Tire monitoring system

• US 20050011257A1
• Filed: 07/16/2003
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Walker, Keith, Modawell, Calvin, LeMense, Thomas J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,931,920 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/146
• 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 monitoring system for a vehicle. The tire monitoring system includes a sensor assembly mountable on a wheel and has a first sensor for detecting a tire parameter and a second sensor for detecting proximity of the sensor assembly to the wheel. The sensor assembly is detached from the wheel when the second sensor is not proximate to the wheel.

Claims

1. A vehicle tire monitoring system for use with a wheel that is configured to have a tire mounted thereon, the system comprising:

a sensor assembly mountable on the wheel, the sensor assembly including a first sensor for detecting a tire parameter and a second sensor for detecting proximity of the sensor assembly to the wheel based on the position of the second sensor relative to the wheel.

2. The vehicle tire monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the sensor assembly is disposed on the wheel using an adhesive.

3. The vehicle tire monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the first and second sensors are mounted on a circuit board.

4. The vehicle tire monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising a protective cover disposed around the first and second sensors.

5. The vehicle tire monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the sensor assembly is disposed on a drop center portion of the wheel.

6. The vehicle tire monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the second sensor is a hall effect sensor that detects detachment of the sensor assembly from the wheel based on the position of the second sensor relative to a magnet positionable proximate to the wheel.

7. The vehicle tire monitoring system of claim 7 wherein an insulator is disposed between the magnet and the wheel to inhibit demagnetization of the magnet.

8. The vehicle tire monitoring system of claim 7 wherein the sensor assembly further comprises a bracket for positioning the second sensor relative to the magnet.

9. The vehicle tire monitoring system of claim 8 wherein the bracket includes an aperture located between the second sensor and the magnet.

10. A vehicle tire monitoring system for use with a wheel that is configured to have a tire mounted thereon, the system comprising:

a sensor assembly mountable on the tire, the sensor assembly including a first sensor for detecting a tire parameter and a second sensor for detecting proximity of the sensor assembly to the tire based on the position of the second sensor relative to the tire.

11. The vehicle tire monitoring system of claim 10 wherein the sensor assembly is disposed on the tire using an adhesive.

12. The vehicle tire monitoring system of claim 10 wherein the first and second sensors are mounted on a circuit board.

13. The vehicle tire monitoring system of claim 10 further comprising a protective cover disposed around the first and second sensors.

14. The vehicle tire monitoring system of claim 10 wherein the second sensor is a hall effect sensor that detects detachment of the sensor assembly from the tire based on the position of the second sensor relative to a magnet positionable proximate to the tire.

15. The vehicle tire monitoring system of claim 14 wherein an the magnet is disposed on the tire using an adhesive.

16. The vehicle tire monitoring system of claim 14 wherein the sensor assembly further comprises a bracket for positioning the second sensor relative to the magnet.

17. The vehicle tire monitoring system of claim 16 wherein the bracket includes an aperture located between the second sensor and the magnet.

18. A system for monitoring a pneumatic tire disposed on a vehicle wheel, wherein the pneumatic tire and the vehicle wheel cooperate to define a chamber surface, the system comprising:

a magnet disposable on the chamber surface; and

a sensor assembly disposable on the chamber surface proximate to the magnet, the sensor assembly including a pressure sensor for sensing air pressure in the tire and an attachment sensor;

wherein the attachment sensor is configured to detect attachment of the sensor assembly to the chamber surface based on the position of the attachment sensor relative to the magnet.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the sensor assembly further comprises a housing that receives the attachment sensor and the pressure sensor.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the housing is disposed on a bracket attached to the chamber surface.