Electronic communication system

• US 20060234775A1
• Filed: 01/12/2004
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NXP B.V. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: NXP B.V. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Inventors: Nowottnick, Jurgen, Giesler, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,492,249 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/561
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0444 Antenna structures, control or arrangements thereof, e.g. for directional antennas, diversity antenna, antenna multiplexing or antennas integrated in fenders
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/06 Signalling devices actuated by deformation of the tyre , e.g. tyre mounted deformation sensors or indirect determination of tyre deformation based on wheel speed, wheel-centre to ground distance or inclination of wheel axle

Abstract

In order to develop an electronic communication system (100; 100′), designed for a progressive movement means, having at least one base station (10) and having at least one carrier station (60) such that the possible uses of this communication system (100; 100′) can also be extended to other important areas of use of a progressive movement means, it is proposed that the carrier station (60) be designed as in each case at least one sensor unit, which is assigned to at least one wheel or tire (90) of the progressive movement means and—which is designed to detect and/or determine at least one characteristic parameter of the wheel or tire (90), such as for example the air pressure and/or the temperature and/or the wear of the wheel or tire (90).

Claims

1. An electronic communication system for a progressive movement means, having

at least one base station arranged in the progressive movement means and

at least one carrier station, in particular a movable carrier station, that is designed to exchange data signals with the base station,

where the base station has

at least one coupling electrode,

at least one ground electrode and

at least one processing circuit for transmitting and/or receiving the data signals, formed by a voltage between the coupling electrode and the ground electrode, to and from the carrier station and

where the carrier station has

at least one coupling electrode,

at least one ground electrode and

at least one processing circuit for receiving and/or transmitting the data signals, formed by a voltage between the coupling electrode and the ground electrode, from and to the base station,

where the coupling electrode of the base station and the coupling electrode of the carrier station are coupled to one another during operation via a coupling path for the transmission of the data signals, which coupling path has at least one capacitive connection provided over at least one electric field,

where the ground electrode of the base station is connected electrically or capacitively during operation to an electrical ground body of the progressive movement means and

where the ground electrode of the carrier station is connected electrically or capacitively during operation to the electrical ground body of the progressive movement means,

characterized in that the carrier station is designed as in each case at least one sensor unit,

which is assigned to at least one wheel or tire of the progressive movement means and

which is designed to detect and/or determine at least one characteristic parameter of the wheel or tire, such as for example the air pressure and/or the temperature and/or the wear of the wheel or tire.

2. A communication system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the carrier station, in particular the coupling electrode of the carrier station,

is spatially assigned to the outer case and/or the valve of the wheel or tire of the progressive movement means and

is electrically insulated from the rim of the wheel or tire of the progressive movement means.

3. A communication system as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the carrier station and/or the coupling electrode are integrated in the valve of the wheel or tire.

4. A communication system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the carrier station and the coupling electrode are designed as a single component and/or as a one-piece module.

5. A communication system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the coupling electrode of the base station

is spatially assigned to the wheel guard of the progressive movement means and

is electrically insulated from the wheel guard.

6. A communication system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the processing circuit of the base station has

at least one inductance,

at least one capacitance and

at least one driver circuit in the form of at least one modulator, which are preferably connected to one another in series,

where the coupling electrode of the base station is preferably connected at the connection point between the inductance and the capacitance and/or

where the ground electrode of the base station is preferably connected at the connection point between the capacitance and the driver circuit.

7. A communication system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the processing circuit of the carrier station has

at least one inductance and

at least one capacitance,

which are preferably connected to one another in parallel as a resonant circuit, and also

at least one driver circuit in the form of at least one demodulator,

where the coupling electrode of the carrier station is preferably connected at the connection point between the inductance, the capacitance and the driver circuit and/or

where the ground electrode of the carrier station is preferably connected at the other connection point between the inductance, the capacitance and the driver circuit.

8. A base station for an electronic communication system as claimed in claim 1.

9. A sensor unit for an electronic communication system as claimed in claim 1.

10. The use of at least one electronic communication system as claimed in claim 9, in particular of at least one sensor unit for detecting and/or determining at least one characteristic parameter, such as for example the air pressure and/or the temperature and/or the wear, of at least one wheel or tire of a progressive movement means.