Method and system for determining tire pressure imbalances

• US 20050073400A1
• Filed: 10/06/2003
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Tu, Thomas H., Buck, M. Scott
• Granted Patent: US 6,998,975 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/445
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0416 allocating a corresponding wheel position on vehicle, e.g. front/left or rear/right

Abstract

A tire pressure detection system including a pneumatic tire, a valve system coupled to the pneumatic tire, a switch contained within the valve system, the switch including a transmitter, a receiver in wireless communication with the transmitter; and where when the switch is actuated the switch will transmit tire pressure information to said transmitter.

Claims

1. A tire pressure detection system comprising:

a pneumatic tire;

a valve system coupled to said pneumatic tire;

a switch contained within said valve system, said switch including a transmitter;

a receiver in wireless communication with said transmitter; and

wherein when said switch is actuated said switch will transmit tire pressure information to said transmitter.

2. The tire pressure detection system of claim 1 wherein said tire switch includes a plunger that may be depressed.

3. The tire pressure system of claim 1 wherein said tire switch includes a rolling sensor.

4. The tire pressure system of claim 1 wherein said transmitter periodically transmits tire pressure information to said receiver.

5. The tire pressure system of claim 1 wherein said receiver is located in a vehicle body computer.

6. A tire pressure sensor comprising:

a switch contained within a valve system of a pneumatic tire, said switch including a transmitter; and

wherein when said switch is actuated said switch will transmit tire pressure information to a receiver.

7. The tire pressure sensor of claim 6 wherein said switch includes a plunger that may be depressed.

8. The tire pressure sensor of claim 6 wherein said tire switch includes a rolling sensor.

9. The tire pressure sensor of claim 6 wherein said transmitter periodically transmits tire pressure information to said receiver.

10. A method of determining tire pressure for a vehicle comprising:

providing tire pressure sensors in the tires of the vehicle;

depressing tire switches in the tires of a vehicle in a specific sequence;

transmitting a unique identification code from said tire switches to a receiver in the vehicle upon depression of the tire switches; and

learning the position of each said tire.