ROBUST METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE AUTOMATIC DETECTION OF A DETACHED REMOTE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR OF A TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM

• US 20070040660A1
• Filed: 08/18/2005
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Wojcik, Karl, Miller, Thomas, McQuade, Thomas, Racha, Srini
• Granted Patent: US 7,271,709 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 23/04985 using straps surrounding the rims

Abstract

A tire pressure monitoring system for detachment detection of a tire pressure sensor is provided. The system includes a tire pressure sensor, a receiver and a controller. The tire pressure sensor includes a transmitter for transmitting a word having a detachment state. The receiver is for receiving the word and is coupled to the controller. The controller decodes the word and determines the detachment state of the tire pressure sensor. A robust method for the automatic detection of a detached tire pressure sensor of a tire pressure monitoring system is also provided.

Claims

1. A method of operating a tire pressure monitoring system for the detection of a detached tire pressure sensor in a wheel comprising:

detecting a detachment state of a tire pressure sensor; and

transmitting a word including said detachment state.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the detachment state is determined from a detachment detector included within a pressure sensor circuit of said tire pressure sensor.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said detachment state has one of a detached state or a not detached state.

4. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising receiving said word and decoding said word.

5. A method as recited in claim 4 further comprising generating a warning signal when said decoded word includes a not detached state.

6. A method as recited in claim 5 wherein said warning signal is indicative of said detached state.

7. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein said detachment detector in said circuit is a low power element.

8. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein said detachment detector in said circuit is a comparator circuit.

9. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein said detachment detector in said circuit is a switch circuit.

10. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein said detachment detector includes at least one oriented accelerometer.

11. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said oriented accelerometer is a radial accelerometer, whereby said detachment state of said sensor is determined by exceeding a predetermined threshold or by sustained excessive accelerations.

12. A method as recited in claim 11 wherein sustained excessive acceleration may be determined by time or by count within a given time period.

13. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising generating a wake signal, wherein detecting said detachment state is in response to said wake signal.

14. A method of operating a tire pressure monitoring system for the determination of a tire pressure sensor status in a wheel comprising:

conditioning a detachment detector;

detecting a detachment state from said detachment detector; and

transmitting a said detachment state to said system.

15. A method as recited in claim 14 further comprising receiving said detachment state and indicating said detachment state when said detachment state indicates detached.

16. A method as recited in claim 14 wherein said detachment state is transmitted in a word.

17. A tire pressure monitoring system for detachment detection of a tire pressure sensor comprising:

a tire pressure sensor having a transmitter for transmitting a word having a detachment state;

a receiver for receiving said word; and

a controller coupled to said receiver, said controller decoding said word determining said detachment state.

18. A system as recited in claim 17 further comprising a display for signaling a desired action based upon said received detachment state.

19. A system as recited in claim 18 wherein said desired action includes displaying said detachment state and tire location on said display when said detachment state is detached.

20. A system as recited in claim 17 wherein said tire pressure sensor includes a battery, a transmitter and a detachment detector, wherein said detachment detector determines said detachment state.