Pressure sensor assembly with clock module and measuring and monitoring microprocessor

• US 20050206512A1
• Filed: 02/20/2003
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronic (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Delaporte, Francis
• Granted Patent: US 7,437,921 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/442
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0454 Means for changing operation mode, e.g. sleep mode, factory mode or energy save mode
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0457 self triggered by timer
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0459 self triggered by motion sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0474 Measurement control, e.g. setting measurement rate or calibrating of sensors; Further processing of measured values, e.g. filtering, compensating or slope monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0479 Communicating with external units being not part of the vehicle, e.g. tools for diagnostic, mobile phones, electronic keys or service stations
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0488 Movement sensor, e.g. for sensing angular speed, acceleration or centripetal force

Abstract

A tire pressure assembly assembly includes a tire pressure sensor for automobile vehicle wheels and a microprocessor for pressure measurement and for control of a radio transmission circuit. The sensor has a module for activating the microprocessor associated with an activation control timer. The timer is programmable and the assembly includes means for programming the timer.

Claims

1. An assembly, comprising:

a tire pressure sensor for automobile vehicle wheels; and

a microprocessor for pressure measurement and for control of a radio transmission circuit, the sensor having a module for activating the microprocessor associated with an activation control timer,

wherein the timer is programmable and means are provided for programming it.

2. Assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is arranged to program the timer.

3. Assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for programming the timer are sensitive to a temperature of a tire.

4. Assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for programming the timer are sensitive to a pressure of a tire.

5. Assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for programming the timer are sensitive to at least one of a speed of rotation and to a centrifugal force caused by a rotation of the wheel.

6. Assembly as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a radio transmission circuit controlled by the microprocessor wherein the radio transmission circuit is arranged to transmit frames containing at least an identification of the sensor at an accelerated rate during balancing of the corresponding wheel being assembled and at a slowed rate when a temperature of the corresponding wheel increases.

7. Assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the timer is mounted in the pressure sensor and is arranged to control a variable-period activation module.

8. Assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the timer is mounted in the microprocessor and is arranged to be controlled by a fixed-period activation module.

9. A pressure assembly for use with a wheel of a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a tire pressure sensor;

a processing circuit configured to receive signals from the tire pressure sensor and output data based on the tire pressure, the processing circuit operating to receive signals from the tire pressure sensor periodically;

wherein a period at which the processing circuit operates is variable and comprises a first finite period of time and a second finite period of time; and

wherein switching from the first finite period of time to the second finite period of time is controlled based on a signal received from a temperature sensor.

10. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

timer configured to control periodic operation of the microprocessor; and

a temperature sensor configured to determine a temperature of an environment of the processing circuit;

wherein the timer is programmed based on data collected from the temperature sensor.

11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein a period at which the processing circuit operates comprises a finite period of time which can be interrupted by occurrence of a predetermined event causing the processing circuit to operate.

12. The assembly of claim 9, wherein a period of time at which the processing circuit operates is controlled based on at least one of a pressure of the tire, a speed of rotation of the wheel and to a centrifugal force caused by rotation of the wheel.

13. A pressure assembly for use with a wheel of a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a tire pressure sensor;

a processing circuit configured to receive signals from the tire pressure sensor and output data based on the tire pressure;

a timer configured to control periodic operation of the microprocessor; and

a temperature sensor configured to determine a temperature of an environment of the processing circuit;

wherein the timer is programmed based on data collected from the temperature sensor.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein a period of operation of the microprocessor controlled by the timer is variable and comprises a predetermined finite period of time which can be interrupted by occurrence of a predetermined event causing the processing circuit to operate.

15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the timer is configured to increase the period of operation of the microprocessor if a temperature is too high.

16. A pressure assembly for use with a wheel of a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a tire pressure sensor; and

a processing circuit configured to receive signals from the tire pressure sensor and output data based on the tire pressure, the processing circuit having a periodic operation;

wherein a period of the periodic operation of the processing circuit is variable and comprises a predetermined finite period of time which can be interrupted by occurrence of a predetermined event causing the processing circuit to operate.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the predetermined event is determined based on a gradient in temperature.

18. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the processing circuit is configured to be controlled to operate at a first rate when a temperature is at a first value and is configured to be controlled to operate at second rate slower than the first rate when the temperature is at a second value higher than the first value.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the processing circuit is configured to be controlled such that when operating at the second rate, the processing circuit is interrupted and will activate upon the occurrence of the predetermined event.

20. A method for operating a tire pressure sensor assembly of a motor vehicle configured to monitor pressure of a tire of the vehicle, comprising:

operating a microprocessor of the tire pressure sensor at a first rate greater than zero; and

operating the microprocessor at a second rate greater than zero in response to a signal received from a sensor that is configured to monitor a parameter of an environment of the tire, the second rate being different than the first rate.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the second rate is slower than the first rate.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the parameter of the tire is a temperature of the tire.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein operating the microprocessor comprises controlling the microprocessor with a timer.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the timer is programmable based on data received from the sensor.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising operating the microprocessor at a third rate greater than zero in response to a signal received from a second sensor that is configured to monitor a parameter related to the tire, the third rate being different than the first rate and the second rate.