Wheel-end mounted multipurpose acceleration sensing device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of monitoring one or more components of a vehicle wheel/tire assembly, comprising:
- providing at least one vehicle axle having a first end and a second end to which first end or second end at least one wheel/tire assembly having various components is mounted;
mounting at least one sensor in at least one of the first end or the second end of the at least one axle, the at least one sensor comprising an acceleration sensing device;
utilizing the acceleration sensing device to simultaneously monitor, wheel/tire assembly component vibration and to provide input to vehicle operating systems, the acceleration sensing device operatively performing the monitoring and system input functions when the at least one tire/wheel assembly is in contact with an essentially horizontal surface, and the at least one tire/wheel assembly is in rotational movement relative to such essentially horizontal surface.
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Abstract
A method of, and apparatus for, monitoring movement of one or more components of a vehicle wheel/tire assembly is disclosed. The desired monitoring functions are performed by one or more acceleration-sensing devices, preferably, by one or more accelerometers.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring one or more components of a vehicle wheel/tire assembly, comprising:
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providing at least one vehicle axle having a first end and a second end to which first end or second end at least one wheel/tire assembly having various components is mounted;
mounting at least one sensor in at least one of the first end or the second end of the at least one axle, the at least one sensor comprising an acceleration sensing device;
utilizing the acceleration sensing device to simultaneously monitor, wheel/tire assembly component vibration and to provide input to vehicle operating systems, the acceleration sensing device operatively performing the monitoring and system input functions when the at least one tire/wheel assembly is in contact with an essentially horizontal surface, and the at least one tire/wheel assembly is in rotational movement relative to such essentially horizontal surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10)
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6. A wheel-end mounted multipurpose sensor system, comprising:
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a vehicle having at least one axle, the at least one axle having a first end and a second end; and
at least one sensor system mounted within at least one of the first end or the second end of the at least one axle, the sensor system comprising an accelerometer capable of simultaneously;
monitoring the acceleration of one or more wheel/tire assembly components affixed to the at least one axle, wherein the accelerometer operatively functions when the wheel/tire assembly of the vehicle is in contact with an essentially horizontal surface, and the wheel/tire assembly is in rotational movement with respect to such horizontal surface, providing input to vehicle operating systems;
the accelerometer being electrically connected to at least one control unit on said vehicle and providing electrical signals from the one or more wheel/tire assembly components to the at least one control unit, via the electrical connection. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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9. A wheel-end mounted multipurpose sensor system, comprising:
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a vehicle having at least one axle, the at least one axle having a first end and a second end;
at least one sensor system mounted within at least one of the first end or the second end of the at least one axle, the sensor system comprising;
a first accelerometer for monitoring the acceleration of a first component of a wheel/tire assembly affixed to the first end or second end of the at least one axle; and
a second accelerometer for monitoring the acceleration of a second component of wheel/tire assembly affixed to the first end or second end of at least one axle, wherein the first accelerometer and second accelerometer operatively function when the wheel/tire assembly of the vehicle is in contact with an essentially horizontal surface, and the wheel/tire assembly is in rotational movement with respect to such horizontal surface, the first accelerometer and the second accelerometer being electrically connected to at least one control unit on said vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification