are not impacted, but power consumption must be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless transmission system operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The sensor units transmit data at predetermined intervals, and the system enters low-power states between transmissions. This periodic operation significantly reduces average power consumption, enabling the use of lightweight battery power sources without impacting wheel dynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates energy harvesting capabilities that capture and store energy from the wheel hub assembly's operational environment, such as vibrations and thermal energy. This self-service approach supplements the battery power source, further reducing the required battery capacity and overall system weight.
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
Enables easy, accurate, and continuous measurement of wheel hub operational characteristics, including brake rotor temperature, with reduced setup time and no alteration to the wheel hub assembly, ensuring reliable data for optimizing braking systems.
Implementation Method 1
The operational data may include, but is not limited to, mechanical strain, thermal strain, torsional load, change in motion, temperature
Implementation Method 2
The integrated wireless data system may wirelessly transmit the operational data from the one or more sensors to the data acquisition system using radio frequency (RF) transmission
Implementation Method 3
a vehicle's braking thermal energy or tire bending energy could be used to drive a thermo-electric converter recharging system
Implementation Method 4
axial wheel vibrations could provide energy to a piezoelectric or inductive power solution
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to an integrated wireless data system and method for mounting the system on one or more components within a vehicle wheel hub assembly for measuring operational data relating to the condition or status of a brake rotor or other components within a wheel hub assembly, where the integrated wireless data system rotates with the vehicle wheel.