Tire sensor communication system

• US 20050046559A1
• Filed: 05/25/2004
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Kulha, Steven P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,205,885 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/445
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/043 using transformer type signal transducers, e.g. rotary transformers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1001 Alarm systems associated with another car fitting or mechanism, e.g. door lock or knob, pedals features related to the general power supply B60R25/1018
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001

Abstract

A wheel sensor communication system (10) includes a primary coil (30) and a secondary coil (32), which operate as an electromagnetic transformer which is uncoupled mechanically but coupled electrically through a vehicle wheel assembly rotational interface. The electromagnetic transformer provides for the transfer of energy and data from a sensor (18) to a controller (14).

Claims

1. A communication system for a rotational interface comprising:

a controller;

a power source;

a rotationally fixed primary coil mounted along an axis, said primary coil powered by said power source and in communication with said controller;

a secondary coil mounted for rotation about the axis; and

a sensor in communication with said secondary coil.

2. The communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said primary coil is located at least partially within said secondary coil.

3. The communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises a pressure sensor.

4. The communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said primary coil is mounted to a hub shaft.

5. The communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said secondary coil is mounted within a wheel hub.

6. The communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor communicates with said primary coil through said secondary coil and with said controller through said primary coil.

7. A communication system for a wheel assembly comprising:

a wheel hub rotationally mounted to a hub shaft;

a controller;

a rotationally fixed primary coil mounted to said hub shaft along an axis, said primary coil in communication with said controller;

a secondary coil mounted for rotation about said axis, said secondary coil mounted to said wheel hub along the axis; and

a sensor in communication with said secondary coil.

8. The communication system as recited in claim 7, wherein said primary coil is located at least partially within said secondary coil.

9. The communication system as recited in claim 7, wherein said sensor comprises a pressure sensor mounted within a tire.

10. The communication system as recited in claim 7, wherein said sensor comprises a temperature sensor mounted within a tire.

11. The communication system as recited in claim 7, wherein said primary coil is powered.

12. A method of communicating through a rotational interface comprising the steps of:

(1) electrically coupling a rotationally fixed primary coil along an axis with a secondary coil mounted for rotation about the axis;

(2) powering the primary coil;

(3) connecting a sensor to the secondary coil; and

(4) communicating data from the sensor to the controller through the electrical coupling.

13. A method as recited in claim 12, further comprising the step of:

triggering an alarm in response to a decoupling of the electrical coupling of said step (1).

14. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein said step (1) further comprises mounting the rotationally fixed primary coil to a hub shaft.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein said step (1) further comprises mounting the secondary coil to a wheel hub mounted over the hub shaft.

16. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein said step (4) further comprises communicating a tire pressure.

17. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein said step (4) further comprises communicating a tire temperature.

18. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein said step (1) further comprises mounting the rotationally primary coil and the secondary coil to a wheel assembly.