Tire pressure monitoring system

• US 20050132792A1
• Filed: 12/19/2003
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sensata Technologies Incorporated (Sensata Technologies Holding Plc)
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Cunningham, Kenneth J., Nantz, John S., Tang, Qingfeng, Lemense, Thomas J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,941,801 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/146.400
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0416 allocating a corresponding wheel position on vehicle, e.g. front/left or rear/right

Abstract

A method is provided for replacing at least one tire of a vehicle on a first wheel in a first wheel position, the vehicle having a tire pressure monitoring system with a first sensor unit having a first ID code mounted to the first wheel. The first sensor unit is interrogated. Either a nominal result or a faulted result of the interrogation is detected. The at least one tire is removed from the first wheel. If the nominal result is detected during the interrogating step, then the first sensor unit is re-interrogated. Either a nominal result or a faulted result of the re-interrogation is detected. If either of the interrogation or the re-interrogation provide a faulted result then the first ID code is cloned into a replacement sensor unit and then the replacement sensor unit is swapped for the first sensor unit on the first wheel. A new tire is installed onto the first wheel. The first wheel is installed onto the vehicle in the first wheel position.

Claims

1. A method of replacing at least one tire of a vehicle on a first wheel in a first wheel position, said vehicle having a tire pressure monitoring system with a first sensor unit having a first ID code mounted to said first wheel, said method comprising the steps of:

interrogating said first sensor unit;

detecting either a nominal result or a faulted result of said interrogation;

removing said one tire from said first wheel;

if said nominal result is detected during said interrogating step, then re-interrogating said first sensor unit;

detecting either a nominal result or a faulted result of said re-interrogation;

if either of said interrogation or said re-interrogation provide a faulted result then cloning said first ID code into a replacement sensor unit and swapping said replacement sensor unit for said first sensor unit on said first wheel;

installing a new tire onto said first wheel; and

installing said first wheel onto said vehicle in said first wheel position.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said interrogating step and said re-interrogating step each comprises the steps of:

transmitting a low-frequency command from a service tool to said first sensor unit;

said first sensor unit transmitting a radio-frequency response message including sensor data and said first ID code; and

said service tool receiving said radio-frequency response message.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said interrogating step comprises the steps of:

establishing a high pressure in said one tire;

transmitting a low-frequency command from a service tool to said first sensor unit;

said first sensor unit transmitting a first radio-frequency response message including sensor data and said first ID code;

said service tool receiving said first radio-frequency response message;

establishing a low pressure in said one tire;

transmitting a low-frequency command from said service tool to said first sensor unit;

said first sensor unit transmitting a second radio-frequency response message including sensor data and said first ID code; and

said service tool receiving said second radio-frequency response message.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said first detecting step comprises comparing said sensor data in said first and second radio-frequency response messages with predetermined data.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

recording said results of said interrogation and said re-interrogation to establish involvement of said removing step in any faulted result.

6. A method of replacing a plurality of tires of a vehicle on respective wheel in respective wheel positions, said vehicle having a tire pressure monitoring system with respective sensor units having respective ID codes mounted to said respective wheel s, said method comprising the steps of:

sequentially interrogating said respective sensor units;

detecting either a nominal result or a faulted result of each of said interrogations;

removing said plurality of tires from said respective wheel s;

re-interrogating said respective sensor units for which a nominal result was detected during said respective interrogations;

detecting either a nominal result or a faulted result of each of said re-interrogations;

if either of said interrogation or said re-interrogation for a respective sensor unit provide a faulted result then cloning said respective ID code of said respective sensor unit into a replacement sensor unit and swapping said replacement sensor unit for said respective sensor unit on said respective wheel;

installing a respective new tire onto each of said respective wheel s; and

installing said respective wheel s onto said vehicle in their respective wheel positions.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said interrogating steps and said re-interrogating steps each comprise the steps of:

transmitting a low-frequency command from a service tool to a respective sensor unit;

said respective sensor unit transmitting a radio-frequency response message including sensor data and said respective ID code; and

said service tool receiving said radio-frequency response message.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said interrogating steps each comprise the steps of:

establishing a high pressure in a respective tire;

transmitting a low-frequency command from a service tool to said respective sensor unit;

said respective sensor unit transmitting a first radio-frequency response message including sensor data and said respective ID code;

said service tool receiving said first radio-frequency response message;

establishing a low pressure in said respective tire;

transmitting a low-frequency command from said service tool to said respective sensor unit;

said respective sensor unit transmitting a second radio-frequency response message including sensor data and said respective ID code; and

said service tool receiving said second radio-frequency response message.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said first detecting step comprises comparing said sensor data in said first and second radio-frequency response messages with predetermined data.

10. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of:

recording said results of said interrogation and said re-interrogation to establish involvement of said removing step in any faulted result.