Automatic tire inflation based on vehicle loading conditions

• US 20030216845A1
• Filed: 05/15/2002
• Published: 11/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Williston, Scott Lawton
• Application Number:
  US10/146,614
• Publication Number:
  US 20030216845A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00354 Details of valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00372 characterised by fluid diagrams
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver

Abstract

A tire pressure control system for a vehicle including a vehicle frame, at least one axle, a tire coupled to the axle, a tire pressure sensor sensing pressure in the tire, a load sensor sensing the load on the axle, a controller electronically coupled to the tire pressure sensor and the load sensor, and a compressor pneumatically coupled to the tire and controlled by the controller to maintain a desired tire pressure for the load.

Claims

1. A tire pressure control system for a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle frame;

at least one axle;

a tire coupled to said at least one axle;

a tire pressure sensor sensing pressure in said tire;

a load sensor sensing the load on said at least one axle;

a controller electronically coupled to said tire pressure sensor and said load sensor; and

a compressor pneumatically coupled to said tire and controlled by said controller to maintain a desired tire pressure for said load.

2. The tire pressure control system of claim 1 further comprising an ambient temperature sensor.

3. The tire pressure control system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of tires, a plurality of tire pressure sensors, and a plurality of load sensors.

4. The tire pressure control system of claim 1 further comprising an air suspension system equipped with an air pressure sensor to indicate load on said air suspension system.

5. The tire pressure control system of claim 1 further comprising a calibration table containing desired tire pressures based on load.

6. The tire pressure control system of claim 1 further comprising a calibration table containing desired tire pressures based on ambient temperature.

7. The tire pressure control system of claim 1 further comprising a feedback device coupled to said controller to inform an operator of leak condition.

8. A method of controlling tire pressure in a tire comprising:

monitoring tire pressure in the tire;

monitoring load on the tire;

determining a desired tire pressure from the monitored load; and

generating said desired pressure in the tire.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of monitoring ambient temperature.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of providing a calibration table correlating the monitored load to a desired tire pressure.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of indicating to an operator of a vehicle a desired tire pressure.

12. A tire pressure control system for a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle frame;

at least one axle;

a tire coupled to said at least one axle;

a load sensor sensing the load on said at least one axle;

a controller electronically coupled to said load sensor; and

a tire pressure indicator coupled to said controller, wherein a recommended tire pressure is displayed on the indicator.

13. The tire pressure control system of claim 12 further comprising a plurality of tires, a plurality of tire pressure sensors, and a plurality of load sensors, wherein said tire pressure indicator displays recommended tire pressures for each of said plurality of tires.

14. The tire pressure control system of claim 12 wherein said controller includes a calibration table linking measured tire loads to recommended tire pressures.

15. The tire pressure control system of claim 12 wherein said controller includes a function to process measured tire loads into recommended tire pressures.