Method and control unit for checking vehicle tires

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9116072-B2
Application number	US-201214354017-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 25, 2012
Priority date	Nov 12, 2011
Publication date	Aug 25, 2015
Grant date	Aug 25, 2015

Abstract

In a method for checking vehicle tires, wheel sensor signals of at least one wheel of the vehicle are recorded over a time period, and a comparative value is determined to indicate a travel distance of the wheel. A reference travel distance covered by the vehicle in the time period is determined independently of the wheel sensor signals, and an individual ratio value of the wheel is formed from the wheel travel distance and the reference travel distance. The behavior of the ratio value over time is determined, and a determination is made concerning changes to the tire of the wheel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for checking vehicle tires, comprising: receiving, at a control device of a vehicle, wheel sensor signals of at least one wheel of the vehicle over a period of time, each of the at least one wheel being associated with a respective tire of at least one tire of the vehicle; measuring air pressure of the at least one tire using at least one tire pressure sensor; and using the control device to: determine, based on the wheel sensor signals, at least one comparison variable, each of the at least one comparison variable indicating a wheel distance of a respective wheel of the at least one wheel; determine a reference distance covered by the vehicle in the period of time using information regarding the vehicle other than the wheel sensor signals; determine at least one ratio value, each of the at least one ratio value being a ratio value of the wheel distance of a respective wheel of the at least one wheel and the reference distance; determine a behavior of the at least one ratio value against time by determining a first ratio value of the at least one ratio value for a first wheel of the at least one wheel using a wheel distance of the first wheel detected while the first wheel is in motion, storing the first ratio value after the first wheel becomes stationary, determining a second ratio value of the at least one ratio value for the first wheel using a wheel distance of the first wheel detected after the first wheel resumes motion, and comparing the first ratio value with the second ratio value; and determine a change of the at least one tire based on the measured air pressure and the behavior against time.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first wheel is associated with a first tire of the at least one tire, and wherein using the control device to determine the change of the at least one tire based on the behavior against time comprises using the control device to determine a reduction of radius of the first tire.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising using the control device to determine the behavior of the at least one ratio value by determining whether a change of at least one of the at least one ratio value is above a threshold.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising using the control device to determine the behavior of the at least one ratio value by determining whether a change of at least two ratio values of the at least one ratio value is above a threshold.

5. A method for checking vehicle tires, comprising: receiving, at a control device of a vehicle, wheel sensor signals of at least one wheel of the vehicle over a period of time, each of the at least one wheel being associated with a respective tire of at least one tire of the vehicle; measuring air pressure of the at least one tire using at least one tire pressure sensor; and using the control device to: determine, based on the wheel sensor signals, at least one comparison variable each of the at least one comparison variable indicating a wheel distance of a respective wheel of the at least one wheel; determine a reference distance covered by the vehicle in the period of time using information regarding the vehicle other than the wheel sensor signals; determine at least one ratio value, each of the at least one ratio value being a ratio value of the wheel distance of a respective wheel of the at least one wheel and the reference distance; determine a behavior of the at least one ratio value against time by determining a first ratio value using the wheel distance of a first wheel of the at least one wheel associated with a first tire of the at least one tire at least one of (i) before switching off one of the vehicle and a towing vehicle that is towing the vehicle and (ii) when the vehicle is stationary, determining a second ratio value using the wheel distance of a second wheel of the at least one wheel associated with a second tire of the at least one tire at least one of (iii) after switching on one of the vehicle and a towing vehicle that is towing the vehicle and (iv) after further travel by the vehicle, and comparing the first ratio value against the second ratio value; and determine a change of the at least one tire based on the measured air pressure and the behavior against time.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein using the control device to determine the change of the at least one tire comprises using the control device to factor in at least one tire radius change resulting from air pressure change of at least one of the at least one tire.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one wheel comprises a plurality of wheels.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the at least one comparison variable comprises a plurality of comparison variables, and wherein the at least one ratio value comprises a plurality of ratio values, the method further comprising using the control device to at least one of (i) compare the plurality of ratio values against one another and (ii) compare the plurality of comparison variables against one another.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the information is associated with at least one of (i) a global position determination system, (ii) a revolution rate in the vehicle determined from at least one of a wheel shaft and a drive train, and (iii) a vehicle speed transmitted from a towing vehicle.

10. A control system for a vehicle, comprising a control device configured to receive wheel sensor signals of at least one wheel of the vehicle over a period of time, each of the at least one wheel being associated with a respective tire of at least one tire of the vehicle; determine, based on the wheel sensor signals, at least one comparison variable, each of the at least one comparison variable indicating a wheel distance of a respective wheel of the at least one wheel; determine a reference distance covered by the vehicle in the period of time using information regarding the vehicle other than the wheel sensor signals; determine at least one ratio value, each of the at least one ratio value being a ratio value of the wheel distance of a respective wheel of the at least one wheel and the reference distance; determine a behavior of the at least one ratio value against time by determining a first ratio value of the at least one ratio value for a first wheel of the at least one wheel using a wheel distance of the first wheel detected while the first wheel is in motion, storing the first ratio value after the first wheel becomes stationary, determining a second ratio value of the at least one ratio value for the first wheel using a wheel distance of the first wheel detected after the first wheel resumes motion, and comparing the first ratio value with the second ratio value; and determine a change of the at least one tire based on measured air pressure of the at least one tire and the behavior against time.

11. The control system as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the control device is associated with at least one of a brake control system and a driving dynamics system.

Assignees

• Gorczyca Sven
• Risse Rainer
• Stender Axel
• Wabco Gmbh

Inventors

• Gorczyca Sven
• Risse Rainer
• Stender Axel

Classifications

• B60C23/0408 Primary

  transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver · CPC title

• G07C5/08

  Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time · CPC title

• B60C23/061

  by monitoring wheel speed (measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles G01C22/00) · CPC title

• G01M17/02 Primary

  Tyres · CPC title