Wheel-monitoring module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10035387-B2
Application number	US-74239910-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 30, 2007
Priority date	Nov 30, 2007
Publication date	Jul 31, 2018
Grant date	Jul 31, 2018

Abstract

A module is operable to monitor at least a pressure within a tire of a wheel, the module being operatively mounted to said wheel, the module including (a) a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure (P) and generating a corresponding pressure signal; and b1) an associated data memory including a data field containing data relevant to the functional status of the tire.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A module operable to monitor at least a pressure within a tire of a wheel of a vehicle, the module being operatively mounted to the wheel, the module including:
(a) a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure and generating a corresponding pressure signal;
b) an associated data memory including a data field containing data relevant to a functional status of the tire; and
(c) a data processor arranged to detect that the pressure measured by the pressure sensor has fallen below a predetermined threshold value and, upon detecting that the pressure measured by the pressure sensor has fallen below the predetermined threshold value, arranged to communicate a message that the data relevant to the functional status of the tire is unreliable for use in ascertaining the functional status of the tire and as a result to adapt functions of the data processor to default values assuming an inferior tire quality, the data processor being further arranged to detect that the pressure measured by the pressure sensor is above the predetermined threshold value and, upon detecting that the pressure measured by the pressure sensor is above the predetermined threshold value, arranged to communicate a message that the data relevant to the functional status of the tire is reliable for use in ascertaining the functional status of the tire and as a result to adapt application of subsystems of the vehicle to the data stored in the associated memory to control movement of the vehicle,
wherein the data field containing data relevant to the functional status of the tire includes one or more of the following data:
a) tire slip curves,
b) tire size,
c) tire age, and
d) a record of the distance the tire has been used.

2. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the data processor is prevented from changing the data relevant to the functional status of the tire from “unreliable” to “reliable” unless a key code signal is received.

3. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the data processor is arranged to change the data relevant to the functional status of the tire from “unreliable” to “reliable” when a key code signal is received externally from the module.

4. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the data processor is arranged to monitor the pressure measured by the pressure sensor and to communicate a message that the data relevant to the functional status of the tire is “reliable” as long as the pressure is maintained above a predetermined threshold value, and to communicate a message that the data relevant to the functional status of the tire is “unreliable” as soon as the pressure measured by the pressure sensor falls below the predetermined threshold value.

5. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the data processor is coupled in communication with the associated data memory and arranged to receive the pressure signal.

6. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor is mounted on a rim of the wheel.

7. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the module further comprising
(c) a wireless interface coupled in communication with the processor for enabling the processor to communicate externally to the module;
(d) a source of power for providing operating power for the module;
wherein the data processor is operable to a generate a record of the pressure as a function of time in the data memory for monitoring the wheel and the tire and to communicate information derived from the record via the wireless interface for enabling a condition of the wheel to be monitored externally to the module.

8. The module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the module is arranged to detect depressurization events experienced by the wheel or an exchange of the tire.

9. The module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the module is mountable at one or more locations on the wheel, the one or more locations including:
(a) on a hub of the wheel substantially at an axis of rotation of the wheel;
(b) on a hub of the wheel at a radial distance from the axis of rotation of the wheel;
(c) on a hub of the wheel in fluid communication with a filling valve of a tire of the wheel for sensing a pressure within the tire;
(d) within a tire of the wheel for sensing a pressure within the tire, the module being mounted to a peripheral surface of a hub of the wheel;
(e) within a tire of the wheel for sensing a pressure within the tire, the module being mounted to an inside side-wall surface of the tire for measuring flexural characteristics of the side-wall; and
(f) on an inside surface of a peripheral rim of the wheel for measuring acceleration thereat.

10. The module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the module includes a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature thereat, the temperature sensor being operable to generate a temperature signal representative of the temperature for receipt at the data processor for at least one of recording in the data memory and communicating via a wireless interface externally to the module.

11. The module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the module includes at least one of:
(a) a strain gauge sensor for measuring flexure of the tire of the wheel, the strain gauge sensor being arranged to generate a signal indicative of the flexure for receipt at the data processor for at least one of recording in the data memory and communicating via a wireless interface externally to the module;
(b) an accelerometer for measuring acceleration in at least one axis at a mounting location of the module on the wheel, the accelerometer being arranged to generate a signal indicative of the acceleration for receipt at the data processor for at least one of recording in the data memory and communicating via the wireless interface externally to the module; and
(c) a magnetic sensor for measuring a magnetic field applied to the module, the module being arranged to generate a signal indicative of the applied magnetic field to the data processor for at least one of recording in the data memory and communicating via the wireless interface externally to the module.

12. The module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the module is provided with a corresponding identification code for communicating to a processing arrangement external to the module, so that a processing arrangement operatively in communication with the module is able to recognize the module when corresponding signal data has been sent therefrom and attribute the signal data to the module.

13. The module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the data processor is coupled to the data memory, and the module via the pressure sensor is arranged to record the pressure within the tire of the wheel in relation to time as determined by a clock arrangement included within the module, and the processor is arranged to monitor changes in the pressure with time to identify one or more of:
(a) a gradual leak of air or gas from the tire indicative of a need to recharge the tire with air or gas; and
(b) any abrupt depressurization of the tire indicative of a puncturing event or a rapid deflation event having occurred, or the tire having been exchanged.

14. The module as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the module is arranged to sense data pertaining to the tire of the wheel that the tire is potentially unreliable on account of the abrupt depressurization and to communicate a message therefrom regarding the sensed data.

15. The module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the module is arranged to also respond with data indicative of expected characteristics of the wheel to which the module is mounted in operation.

16. The module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the m

Assignees

• Carresjoe Erik
• Hasselberg Per
• Trygg Anders
• Volvo Lastvagnar Ab

Inventors

• Carresjö Erik
• Hasselberg Per
• Trygg Anders

Classifications

• B60C23/0462 Primary

  Structure of transmission protocol · CPC title

• B60C23/0474

  Measurement control, e.g. setting measurement rate or calibrating of sensors; Further processing of measured values, e.g. filtering, compensating or slope monitoring · CPC title

• G01L27/00

  Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring fluid pressure · CPC title

• G01L17/00

  Devices or apparatus for measuring tyre pressure or the pressure in other inflated bodies · CPC title

• G07C5/085

  using electronic data carriers · CPC title